Yesterday morning we left Botswana, where this time I noticed the elephants by the road, and crossed into Zimbabwe. We had stayed at a wonderful campsite on a farm run by the very gracious and hospitable Hayden and Bronwyn, who offer a rest place to missionaries and weary travellers. As we lit a campfire that overlooked a beautiful flood plan under the stars, Bronwyn and I had a fascinating discussion about education and her desire to help the local schools that are in great need. It's a subject close to my heart and the work we do at Wellspring, so we agreed to stay in contact.
After what seemed an age at the Zimbabwe border post, we were stopped almost immediately at the first of many road blocks, where, despite our protestations, we were fined for not having reflectors in the correct place….hmm. After giving my address [1, The Mall, London, that's two L’s officer, you can’t miss it, big place with a fountain outside] and my work address [10 Downing Street, ask a policeman at the gate and they’ll let you in], then signing my name [Mr. M. Mouse which seemed highly appropriate] we rode on to the beautiful Victoria Falls. It's a stunning and thunderous sight and Andrew and I wondered what Livingstone must have felt when he first saw it.
By the time we got back on the road it was getting late, so we flew like a couple of fighter jets, down the 450 KM road to Bulawayo, trying to beat the setting sun, hunting for an open gas station. Passing one, we tried to turn around and unfortunately at slow speed, my bike caught a lip of tarmac that sent me crashing to the ground. I was pinned underneath it in the middle of the highway on a blind corner. Superhero Andrew got me out from under before anything came. Nothing hurt other than my pride, but it was an exciting few minutes.
We lost the race to the sun of course and so we had a high speed night ride into Bulawayo, glued to the back of the tail lights on front of us. Now I know what formation flying in blind cloud feels like. It was a devil and the deep blue sea situation as we never normally ride at night and for very good reason, especially not on this particular road, but there was nowhere safe to stop. We made it, but we sweated off a few pounds on the way.
Andrew is staying with friends Jay and Sarah and I am with my dear friends Sheunesu and Susan, who lead Zimbabwe Youth For Christ, who I have worked with in the past. They are amazing people who have such a heart for the youth of this beautiful, yet dysfunctional and impoverished country. They are particular concerned for children with HIV and told me the stunning fact that the local hospital has over 16,000 HIV positive youth patients. Just one hospital! It shows the hidden scale of this disastrous situation. They work closely with a group of a hundred plus of these children, most of whom feel they have no future and no options. Sheunesu, Susan and their team try to show them dignity and worth, that they are loved and cared for and that God has not passed them by. I feel so humbled to know them and as we stayed and talked into the night at the camp they run, I felt moved beyond words by the compassion and love they show to these marginalized children.
There are such luminous, good people in the world. And we are having our lives made richer by meeting some of them on this amazing trip.
