Highlights of 2013

• Renovations of the Kidz Block, Kitchen and Office building
• 2 buildings were painted
• Phase 1 of the water project is completed and phase 2 is underway
• Ladies playing Netball and winning the ACET Netball Competition
• Bereavement Club which the ladies have started to help grieving families in the community.
• Home Based Care members continue to visit homes and minister to those who are sick.
• We thank God for the faithfulness of brothers and sisters in the community - not forgetting the little ones - the children. 
• Celebration service where folk shared testimonies, the Kidz recited scripture and sang and we shared a meal.

We look forward to 2014 as God continues to build His church.....

Thought for the week

Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

Gardening Delights 2013

The holidays are being spent mostly working on the garden and creating garden features. It has been incredibly relaxing. The rains have made the garden look beautiful as the lawn is lush green and the flowers are blossoming.


By Molly Manhanga

"Slam Dunk"......Win!

The Crossroads Netball Team participated in the ACET Netball Tournament. The team comprises of 11 players with the youngest being 19 years and the oldest on the team being 54 years. They played 8 teams from the surrounding communities. The matches started at 12:00noon and finished at 2:00pm. The games were 'in the bag' from the start as the Crossroads ladies showed the others how it was done by winning the Tournament. Well done Ladies!

Netball Team

Captain of the Netball team

Netball Trophy



By Molly Manhanga

 

Kidz Alive 2013

Kidz Alive is being led by Simangaliso Ndlovu and Lettie Ndlovu. They have an average attendance of 40 - 50 children. They spent this year focusing on the Bible - CBS, reciting scripture and other bible stories. Kidz Alive range from 2 year olds to 13 year olds. The children have grown in their knowledge of the Bible and reciting scripture as was evidenced last Sunday when they sang songs and recited many scriptures to the Church. Some of the scriptures included Matthew 2:1, Genesis 1:27, John 11:35, John 11:35 and many more. It was good seeing the children come 'alive'. 

By Molly Manhanga

Time with Clarence Mutangara

It was also excellent to have Clarence Mutangara who is based in Nampula, Mozambique come and spend time with the Crossroads folk. He encouraged them and gave us some prayer pointers for Mozambique. Amidst all the difficulties in Mozambique, God is at work.

Clarence Mutangara (Centre) and Stephen Manhanga (Right)


By Molly Manhanga

The Burias

It was great seeing Edward and Freda Buria again.......

Edward and Freda Buria from Kenya, at MegaVision 2013

By Molly Manhanga

MegaVision 2013 pt 2

Main Tent

Here are some comments from the Crossroads ladies

Simangaliso Ndlovu
I enjoyed the conference very much especially sleeping in a tent. The word from Tapiwa Chizana was good.

Patricia Moyo
It was my first time at MegaVision. I enjoyed the Mini Olympics, seeing elephants and lions for the first time and the message from Mbonisi Malaba.

Precious Ndlovu
Antelope Park is a beautiful place. I enjoyed the inter-racial mix (One new man in Christ). It was my first time to see that. The praise and worship was wonderful and the word from Tapiwa Chizana.

Lethiwa Ncube

Evan Rogers enjoying the 'beat'

By Molly Manhanga

I enjoyed the conference a lot especially the food, seeing lions, elephants and impala around people. I also enjoyed the word from Tapiwa Chizana. 

Older ladies who attended the conference

MegaVision 2013

Bridge overlooking the dam at Antelope Park 

We had an excellent time at MegaVision over the weekend. 19 people from Crossroads attended the conference which was held at Antelope Park. To top it all, the guest speakers were Stephen and Anna van Rhyn from South Africa and Edward and Freda Buria from Kenya. Not forgetting our very own Scott Marques from Eastlea, Harare, Mbonisi Malaba from New Creation, Bulawayo and Tapiwa Chizana from Thembalezizwe Church, Bulawayo. Evan Rogers led in praise and worship. The Saturday evening concert was awesome as folk danced for the Lord.....

The conference was different in that it was held in Gweru (kind of mid-way between Harare and Bulawayo), at Antelope Park (stunning views of nature and animals) and it was a family camp. It was the first time for some Crossroads folk to camp (sleep in a tent) and they LOVED it!

Men who attended MegaVision from Crossroads

The folk from Crossroads were so inspired by the whole event. These are some of the comments from the gentlemen:

Brilliant Khoza
I feel so encouraged to press on and not look back. It's been very good especially the preach by Edward Buria and Stephen van Rhyn.

Young ladies who attended the conference

Mcebisi Ncube
The conference was good. I enjoyed the beauty of Antelope Park, the Praise and worship sessons and I felt the presence of God.

Nkosiyazi Ndlovu
The conference was very good. I learnt many things and how to praise God. I enjoyed the preach by Tapiwa Chizana.

Slyvester Maphosa
I was really touched by the message from Edward Buria. I need to change myself and lead by example. I enjoyed Antelope Park. It was my first time seeing elephants and lions.

Read more on the comments from some of the ladies.........

By Molly Manhanga

Update on the Water Project pt 5

Pipeline reaching Crossroads Church

Although the project is taking longer to complete than anticipated, Phase 1 is now complete. A 1,5km pipeline has now been dug from the Crossroads site to Crossroads Church and piping has been installed. 2 water tanks have been placed - one at Crossroads Church and one at Crossroads site. A pump house has been built at the Crossroads site which will house one of the diesel engines. A 2,500 litre water tank has been placed next to the pump house.

