Team Zimbabwe 2018

TEAM ZMBABWE 2018 – HOLD EDITION

25 October to 29 October 2018

HARARE, ZIMBABWE

Team Zimbabwe – HOLD Edition

When the Lord called for us to go to Zimbabwe, there was no doubt about it that the plan was going to push through.  We prayed that the Lord will make every single preparation to the end of the mission be smooth, and so it was. 

The moment we said yes, we have already responded to His call to be in a mission. He has laid the paths and has made the impossible things possible. He already cleared the ways. He even reminded us that we shouldn't feel alone nor be afraid for He is with us. 

We were challenged by thoughts of how are we going to speak through  their hearts in the same language of love and how to  deliver the same experience as we first experienced the Handmaids of The Lord National Conference 2018.  We had perceived limitations from the collaboration of thoughts from our brethren who came before us to Harare - opinions on the punctuality of the attendees, their engagement and active participation, their interest and language difficulty.  Upon learning about this, we prayed so hard for the Women’s conference to happen as how the Lord wanted it to be.  True enough, as the speakers went down on personal level, all barriers were broken and it was only the hearts that spoke.

Harare Women’s Conference 2018

On 27 October 2018 at Rockwood Spiritual Formation, 26 women soared high on fiery wings during the Harare Women’s Conference 2018.  The conference started on time, praise God and we finished exactly at 5:00 p.m. as planned.  The creative dancers for the Holy Spirit dance lead by Sister Susan Magwagwag came as early as 6:30 a.m. 

The conference started with a rosary in Shona language, the official language of Zimbabwe.  Though we do not understand the language, being one universal church, we speak the same prayer, so we were able to respond and pray with them.  The opening worship was lead by Sis Runyaro Chabaya,  wife of Bro. Shesby Chabaya, the country coordinator of Zimbabwe.  Even with just the first worship song, Hakuna Waikaita Sa Jesu (There is no one else like Jesus), our spirits have been moved as if something kicked in and gave us something like a Holy Spirit rush.

Talk 1:  The Gift was presented by Sis Jennifer Dela Cruz  from Abu Dhabi. Session was inspired with Come Holy Spirit dance with our dear sisters from Zimbabwe. Indeed, we felt the Holy Spirit embracing each one of us from that moment onwards.

In talk No. 2 The Mission, Sis. Ma Lorelie Hernandez from Dubai has explained that the mission that he Lord has given since Paul’s time is still the same mission He is giving us today.  The talk ended with the song The Mission while the participants were holding their mobile torch and Sis Lorelie holding a lamp.  It was a song of commitment that our mission in life is to proclaim and live the truth in Jesus name.

During Talk 3 Daunting Task , Undaunted Spirit, we were reminded by Peter as he mentioned to Timothy that we need  to serve whether it is convenient or inconvenient led by CFC Full time Missionary Southern Africa, Sis. Amelia GamoGamo. Concluding session 3, we danced to the Imagine the Impossible song with the participation of our Women’s conference attendees.

In talk 4, again with Sis Jennifer Dela Cruz ,  The Time Has Come, we were asked if Peter was here today,what do you think he will say?   Can we still work it out? 

How do they respond?  Yes, Lord, we can still work it out.

Talk 5 Speaker Ma Lorelie Hernandez , on Fiery Wings reminded us who the Holy Spirit and  is how is the Holy spirit working through in our lives, as an individual, as a member of the community or even in the world we live in.

Together, as one family in Faith, we sang, I want to set the world on fire from our hearts which surely ignited the fire in each one of us.

We remembered CFC HOLD for the past 25 years, and we have been challenged on how it will be in the next 25 years, we are Timotheas and our elders as Paula's.

The CFC wives and their husbands were also recognized and thanked with the song Thank you Lord.

We soared altogether on this year’s theme, On Fiery Wings to conclude Session 5. 

Women’s Conference was graced by our sharers from Zimbabwe and from the service team,HOLD Mission Volunteer Dianne Calaguin and with our Technical / Music Ministry Bro Federico GamoGamo, Full Time Missionary Southern Africa  .  All of them declared and proclaimed how the Holy Spirit has burned, almost dimmed and now burning so well that they committed to soar higher in the next years of their service in the CFC Handmaids of the Lord.

The Women’s Conference ended at 5:00 p.m. with a praise fest and words of thanks from Bro. Shesby Chabaya. It was truly a remarkable moment for each one of us as we knew how we are being challenged by the economic stability in Zimbabwe. Yet the Lord, have proclaimed His greatness and faithfulness for making this event possible. We found hope when all seemed lost. 

Parish visit

Sunday, 28 October 2018, we visited our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Rhodesville Avenue Harare where we have attended the Sunday Mass.  It was celebrate by Fr. Ricky who during the homily reminded us to see beyond what we perceive. 

We had an opportunity to meet Fr Ricky and he is fully supportive to the Vision and Mission of the Couples for Christ.  He even thanked the Couples for Christ during the mass.

Harare and beyond

After experiencing this wonderful mission in Harare, we continue the CFC-Handmaids of the Lord’s dream for the next 25 years:

·        HOLD present in all countries of the world.

·        ALL HOLD families in the CFC community.

·        Handmaids easily recognizable and set apart because of their burning love for God, their families, the community, the poor and everyone else, and from living out the rest of the fruit of the Spirit.

·        Handmaids manifesting the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit through the active use of His gifts.

·        Handmaids on fire for the mission, giving it everything they’ve got.

From now on, we will not only fly but soar higher on His fiery wings.

Again, we don't take credit for this. To God be all the Glory.