Water everywhere

The roads are being affected by the rains as can be seen by the road leading to Ebenezer.....Soon the dirt roads will need to be graded.....

What's happening in Stores with Pretty Ndlovu

It was awsome chatting to Pretty Ndlovu and seeing how enthusiastic she is about her job. This is what she said:

"It's very exciting to be in Stores. I have been selling tomatoes, maize, butternut, cabbage and onions to the community. These vegetables are brought into Stores by the apprentices. I buy from them and I sell to the community or to the town market. I write GRV's to the apprentices when they bring their produce to Stores and when they are buying, I write for them an inventory. It's very hard sometimes when there is alot of produce.

I am also learning computers every Tuesday and I am learning more about Business in Stores. I go to Crossroads Community Church. God is leading me in everything."

Brilliant!

Molly Manhanga

Importance of work by Pastor Netha

Pastor Netha and his lovely wife Faith

Pastor Netha and his wife Faith are from New Life for All City Church and they were the guests of Honour at the Ebenezer graduation held recently at Ebenezer Training Centre. Pastor Netha’s speech focused on work but before that he shared briefly just how special Shalom Camp Site was to him as it was there that he gave his life to the Lord and he made mention of the late Janet Cunningham.

Pastor Netha encouragement came from Genesis 1. He started by saying when God created.....everything.....that was work, including creating man his own image and likeness. He then told man to have dominion. We need to work. He cited one of the problems faced by many Zimbabweans as that of wanting things for free instead of working: free seed, free hoes, free fertilisers, and free implements and so on. Things that come for free are a problem. Many people have said that Zimbabweans are hardworking people. Those were the Zimbabweans of old. These days, we seem to want things for nothing. He said that we have farmers who don’t want to go into the field. They don’t want to work. They need the truth as the truth shall set us free. If your child is always begging, you’ll have nothing in the end. We need to be a nation that works.

Pastor Netha addressing the graduating class and the parents

From Genesis to Revelation, we read about people working hard – Noah, Abraham etc. We need to work as it gives one dignity and brings identity. Pastor Netha encouraged people to have a work ethic. Jesus said “occupy until I come” and he was speaking about work. We want people who will work with their hands – we want hands that will be diligent. God told Adam to work in the garden Genesis 2:15. He told Adam to dress it and keep it – that means work. Adam giving the animals names was work. Genesis 3 says that we will eat of the sweat of your brow – work. Know who you are and know that God is your boss. Once you know that, you’ll work hard. A person who works has purpose.

Summarised by Molly Manhanga

Stuck in the mud

Last week the 30 tonne truck that was loaded with approximately 2,800 chickens couldn't make it's way out of Ebenezer. With all the rain we've had recently, the dirt roads are muddy and somewhat waterlogged. After many failed attempts, two tractors eventually pulled the truck out and it was able to head back into Bulawayo with the chickens.

By Molly Manhanga

Life after Ebenezer with Ntandoyenkosi Moyo

Ntandoyenkosi Moyo

What next after Ebenezer?
I enjoyed my 2 years at Ebenezer but now I would like to go to Johannesburg to look for a job. I’ll probably go early 2012.

All the best in your endeavours.....

Molly Manhanga

Ebenezer dam spilling again

By Molly Manhanga

What next for Nontobeko Sibanda?

You will be graduating on Wednesday 14th December 2011 after being at Ebenezer for the last 2 years. What have you learnt and what are your plans?

I learnt alot in Business, Agriculture and Spiritual. I also learnt how to live as a young person and to lead by example. I will be joining the “Advancer” programme (Formally known as the Graduate programme) at Ebenezer in 2012. I’m hoping to gain more knowledge and to mature spiritually.

All the best in 2012.

Molly Manhanga

Short motivation by Godfrey Mhlanga

Godfrey and his lovely wife Sibongile

Godfrey Mhlanga was one of the invited guests at the recently held Ebenezer graduation. He encouraged the graduating class on knowing and keeping........

Know:

1. Your values

2. Yourself

3. Your life's purpose

Keep:

1. Your faith

2. Your word

3. Time - there are 24 hours in a day and we can accomplish much in that time

The knowing and Keeping speak for themselves.

By Molly Manhanga

What next for Moreblessing Moyo?

You will be graduating on Wednesday 14th December 2011 after being at Ebenezer for the last 2 years. What have you learnt and what are your plans?
I learnt how to farm, more about the things of God and how to run a business. I will be joining the “Advancer” programme (Formally known as the Graduate programme) at Ebenezer in 2012. I would like to gain more knowledge on farming and improve my Business knowledge.

All the best in 2012.

