“The Spirit is There”
by Rev. Thomas Sheffield
It was a strange experience. None of us, Jean Demmler, Julia Henderson, Janet Schlenker, Russ Kane or me, ever had been in Zimbabwe -- And yet for us all it was an experience of coming home. Strangely and powerfully, being introduced to new faces and new names was like being reunited with old friends. Yes, we knew Wilbert Sayimani and Paul Neshangwe and Max and Judy and Chigwida all of whom had visited us last year. But all the rest were new. We struggled to hear and then pronounce their names. But it never mattered to them and to us. We were instantly dear friends. We were trusted colleagues. We were companions in Christ.
In May this presbytery brought at least this one to tears as you commissioned us to go for you to Zimbabwe. We went with your prayers, your questions, your concerns, your gifts. With all of that you may think that we went to give to them. But the truth is they gave to us. The truth is we were the recipients of something mysterious and powerful. From the moment we were embraced at the airport we were also embraced by their gifts. Even more, we were offered from their hands gifts of the Spirit of God. Gifts … abundant … constant … overflowing. For we are here to tell you … The Spirit of God is there. I want you to hear it. I want you to say it … The Spirit of God is there!
We were welcomed in homes and by strangers that shared their food, their prayers, their dreams, their lives. We were fresh off the plane after two ten hour over night flights and then rushed to a service of welcome where scores and scores of people welcomed us. We were given gifts we could hold, small sculptures. But also were given gifts of words and music and acceptance that held us.
The ministers of Zimbabwe Presbytery, facing mounting problems, huge challenges, and constant needs journeyed with us, even as they struggled very day to find petrol just to get us to the next stop! The gift, the fruit of the Spirit, is generosity, hospitality and unconditional welcome. We received it. You know it is there. You know … you can say it again … The Spirit of God is there!
We visited churches in Bulwayo, in Gweru, in Matare, in Mosvingo, in Chinholi, in Harrere. Some half finished, but all wholly faithful, serving poor children with education and care. Some needing a pastor but being served by their courageous, faithful, skilled elders and undeterred in their willingness to press on. Some trying to be changeless in their gospel message by changing in their ministry. Some new, especially ones that Russ visited, new but showing amazing growth in members and spirit. And one meeting in a metal shack no larger than my office with sixty people coming for worship. We entered it in the late afternoon, with the sun baking it, and still, hours later, one could feel the holiness of that place and their worship. Some old churches, too, facing new problems never imagined and all living, serving, worshipping in the Spirit of Christ’s Love for the gift of the Spirit IS love. We felt it and saw it. You know it and can say it … The Spirit of God is there.
We toured training schools for church leaders, a seminary training new leaders for a new church, a center training located at the Mbare Church child care workers. And with determination they continue their work in the face of shortages of every kind and opposition from their own government. They go on working with discipline seeking to do the best for the neediest for the gifts of the Spirit are self control and determination and discipline. You know what I am going to say and you can join me … The Spirit of God is there.
We visited schools and received gifts. Schools struggling to stay alive, struggling to give words and the Word of Life, struggling with poverty, struggling to care for, feed, strengthen the orphans who increase each day, struggling with limited resources. All the while, they are confident and committed. For they and we receive something that is beyond understanding. In the midst of sorrow and grieving, in a time of confusion and despair, they and we receive through the Spirit the gift of Christ’s peace. You do know by now don’t you … The Spirit of God is there.
With the women of the Uniting Presbyterian Church Women’s Fellowship, dressed in their white and black outfits, we shared amazing gifts, gifts of singing that brought healing and hope, gifts of serving, the poured pitchers of warm water to wash our hands, the bountiful platters and bowls of sadsa and vegetables and meats of all kinds, gifts of commitment in their leading in the church and their giving for the hurting world around them, gifts of joy that even got us dancing and clapping and singing and weeping. For us all they gave us the gift of joy for … The Spirit of God is there.
We went to Nyamashato, the place that has claimed so many of your hearts and time and energies and giving. We visited the school, the bridge that now they use to get to school and that saved untold numbers of children from diseases and dangers lurking in the waters, the clinics, the homes of orphans. We heard the songs, saw the faces, listened to their voices of gratitude and love for Roberta and Ralph Pippett and for the churches of the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership. We were touched because they had been touched. We met street children in Harrere who had found giving hands and loving spirits and homes at Lovemore House, built by Presbyterians in Zimbabwe and the United States, and downtown at City Church. We found something there, too. We found the gift of the Spirit, for the gift of the Spirit is kindness. For … please say it … The Spirit of God is there.
We heard voices speaking to us there. Here are some we heard. “Seek the Lord,” said an older woman and a leader of the Women’s Fellowship. “Seek the Lord. It is all we can do in these times.” A young church member faced every day the horrors of her country, but clung tenaciously to her faith. Looking me squarely in the eye, she told me, “We can only hope for the best.” And one of the pastors who serves in one of the poorest areas of Harrere, who looks out from his church at thousands left homeless by the senseless actions of the government, who knows every day the realities of the AIDS pandemic, and whose church cares for children orphaned, shared his dream that his church could reach out and draw in that hurting community. He said: “We cannot lose the vision.”
Again and again, we heard the voices and we saw the visions and we received the gifts, the gifts of faithfulness and patience and hope. For …what is it you know? … the Spirit of God is there.
When our time in Zimbabwe was coming to an end, we were eager to come home. But it also was hard to leave. It was hard to leave first because we had felt, as I said, so very close to so many. Even now I can feel them very close to me and to us all. I must say most do not have a clue where Colorado is, but they know Denver Presbytery, they know your generosity, they know your thoughtfulness, they know your love. They know you. And they, too, feel close to you. When you feel such closeness it is hard to say good-bye.
But it was also hard to leave because those times that Jesus said would come, have come there -- great hardship, painful days, confusing times. The only way we could leave with any kind of peace and hope was because we knew absolutely that the visitation of God goes on beyond our or any visitation. It is the Spirit of God. We know that the Spirit of God continues to give gifts. We know that the Spirit of God is there with them and in that Spirit we are forever joined.