A Man with a Mission

The small village of Sunrise nestles at the foot of a towering goma (hill) clothed with mountain acacia and outcrops of craggy dolerite. We arrived late morning on Saturday after the 2 hour drive from Gweru across the dry semi desert landscape with white dust of the Somabula Flats - which turn to almost impassable mud with the rains. This October, however, has yet to deliver any meaningful showers, although clouds keep building with promise of things to come, keeping hopes alive. It feels that even the thorn scrub is struggling to stay alive.

The small building serving as the Church of St Davids occupies a rise at the end of the village, overlooking the dry plains stretching out to the mountains on the far horizon. The water tanks and solar panels were obvious signposts, as were the prolific gardens surrounding the church. At the time of year, any growth requires watering…the last rains having delivered in April. 

We were welcomed by the Priest, Rev Tapiwa Mabhaudi. A gentle well spoken man with an engaging smile and an infectious enthusiasm for his work. He ushered us into the coolth of the church and invited to sit on the well worn wooden bench at the front for the welcoming ceremony. 

A gaggle of school children were waiting for us to settle, to deliver their carefully prepared speeches and songs. Steve, my traveling companion, and I remarked how they must have been “persuaded” to sacrifice their Saturday morning to welcome these muzungu…hopefully well rewarded! Present also were members of the Mothers Union, bringing their singing to the proceedings, and Mr Nkoba, the village headman. 

But it is the priest who is most remarkable. Yes, the borehole is delivering abundant clean water, not just for the local village, but the two outlying villages as well. The vegetable gardens are clearly providing endless food, and the reports given by all on the changes now made possible nearly brought me to tears. 

However, it is the passion and vision of Rev Mabhaudi which has most moved me. The church building was turned into a primary school, now with an enrolment of 130 students. So the walls are adorned, not with the usual passion pictures and crosses, but with the letters of the alphabet, and times tables and awkward English words to learn!

And because the village now has clean water, permission has been granted for the permanent building of a school, at the instigation of the priest. The children commented how they would have to walk 16km to and from school previously…and these include the 5 and 6 year olds. I cannot see children in UK even considering this.

So Rev Mabhaudi has personally been making bricks from the local clay, using the borehole water, for the new school…which is now at window height. And all the villages have contributed to the cost of the new building, at the encouragement of the priest. He has a vision for a pipeline from the storage 1.5km to the school, and potentially a small secondary school in the future, serving the surrounding villages.

The vegetable gardens appeared abundant, and further extensions are planned to provide more for the Mothers Union. Cabbages, mielies, rape, spinach, and much more can now be grown for the community, whereas previously it involved a long trip into Gweru for food.

As we walked the route to the new school, through the thorns and scrub, we talked. He has a Masters degree in Development science and could study so much more. But he chooses to commit himself in this practical way, being present in vulnerable communities, to put this into practice. His comment on “be-ing” drawn from the gospels made an impression on me. Our role, he said, is not necessarily to teach doctrine and dogma, but to live among and be love, be care and compassion where it is needed.

It was a privilege to have time again with all the community at St Davids, and pass on our small contribution towards the ongoing work here. But it was special also to have time with someone with a heart for the practical side of the gospel, a man with a vision. Water by itself, simply standing, will foul and fester. It needs to move, to flow. 

Thank you to all the community at St Davids and surrounds, to the children for giving up their Saturday, to the Mothers for their cheery welcome, for Mr Darlington Musekiwa from Ardez, and especially to Rev Madhaudi and his wife for all they do.

Blessed are those who encourage that flow, who open the gates and allow the river of life to flow to water the deserts, and allow life to thrive. 

Thank you for reading. You are welcome to make a contribution to this work through the giving page on the website.

Sandy Elsworth