Molly Manhanga

Life after Ebenezer with Alert Ndlovu

What next after Ebenezer?
I enjoyed my 2 years at Ebenezer but now I would like to go and at Fort Usher (near Rhodes Matopos National Park). I’ll be renting a piece of land and I’ll start farming on 5th January 2012.

All the best in your endeavours.....

Molly Manhanga

Ebenezer Graduation

Graduating Class 2011

15 second year apprentices graduated from Ebenezer on Wednesday 14th December 2011 in front of approximately 300 people after spending 2 years learning Business, Agriculture and Spiritual. Pastor Netha was the Guest of Honour and he encouraged the graduating class on the importance of work. Godfrey Mhlanga motivated them to know their values, themselves and their life’s purpose. Each graduating apprentice received a certificate and the bag. Special awards were given to apprentices who excelled in different areas: Vusani Dube received a bicycle for being the best apprentice in Business and Agriculture. Alert Ndlovu excelled in Spiritual and he received a Bible and 2 books. Nontobeko Sibanda and Moreblessing Moyo received awards for being exemplary apprentices while Justin Thebe was the most improved apprentice.

Full house at the graduation

The graduation was a huge success and it was exciting seeing parents and guardians rejoice with their children. The event ended with a luncheon. We look forward to Graduation 2012.

By Molly Manhanga

Meet Godfrey Mhlanga

Godfrey Mhlanga and his beautiful wife Sibongile

It was wonderful seeing Godfrey and his lovely wife Sibongile again at the Ebenezer graduation. They are such a lovely couple. This is what Godfrey had to say……

M.M: How long have you been in ministry?
G.M: Since 1985 which makes it 26 years.

M.M: What have been the highlights of your ministry?
G.M: Families….restoring troubled marriages, giving guidance to positive parenting, giving families hope in time of HIV/AIDS and pre-marital counselling and guidance to young adults.

M.M: What challenges have you faced that you’d like to share?
G.M: We teach a lot on the benefits of abstinence so pregnancies out of wedlock and fornication weigh heavily on my heart especially when we’ve been walking with the young person for a long time.

M.M: What are your thoughts on the Ebenezer Graduation?
G.M: It’s a “wow” moment! May it grow 10 fold and reach many more young people. It’s good that the emphasis is on the rural people and no the city.

M.M: What do you do to relax?
G.M: I go to the internet and go onto Facebook and other social networks. It helps me connect and help people, even those I don’t know.

M.M: This is a first…..relaxing through facebook and social networks. It’s been a pleasure chatting to you Godfrey.

By Molly Manhanga

Mkhululi Ncube's wedding is finally here!!!!

Next week is the BIG DAY for Cooper as he marries his sweetheart Caroline. This is what he had to say as the day draws near……

“The wedding preparations are abit tough because I haven’t received much from family members. They seem happy that I am buying the food items and clothing for the wedding. I feel so good because I love Caroline and in our culture, people are viewed differently when they are married. (More grown up per say, respected more etc. Having a church wedding is seen as having accomplished great things) Caroline is feeling honoured to be marrying a Christian man who is leading a church in Silozwe.

We get married on the 22nd December at Shalom Camp site. Oh, what a wonderful place for a wedding ceremony. At this time, we are still looking for a place to go for our honeymoon.

I am working for Beyond Belief at Antelope in Mapisa and after the wedding; we might do something different or go somewhere else if God says so. Our plan at the moment still hangs on Beyond Belief."

Thanks Cooper. May God richly bless you and Caroline as you tie the knot.

By Molly Manhanga

What next for Lorator Nyathi

You will be graduating on Wednesday 14th December 2011 after being at Ebenezer for the last 2 years. What have you learnt and what are your plans?

I learnt about farming and how to be a businesswoman. I will be joining the “Advancer” programme (Formally known as the Graduate programme) at Ebenezer in 2012. I would like to continue farming.

All the best in 2012.

Molly Manhanga

Life after Ebenezer with Ndumiso

Ndumiso Ncube

What next after Ebenezer?
I enjoyed my 2 years at Ebenezer but now I would like to go and at Fort Usher (near Rhodes Matopos National Park). I’ll be renting a piece of land and I’ll start farming on 5th January 2012.

All the best in your endeavours.....

Molly Manhanga

Meet Pastor Faith Netha

Pastor Netha and his beautiful wife Faith

I met Faith Netha at the Ebenezer graduation and it was good chatting to her.....

M.M: How many years have you been in ministry?
F.N: Since 1984 which is a total of 27 years. We are pastors with New Life for All City church.

M.M: What have been the highlights of your ministry?
F.N: Seeing the ministry grow from about 40 people to approximately 2000, the 3 churches we’ve planted as a family and I’m passionate about women and want them to grow and be the women God intended them to be.

