Local women returns to Zimbabwe for mission work

Spreading the message of Christ’s love is a way of life for Pam Sharp and if it’s on a mission trip her adrenaline pumps faster. During a recent trip to the African country of Zimbabwe, Sharp ministered to women and children, as well as managed a trip to Victoria Falls and a safari.

Sharp, of Grace Christian Fellowship in Poplar Bluff, and her husband, Brian, usually go on mission trips together, but he didn’t go to Africa this time.

More than a decade ago, her first trip to Zimbabwe was unexpected. Preaching at the Texas Women’s Conference, Sharp carefully prepared her message. Three times she heard herself saying she was going to Zimbabwe, a trip not in her plans and not in her prepared message. Each time she’d stop, return to her message and each time, she would make the statement again.

Pam Sharp helps hand out gifts to a Zimbabwe student. Photo provided

A seasoned missionary approached her saying, “I need to speak to you. Did you see us giggling this morning? I need to have knee surgery and we have been praying for God to show us the right lady to speak at a conference in Zimbabwe.”

The missionaries felt God had shown them Sharp was the one He wanted. Sharp accepted and fell in love with the people and the country. She has returned twice more. Registered nurse Sherri Farmer of Poplar Bluff accompanied her this year and taught foot care.

Sharp has developed a relationship with the mother general of the church, who she describes as “an amazing lady who comes from royal decent.”

Registered nurse Sherri Farmer of Poplar Bluff consults with a patient in Zimbabwe. Photo provided

One of mother general’s favorite projects is the Gutu Homaninds School, which was struggling. She began working to help the school grow.

“When I went to the school there were 290 students and it was one of the highlights of my trip,” Sharp said.

Churches in the Poplar Bluff area raised money for Sharp to take school supplies to the students. Another year, Sharp was able to purchase tennis shoes for the students with donations.

At the conference she met the Rev. Dr. Faithful Manjoro Mutibvu, who Sharp calls the “little preaching machine.” She has an undergraduate, master’s and doctor of philosophy degrees.

Faithful, her husband, two children and nanny will be in Southeast Missouri where she will speak in Cape Girardeau on Sunday, Palace of Praise on Wednesday, Ladies Conference on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, at Grace Christian Fellowship and at Crossroads Ministries at 4 p.m. July 21.

Traveling in Zimbabwe is expensive. Gasoline was $30 a gallon when Sharp recently visited and the school was two hours away. The school presently teaches student from kindergarten through elementary school. They are awaiting accreditation for the secondary school.

Communications are easy in Zimbabwe, Sharp no longer buys a special phone plan since she is able to use an app, Facebook and Wi-Fi.

Two years ago when Sharp visited, they were raising money to put a metal roof on the school and they “still didn’t have the roof during this visit,” Sharp said.

The people are mannerly, Sharp said, adding “30 kids were sitting there quietly. They were just so sweet. This is their winter and it was in the 70s and 80s. The people are just so gracious and gentle and loving people.”

“I never felt threatened,” she said.

The unemployment rate is 75% in Zimbabwe and once you get a job you take care of it, Sharp said.

On one trip she met a chef at a hotel and Sharp always checks on her. Her friend assured her she was still working at the hotel. Most weeks she works six days and some seven days.

“It is amazing to see their work ethic,” Sharp said.

Many people who don’t have jobs have roadside stands where they sell bananas and bottles of gasoline, she said.

In her mission travels other missionaries have taught her a lot and Sharp said she takes a whole suitcase of gifts for people and often gives away her clothes after she wears them.

At the conference, they speak English and Shona. On the first trip 11 years ago, women were coming up for prayer and Sharp heard the mother general say to one woman, “we appreciate you” and then say to another woman, ”you are cursed.”

Sharp learned in Africa they believe the mothers may curse their children by what they name them. Sharp immediately said, “just rename her” quickly adding, “you are now Merry.”

On her most recent trip, a woman approached Sharp and said, “you renamed me and I have been Merry since that day.”

“The people in Zimbabwe respond and worship differently. They have no inhibitions,” Sharp said. “The African people especially Zimbabwe people are just loving warm people and very open to the word of God and very grateful.”

After the conference Sharp and Farmer planned a visit to Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, and to go on a safari during her recent trek.

Before the trip was to begin, issues started popping up delaying the trip. Victoria Falls by plane was a one hour flight, but 12 hours if you drive. The time they left one area and arrived in another might create immigration issues.

One of the local women said, “she must pray for me and went to the church.”

She and Farmer went to “little lodge a mile and a half walk” away and were given a “delightful private tour.” When the journey started later she was met at the airport by a man with a sign saying “Pamela.” She thought he was there to assist her through immigration. She learned he was an immigration official making certain she didn’t have any issues.

On a Zimbabwe River Sunset Cruise she sat up front to see the hippos and eat wonderful lunch. Later she fed the vultures. She was picked up at 6 a.m. for a game drive where she saw zebras, giraffes, impalas, wart hogs, baboons, all in a two-day package for $400 before returning.

“God was going before every step of the way,” Sharp said.