This used to be my watch, which I loved and wore daily. Let me tell you a story... But first, sing with us...
HALLELUJAH!
Hallelujah.... Hallelujah!
HALLE.... LU...JAH!!
We got to the Zim Border Post from Botswana. It was all smiles on the Botswana side with lots of jabulani... And lots of frownie faces and pouts on the South African side. I had gone out to the trailer of books at 6:00 am the last 3 mornings to pray while laying my hands through the bars to touch the books. I prayed for God to give us that one window... that one moment where greed did not prevail, and send us the RIGHT person who would have compassion for our plight. I promised to do whatever He wanted me to do and I would be in total submission to His will and His way. We prayed that the charges would be legitimate and as little as possible. Mr. CT Dadani,founder of the Dadani Technological School was at the border with his wife Gladys. Most of the people seemed to know and respect him. When the man in charge of clearing our trailer came out in this hot African heat, I told him we had been trying to get these books to the children for 3 years now. And pleaded with him to help us. This "earth angel's" name is Takura and he just happened to be a good friend of Mr. Dadani's son! Since our shipper had gone out of business and stopped helping us, hope was dwindling fast. HHTH had no documentation except a letter from Our Minister Todd Lackie and our Chairman of Elders Dion Parker. Takura took up our cause almost as if he knew us and convinced the highest officer to help us. We had been warned that even though we had paid over $9,000. for the original shipment, to get it on into Zim would cost over $1,400. +14% Vat tax on the original goods.
L to R Sidney, Dadani, Takura, Gladys, CJ at Zim border.
I asked God to raise His hand against the extortion and to open hearts. Besides our prayers, so many of you were lifting us up in prayer. It worked! Takura came back and informed us to pay only $20. !😄 and go on across the border! We were overwhelmed with gratitude and the depth of grace shown.
So, Takura has my prized Mickey Mouse watch and it was so worth it. I just hope my beloved Wayne will buy me another one when we come home. I loved that Mickey...
Janco, our guide, proceeded to follow Dadani and Gladys the 70 kilometers to the school. Caleb, in white hat behind Gladys, organized the older boys to help unload the books but changed his mind. Instead, they want to have a "Handing Over of the Books" special Ceremony on Wednesday. It will be a formal recognition of our two worlds coming together as "one family," because in the end, we are all one. So, all of you, my dear friends who have faithfully helped us make their dreams come true, will be with us in heart. We especially give thanks to Kenwood Church for the book drive and many other contributions, and Elwine Burger from South Africa who rescued us and not only found our shipment, but re-directed it to our friend Hennie Van der Colff, when all others gave up. And our gratitude to Hennie for storing it until Janco literally loaded it on our trailer and now has it in the hands of those for whom the books were intended!!! A MIGHTY LONG JOURNEY.
Our next stop was to see our precious Wood Carvers. You have not tasted welcome until someone welcomes with Agape Love. It makes your heart soar.
Below is Trafadzwa who is apprentice to his older brother David who is a true Master. After all the hugs and hello's and got down to the beautiful process of ordering carvings for fund raising from these extraordinarily gifted men. Trafadzwa carves uniquely shaped and decorated bowls.
(L to R Mashanga, Enoch, CJ, and Sidney)
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