Meeting NoMatter

One of the highlights of my Volunteers in Mission Trip to Zimbabwe was the opportunity to visit the Fairfield Children's Home located at Old Mutare Mission and to meet NoMatter, a girl whom my wife and I have sponsored for the past two years. It took place during our VIM team's visit on Wednesday afternoon, July 29.

I had first visited Fairfield Children's Home in January 2007 on my visit to Zimbabwe with the General Commission on Communications. The facility was originally established as an orphanage, but its focus has changed to that of a children's home which seeks "provide orphaned children with a family setting that maximizes their potential for optimal growth and development."

Two years ago, I was sufficiently impressed with what was being done there that I wanted to be part of this effort. After returning home, I checked out the web site for what is now called the Fairfield Outreach and Sponsorship Association.

In doing so, I found a list of children--identified only by their first names--who were being cared for at the Fairfield Children's Home. One was a girl named "NoMatter," who had been at the facility for three years at that time. She was listed as having a younger sister, Jane, and a younger brother, Nation. At the time, NoMatter was not listed as having a sponsor. It seemed like a good thing to provide that kind of support, and we have done so the last two years.

Early on, I wondered about the possible significance of her name. It seemed like it could be interpreted in such a way as to indicate that her mother or father might not have cared much about her. That was a completely wrong interpretation. My friend, Kennedy Mukwindidza, helped me understand that NoMatter's name really indicates courage, determination, hope, and perseverance. She will make her way through life, "no matter what!"

We arrived at Fairfield Children's Home on Wednesday afternoon, July 29. We paid a visit to the Craft Shop, which had a variety of consignment items for sale. We were then invited to "have a sit" in one of the duplexes for a time. [The expression simply means to come in, sit down, and visit.] After that, we had a chance to hear from the administrators of the facility about the work there.

I had corresponded with them before my trip about the possibility of meeting NoMatter. At first, I wasn't sure if this would be possible, since I was told that she was still in school at that time of the day. I didn't let the matter drop, however, and eventually someone was sent to get her out of school early for this occasion.

Our team was outside the administrator's office, having finished our conversation there, when NoMatter came walking down the road. I thought that it was her, but I wasn't completely sure. In a letter that we had received just a few weeks earlier, she described herself as "short and stout." She might be short, at least by American standards, but she is scarcely stout!

The two of us were introduced, and she took me to visit the duplex that is her home. She lives there with eight or nine other children. Her "blood sister" and "blood brother" are also part of the this family grouping. Her bed is in a room with three other girls. Her bed was neatly made, and she seemed proud to show me around.

We didn't have as much time as I might have liked, but it was probably about right under the circumstances. I wasn't sure of the protocol for such things, but I presented her with the small gifts I had brought for her--a new pair of flip flops, a necklace, and some head bands--all in a "Gloria Vanderbilt" bag of all things. She seemed genuinely overwhelmed, but I think that she was pleased.

I hope and pray that she will find her way in life, "no matter what!" It is good to remember that her name itself can help provide the courage, strength, and perseverance that she will need.