Scatterlings of Africa: Zim IV-- Hwange

On Wed, 27 Oct, our third and final day of visiting churches, we drove 6 hours in the morning to the town of Hwange. The road was along the Hwange National Park, so we caught glimpses of some animals along the road--kudu, impala, guinea fowl, and lots of donkeys and cattle too! The city of Hwange is a coal mining town, with the Colliery still being the dominant economic power.

When we arrived in Hwange, the women of the CCAP Hwange once again out-did themselves with their hospitality. They prepared a feast for us for lunch, this time hosted at an elder's home. We ate sadza/nsima, plain rice, rice casserole w/ cheese and tomatoes, beef, fried chicken, beefstew, coleslaw, fried potatoes, soup/tomato gravy, carrots, green beans, water and softdrinks. I ate too much sadza and was stuffed! Don had served me, asking if I'd like a whole lump or half. I said a whole, not knowing how large the lumps were. They were HUGE--like twice the size of a large lump--maybe enough to fill a cereal bowl--maybe even 2-3 cups! Just when we were stuffed to the gills, they offered dessert-- chocolate cake and icecream and orange jelly (jello)!

Thus fed, we drove to the church building, where we had perhaps the most exuberant time yet, in perhaps the smallest building yet. I think because everyone knew this was the last church to visit, inhibitions were cast aside and almost everyone, even Fred was dancing!

Church members outside CCAP Hwange

Inside CCAP Hwange. Amai Ponchisi in front row in lavendar.

The Women's Guild sings a song about calling on God--some use their cell phones as props!

The Men's Guild sings from their hymnbooks.

It was a time of mixed emotions, as this was the congregation of the late Rev. David Ponchisi, former Moderator of the Harare Synod, prior to his death this summer. His children were in the choirs. His young son, Aaron, led the Sunday School choir, and sang a very spirited gospel-style solo. His wife, (I don't know her first name, as she was referred to as "Amai") was a leader of the women's guild. She had traveled with us from Bulawayo. Later in the day, we visited the cemetery, and had a short prayer service at David's graveside. By that time it was raining, and everyone's shoes were sinking into the mud. As we got back on the bus, we used sticks and puddles and whatever we could to get the caked on mud off our shoes. One of the Zambian men even used his handkerchief to wipe the mud from Fred's shoes. A contemporary sort of foot-washing.

The Hwange Congregation has big plans-- Their theme for the year is "Rise and Build" and is meant physically and spiritually. They are raising money for a large building project, for which a church "stand" or plot of land has been recently acquired from the Colliery. They have blueprints for a new church building, as well as a manse, resource center with library and computers, gathering hall, cottage, and toilet building. They are also planning an income generating project to support the growing number of widows, orphans and elderly in the congregation.

Some of the Zimbabewan women we traveled with all or part of the trip. From left: Grace Boloma (Gen. Sec.'s wife), Susan Chironga (Moderator's wife), Amai Ponchisi (Women's Guild leader, Hwange), Susan Phiri (Women's Guild Treasurer, Bulawayo), Stella Phiri (Women's Guild Chair, Harare), Maggie Banda (Elder, Bulawayo).

Ryan with Amai Ponchisi and two of her sons, outside their home.

We actually got to see more of the village this time; the church members were eager to show us the mine around which the village rotates, as well as the Kamandama Memorial site. It memorializes the 427 men who died in a mining explosion 6 June 1972. There is a statue with each miner's name and mine number. Among the well-kept grounds was also a garden of up-side-down rusted metal dishes, favorite eating-vessels never again to be used by fathers, brothers, uncles, sons.