Ezra Prescott at Ebenezer.....

Ezra Prescott

Ezra is originally from Bulawayo. He moved with his family to the U.K at the age of 11. He did his schooling in the U.K, got some work experience and is now back in Zimbabwe. He is serving at Ebenezer for a while (He is uncertain at the moment as to how long he’ll be with us….)

M.M: What do you do to relax?
E.P: I enjoy taking in the scenery and raddeling rams

M.M: What is your favourite quote?
E.P: “If the bowl we used at mealtime was wooden and made by one’s own hand, there would be no war.” (Roman soldier convert)

M.M: Who is your favourite Bible character?
E.P: John on the Isle of Patmos

M.M: What is the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
E.P: Sheep’s milk straight from the udder

M.M: What is it like being back in Zimbabwe?
E.P: Some things are worse than I expected them to be while others are better than I expected. I’ve been struck by the people I’ve met. There are faithful people who have stuck it out. Some had to while others chose to.

M.M: Thank you so much Ezra. I really hope you have a fantastic time with us at Ebenezer.

By Molly Manhanga

Darryl Edwards & Craig Deall at Ebenezer

Darryl Edwards (Left) and Craig Deall (right)

It was excellent having Darryl Edwards (research and development for Foundations for Farming - Manicaland) and Craig Deall (Foundations for Farming - Mashonaland) visit Ebenezer. They went on a tour of the place starting at the Research and Development plot, then the Kitchen Gardens before moving on into the apprentice fields. They were discussing the soil types at Ebenezer and the potential of a variety of crops that would do well in our soil type.

Brilliant Khoza’s beautifully mulched field with green peppers

They were very helpful indeed.

(Left to right) Darryl Edwards, Craig Deall and Lance Edwards

By Molly Manhanga

Words of Encouragement with Mbonisi Malaba

Mbonisi sharing with the Ebenezer Staff

Mbonisi Malaba, lead Elder of New Creation Church in Bulawayo, together with his wife Tashinga and 2 sons: Ethan and Noah, visited Ebenezer Training Centre to encourage the staff and the apprentices. Mbonisi shared and had a discussion time with the staff on Shepherds and Hirlings and he told the story of The Prodigal Son to the apprentices, linking in The Lost Sheep and The Lost Coin. He was excellent. This is what he shared on:

Shepherds and Hirelings
Read John 10:1 – 16 Key verses being 12 – 16
A “shepherd” heart will replace a “hireling” heart on receiving a revelation of the Father Heart of God – that we are His sons not His servants! Amazing!

What does a Shepherd look like?
Owning
1. They own from inside; not just stewarding another man’s vision
2. They go down with the boat; they use ‘owning’ speech such as “we” and “our”
Knowing
1. They “know” and are “known”. They are committed to getting to know people. They are ‘people’s people’. Good with names. Phone calls.
Lay down lives
1. John 21 “feed my sheep……you will go where you do not want to go.”
2. They show a genuine “putting others first.”
Serve God by serving others
1. How powerful! Motive = feed my sheep

Mbonisi Malaba about to tell a story to the apprentices

What does a Hireling look like?
1. Hirelings speak of “mine & yours”. Shepherds speak of “ours, us, we”. E.g. inviting someone to come to “our” church or to Ebenezer.
2. Hirelings are not sold out on the church or Ebenezer and create an atmosphere of non-permanence. Shepherds are sold-out on church and graft people in.
3. Hirelings regard their current situation as a “stepping-stone” for future exploits! They have a ‘volunteer’ spirit; they consider they are doing you a favour and just working for you!
4. Hirelings join people to themselves not fathers/vision/church/Ebenezer; shepherds graft people in and add to the church/Ebenezer.
5. Hirelings are “my rights” oriented and “wage” oriented.
6. Hirelings will pick and choose what ministry area they will do, instead of having the attitude of the shepherd which is “that would be my preference, but I desire any role that will serve the greater vision.”

While "dad", Mbonisi Malaba was hard at work, little Ethan Malaba was enjoying himself on a quard bike at Ebenezer.

If we have had a good shepherding experience, we’ll be able to shepherd well.
The GREAT value is to come back to the WORD. Christians are the most forgiven people and when we remember this, we’ll realize that we need to be forgiving.

