Greetings from Zimbabwe,
Here we are (Vickie and I) in Zimbabwe. We arrived in Harare late at night on September 12. Albert and Beauty were waiting to greet us. They drove us to Elizabeth’s B & B for the next two nights. It felt good to be able to lie down after flying for 23 hours. This trip involved very short layovers.
Beauty went back to HCOC the following morning but Albert, Vickie and I spent the next day getting cell phone batteries, air time, groceries and mattresses for the new orphan home in preparation for going to the rural area. We didn’t leave Harare until nearly noon on Saturday.
The final stretch is about 35km over very rough roads. It was a time consuming trip. We had to take a different road than usual because of the condition of the roads. Any way you look at it, it is not a pleasant trip.
We learned that we would not be able to stay in the house Ralph and I had occupied for many years. The Headmaster demanded that the school needed it. So the only place for us was the Orphan Home that is not yet complete. There have been workmen around every day, pounding, chipping, tiling, etc. It seems that tonight we might be able to have our first real shower. Some THINGS become very important.
For several years Ralph and I had worked on establishing a Moringa field. The initial focus was to improve the diet of the orphans. It has certainly done that. You can easily pick out the orphans by their physical condition. They appear much healthier than the rest of the children in the school.
This year we have an opportunity to market our Moringa in Denver. As a result our focus is stepping up the production. Ultimately, if HCOC reaches full production, they could potentially become self-supporting. What a climax to many years of hard work!
Moringa field
Our challenge at the moment is the need of a processing building, tractor to break new ground, a new well and solar pump, batteries, and solar panels as well as irrigation pump and lines. To many, it may seem impossible; but, if it be God’s Will, it will be happen.
We are encouraging local farmers to join in the production of the Moringa. This would have the added benefit of improving the living standards of some in the community.
When we arrived at HCOC, we found that the huge termite mound that existed next to the new Orphan Home had disappeared. They had dug the mound up as you can see in the picture. It is quite a large hole. They used the clay to mold bricks. The bricks have dried and now they are beginning to build the kiln to fire the bricks. I will take pictures as this exercise continues. I have seen kilns before but have never seen one in the process of being built. The local people have molded enough bricks for more than one house. I have to say they look like very good bricks.
On Friday the HCOC staff had a reception for Vickie and I. Some of the Headmasters and staff from schools in Ward One were in attendance. Most of HCOC staff were present. Students from the Secondary School entertained with a number of their selections. One of the numbers was praising God for His Blessings on their lives. Another number was showing appreciation for all that Mr. Pippitt had done.
One of the HCOC staff that works in the Moringa claims to be my youngest son. That brought a lot of laughs.
This picture looks like a bed of flowers but actually is a bed of tomatoes. The marigolds are planted between the tomatoes to prevent aphids from getting on the tomato plants. So far it is working well. The tomatoes are nearly ready to begin ripening. There are drip irrigation tubes laying under the tomato plants for keeping the ground moist. It is working very well. Vickie says her mouth is watering for a ripe tomato. So if some come up missing, I will know who is responsible.
In closing I would like to ask that you pray for Vickie and me. I especially ask for your prayers for the Moringa project and the wisdom to make the right decisions.
Christ’s Blessings,
Roberta