Personal Journal from Volunteers in Mission Trip to Zimbabwe

June 21, 2000

I cannot believe that we are in Africa -- that I'm in Africa! It's funny because I've always thought Africa would be so different from America--and it is different but not a totally different world -- let's go back.

We left for the airport at 3:05 p.m. (Mom, Dad and I). We were supposed to leave at 2:30 but its our family, so we left at 3:00. I wasn't packed until last minute, I think for two reasons. First I didn't want to psyche myself up for the trip too much so that I would really be let down if we didn't go. Packing would be psyching myself up -- thinking about the trip would get me excited too (hence renting Music of the Heart the night before I left). Second I was overwhelmed -- I was caught in a trap of wanting to be independent of my parents but also needing them to help me because they had been to the meeting; wanting to pack so I would have everything I needed but not be overpacked; excited yet afraid that it wouldn't happen; worried that my parents would be too worried; and just not knowing where to start. So up until the last minute I was not packed -- and I did work on the way to the airport to have my parents send back to Providence (half to get it done, half to keep from conversing with my parents -- I love them to death but sometimes they made me even more nervous).

I finished just as we were approaching Dulles and Mom and I got out while Dad parked the car. We arrived at 4:10 -- just in time. Everyone waited outside of the line until everyone else showed up. Mr. Roberton was there but there was no sign of Kate -- we all joked with him that he would be going instead of Kate. We got in line and she soon showed up.

We waited in line forever -- it was a good thing we got there on time. Checking in was a bit crazy but we all made it through -- except Janet, Kate, and I were without boarding passes but we figured we would go to the gate and change that. Mr. Johnson asked Kisha and me if we had our Mugabe for President t-shirt and we said we did but we were waiting to put them on in London where they might have more meaning because people in London might know who Mugabe is!

We went to the gate and couldn't get our boarding passes. So we had to wait and Cindy waited with us because she wasn't going to let us be left behind. As we waited, Dad kept bugging me to get a Delta frequent flyer card. (Just what I need...another card to carry around and more junk mail sent to the house) and finally I gave in. Afterwards I told Dad that I pleased him by getting the card and I pleased Mom by bringing a jacket so I could go to the political rallies now (Dad did not find it humorous). We returned and had still not been called to get passes yet so Dad told Janet to also sign up for the card. Finally we were called and issued passes -- but our flight was delayed. We took group photos and prayed right before we left. (Rev. Gerry did a great job despite all the interruptions by the airport public address system.) Then we boarded the plane (picked up a snack bag) and we were off to Atlanta! Janet and I sat together on the way to Atlanta and talked, caught up, and shared cookies together. We arrived in Atlanta 20 minutes before our connecting flight was to take off. We arrived at Gate A22 and had to get to E15 (isn't that always the way?) so the group BOOKED IT to Gate E15 and boarded the flight just after final boarding call.

Janet, Kate and I sat in the middle row together in the back (right by the bathroom). It was hard to sleep on the plane -- just as I managed to fall asleep the flight attendant woke me up wanting to know if I wanted steak or chicken to which I replied neither and had a hard time falling back to sleep.

We awaited with great anticipation the landing of our flight in England. I've never been outside the USA before so I was so excited. We got off the plane and went through Customs and I got my first stamp in my passport. I was going to have someone take a picture but the guy stamping my passport didn't look like he would be up for it.

After a long debate, we decided not to go into London and just hung around the airport. Kisha, Janet and I went to Burger King for lunch. I had the fish tenders and they were good. Then we went shopping (looked anyway) and played cards (what else would the three of us do?). Then it was time to check in (where they gave the Greens and Janet a hard time for because they didn't have their ticket stubs for their baggage; the McCowins because their bags weighed too much) and wait until our gate was posted, while Cindy tried to get the phone working.

London was so exciting!!! I loved the accents, watching the people, the hats that the people who work at the airport wear, and just everything. I so want to go back and explore the country or at least go into the city -- just to people watch and listen to them talk. "Pardon me, luv, would you care for a spot of tea?" It was so exciting.

We met a group of singers from Africa University while we were there at the boarding gate. At first they stared at us and we couldn't figure out why but then we realized they were from Africa University and had seen our buttons. So we talked to them and found out they had been part of a group that did a USA tour and were now going back to school. We boarded our Air Zimbabwe flight -- a bit smaller than the one we rode to London but a bit larger than the prop I thought we were going to fly based on comments made by Jerry and Janet. (Janet who, after finding the flight might be 14 hours said "I quit"; good thing she didn't because it was only 10 hours and 51 minutes.)

I sat next to Janet on the flight -- she slept most of the way. For dinner, I had the beef (despite the fact that the cow came from England. I figure if I get mad cow disease it's allright -- my family is already mad!! and then tried to sleep (although the tea I had with dinner didn't help me sleep.) When I did sleep, I dreamt that we weren't going to Zimbabwe and then that we were going to be sent back when we landed.

Before I knew it, however, I heard the flight attendants getting ready for breakfast. I looked over and saw the sun rising out of the window and it was beautiful. The red was a deep red, the orange a deep orange which gave way to a light yellow and the bright sun. Beyond the sun was the bluest sky I have ever seen. I knew then and there that sunrises in Africa must be as beautiful as they are in the movies. We had breakfast and tea again and then we landed.

We got off the plane and walked into the airport. I was still in a state of disbelief -- I couldn't believe that I was in Zimbabwe! We went through Customs (and I was nervous because I knew I only had two new $20 bills out and had heard they don't accept the new $20 bills but they were accepted with no problem!) and then to get our luggage. Rev. and Mrs. Green and Janet were left without luggage but the rest of our luggage arrived. They took care of arrangements for their lost luggage and then we were off.

We were off in our little bus with the driver Henry. Driving from Harare to Mutare was amazing -- I didn't want to miss a moment. We drove from the airport toward Harare. On our descent into Harare, we turned into the road to Mutare. So we only saw the capital from afar.

But there was lots to see on the road. The vast grasslands covered both sides (in Zimbabwe, you drive on the left side of the street, once I got over that phenomenon I was able to concentrate on the surroundings of Africa) and there were flowers sporadically along the road. There were bright-colored purple flowers and bright red flowers. We also saw poinsettia (which surprised me as I thought they were native to Mexico and South America). There were rocky mountains (large hills) that were just what I imagined them to be. I could see Rafiki (a character from the movie, Lion King) holding up a baby lion cub to see the pride land. It was so amazing!

We passed villages and people walking on the road carrying things on their head. We stopped at the Half Way House for tea and then continued on to Africa University. We learned from Henry that Zimbabwe does not have free education -- that people think AIDS/HIV is a huge problem but many are misdiagnosed because they were poor or they didn't fill a prescription for another disease and died from that disease but people assume it is HIV.

We arrived at Africa University and were given a tour. The chapel was built (funded) by the Korean Church and it was gorgeous. It has both Korean and African decor influences as the top of the church is open (with windows) as in Korea but the ceiling is made of timber in Zim style. There are four Faculties -- Agriculture, Management, Education, and Theology. They hope to have a fifth soon -- Medical Sciences which would be good as there is one doctor for every 7,000 people here! They also hope to have a sixth --- Science and Technology. Dinner was beans and rice again. Afterwards we went to the dorms--met, prayed, and then played Swish. Kate and I lost the good fight. Then Kisha and I talked until it was time for bed.

SJW

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This text is taken from a personal journal of the recent trip to Zimbabwe. Statements made represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual volunteer and are not intended as official statements of the United Methodist Church or Epworth United Methodist Church. This web site is designed & maintained byEpworthSteeple Disciples

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Last modified November 4, 2000