Tag: wisdom
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A Full Circle Blog – Reflections on our Trip to Zimbabwe
19th August 2026 (From Josh Vazquez) Some people say that the best conversations are always the ones that go full circle. Now of course this is a blog post and not a conversation, so it’s not the best fit. But it only feels right to end my trip to Africa in the same way it…
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Farm Visits, a Near Robbery(?), and a Witch Hunt
13th August 2026 Mike Nyamasoka came in the afternoon later than anticipated. When he arrived we jumped in the pickup and headed toward the northeast corner of Harare. As we drove we saw some very nice homes, most of which are surrounded by brick or concrete fences with metal gates preventing people from easily coming…
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Sabbath Rest In Motion
7th February 2026 … 7:15am … This morning I heard reports that it has been raining in Salima since 3am. That area really needs the rain. There are penalty of places around Blantyre that also need some rain. But at least it was dry in time for the brethren to make their way to Sabbath…
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Marmite & Reading Glasses
26th January 2026 Two cups of coffee in and I’m almost ready to really start my day. My first task, after breakfast, will be to find an extra suitcase just in case I run out of space. It’s a close call but I’m sure it will all work out just fine. Partially because I brought…
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Tea & Cake, Fish & Chips, Breakfast & Plans
24th & 25th August 2025 I delayed the start to the day as long as possible but at a certain point I knew I’d have to get up, pack my bags, and face the morning head on. I dressed and packed and then stepped out of my room for a cup of coffee. I managed…
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Blantyre and Busses on the Sabbath
23rd August 2025 I rose early in the morning so I could get started on my first cup of coffee, and also go over my sermon notes and blog posts. Since I was the only one awake I had some quality time with Ollie. Before long Derek and the rest of the household were awake…
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Slow Road to Mayaka
21st August 2025 It was time to wake up and start moving. Neither Derek nor I had coffee in hours (since those delicious lattes in the Harare airport). Of course on such a trip as this when we have moved from place to place and had different schedules each day, our usual routines become less…
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Zimbabwe’s Beautiful, Patient People
20th August 2025 Guest Entry from Derek Strauss, minister of the United Church of God based in Dallas, TX: I was born in 1956, in Bulawayo, the second city of Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia). My early years were carefree and peaceful. When I was 8 years old the first shots of the Rhodesian bush war rang…
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Feast Planning and Feasting
18th August 2025 After a morning of resting, a few cups of coffee, and a nice breakfast, Derek and I went out for a walk in the neighborhood. People in the neighborhood in Eiffel Flats are friendly. We waved at a few folks and said good morning. Derek practiced a few Shona phrases. He has…