Meet Matt Hillegass

Matt Hillegass

Matt is serving at Ebenezer for close on 3 weeks. He comes from the United States of America. Matt grew up in Maryland and lived there for the first 25 years of his life. He has been living in California for the last 5 years. He is 28 years old and will be turning 29 in August.

M.M: Tell me about your family?
M.H: I have a brother and sister. My sister is married and she has 2 children whom I adore. My brother is 6 years younger than me. My mum died of cancer when I was 13 and my dad remarried. My family doesn’t venture far out of the world. They are happy where they are. I am the restless one. I love my family and we are very close.

M.M: What job are you currently doing?
M.H: I am a high school teacher and I teach biology to 17 – 18 year olds. It’s a lot of fun and there are lots of opportunities. I love the topic as well. I’ve also studied Theology and love to help students see the real presence of God – the real, tangible, beauty of God.

M.M: Is this your first time to Africa and Zimbabwe?
M.H: Yes and I’m glad that my first time to Africa is to Zimbabwe. I was caught off guard as to how “western” it seems. It was a surprise to me. The urban and rural life is very different. I love how genuine people are. There is an authenticity and I’m being blessed. There is also much potential for adventure.

M.M: What are your thoughts on Ebenezer?
M.H: It’s a fun atmosphere. The people I’ve interacted with are ambitious and hopeful. There is an excitement about expansion but there are necessary challenges that will be faced.

M.M: Who has influenced you the most recently?
M.H: A book I’ve studied called “Christian Ethicist” by Hauerwas. He thinks differently and helps me to reflect on things.

M.M: Who is your favourite Bible character?
M.H: Isaiah. This is a guy who disturbs people’s paradigms.

M.M: Any words of encouragement?
M.H: I say the students need to leave their comfort zones and go somewhere else. They need to be uncomfortable and experience things that are different. If they leave, they will come back changed/better people.

M.M: Thanks Matt. I hope you enjoy your time at Ebenezer.

By Molly Manhanga

Meeting Jackie Bell

Jackie Bell

It was excellent meeting Jackie Bell from Surrey, U.K while she was visiting Ebenezer. Jackie attends Reigate and Redhill Community Church which is part of Newfrontiers. The church is led by Alisdair Semple.

M.M: Tell me about your background?
J.B: I was born in Brighton and it was pretty much my mum and me. I am close to my grandmother. I don’t have any siblings. I did my college in Brighton and studied Psychology at the University of Sussex. I moved to Redhill and became a Youth worker at the church. I then became a Youth Evangelist for 2 years. I loved it. During that time God called me to Africa where I attended Jubilee and I was involved with Kids Club. I realised then that I needed a skill so I went back to England and qualified as a teacher with the view of coming back to Africa. Like Paul, I’ll use my tent-making skill to serve God.

M.M: What do you feel passionate about?
J.B: God has given me a heart to set up a work for under-privileged children and street children. When I go to Mozambique, I will be learning more about underprivileged children.

M.M: How long are you in Zimbabwe for?
J.B: I’m in Zimbabwe for a week and I’m staying with Mbonisi and Tashinga Malaba. I then head off to Mozambique for two and a half weeks.

M.M: What are your thoughts on Ebenezer?
J.B: I love the way the apprentices are using Foundations for Farming and that they have their own plots. I think it’s a good idea that Ebenezer is not too luxurious and it’s great to bring God into the community. The idea of being self-sufficient is necessary.

M.M: What is your favourite quote?
J.B: “If the son has set you free, you are free indeed.”

M.M: Any words of encouragement?
J.B: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He is the God of the impossible.

M.M: So true. I hope God speaks to you clearly as you stay in Zimbabwe and on your adventures in Mozambique. Be blessed.

By Molly Manhanga

Molly chats to David Stroud....

David Stroud

It was great seeing David Stroud in Kezi and chatting to him as he was on a whirlwind visit of Ebenezer Training Centre and Crossroads Community Church. David leads Christ Church in London. I enjoy his “out of the box” thinking. It’s so inspirational. Stephen Manhanga took David on the tour and was accompanied by Mbonisi Malaba. This is what he said.

M.M: How has your stay in Zimbabwe been?
D.S: GREAT! I enjoyed it and it has been a delight meeting people. I attended the Zimbabwe versus Kenya rugby game and that was fun. (I won’t reveal the score). I had a great time at Eastlea and at Antelope Park.

M.M: Is this your first time to Africa and to Zimbabwe?
D.S: This is my first time to Africa and Zimbabwe and it has been great on multiple levels. It’s been fun meeting leaders – young guys – Stephen and Mbonisi. It’s been an incredible week. We are running with similar visions. Kingdom proclamation looks different in the U.K and Zimbabwe but our hearts are similar and it is outworked differently. The best for the Church is still to come. The Church is promising and hopeful.

David Stroud and Stephen Manhanga

M.M: How was your time with our leaders?
D.S: I met great men and women who love Jesus, are equipped spiritually, academically and have business understanding to make a difference to the Nation. There have been long periods of preparation and God is lifting things. The skills that have been latent are being profiled and lifted to a higher level. It will be exciting to see what will happen in another 10 years of obedience and when God blows through it all. Men and women have a deep commitment to the Nation. All the ingredients are in place and it’s exciting!

M.M: What is your impression of Ebenezer?
D.S: Inspirational. I love the holistic approach, the agricultural skill and spiritual change in the young men and women. It’s empowering. I like the responsibility instilled in the apprentices with each receiving a plot of land and working it. Within the arid area, Ebenezer is like an oasis of fertility, like Eden – creation affects our lives. It makes me think of what we could be doing in the U.K and we could link up. I really like the church planting element. You are hitting redemption at every level!

M.M: What is your favourite quote?

D.S: George Bernard Shaw "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable adapts the world to himself. Therefore all hope of change lies with the unreasonable man."

M.M: Thanks so much David. Great chatting to you. Have a pleasant trip home!

By Molly Manhanga