Identity in Christ

It’s hard to believe we’ve done three days of VBS already! It’s been a very full and wonderful day here at Habitation of Hope. We woke up to the sound of the kids doing their exercises around the property, as well as the tropical bird sounds.

After breakfast, we gathered as a team for a devotional and to discuss the day, then we joined the local leaders for a group meeting. Judy gave her very strong and transparent testimony, followed by a run-down of the day’s plan.

Today’s theme was “Get Praying!” and was based on the story of the Prodigal Son. Our memory verse for the day was 1 John 1:9—If we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

At 10:00, the VBS started with worship, Bible skit and having kids practice the memory verse. Then for the next three hours we were with the kids as we moved to small group discussion, games and crafts. The small groups are the best part of this time, in my estimation, as we can really connect in a more personal way with the kids with questions based on the day’s teaching. My group is known as the Red Rhinos, and we have our special chant which we will perform on the Friday night celebration.

After lunch, we launched into our Wednesday boys and girls groups. By way of background, on our first team mission to Zimbabwe in 2014 God put something on my heart. I recognized that many, if not most, of the boys we serve don’t have positive male role models. Their fathers may have died from the AIDS epidemic or just left their families. These boys are getting their information from the street or social media, and it's not healthy. That’s why, in close partnership with our hosts here at Hands of Hope, we developed a boys talk to discuss what it means to be a godly man.

In the boys group we had 31 boys ranging in age from 10-18 years old. Gari Masuka, the National Director of Hands of Hope, began by telling a story about a young man who lived with his mother and had no positive male role models until his mom introduced him to a retired teacher down the street. This teacher then took the young man under his wing and helped guide him in making the transition from boyhood to manhood. We talked about strength (protecting the women in your life as well as those who can’t protect themselves), integrity (being truthful and trustworthy) and courage (standing up to those who would steer you in a bad direction).

Curt giving the boys talk

Doug and I then helped guide a Q & A session based on Gari’s story. After that, the boys were encouraged to submit anonymous questions on slips of paper that we then answered out loud in the group. The questions ranged from why do we have to pay a bride price for a woman, to how old do I have to be to have a girl friend? Other questions got into more sexual areas and generated some interesting conversations with the local leaders. This is such an important session each year as this may be the only time these boys get this kind of instruction.

Doug handling Q&A at the boys talk

We also have a girls group, where we discuss ideas that will help them grow into godly women. This year we have 20 girls at camp ranging in age from 10-15. During the girls talk, Christine encouraged them and told them that they are princesses and daughters of the King. Jen Hirzel, a nurse by profession, provided health education about what happens to the body with a menstrual cycle. Virgina (Gari’s wife) gave some extensive biblical education about how the girls are unique, special and precious because they have been bought with a price—the blood of Jesus Christ. Lucy, camp hospitality manager, used humor to help the girls remember that their bodies must be protected as a temple of God.

Girls talk

During tonight’s program, we had a very special visit by the choir from the Green Valley Church, which is close by and pastored by Gari Masuka. The 40+ person choir put on a performance that was world class! Take a listen.

A highlight of each evening program is a puppet show starring Maxwell the monkey, who I have been operating on the HOH puppet stage since 2014. Some of our Zimbabwean young adult leaders remember Maxwell from when they were young campers here. The kids squeal with delight when Maxwell appears. This year, under Nate Leon’s leadership, the scripts have been expanded to include Safari Ray, Sophia, and her brother David, ably played by Doug, Noelle and Matthew Hirzel. Nate has lifted our puppet-craft to a whole new level with props and special effects.

Puppet show—Maxwell the monkey and Safari Ray

The day is now almost finished, and while I’m crafting this installment for our blog, the team is gathered here in the dining room preparing the crafts for tomorrow. God has been good to us, and has kept us healthy with the exception of Nate, but thankfully we have a physician and nurse on the team to tend to him. Please pray for his healing.

Murare Zvakanaka (Goodnight in Shona)!