Greetings friends and family
Well, for only the second time since I've returned to Zimbabwe, the Zesa went off...but only for less than an hour so that's pretty good considering that when we left Zim to return to Canada last December, the Zesa was off  nearly 75% of the time.

It has been a very busy week.  Mid-term exams have been written and marked.  Friday we had a PACC Caring for Our community Day which involved all students and staff going out to the nearby shops and doing a cleanup.  We swept the parking lot, raked the surrounding area, picked up the garbage and handed out flyers promoting our college.  So, the day was two-fold.  It was to show the community we care and to make people aware of our college and who we are.  It was a very successful day.  I am inserting a couple of pictures so you can see us in action.  Following the cleanup we all returned to the college and shared a meal at the college dining room.  I was able to hire a young lady who has just been to catering school and she prepared a great meal for us.

Then on the Saturday, October 22nd, I celebrated my birthday by joining the Breast Cancer Awareness walk hosted by the Pentecostal Assemblies of Zimbabwe.  The young girl we sponsor, Makanaka, joined me for the walk and then spent the day with me.  The walk was complete with a police escort.
In the afternoon, we picked up Maka's mom, Linda, and we all shared a meal together.  Linda had to work earlier in the day and so could not go with us on the walk.  I am also including a couple of pictures of the cancer walk.  It felt good to be involved in the community in this way.

Sunday I walked to the Base Church, which is about 2.5-3 kms.  The church there is a combination of Black and White Zimbabweans and feels so good to see the integration which is not always present.

Then later on Sunday, Glen phoned me from our church in Penticton and I got to speak to a couple of friends there. It was a very pleasant surprise.  Don and Joy, it was so good to hear your voices and speak even for just a couple of minutes.

I always enjoy the opportunity to speak, either by phone or on Skype, to so many family and friends.fairly regularly. The distance doesn't seem so great somehow and I am truly blessed. It quite amazes me how things have changed in the years since I went to Cameroon and did not have the luxury of regular cell phone service or internet service. This experience is much different and holds its own blessings and its own challenges.

Glen will arrive in less than two weeks and I am certainly looking forward to having him join me here.

Just went for supper with friends from the US who are working at our college.  Had a great time of fellowship and sharing the challenges we encounter.

Enough chatter for this time so will sign off.  You are all much in my thoughts and prayers and I send love and blessings to all.

Marj