Hope Valley

Several of our afternoons in Zimbabwe were spent refurbishing a run-down home in the make-shift community of Rugare, just a short distance from the church that we worked at in the mornings.  We put some serious muscle and love into making this into a home for a small group of orphans and an "auntie" for Hands of Hope.  We scraped bug infested walls, removed an endless amount of trash, painted the interior, exterior and roof, pulled out weeds, trees and junk that were covering the home, and broke up concrete walkways from the yard.

One of the biggest joys of the experience was hanging with the teenagers from the community and church.  A big group of them came out every day to work alongside us.  They dug, painted, carried and generally put us to shame.
Along the way, we were a whole lot a silly!  The most hilarious face in the above picture?  Hands down it is Dave C.  Check out the guy with the hat and glasses in the back of the photo!  Too funny.

While we worked, little faces appeared in every open space.  Through the sugar cane and banana trees, these two watched every move we made.  What must they have thought?This was the house minus all the weeds, but pre-paint job. 

The back door of the home, before any work was done.

These sweet children will be living in this home.  Many tears flowed when the pastor (holding the baby) showed up for a blessing and tour.  Our hearts poured out prayers for their hearts, their provisions and their futures. 

In as much as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.  Matthew 25:40