June 2025 Mission Report from Simbarshe

Grace mercy and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.

June was very cold temperatures were 5-10 degrees Celsius, no rain was recorded.

• The first week we lost a preacher who died in a painful road accident. I planted a small portion of wheat.
• The second week we suffered together with my wife and Lester a serious fever.
• The third week two ladies and my wife from Bazel attended a Mutare district fellowship. I attended funeral of a man who died holding a bottle of beer in his hand.
• The fourth week l attended a preacher's refresher course at Mutare school of preaching. Together with my wife we visited our daughter.
• On the 29th churches in Manicaland and beyond our province gathered at Derembwe Church of Christ on memorial service of our dear brother Caleb Mafusire.
• The 30th l attended funeral of a business man who died on heart attack.

Finally l want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the support l received for July August and September.

On  the 3rd day l planted 25kgs of wheat. It was my first time planting wheat. That is the day we lost our dear Bro in Christ Caleb Mafusire. I had a dream the night when l saw an old man wearing a camouflage army trousers bro Mafusire was pointing him to take his position l wanted to see him, but l only heard his voice but visually l could not see him. The next morning after l woke up my mother phoned me and informed that he was no more. He was working in Harare. During weekends he went to meet with a congregation at Derembwe. He had received time off from work to prepare the next course as he was promoted to join Parachute department the next week. He had  4 passengers with him as he was leaving the capital city to Mutare around 7:30 pm. He was traveling at full speed when he had a head on with a heavy truck. Two people at the front died at the spot. The third person was a lady who died at the hospital, leaving a three year old girl in serious condition with a broken leg. She's under hospital care and the Father is taking care of her. The front passenger who died at the spot was on his way back home to Rusape to collect a passport he forgot. He wanted to join his wife and kids in the UK. Three people perished while two survived. It was a painful death.

Together with my wife we went to Mafusire's home to sympathize with the wife, family and friends on this tragedy for the Nyamauru resident in town. We then went to 3rd Brigade Infantry Battalion to attend an army parade. He was an army captain chaplain. We then proceeded to Murehwa 280 km North West at Morris  Mhondamapango village. Soldiers and preachers sang the whole night. He was buried on the 7^th. In attendance were 87 preachers and 50 Soldiers. In all the number of people who attended were 1500. Soldiers fired gun shoots in the air as their honor to a work mate.

Br Caleb was 44 survived by one wife and 4 children (two boys and two girls). Everyone who attended the funeral cried for him he was such a lovely man. I knew him first when he was doing first year at school of preaching. l was doing my A level in 2001. He graduated in 2003. ln March 9th 2025, l accompanied him when we buried Mr Binde the 10th. I cried for him looking at his kids. Who will take care of them? The first born girl is in form 6 second girl is in form 3 third son grade 7 fourth grade4. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

After we returned from Murehwa with my wife we had a serious flu attack since we slept outside in cold weather. Lester was a victim and the whole week we were all down. My wife was absent from school two consecutive days. Thank God we all recovered fully.

On the 20th-22nd sister Chiwedere, Kuwaza and my wife attended a Mutare district fellowship held at Bearing Primary school in Mutare urban. Ladies who attended were 500. Bazel was considered for chairing, Sister Chiwedere officiated. My mother song led. Ladies at Bazel reported back with a good report, the sermons preached were good accommodation and food was best, they encourage others to go next time. People always give financial excuses.

On the 21st l traveled 3km North of our house to attend funeral of Mr. Musere who passed away in Domboshava near Harare. He went to the beer Hall after working hours to drink when he was sleeping he died holding a half bottle of beer. There was no news of his sickness. I attended school with one of his sons, Tendai. Now he is a policeman. We applied together but l choose first to go to a bible college and l refused to be a policeman.

The fourth week l attended a Preachers refresher course on the 24th-27th. We listened to three teachers per day on the theme Managing Key factors in the ministry 1Tim 3:15. On the 27th there was an annual general meeting with the board members who run the school. The 28th was a graduation of students.

Together with my wife we visited our daughter Laura the 28th at St Augustine High school. We attended an Emergency General Meeting where the authority increased school fees by $100 but it raised a serious refusal from the parents since they included the bus purchase on a bank loan and SDC levy as well as the children's welfare. The proposed budget was not realistic prices were not real as parents denied. The Headmaster's report was that the school is broke and nothing is in the account. The new bus was donated by the church. As l analyze this, the head is over spending the money. No projects are going through and the church representatives are not running the school well. Laura is fine. We pray for hard work to achieve a desired outcome.

29th, 20 members from Bazel footed to Derembwe Church of Christ 7km East of Bazel. Congregations in Manicaland Province came to comfort sister Rutendo Mafusire and family. Some people didn't attended burial due to financial problems. On this day they came for an organised memorial day. Br Chamisa preached about what is your identity Eccles 7:1ff , Br Nyamombe song led, Br Mutonhora was at the Lord's table, Br Zhlakama an elder there was chairing. People attended were 800. The giving was not announced and was given to the family members of Mafusire. I gave an announcement of an upcoming big Sunday fellowship at Bazel on the 27^th of July, people responded positively and promises to come.

On the 30th l attended funeral of a businessman who  died after he was flown to South Africa by aeroplane when doctors in our country failed to help him. The problem was heart clotting as it stopped after they spent $55,000 hospital bills and medication but nothing helped. Mr Fungai Masiyakurima died at the age of 54 leaving a wife and three kids a boy and two girls who are learning in China Universities. I was asked to pray after the sermon was preached. People clapped hands after prayer. The program was led by the United Methodist church.

On the 25-6th l collected the support, brethren you go an extra mile love you showed. I want to appreciate all the efforts and kindness you showed. May the Almighty God be with you all.

Yours in Christ,

Simbarshe Gondo