The first of many calls to families back home.

After dropping off our luggage, we headed for Chipfunde to see the work site. The villagers had the walls up and ready for us to begin roofing.

This is a primary school located a short walk from the work site. Each morning a group of us were welcomed into class rooms to share Bible stories, crafts, pictures and a special treat the childern had never seen -- bubbles.

After visiting the work site, we headed for the Murewa Caves.

Ancient cave paintings done in the blood of animals killed for food on a ledge above the caves.

A beautiful view of the valley below the Murewa Caves.

Roof trusses were built by the master carpenter and stored in the chapel of the Murewa Mission School. Loading them onto the truck for the hour drive to Chipfunde was a feat in itself.

Our arrival is met with shouts of joy and songs praising God, thanking Him for prayers answered.

Everyone, young and old, had a hand in unloading the trusses and bags of cement for plastering the walls.

The bond between mother and child is strong. Even toddlers are found tied close allowing their mothers freedom to complete tasks without worry.

The first truss begins its journey atop the building.

Securing the first truss in its new home.

The women sing and dance praising God as the truss is lifted into position. They will continue this all day; as well as, enacting the making of the mud bricks (a task for women), curing them with heat and sun, and then finally laying them to form the walls of the church.

After eating lunch of sudza, a native dish made from corn meal, and greens prepared by the women over open wood fires, the second truss is guided into place.

View of the work through a window.

Finishing up the placement of trusses.

Workers enjoy sugarcane while taking a short break.

Laying cross pieces -- dizzying work!

The United Methodist District Superintendent, Rev. Vienna, lends a hand.

Another view of the crosspiece work.

Taking a short break.

Dirt from this hole supplied the mix for cement as well as fill for the church interior. The hole eventually swallowed whoever was digging.

Rev. Ana will pastor this church as well as several others on her circuit. Lay Leaders serve in each church during her absence.

A mason apprentice applies cement to the walls. The master mason will perform the final smoothing pattern to the walls. Our job was to haul water, dig and haul dirt, mix cement, lift tin, tamp dirt. Whatever needed doing to support the carpenter, mason and their workers, we did.

Laying the first piece of heavy tin-like material.

Team members keep workers supplied with cement to protect the dried mud walls while Timothy lays tin roofing.

After leveling, a flat board is used to smooth out the dirt floor. Cement will be poured later when materials are available.

It is amazing what a roof and a little cement will do.

Two small rooms flank each side of the alter area. Door frames are being set-in prior to finishing the brick work and cementing.

D.S.Vienna accompanied us each day and was not shy about getting her hands dirty.

Rev. Elliott looks on with satisfaction after wielding a shovel.

Each evening we carried building supplies not used that day to a storeroom near the school. Each morning we repeated the process in the reverse.

A team member was given the priveledge of laying brick under the close supervision of the Master Mason.

Hauling water the local way. Well, almost... The villiage women aren't afraid to put their hands down.

Duga boys. The cement mixture is called duga in Shona and these are duga #1 and duga #2. Take hard work, mix in laughter, a sprinkling of tears, cover with prayer, serve with love, receive contentment and joy.

This is our last day in Chipfunde. Sadly we were not able to complete construction of the church. A lack of materials hindered our progress. However, arrangements were made to have the project completed as the needed materials became available.

John, who drove us everywhere, shares his talent on the drum during the final day ceremony. Much music, singing, laughing, and tears accompanied us that final day in Chipfunde.

The always-present cows and the birds that accompany them

A calf getting up close and personal with a wheel cover.

One of several classrooms we visited.

The children have few materials with which to work. The donated supplies we were able to leave with the school were met with smiles of joy and gratitude.

Although the children knew about America and other countries of the world, they had never had the opportunity to see a world globe. This one is inflatable.

The children proudly display crosses they made during our visit.

The new experience of bubbles highlighted each classroom visit and even the older children and adults delighted in the floating transparent globes.

One of the donated games left with the school wasTwister. Team members are teaching the teachers!

Two members of our congregation served in Murewa for six weeks during 2001. They taught sewing to several women and raised enough money to purchase sewing machines for the District. Two women taught by the dynamic duo operate this shop, named after their benefactors. Gogo means grandmother in Shona and is an honored title.

Our group split up one Sunday with half attending services at Remember Masamba's Church and the other half attending Mary Masamba's. Bishop Skitt and his wife were being honored by church members at Remember's church.

The Dindi Health Clinic serves about 200 patients a week. One trained nurse with one treatment room handles this load. It was gratifying to be able to leave enough donated funds for an additional treatment room to be added to this clinic so that women delivering babies would not have to do so with men in a bed next to them being treated for AIDS.

Food shortages are massive in Zimbabwe. Here, women are walking back home with monthly rations.

These Trained Home Healthcare Workers volunteer their time assisting in caring for AIDS patients.

Many children are unable to attend school because their families cannot afford the $3.00 (three dollar) a year fee. Many children are orphaned and struggling just to survive. These boys herd cattle for their keep.

Team members taking a break to play kick ball with the ever present children.

School children are required to wear uniforms; however, the rule has been relaxed somewhat due to the economic crisis.

Each evening we traveled back to Murewa to the Methodist Mission School where we slept and ate. This is "The Rock" where we would gather to reflect and talk about the day. Huge boulders are strewn about the area like giant irregular marbles.

These are the fantastic ladies who cooked our meals, laundered our clothes and cared for us. One day one of our team stayed behind because of illness. These loving women kept watch over her and prayed over her all day.