To test if Phase 1 works, water was pumped into the 2,500 litre tank at the Crossroads site and then pumped to the 1,000 litre tank at Crossroads. It took approximately 1 hour for the water to reach Crossroads and fill the 1,000 litre tank. A second test was done as the villagers came to Crossroads Church with their 20 litre containers to collect water – running water from a tap. With water already being in the pipeline from the first test run, it then took approximately 15 minutes to fill up the 1,000 litre tank at Crossroads Church.

Containers lined up as villagers wait for water

The villagers lined their containers and each adult/child was able to access clean running water. We are now into the 3 driest and hottest months of the year (August – October). At present, the 1,000 litre water tank can cater for 50 villagers living in and around Crossroads Church if each villager has a 20 litre water container. We are hoping to have two 10,000 litre water tanks (20,000 litres) placed at Crossroads Church and another two 10,000 litre water tanks (20,000 litres) placed at the Crossroads site. Approximately 2000 villagers will benefit from these two water access points as they will now have a constant source of clean running water for domestic purposes.

First container being filled

Phase 2 has started.........

Happy days for the villagers with easy access to running water 


Written by Molly Manhanga

Repairs on the roof.....

Before and...

As part of the renovations that were done at Crossroads, the outside kitchen roof was taken down and re-thatched. It looks pretty good now

By Molly Manhanga

After

......

A perspective from the elderly.......

Sam Ndlovu - 91 years old

Some of the teachings that the older men received when they were young are:
1. A man needs to have a home before he can marry
2. The aspect of respect is crucial
3. Asking for advice was also imperative

Misheck Ndzunga - 78 years old

What is their view on the younger generation in the community? Although they felt that the behaviour of men is changing, the young people
1. Change partners too readily
2. They are not receiving advice from the older people
3. Young people are driven by the need for money. To elaborate - the older folk felt they were taught to work in team (cook, eat and drink) together for the betterment of the community and for relational purposes. They young people have the view point of "nothing for nothing" i.e. how much will you pay me?

This too is an interesting view point. Can the young and the old glean the good points from each other. Time will tell.........

Harvison Ncube - 68 years old



By Molly Manhanga
 

 
  

To be a man......Cultural perspective.....

What exactly does it mean to be a man - from a cultural view point in Mablauwuni village? A young gentleman said being a man means:
1.Having a wife and children
2. Wives are not supposed to get too "close" to their husbands
3. Wives are supposed to follow their husbands - no matter what......
4. Men are not supposed to get "close" to their children; particularly the girl child etc, etc

Many men don't go to church because the Bible is counter - culture (The teachings from the Bible differ from culture)

However, the younger generation is now changing due to the teachings they are receiving and getting saved. The young people find it easy to show affection towards their wives and children. It was felt that the older people would have more difficulty changing due to the cultural teachings they received many years ago.....

Interesting perspective...


Written by Molly Manhanga

God speaks through nature

Some of the scenery surrounding Crossroads Community Church..... By Molly Manhanga

A glimpse of the children......

Their faces tell it all......

"I am fearfully and wonderfully made"

'United" with food....

So, what's on the menu at Crossroads?

The men decided to provide the meat and braai/barbacue it while the ladies were to cook the sadza and relish. Together, the Crossroads folk were able to share a meal whilst watching the DVD "Courageous"  -  before the Netball challenge

 

It was good seeing how the folk came together, contributed the 'eats', cooked it and enjoyed the meal.

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

By Molly Manhanga

The clash of the sexes......

Gender bias, gender empowerment, gender enhancement.........no, not quite........it's "Simply Netball" - The young ladies taking on the young gentlemen in a game of netball.

The young ladies were up for the challenge as they took their positions on the field with confidence. The young men were a little hesitant as they organised their team and took their positions. The game started off rather slowly but it didn't take the men long to find their feet and increase the pace of the game. It became fast and competitive - jumping, throwing, defending, catching and scoring. In and amongst this was alot of laughter and calling out for the ball.




The final score:
Men - 12
Ladies - 6

One could then argue that the men were faster, taller and stronger......Guess they were. It was an entertaining game to watch.

By Molly Manhanga

How "Courageous" are you? pt 2

Chantelle Ndlovu (Left) and Precious Ndlovu

Comments about the movie from 2 ladies, Chantelle Ndlovu and Precious Ndlovu, who were visiting Crossroads on Sunday were as follows:

1. Fathers need to take care of their families
2. Fathers need to work in order to provide for their families.
3. Fathers need to show love (be more affectionate) with their wives and children.

Excellent values are portrayed but how realistic is this with the cultural norms in Mablauwuni village? More to follow.......



By Molly Manhanga

How "Courageous" are you? pt 1

On Sunday we had a service with a difference - we watched the DVD "Courageous" as the conclusion to the 5 week series on Foundations for Family which include:
1. Everyone in a family
2. Committed couples
3. Valued children
4. Sexual purity
5. Christ centredness

The theme was around 'family' and fathers standing up to provide for, care for, protect and love their families as well as being the spiritual head of their family. Needless to say, the aspect of honesty with oneself and others in the home and the workplace shone through.

Honouring God makes a huge difference in how we handle different aspects of our life.

"Leave a Godly legacy."

"Where are you men of courage?"

The movie is brilliant and worth watching.

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 28:14 

Written by Molly Manhanga

Ladies in Mablauwuni village getting sporty!

Lettie Ndlovu - leader of the Kids work at Crossroads and part of the Home Based Care initiative serving the community, organised for the ladies to get together on Saturday 10 August 2013 and have some fun. Netball was the name of the game and it was excellent seeing the young and old getting sporty.

The ladies will be taking on the 'men' this Sunday in a game of netball and the younger folk will challenge the young ladies to a game of soccer. It should be fun watching all this action.......

                                                                                                                  Stay tuned for some feedback...


By Molly Manhanga

Lettie Ndlovu spurring the ladies