We were up early today so we could get to Harare by 1 PM and I could shower and change clothes for the book signing at 3:00. Totem Shumba where Robert & Gloria Ndoro live is so beautiful. They purchased the place unfinished a few years ago after returning to Zimbabwe to live. Between Gloria’s consulting projects for the UN, they have turned the place into a stylish home complete with beautifully landscape grounds. They were gracious enough to host the event at their home and I had the privilege of signing books for a variety people I met for the first time. Pam Shaw, a pastor’s wife who lost her husband a number of years ago here in Zimbabwe during a violent robbery, showed some of her beautiful paintings. Gloria also invited her friend Shupie to show some of her amazing African artwork as well. When we first arrived Gloria’s friends were busy setting up tables and chairs around the garden area for guests. Gloria was busy in the kitchen preparing snacks and drinks for people so I stayed out of the way.

I still haven’t got used to the fact that people want me to sign their books. At times the whole process seems a bit surrealistic. On the other hand I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people and listening to their stories. For those that have read the book, hearing their perspective on how they feel the story and the books message is currently relevant has been important and helpful to me. Though I’m exhausted from traveling and all the meetings, I feel encouraged that just maybe this story will be a catalyst for change in Zimbabwe. I feel a deep sense of gratitude to God that a story I thought would remain a great source of personal pain is now being used to bring hope to others. Only God has the power to bring life out of death and I’m watching Him do it right before my eyes.

As the evening wore down and people left, I found myself in the middle of some wonderful conversations with the people who lingered. You get the sense here that while people are frustrated with the current state of the country they are hopeful that change will come soon. In many ways it’s a waiting game as people realize that the current and only President Zimbabwe has had, Robert Mugabe is advanced in years and at some point soon will pass away. People want to heal and move on. Much of the divisiveness that has permeated the country is coming from the politicians. This small group of people (in relation to the whole population) is filled with bitterness and is purposely perpetuating the destructive attitudes of the past. I find the vast majority of the people are tired of it all and can’t wait for change to come. The question that needs to be asked is what does that change will look like. One can easily say that they don’t like something, what takes real effort is to know what one likes and then develop a strategy to achieve it.