June 2026 Mission Report from Simbarshe and Memory Gondo

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

June Ministry Activities

June was very cold, colder than May. The only advantage in our country is that we do not have snow; only Nyanga experiences a lot of cold. We had plenty of sunlight in the morning and at night. All the backsliding church members have promised to be with us. I followed up with them during the first week. The second week, I was teaching lessons to our new church members. The third week, six ladies from Bazel attended fellowship in Mutare. The final week, together with Brother Manyanhaire, we were doing personal evangelism in Bazel. The church is blessed to receive a newborn baby girl for Sister Chiwedere.

Garden and Family Support

My little garden at Odzi River is helping us a lot. Together with my wife, we extended our help to Sister Mandianike with 20 kg of maize. I also gave her green maize for breakfast. I learned to do good even though her son ravished the maize field in my garden. I forgive them all, and I am still loving them. The pump is helping me a lot as I water the garden all the time. For me to have better production in the field, a walking tractor is essential for high-yield production. I can plant crops all the time without delays. This year’s production was affected by late planting. Even some years back, I discovered that the people I hire for ox ploughing first work in their fields; then, when they have finished, they consider those without. This phase will soon pass.

Following Up with Members

Sisters Kwezeya, Pabwe, and Masere were passive, which resulted in backsliding, but I followed up with them the second week, trying to understand the reason why they stayed at home without attending services with others. Poverty was the first reason, since they spent most of their time selling items for survival. During our conversation, I told them to seek God first, and everything they need will be fulfilled. I want to thank God that they are now coming to church every Sunday. Sister Masere is still passive. I am encouraging her to be with us too, even though she is lame.

Teaching Recent Converts

Sisters Sanyanga and Pabwe are recent converts at Bazel. They came this year and last year, respectively. I studied these lessons with them: the church, repentance, and baptism. Now they have a better understanding. The major challenge people face is that they received the wrong way of baptism. Some received it seven times, three times, or by using a cup of water. I clearly explained to them so they could see the wrong way they received it.

Ladies’ Fellowship in Mutare

The third week, ladies around Mutare town and rural areas gathered at Dangamvura High School in a high-density suburb from Friday until Sunday. Six ladies from Bazel attended, including Sisters Mutsago, Chiwedere, Mashayamombe, Kuwaza, Mutsoni, and my wife. Sister Kuwaza was happy as she reported back about what she participated in as a chairperson during services. It was her first time to stand before the multitude. My wife was a song leader. People there were pleased and confessed to my wife that we are blessed to be active in every event in the church, starting from me, my son Lowell, and my wife. She sang very well. The ladies had a good time together, and there were 800 people. Sister Buzuzi, our former church mate who later transferred to Hobhohouse Church of Christ in town after she and her husband saved their work as police persons, is of value to us, as she paid all the expenses for Sister Mutsago. She promised to give one lady her money for a national ladies’ fellowship at Nhowe Mission in August. She might miss the fellowship due to her work.

Personal Evangelism at Bazel

Together with Brother Manyanhaire, we were doing personal evangelism at Bazel. The homes we visited were Mutsago, Gwizo, Chiwedere, Muradzikwa, and Gutukunuhwa. I observed this especially while working in rural areas: people come to church when you visit them. This is when they express their feelings and secrets, as they put all their trust in us. When they set food on the table, if you refuse, they think you do not love them, and they give us what they have even though it is little. Our personal evangelism was very successful. We hope to do more work together to strengthen our church members.

Update on Brother Tanaka Gurupira

Brother Tanaka Gurupira stopped coming to Bazel before they closed school. In May and June, they were not allowed to go out since the school program was very tight, but in July we are waiting patiently for their release. He is quite helpful and loyal to God’s work.

Upcoming Sunday Fellowship

The church at Bazel is hosting a big Sunday fellowship on the 26th of July. We are preparing fully, and we invited all the surrounding congregations as well as the urban congregation. Our major concern is fundraising toward the church roofing construction. Our major challenge is rain, heat, and whirlwind. Our prayer is progress. We will be happy when our building is finished.

Family Visit

Together with my wife, we visited our daughter at her school on the 26th. We managed to see her teachers as they told us about her performance. She is doing well. Our prayer is that she will work hard and acquire better grades.

I want to thank you brethren for your support may the Lord be with you all.

Yours in Christ 

Simbarashe Gondo