Hello Friends,
I experienced Zimbabwe for the first time in January 2020. Friends of mine are integrally involved in work that is happening there and after hearing them speak of this life changing journey on countless occasions, I finally joined them and experienced this incredible country first-hand. As visions of beauty, relationships, challenge, and novelty race through my head, there is a specific experience that I have the unique opportunity to share with you.
While I spent a number of days serving with Nhaka Foundation at their purity conference at one of the schools in the program, helping with the health assessments and after school programs, I also got an inside look at the organisation through a one-day team building seminar that I led. During that time, I enjoyed getting to know each person a little better, I learned about their specific roles in the organisation, and how they were each working to support the children in the different communities.
Seated at a big conference table, introductions were exchanged as staff had the chance to “introduce” their co-workers and we jumped right in. Much of the early part of the day was spent in facilitated, individual exploration and getting to know “self” better. It was neat to watch people begin to comprehend themselves in a new way and recognize traits about themselves that they might not have realised previously. In some cases, self-exploration was challenging, yet overall it benefited both the sojourner and his/her company as the uniqueness of each was shared for all to hear. Nods, smiles, and the occasional laugh were exchanged as valuable traits of each individual were shared and acknowledged between team members. Throughout this time, similarities and differences were brought to the forefront of people’s minds.
The remainder of the day was spent digging into those similarities and differences. The Nhaka Foundation staff wrestled through understanding others’ differences and how those differences might have caused tensions or breaks in communication on a personal or professional level. Ultimately, unity and growth were the outcome. Staff members learned to understand one another better and see the value in why each team member was created so uniquely. Through the sessions the team members learned strategies that they could employ to encourage one another and intentionally interact in a way that was life-giving to those around them and to themselves.
The day as a whole painted a beautiful picture of 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 where Paul writes about unity. He begins the passage by saying, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” Paul goes on to describe the necessity in the uniqueness of each body part and that when they come together as one, that body is able to function in unity for God’s glory. As I sat at the conference table with my African brothers and sisters, my heart was strengthened and leapt for joy as the truths of this passage poured out of each of their lives. Each one created uniquely for a specific purpose, yet collectively bringing God glory on a grand scale!
As I worked with the Nhaka Foundation team throughout the rest of that week, their love for others was increasingly evident. Connect with the the Nhaka Foundation Team by sending an email to volunteer@nhakafoundation.org to learn about how you too, can get involved.
All the Best,
Alyssa
