In 2003, I had the privilege of being assigned to Zimbabwe. All I knew at the time was that Zimbabwe was in Africa and that it was the last country on the list of countries in my geography class. After securing my residency, I spent my first long-term mission in Zimbabwe as a single missionary. I left the country after a year hoping to be back for another year and continue the work. To my surprise, the Lord had other plans and my elders assigned me to strengthen the mission in East and Central Africa, being based in Tanzania.
I always prayed that the Lord grant my desire to go back to Zimbabwe. I wanted to go back to share my mission journey and witness Christ’s faithfulness in my life. My desire to go back became more passionate especially now that I’m married, I want to share to my brethren in Zimbabwe that everything they prayed for me has now come to fruit.In early 2007, when my elders informed me that they wanted me to be the country coordinator for CFC - Zimbabwe, my ‘YES’ was shouting inside my heart, knowing that it was the time to go back home where my encounter with my God in Africa began.
I started the process of securing a visa, but it was unfortunate that Zimbabwe was undergoing a great political and economical breakdown, at the same time the community had challenges with its leadership and thus, my only consolation was to bend my knees every night in prayer, asking the Lord to take care of everything.
I waited for two and a half years to secure a visa. But until I set foot in Zimbabwe, I could not claim that I was indeed coming home. On the 10th of December 2009, I finally got that stamp that I was in Zimbabwe -- I was home.
As I waited to get my luggage, all sorts of luggage were passing in front of my eyes, but my luggage was not there. Smiling, I closed my eyes and told the Lord, “You brought me here, so let me know Your plans and show me how You will unveil Your work before my eyes.”
Three days passed and my luggage was still not at the airport. It was good that I had two shirts with me in my backpack. On my fourth day, I was brought to my original host, Mommy Nell Woelk. As she welcomed me home, she told me to occupy the same room I had occupied before. To my great surprise, the cabinet of clothes and things that I had left seven years ago were still there. Mommy Nell never moved them. She had faith that I would come home.
Finally, I got my luggage on the 9th day. It was 3 days before the end of my mission trip. Everything that needed to be done pushed through. My mission was done. But by then, the Lord’s message was loud and clear, “My beloved son, you are home. You only need Me and that is enough, as your family is here to stay.”
