A love that’s still burning so strongly

Retired Elim missionary Bobbie Tinnion fell in love with Zimbabwe more than 50 years ago. She explains how visiting the country still excites her

Dr David Livingstone was dedicated to Africa – its heat and fevers, its people and their future. There could be no going back on Africa. He had married Africa in March 1841 when he first set foot on its soil, and there could be no divorce.

I relate so very much to that as I was married to Zimbabwe when I first set foot on its soil in February 1970. I had been working in Malawi and sensed God was calling me to Zimbabwe. Months there in 1970 were spent exploring possible options where I could best serve God and the people of Zimbabwe.

God’s ways are much higher than our ways and I had to wait 15 years before returning to serve God in Zimbabwe. The waiting was not a sterile experience – I had the privilege of serving God in other African nations as well as Hong Kong. During this period I often asked God, “How long must I wait until I return to Zimbabwe?” I am sure some readers will identify with this… how long?

Perfect timing

Eventually, in 1985, I travelled to Katerere, Zimbabwe, and yet again God’s timing was perfect. Living and working in Katerere, wonderful lasting friendships were formed. Many of my best friends live in Zimbabwe – they too are now in their 70s and 80s – and when the opportunity arose for me to join Pastor Roy Johnston on a short mission trip to Zimbabwe, I jumped at it.

Perhaps Pastor Roy had doubts about the wisdom of having the responsibility of an octogenarian on a mission trip, but what a privilege to be present for the official dedication of the Elim Hospital operating theatre and the sparkling new ambulance. I spoke with a doctor and the nursing staff and all emphasised how these facilities will help reduce mortality and morbidity in the area.

Thank you to Northern Ireland Elim Pentecostal churches. The doctor gave me an opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of the ambulance, but he didn’t hand over the ignition keys!

African dancing

I was like a five-year-old attending a Christmas party! There were many reunions with friends I had first met nearly 40 years ago. We danced together as only Africans can and so many stories were recalled. I was reunited with a mother and ‘child’ ‒ my first delivery at Elim Hospital in 1985.

I could mention so many friends but I will keep to those you may know ‒ Dr Pious and Mrs Evelyn Munembe who, now in retirement, lead an Elim church in rural Zimbabwe; Roy Satuku, the son of the late Pastor Ephraim Satuku (previous Head of Elim Mission, Katerere) and Mrs Winnie Satuku. Roy is now a teacher at Emmanuel High School at Elim Mission, Katerere. Pastor Ephraim and the late Pastor Roy Lynn were great friends.

In honour of their friend, Ephraim and Winnie called one of their sons Roy. Older readers may remember that Roy, his wife Joyce and baby Pamela Grace were amongst those massacred on 23 June 1978 in the Vumba‑. Two of my neighbours at Katerere were Mr and Mrs Paul Chibisa, and, with the Satuku children, the Chibisa children would always be at my back door looking for a biscuit! What a wonderful gift I had in November last year as one of the Chibisa children and two of the Satuku children visited N Ireland.

Personal challenge

We visited Penhalonga Elim school and a personal challenge came to me during that day. As we were visiting, a father brought his daughter to be enrolled in the boarding school that provides education for children and young people who have special needs.

The father and daughter, called Melissa, had been begging for many years on the streets of the city. It appeared that Melissa could neither speak nor hear, and on Monday 9 September this ten-year-old was given the opportunity to have an education.

Please do not think this school is anything like an educational facility in the UK. I have come home with a burning mission. Please help in any way possible the Penhalonga school and two dormitories for children and young people who have special additional needs. As I continue to raise awareness of this school, I will be encouraging friends and family to direct financial gifts to Pastor Roy Johnston in Northern Ireland’s Elim Missions Office.

The trip was humbling and encouraging; challenging and uplifting; powerful and simple. I saw how the Lord is at work through the Elim Pentecostal Church in Zimbabwe. On both celebration days there was a powerful presentation of the gospel, and all was done in the name of Jesus to the glory of God.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.