Compiled by Molly Manhanga

Farewell to Riemer & Jen te Velde

Riemer and Jen te Velde at the Operation Trumpet Call meeting in Bulawayo

It was awsome having Riemer and Jen te Velde volunteer their time at Crossroads Community Church and Ebenezer Training Centre. They are a delight to be around and such hard workers. It was excellent having the te Velde's share at our Current Affairs evening: Riemer shared about Holland and Jen shared about their Cape to London trip. Very interesting. They continue on their journey with their next stop being in Mozambique. Travel well.....

by molly manhanga

One on one with Mediator Dube - 1st year Appy

Getting to know Mediator Dube

M.M: Tell me about your background?
M.D: I live in Mapane which is a 3 hour walk from Ebenezer. I have 5 brothers and 1 sister. I live with my parents. I am 20 years old. I went to Mapane Primary School. I stopped my education because my parents didn’t have money for school fees.

M.M: What do you do to relax?
M.D: I read my Bible and play games.

M.M: What has been your greatest joy at Ebenezer?
M. D: I like working in my field, playing football and reading notes.

M.M: Have you faced any challenges at Ebenezer so far?
M.D: No, nothing.


M.M: In 5 years time what do you see yourself doing?
M.D: I want to preach the gospel and teach my community farming.

M.M: I really hope you do well at Ebenezer and be blessed as continue to impact your community.

By Molly Manhanga

"Work in Progress" at Ebenezer

Lance Edwards and Stephen Manhanga discussing the business at hand

This last week has been a hive of activity at Ebenezer. Tomato and cabbage seedlings arrived on site which need to be planted in the 1st year apprentice plots, various meetings between the staff took place with tours of the fields and discussions on the way forward, the graduates were harvesting their tomatoes and balancing their cheque books.

The graduates working on their cheques

The volunteers were hard at work too: Riemer and James spent lots of time surveying the land at Ebenezer while Jen lent a helping hand with the administration. It was just a super busy week but really rewarding.

Riemer about hit the peg into the ground making sure we have a straight baseline

More to follow…………………………..

By Molly Manhanga

One on one with Amkela

Getting to know Amkela Mlilo

M.M: Tell me about your background?
A.M: I live in Mapisa which is a 12 hour walk from Ebenezer. I live with my grandmother. My mother is in Bulawayo. My father died when I was small. I am 18 years old.

M.M: What do you do to relax?
A.M: I enjoy singing and dancing to relax.

M.M: What has been your greatest joy at Ebenezer?
A.M: Dancing and I like learning English which at the moment, I find quite difficult.

M.M: In 5 years time what do you see yourself doing?
A.M: I want to drive and teach my community how to speak English.

M.M: I really hope you do well at Ebenezer and be blessed as continue to impact your community.

By Molly Manhanga

One on One with Benami Ndlovu - 1st year appy

Getting to know Benami Ndlovu

M.M: Tell me about your background?
B.N: I live in Njelele which is a 12 hour walk from Ebenezer. I live with my parents. I have one younger brother. I am 18 years old.

M.M: What do you do to relax?
B.N: I enjoy listening to music to relax.

M.M: What has been your greatest joy at Ebenezer?
B.N: I like eating and I enjoy the lessons.

M.M: In 5 years time what do you see yourself doing?
B.N: I want to farm in my home.

M.M: I really hope you do well at Ebenezer and be blessed as continue to impact your community.

By Molly Manhanga

One on One with Justin Thebe- 1st year appy

Getting to know Justin Thebe

M.M: Tell me about your background?
J.T: I live in Mablauwuni village which is a 45 minute walk from Ebenezer. I live with my parents. I have one older sister and one younger sister and brother. I am 19 years old.

M.M: What do you do to relax?
J.T: I bath to relax.

M.M: What has been your greatest joy at Ebenezer?
J.T: Working in the fields and lessons especially Spiritual, English and Agriculture.

M.M: In 5 years time what do you see yourself doing?
J.T: I want to teach agriculture and business in my community.

M.M: I really hope you do well at Ebenezer and be blessed as continue to impact your community.

By Molly Manhanga