Greetings from Zimbabwe,

The last two days have been cloudy and dreary. Some areas have had showers off and on. I think the rainy season is here. I, for one, am glad for the reduction in temperatures. It has been unbearably hot. We have had some showers over the last few weeks but no large rain storms as yet. Some people are already planting but unless it rains soon, their efforts may be for naught.

Yesterday we made a trip to Harare. Fortunately we accomplished all of our errands except one. So it looks like we will make one more trip back to Harare before we leave to return to SA. Yesterday Jeff and Albert attended the weekly Rotary Meeting of the Rotary Club of Harare City, the Host club for the water projects. Jeff has attended the meetings almost weekly but this was the first time for Albert. Both Albert and Jeff had an opportunity to speak; a good follow-up to the visit some had made to HCOC Saturday. We look forward to their continued support.

This morning Jeff and I made a visit to Guzha to see what was happening. We found the solar panels in place as well as the electric fence that will help protect the solar panels and pump. The pump still is not operating due to electrical problems. The crew has returned to Harare to try and sort out the problem. We are promised that by Sunday everything will be operating properly. Everyone is so anxious for the first water to begin flowing. The commissioning of the project is now scheduled for Monday and we anticipate the community will be able to turn on the tap and have water.

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, was a very busy day around here. Screening of all recent visitors to the clinic for HIV had been scheduled. Adults as well as children were lining up to be tested. The area was very crowded with people when a truck from UNICEF arrived with a delivery of drugs.

UNICEF makes a regular delivery of drugs for the clinic about every three months. That reduces HCOC expenditure for drugs. We are very grateful for the assistance. Of course the arrival of a big truck causes a lot of excitement especially among the children.

In addition to all of the activity at the clinic, it was preschool graduation day. What excitement! Parents were gathering for the graduation ceremony. Of course the preschoolers were more interested in the big truck that had just arrived than they were in lining up for the procession into graduation. First grade teachers are going to have their hands full when school begins in January.

Jeff and I split duties on Thursday. Jeff attended the preschool graduation at Inyagui and I attended the activities here at Nyamashato. There are so many activities at the end of the year that we are running into conflicts.

After many false starts and frustrations, Guzha finally has water for the very first time. Everyone is celebrating as this picture shows. We waited a long time for this but it is finally complete. The solar team worked yesterday (Sunday) and could not get the solar pump to work. They came back very early this morning to try again. When the workmen located the problem they had to go back to town for new parts. It was afternoon before they returned. It was mid-afternoon before water began to fill the tank.

People were anxious when water did not flow into the tank immediately, but the well is 180 meters away from the tank. It took a while to pump enough water to fill the pipe. The water is flowing smoothly now and everyone is celebrating.

We, in the United States, take water for granted; but, to people in this area, water is vital for life and clean water is sometimes impossible to obtain. The entire community is celebrating. They have received the best Christmas present ever. I only wish Ralph knew how happy everyone is. It was the grant that he wrote that made all of this possible.

I had a most pleasant surprise this afternoon. I was busy packing and trying to clear up some loose ends. I heard a knock at the door and opened it to find Mrs. Mundonhi and her daughter Roberta. They had come to visit me. I have not seen them in at least five years perhaps more. They have moved to Harare and so I no longer see them when I pass their house near-by. Some of you may remember that Ralph was called to take Mrs. Mundonhi to the hospital many years ago. When she gave birth to a little girl she named her Roberta. The family is living in Harare now and so I have not seen Roberta for a while. It was so good to have her come for a visit. She has just completed 4th grade and stood number seven in a class of 400 children.

Today was the dedication of the Memorial Garden in memory of Ralph. The tombstone was unveiled and a few plants were set. A very large crowd from the community gathered and it was a lovely service. Even the sub-Chief of the district was present. For the community, this was a very important occasion. Everyone knew Ralph Pippitt and what he had done.

In addition today was the handing over of the water project completed at HCOC. The new well is performing very well and now they can begin doing some serious gardening.

Jeff and I are in Harare tonight. We will leave early tomorrow morning to drive to SA. So this will be my last communication from Zimbabwe. My next communication will be from Denver. Please pray for safe travels for Jeff and I.

In His Service,

Roberta