zimbabwe itinerary

Last night, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, nearly everyone at church walked to the front to share what we were thankful for over the past year. After sharing, each person lit a candle, and slowly, no artificial light was needed. The room was glowing.

I immediately flipped to the Gospels in Matthew 6, where Jesus talked about the birds of the air and the lilies of the field; how God knows and supplies our needs. I’ve experienced the deep truth of Jesus’ words in these Scriptures, and again, with this trip to Zimbabwe, God has used his people to provide in amazing ways.

I am so thankful for God’s provision and the people He’s placed in my life.

A simple thank you falls desperately short, but it is sincere. Your prayers and financial support for this trip are greatly appreciated; it would’ve been impossible without you. Below is the itinerary for the trip; please continue to pray for our team that God would accomplish his work through us.

Vital Connections Zimbabwe Ministry Team Itinerary

11/28: Depart Grand Rapids with team of six.

11/29: Arrive at Harare around 9 p.m. to be met by Simon Smith. Staying at Meikles Hotel.

11/30: Drive to Chinhoyi early—Youth Conference at Hunnington Retreat Centre starts in the afternoon.

11/30 – 12/2: Youth conference with 100 young leaders ages 18-25 expected.

12/3: The Calling team rests and fellowships with local leaders and prepares for upcoming ministry. Kentwood Community Church Global Outreach team arrives in Harare-met by Aspher Madziyire.

12/4: The Calling team meets up with GO Team in Harare and departs for Chivhu to lead Children’s Outreach Program, conduct evening services and see feeding program.

12/5: Total KCC team together in Chinhoyi for fellowship and preparation for weekend.

12/6: Children’s outreach at Alaska feeding center and Good Shepherd Orphanage.

12/7 - 12/8: Church leaders conference at St. Peters retreat center with Craig and Teresa speaking.

12/8: KCC GO Team departs for home.

12/9: The Calling team ministers at local Chinhoyi services.

12/10: The Calling team departs Harare for Victoria Falls holiday, while Craig returns to U.S.

12/13: The Calling team arrives in Grand Rapids!

Dear God, I Am Scared

“Dear God, I am scared.”

These are the words exiting my mouth as I jog around the corner near the Catholic grade school, where swarms of bundled up kids await a string of station wagons and SUVs, like mini-celebrities waiting for their chauffeur parents.

I remember times when life was simpler, when perfecting the multiplication tables was the biggest event of third grade, when baseball cards were turned into rumbling motors on rubber bike tires, when summer vacation came every year.

“Dear God, meet me here.”

In the movie Stranger Than Fiction, Will Ferrell plays Harold Crick, an IRS tax agent whose life is narrated by a novelist who always kills her characters. Crick wonders if he’s starring in a tragedy or a comedy.

If it’s a tragedy, he dies. If it’s a comedy, he falls in love.

Three months ago I sat on a beach with change all around me, wondering what just happened to my life. Days later I signed up to go to Zimbabwe, and now, today, nine days remain before lift off.

And change still surrounds me. The unknown is on my doorstep.

Like Crick, I wonder aloud what all this is about. Not necessarily life or death, or comedy or tragedy, but the greater meaning behind what lies ahead. But I guess we have to move forward in order to look back.

In God’s own words, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Thank God He hears us. I have no reason to be scared.