Friday, July 26, 2024
While the rest of the delegation headed to Mt. Selinda, Stephanie and Shaun stayed in Mutare with their partner churches. The following is Stephanie’s account of her first 24 hours in Fern Valley, Mutare:
After the warm welcome reception at City Central Church, I went with Fern Valley’s Rev. John Manjonjo and his wife Rostina. We followed the Vice-Deacon Calvin Matsiya, and UKAMA ambassador Buca Jambaya. We all went to the home of Nelson and Betty Mapangwana; Nelson is the church secretary at Fern Valley.
When we arrived at their home, there was a feast waiting! Chicken feet (yes, feet), steamed green veggies (like collard greens) with tomato, white sadza (think of this as thick grits), rice, and salad. Due to water quality differences, all of us in the delegation were advised not to have any fruits or vegetables that would have been rinsed in water so, salad was out. After dinner, was pretty uneventful — tea and a biscuit then bedtime!
The next morning, I learned that EVERY meal is celebrated and is a big deal. Breakfast was with Rev. Manjonjo and Rostina, Mr. David Butler and his wife (neighbors), and Watson Matizi (the Fern Valley building chairman). There were fresh eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, toast, muffins, and tea. During breakfast, I showed e eryone pictures of my family. One picture showed me and my boys sitting on a snowbank and they were shocked! Betty said, “Are you having fun? That’s FUN?! I’ll pass.” Watson asked how we go to work if it is so cold in winter and how we drive on snow and/or ice. I tried my best to explain sanding of the roads and studded tires!
We started the day seeing six members of the delegation off to Mt. with Lorane and Rev. Mlanga from the Sakubva Church (they called it “Mutare Church”).
Fun fact: UCCZ Sakubva was the first church in the Ukama Partnership in 1996; Reverend John Manjonjo was the pastor of Sakubva at that time!
The delegation stands in front of Sakubva Church in Mutare, where Rev. Mlanga preaches, after a short morning service.
After the delegation left, we visited the Northeastern Conference Superintendent, Rev. Joshua Mapaure, at his church, Dangamvura, which has about 300 members! When the five UCC churches meet, they meet at this location.
My amazing Fern Valley family next showed me the newly-opened (in January 2024) Waterview School. Waterview is the first UCCZ school in Mutare. Their school day runs from 7:15 am to 12:30 pm. The school has levels ECD (“early child development”, which is like kindergarten in the USA), as well as grades 1 and 2.
UCCZ Waterview School - some views in classrooms and the outside
📸S. Westergren
While we were there, Shaun arrived to see the school with Liberty and Charlotte, members from City Central Church, who were showing him around Mutare. It was great to see him connecting with his hosts as well!
From Waterview, we visited a nearby lake, then headed back to the Mapungwanas’ for an amazing lunch. After lunch, Buca and company took me on a driving tour to see where the various members of the church live. Many of the Fern Valley members live within walking distance of each other.
We then drove to what is called the Prince of Wales View.
Fun fact: “Colonialists named the Prince of Wales View in Nyanga in honour of King Edward VIII, who was the Prince of Wales. It reflects the historical context of the colonial era when Zimbabwe was known as Rhodesia and was under British rule.”
I could see Mozambique to the east and Zimbabwe to the west:
Facing west at the Prince of Wales View
📸S. Westergren
Facing east at the Prince of Wales View
📸S. Westergren
Rev. Manjonjo’s wife, Rostina, picked out a stone carving that represents me, my husband, and family — she said I need to “put it in my display and think of Rostina and Rev. Manjonjo when I look at it.”
A stone carving from the Prince of Wales View. Local artists were sitting up there making and displaying these carvings.
📸 S. Westergren
Something interesting: in New Hampshire, we see squirrels all over but here…monkeys!
A vervet monkey sitting in a tree at the Inn on the Vumba in Mutare. 📸 S. Westergren
After a long day of sightseeing and getting to know the amazing folks of Fern Valley, we shared a meal together, had some laughs, and shared about each other’s lives and worlds. All I can say is “Zvakanaka!”
(Pronounced Zha-kah-nah-kah, this is Shona for “It is good!”)
Stay up to date with the delegation here on NHCUCC.org and make sure to follow the New Hampshire Conference Page on Facebook, join the Facebook Group, instagram @NHConfUCC, and check out the UCCZ Facebook Group Here. Updates to these posts occur approximately once daily.