M.M: Excellent! Any challenges you’d like to share?
F.N: We need our own building, we don’t have room for Sunday School so we have to transport the children to a different venue and seeing women whose husbands go astray, or young people without parents.

M.M: What were your thoughts on the Ebenezer graduation?
F.N: It has been very good. The programme is transforming people’s lives and it’s a good platform to address issues. I really like the idea of rewarding good behaviour.

M.M: What do you do to relax?
F.N: I like watching Home Edition make over’s on television, gardening, flowers, lawns and putting up a nursery.


Thank you so much and great chatting to you.

By Molly Manhanga

Crops! A closer look

1. Recently, 12 – 15 plots (30m x 30m) of ground nuts were planted and 6 plots of carrots.
2. Preparations are being made for water melon and baby marrow. This is the first time and the apprentices are hoping they will do well.
3. Maize is being harvested at the moment. Some goes into town for sale while others are being sold in the community. The sales seem to be pretty good.
4. The downside about the maize at the moment is that the warthogs and monkeys are enjoying the cobs just as much as the people! The night guards light fires to deter the animals. Some nights it works and others it doesn’t.
5. The apprentices have finished harvesting the onions and are waiting for bean seeds to arrive.
6. Although the rains have been a blessing, the weeds have come to life. Some appy’s are on top of them while others need some encouragement.
7. The first year apprentices (July intake) are harvesting their tomatoes.
8. Apprentices are also busy correcting soil ph levels by using lime.
9. The main basal fertiliser used is compound D for carrots and melons but SSP (Single Super Phosphorus) is being used for ground nuts.

By Molly Manhanga

Super quick marketing update with Rod Spencer

Rodney Spencer

It was great catching up with Rod yesterday on Marketing.

This is what he said:
" Marketing is looking positive and good. The variety of crop we have is better than in winter. We have just come out of a major onion flood on the market. The crops that are coming through are tomatoes (Danelia and Tejas variety),potatoes, green maize, dry onions and butternut."

Butternut

Let's hope that the crops do really well both in the ground and on the market!

First years harvesting their tomatoes

By Molly Manhanga

Thoughts on the End of Year Exam

The first and second year apprentices wrote their end of year exams this week in Business, Agriculture, Spiritual, English and Maths. It was interesting getting feedback from some of the apprentices. They felt that Agriculture, Spiritual and Business were fine, but English and Mathematics was difficult. They argued that some of the Maths concepts were really hard to grasp like graphs, brackets, degrees and so on. Writing reports in English seemed a major task and generally just understanding the language itself. A second year apprentice commented that he was “seeing smoke” during the exam – in other words, he really BATTLED with the exam.

The apprentices are pleased that the exams are over and are awaiting their marks. They are also in serious preparations for graduation.

By Molly Manhanga

A few minutes with Jacques Du Preez

What is your favourite saying?
Think before you speak

What is the weirdest food you’ve eaten?
Mupani Worms

What do you do to relax?
Fish

What is your role at Ebenezer?
Interim agriculture manager

What is your goal for agriculture at Ebenezer in the next 6 months?
Making Ebenezer profitable

What is your role and thoughts on Major Tom?
I’m the Production Manager for Major Tom. (Major Tom is a set up where we are growing Tomatoes for processing. The processing plant will be in Bulawayo.) We use Beyond Belief as the out-growers for Major Tom. In essence we are empowering small scale farmers.

By Molly Manhanga

Meet Douglas Marikanda

M.M: What were you doing before you became part of the Beyond Belief Team?

D.M: I was an administrator at the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe offices here in Bulawayo.

M.M: What is your favourite sport?

D.M: Soccer. I support Chelsea.

M.M: What is your favourite quote?

D.M: I know that the Lord will supply all my needs according to His riches in Glory!

M.M: Are you married?

D.M: Yes. My wife's name is Marvelous and we have a son called Tawananyasha - meaning we have found grace. We have another child on the way.

M.M: Which church do you attend?

D.M: Bulawayo Baptist Church

M.M: What do you do to relax?

D.M: Reading, listening to gospel music and watching T.V.

M.M: I really hope you enjoy your administrative work and make many new friends.

By Molly Manhanga

A minute with Michelle Du Preez

Jacques & Michelle Du Preez, and their two lovely children Joshua and Chloe moved to Kezi about 4 months ago from the U.K. They are originally Zimbabweans who have been in the U.K for 9 years and have now moved back home. It has really been great getting to know them better and having neighbours in Kezi.

What is your favourite meal?
Steak, egg and chips

What is your dream holiday?
A trip to Mauritius to chill out by the beach

What is your favourite quote?
Think before you speak

How would you describe your family life?
We are close and we respect each others privacy and space

What is the weirdest food you’ve eaten?
Raw oysters. They tasted jelly like with very little texture.

By Molly Manhanga