Baptisms, Blessings, and a Bit of a Battle – Reflections from Zimbabwe

There’s something about Zimbabwe that captures your heart and refuses to let go. Every time I step off the plane, I feel it — that mix of joy, expectancy, and the deep sense that God is about to do something amazing. I remember the first time leaving the airport, I heard Dan say, "It's good to be home." I understand now why he feels this way. It's a feelig that is hard to describe, but the relationships we have formed there are incredible. The leadership there is amazing. Each time we leave becomes harder and harder and this last trip was no exception.

Our team’s time in Zimbabwe was packed with ministry, worship, and connection, but if I had to name one moment that stood just slightly above the rest, it would be Sunday in Chiredzi. To be able to see the fruits of the labor is a unique experience. It was blistering cold for them there, so to see someone still willing to get baptized, even in the cold was so uplilfting to see. And to be the one that had the honor to baptize her, was humbling. It was an incredible moment. Her smile as she rose back out of the water in excitement for the decision she had made was breathtaking.

Dan has always discussed how amazing it will be in Heaven to meet people we had no idea that our mission impacted. Coming into contact with the results of the watering that has been done over the years. I was in prayer the night before as I had been stuck back at the mission house due to illness, but we'll get into more of that later, but Acts 2:47 came to my mind, where it says, “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” That’s what it feels like when we are there— the gospel expanding in Zimbabwe in real time, right before our eyes.

It’s not just the numbers that matter, though. It’s the stories. The faces. The families who will be changed forever because one person surrendered to Jesus. And it’s knowing that these moments ripple outward, shaping communities for generations to come.

But ministry in Zimbabwe for me isn’t just about the preaching or the revivals. It’s also about the people who have become part of my own family in Christ. One of the greatest joys of this trip was spending time with Tadiwa, my virtual adoption son. Throughout the year we stay in touch with each other through face time calls, photos, and updates, but there’s nothing like being able to sit face-to-face, talk, laugh, and share life together. Watching him grow, seeing him smile, and knowing that God has a plan for his life is humbling beyond words. It’s a reminder that the gospel isn’t just preached in pulpits — it’s lived out in relationships, in presence, and in showing up for people time and time again. This same incredible feeling is found in our relationships with pastors, and chaplains, with social workers, and Hippo Valley leadership. It's always difficult to leave.

Now, if this blog feels a little late in coming, there’s a reason. The truth is, I brought home more than just memories from Zimbabwe. Somewhere along the way, I also picked up a parasite infection. And let me tell you, it has been a journey. The last couple weeks have been filled with more weakness, more bathroom visits and more resting than I’m used to. But we finally have answers and a medical plan in place to get me back to full strength — and for that, I am incredibly thankful.

It’s been a strange mix of emotions. On one hand, I’ve been down and out physically. On the other, my heart is still so full from what God did on that trip. I’ve had to remind myself that serving God doesn’t always look like constant motion or dramatic moments on a mission field. Sometimes it looks like sitting still, listening, and letting Him restore you so you can go again.

I’m reminded that we are all called to missions — though not all in the same way. Some are called to go, some to send, some to pray, and some to give. But together, we form the body of Christ, working in unity to make His name known among the nations. For me, Zimbabwe has become a place where I see that calling lived out so clearly. Every visit deepens my love for the people, the culture, and the work God is doing there. And every visit reminds me that the mission doesn’t end when the plane lands back in the States — it continues in how we live, give, and pray from wherever we are.

Even as I work toward full recovery, my heart is already looking ahead to the next time I get to return. Because I know there will be more baptisms, more lives transformed, and more opportunities to link arms with my Zimbabwean brothers and sisters in Christ.

So here’s my encouragement to you: ask God what your part in His mission is. It may not look like hopping on a plane to Africa — but it will look like stepping into the work He has for you, right where you are. And trust me, when you say yes, you’ll find that the blessing isn’t just in what you give — it’s in how God transforms you along the way.

Zimbabwe has my heart. And every time I go, I find that God uses that love to draw me closer to Him — in joy, in service, and yes, even in the middle of unexpected battles like a parasite infection. Because whether I’m standing in the waters of baptism in Chiredzi or laying in a hospital back home, the truth remains the same: it is a blessing beyond words to serve the King in whatever way He calls.