While the rest of the delegation was in Mt. Selinda, Stephanie and Shaun stayed in Mutare with their partner churches. The following is Stephanie’s account of her Saturday in Fern Valley, Mutare:
Saturday, July 27, 2024:
I’ve learned when there are visitors in Fern Valley, meals are a big deal. It’s like a holiday every meal! We had a lovely breakfast (about 10 people showed up to join us) and then headed to Fern Valley Church for a short morning program. It was very informal and everyone took turns introducing themselves and explaining their roles in the church.
Stephanie and some of the women of Fern Valley UCCZ before the morning program. 📸 C. Matsiya
The First Congregational Church of Hampton sent a few gifts for our friends at Fern Valley to say thank you for welcoming me and for their friendship over the years. We sent a photograph of our members from our pastor’s installation and a picture of the church (both matted and signed by our church family), along with a stole with many members’ handprints on it. Reverend Marlayna also sent along a UCC pendant for Rev. Manjonjo.
Rev. Manjonjo wearing his new stole and pendant. 📸 S. Westergren
I also learned during the morning program that our gift at Christmas helped the Fern Valley Church make enough bricks to begin constructing their new parsonage!
Fact: About 30,000 bricks are needed to build a 60 m x 80 m home. 21,650 bricks were made as a result of our Christmas gift — this was in addition to the 10,000 they had before!
After the morning program, we set off to visit Bvumba Heights Road on Bvumba Mountain. This is the second highest mountain in the region! After, we stopped at Getaway Gardens, a wedding and events center. They had the most beautiful grounds! We walked around and took some pictures of the amazing sculptures on the grounds. As we were posing, a grounds keeper came to us and said we actually weren’t allowed to take pictures without paying! Oops! Rev. Manjonjo explained my visit and they said we could take a few photos (just this once):
Photos from Getaway Gardens
📸 Rev. John Manjonjo
We rounded out our morning tour by visiting the newly constructed Chikanga Church and then the home of Rev. and Rostina Manjonjo. Chikanga Church is the largest of the 5 church buildings in Mutare!
📸 S. Westergren
Lunch was a big reception at the Mapungwanas’ home. There was chicken, beef, white sadza, rice, spaghetti, coleslaw, fruit, ice cream, and a cake— which started melting in the heat! Many of the church chairpeople were there and we enjoyed each other very much! We had conversations about schools, church, the land, the weather…everything! The Ruwadzana (similar to the Women’s Guild in NH UCC churches) all prepared the meal, and cleaned up after. Imagine all the mothers and grandmothers you know, working together, laughing together, sharing a meal together. It was amazing!
Lunch reception at the Mapungwanas’ home 📸 S. Westergren
The rest of the day was so nice — nourishment for the soul, they say. (I don’t know who “they” are but this is a super-fitting statement! Ha!). Some people left, others stayed to chat and just lounge around. It was incredibly comforting. No one felt they had to entertain me — we could all just be present. The day ended with a cup of tea with my host family. Something about just sitting in the quiet, getting to know beautiful people is so special. That is one of the things I have truly enjoyed here: how valuable people and time spent with those people is. The people here are amazing— they live simply but love immensely.
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