Bread at Zimunya

Our Volunteers in Mission project at the Zimunya Skills Training Centre came to an end on Friday morning, July 31. By then, we had settled into a rhythm of work (and rest!). One of our faithful local volunteers--Mrs. Ressie Nemaramba--was not at the work site that morning when we arrived. I didn't really pay attention to her absence, perhaps assuming that she had other obligations, responsibilities, or commitments.

Midway through the morning, however, the reason for her absence became apparent. Mrs. Nemaramba came walking up the path, carrying a gift of fresh, warm bread for us to share. She had brought it with her, wrapped in a towel to keep it warm.

Mrs. Nemaramba had raised the wheat. She had harvested the wheat. She had processed the wheat into flour. She had baked the flour into bread, and now she had brought the bread for us to share. It was her gift to us for having shared in work that week at the Zimunya Skills Training Centre.

It was a sacramental moment. The Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16) were blessed with bread that came to them unexpectedly. We were only in Zimunya, but we were equally blessed with bread that came to us unexpectedly. As one of our team members received the bread, we gathered around--VIMers, brick layers, local volunteers, and the caretaker's children.

There was a word of blessing, and then the bread was broken and shared. It was round, warm, fresh, and delicious. And there was more than enough for everyone to have some. It was the best possible way to end our week of work at the Zimunya Skills Training Centre!