12th August 2025
The alarms rang out at 3am but both of us were already awake. We had scheduled our breakfast pickup to be at 4:15 since we figured we would catch the shuttle at 4:30. But first, a cup of coffee. I made an executive decision that decaf wasn’t going to do us any good. I filled the kettle with water and prepared my mug while I waited for the boil. Somehow we managed to finish our coffee, repack our bags, and head down to the front desk by 4am, just a little ahead of schedule. Thankfully our breakfast and our shuttle were waiting for us.
Breakfast was served in two brown paper bags and contained enough food that we could have saved some for lunch. We ended up giving the shuttle bus driver (the same driver from the night before) a tip and a snack. After dropping off our bags and before headed toward security and passport control, we managed to give away most of our breakfast. What we were really saving our appetites for would be on the other side.
Mugg & Bean did not disappoint. Derek had a latte and I had a flat white that came with some nice latte art. We stopped and drank our coffees (real coffee this time rather than instant), chatted about life, family history, and a little more about the work in Africa. I kept checking the time to make sure we wouldn’t be late, although our gate wasn’t far away. We still had plenty of time so we decided a second cup was definitely in order.
I usually try and bring some coffee with me when I visit the Chichayas, but this time I hadn’t transited through Ethiopia. Mugg & Bean didn’t have any of their beans for sale at the particular cafe we were at so unless I manage to find some beans in Zimbabwe it’ll be instant coffee for a while. That’s alright. I typically get used to the instant variety during certain times of the year. Earlier this summer while on the Boundary Waters Adventure Camp I had instant lattes and instant mochas available. I might have a few of the lattes still left.
In 2022 when I was last in the village of Chemba (that time with my nephew Matt Hernandez on the trip) I was able to share some coffee with the brethren there. In many parts of the world where the British had an influence on the culture, people mostly drink tea. But thankfully coffee is becoming more prevalent, even though there is periodically word of potential coffee shortages around the world. Someday I’d like to try some Zimbabwe grown coffee in Zimbabwe with Zimbabweans. Until then I’ll just stick with whatever I’ve got on hand.
With our second cups of coffee in hand, Derek and I headed for our gate. Our timing was impeccable because before we could even sit down there was an announcement letting us know that our flight was about to begin boarding. A lady came through and gave us tags for our small bags. I looked around at a few different passports that people carried in their hands. Mostly Zimbabwean but I think I saw a few from other nearby countries as well. We were in the right place at the right time.
Unfortunately we didn’t end up with an empty seat in our row, but at least our flight was mostly smooth. I tried to catch up on sleep a little but I think I was a bit too excited (or I had too much caffeine?) and eventually gave up and opened my eyes. Before we knew it we were landing in Harare.
Last year there were some major upgrades to the Harare airport. I wondered what it would look like on this trip. Most everything looked about like it did before, although we couldn’t see over the edge of the walkway like before so I had no idea of the departure gate seating area was completed or not. One obvious change to the arrival process was the use of online visa forms. There were no paper forms anywhere. Derek and I spent a good little while connecting to the wifi and filling out our forms on our phones. Then we had to stand in line and pay the fee (as usual) before gathering our bags.
Mabasa was right in front of us when we came through the exit past the last customs checkpoint. It was like a reunion, especially for Mabasa and Derek who hadn’t seen each other for nearly a decade. We made sure to get a photo together before rushing off.
The pickup truck that Mabasa usually drives has been in and out of the shop recently, and currently not running well. Since we still needed a vehicle we to get around, especially for our journey to Chemba tomorrow, we had rented a vehicle. I was a little nervous about the idea since I’ve never rented a vehicle in Zimbabwe before and I wasn’t quite sure how the process would go. Thankfully Mabasa found a reputable company. One of the staff even dropped the vehicle off at his house in Kadoma.
After running a few vehicle related errands in Harare, we made our way to Kadoma where Chisomo and the girls had lunch almost ready for us. It was a very delicious meal made extra special by adding Mabasa’s homemade mango chili sauce.
After a heavier than expected meal and a quick nap, Derek and I were prepared for the arrival of some visitors. Sydney and Chipo Nyamasoka drove over from Harare with Chipo’s youngest sister as well as their 3-month old baby boy. We sat and chatted a while about life, places in the world, and a project that the Nyamasoka’s are working on. They’ve had plans in place to design and print some children’s books that teach biblically accurate doctrines in the Shona language. Thankfully some donations came in to help them in this endeavor. They are hoping to have one booklet finished by the Feast of Tabernacles.
Before heading back home, Sydney and Chipo asked me if their son could be blessed. In the Church of God we follow the example of Jesus Christ who took little children into His arms and gave them individual blessing. We traditionally do this once a year after the Feast of Tabernacles but it can of course be done at any time and in any place as requested by parents. Although we can all always pray and ask our Heavenly Father for blessings for our children, we traditionally give this special blessing once in a lifetime, asking the elders of the Church to lay hands on a child and praying for their Creator to bless them.
We said our goodbyes to the proud parents, shorted a few things for our trip, packed and repacked, chatted with the Chichayas over another delicious meal, and then managed to make it to bed early. Somehow I managed to both get plenty of sleep and wake up multiple times in the night. As I’m writing this, the power is out which means the wifi is out, but somehow I have full phone service so I’m trying to finish this blog before I fall asleep again and before I can’t actually send it out. The morning comes early when there are adventures to be had. As Mabasa said last night at the conclusion of our meal, “The bus for Chemba leaves at 7am!”
Don’t worry. We aren’t actually taking the bus. I had best get back to sleep now. It’s nearly 3am and almost time to wake up for more coffee and the next part of our journey to begin.
-Lewis VanAusdle
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