Read journal entries from trips to Zimbabwe going all the way back to 1994, notes from Elias and blog entry’s from people currently in Zimbabwe.
Wednesday, November 16th, 2005
When we got home from church we went to have dinner at Elias’ house. He lives now in Section 5 next to huge sugar cane fields and a sugar refinery. His house is humble but his garden is magnificent. It’s evident that he is a gardener. And to hear his passion for beauty in landscape was way cool. We shared some presents with Elias and his family as we explained the purpose of his fund. Then we all ate sadsa together by the light of a gas lantern. Elias is probably the most humble and joyful person alive. He kept saying throughout the night, “I fail to explain how happy I am.” His failure to form words to describe his joy explained the depths of his happiness better than any words ever could.
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Tuesday, November 15th, 2005
We went out this afternoon to visit an orphanage . . . but Shane and I decided to go film a nearby cemetery after dropping off the other guys. We first went to a burned out residential section that was once the site of livelihoods for many families. It was frightening to see the charred remains of homes, property and personal belongs scattered everywhere. It looked like a war-zone. We then went on to the cemetery . . . The ground of the cemetery is depleted and dead as the bodies resting in it. There are few headstones with names, most are simply plot numbers. Over 11,000 graves fill the area. It feels as if the bodies are brought there just to get out of the way. I suppose when death is such a frequent visitor and survival a daily struggle the concerns for proper burial take low priority. It’s hard to view so much death . . .
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Friday, November 11th 2005
All around our camp right now is the sound of grunting elephants. Apparently our camp is right next to their path down to the river, and so they are a bit weary right now of our presence. We can hear them tromping in the bush and calling to one another. Just several minutes ago two large elephants passed down the embankment not more than 15 meters from our camp. This is crazy...
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Wednesday, November 9th 2005
We arrived in Harare after a long delay in Kenya and I was completely floored by the quality of the airport. It is as nice if not better than many in the States. I know Zim was once the ‘crown jewel’ of Africa. I guess the airport is just a remnant of better days . . . Mo was waiting for us at the airport. She is a vibrant lady, full of life. A native, white-Zimbabwean with the coolest accent. We loaded up into her car, which was two bodies too small. Dan and I were literally hanging out the back window all the way to Chiredzi . . . It was an eerie drive. We went countless kilometers without seeing a soul. Mo mentioned that many people have moved to Mozambique and Botswana. I’ve heard that more Zimbabweans live in Botswana than in Zim itself (I dunno if that’s true but after today I believe it). Absolutely mind-blowing to think that this once thriving place has turned into a ghost-country as everyone has gone to find better fortune elsewhere. |
