The Mission Zimbabwe 2009 Team is still recovering from culture shock and jet lag – but they’re already planning next year’s trip.
Sponsored by Hanover Pentecostal Church, Team Leader Barry Mutrie says 8 volunteers spent a very busy two weeks at the Village of Hope this spring.
He says one of their biggest accomplishments was painting the front of a new school block.
Mutrie says that project was significant because most of the money to build it came from the Grey Bruce area.
In recognition, the library in the school will be dedicated as the the Hanover and District Community Library.
Mutrie says thanks to local support, the team is able to give a total of 30-thousand dollars to the Village of Hope this year.
The money will help pay for a new high school and a new medical clinic.
The Village of Hope is a 20 acre property near the capital city of Harare, with orphanages, schools, a church, farming projects, and clean wells.
Mutrie says another emotional experience during this year’s trip was the opportunity to visit the homes of children sponsored by people back in Grey Bruce.
The team also helped move a house mother and four orphans into their new home.
Mutrie says it was very moving to see where and how the children live and how their lives are being impacted by the involvement of people from our region.
Mutrie says the team is meeting to debrief on this year’s trip and to begin planning fundraising events for Mission Zimbabwe 2010.