I believe that sometimes the simplest gifts can mean the most.
One of my friends, with the most beautiful soul is going on a mission trip to Zimbabwe this week. I am so filled with joy for her! She has been wanting to do something for quite a while now. The Lord finally spoke to her and let her know where He needed her most…Africa.
I am embarrassed to admit, I do not know much about Africa. I do know that since we homeschool, we are about to know quite a bit!! Ha ha ha!!! It is a country that my friend’s church has been actively helping. I know they sent a mission team to Uganda last year. The stories I have heard about that trip were fabulous!
From what we have read about Zimbabwe, Christianity is there. A good percentage of the people claim to be Christians or follow islam. Ancestor worship is the most common form of worship. Because the people of Zimbabwe are a mix of European and African culture they tend to mix religious beliefs of the old with the new. That being said, there is need of missionary work even among the Christians there. My friend and her team will be traveling out in search of those in the less affluent areas, more toward the isolated villages that have not heard the name of our Lord and Savior. What an exciting journey!!
We did discover she can wear her regular clothes there without disrespecting the people there. Yay!! We also know that the people there love jewelry. Awesome!! So a few of us got together for a service project… We made salvation bracelets for passing out to the people my friend and her team will be talking too!
The beads all have meanings. I am sure you have seen these before, but here is a quick reference as to what each color symbolizes.
Black- represents our sin
Red- represents the blood of Jesus
White- represents the forgiveness and cleansing of our sins
Clear Blue- represents the water of the baptism
Purple- represents the royalty we are now a part of
Yellow- represents knowing that we will receive heaven because of Jesus
Green- represents the new life we have been given
Gold-represents heaven
It was a blessing for my girls and I to get to be a part of making these little remembrances for the people our friend will meet. It was such an honor to be able to pray over them and for the souls who will be receiving them! Little trinkets, that could mean so much to someone who is just getting to know Jesus!! May her trip be blessed and filled with opportunities to share the Word of the Lord!!
I am so excited for my sweet missionary friend to be making her trip to Zimbabwe!! I know that she is going to make such a difference to someone!!