I left a piece of my heart in Zimbabwe.....

Endless dust, Chipping paint, broken windows, unsafe water, and unpleasant smells. This was my first impression of the orphanage in Zimbabwe. After looking a little closer I could see the carefully made beds with a single stuffed bear placed on each pillow, the workers quick smiles despite desperate circumstances, and most of all the eagerness that the children had for love and attention. It was wonderful to serve along side the team from my home church, East White Oak Bible Church, Illinois. For many of them it was their first experience in Africa. We had a diverse team with many talents and our activities during the week included maintainance at the orphanage and church, teaching and preaching at a Pastor's conference and church service, Dental exams and procedures, sharing the gospel in public schools and doing a Bible School program at the orphanage. This kept all of us quite busy but we still had enough time to build relationships with the wonderful Zimbabweans that were hosting us. Pastor Jabulani leads Nketa Baptist church and works for an organization that trains pastors called Multi Ministries. Pastor Jabulani is a joyful man quick to give all the glory to God for what He has done in the ministry. Pastor Jabulani was also very thankful for his partnership with EWO church and was so happy to tell us that the pews at the church, the electric fence protecting his home, and his vechicle were all blessings from God through EWO. It is so amazing to see how the family of God has provided for Jabulani in such a practical way. He shared with us that in his church with 300-400 people he can count on one hand how many people in the church have a job and the average weekly offering is $10. This reality made leaving Zimbabwe difficult and continues to make my life in South Africa hard. When I was growing up my Mom always told me that, "Life's not fair". I am feeling the reality of that these days. My Pastor friend cannot go to the doctor because he has no money, other friends have to hitchhike in order to reach home during the holidays, the little children come to the village drop-in centre in torn clothing with no hope of new warm clothes. Life is not fair. Thankfully, in Jesus Christ, we have hope of a NEW LIFE, A PERFECT ENTERNAL LIFE, and it was a joy to share that hope of NEW LIFE with so many people in Zimbabwe! I especially enjoy painting faces at the orphanage and during sunday school at church. The smiles on the children's faces when they looking in the mirror was priceless! Please consider giving a financial gift to help keep me here in Africa spreading God's love! I am so thankful for the many people who are serving God by supporting me with encouragement, prayers, and financial gifts!

Ways to Give to Jenny's Journey:
1. Donations for my account -
www.WorldOutreach.org
Click Donate & select Jenny Kohlrus #152
2. Or, Mail Checks to -
World Outreach Ministries
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
(designate for Jenny Kohlrus #152)

Proud Little South Africans singing their anthem while wearing their teacher's flag!

A Glimpse of Jenny's Journey at Eagle's Nest Christian School

Lizzy, Markia, Mitzi, Doug, James, and Nathan with Auntie Jane and Pastor Paul in Zimbabwe.


Eagle's Nest was blessed to have these American visitors from Cornerstone Christian Academy come for 3 weeks! Here are there testimonies!


Lizzy Smart:

I will never be the same. Three weeks ago I came to South Africa expecting to find a place completely different from anything I had ever known. I expected to feel like a stranger and a foreigner. I never expected this country and even this continent to feel so much like home. I expected to experience something new, but I did not anticipate that I would fall in love with Africa. The breath taking views, the incredible sunsets, and the beautiful people have stolen a piece of my heart. Although it seems like a simple lesson, I have learned that no matter what country you are in, people are people, water is water, and food is food. We make such a big deal about these simple things, but the most important thing is that Jesus Christ is Jesus Christ, no matter where you go and that He is the solution to the problems of the entire universe. With Jesus as my Source of Life and Truth I am free to love and enjoy new cultures, experiences, and places. I can love life and love people because Jesus Christ is my hope. Because of Him we can look into the most beautiful and most heartbreaking things of life and remain certain that there is hope. Because of these truths, my trip to Africa has taught me to rejoice in all situations and to live life with a new sense of love and thankfulness. I am so thankful for all of my new friends at Eagle's Nest in South Africa and for all the fantastic people I met in Zimbabwe. I feel truly blessed. I am not going back to America the same.


Markia Rogers:

Come to South Africa was something that I never imagined in my wildest dreams. It is s till hard to believe God blessed me with such an opportunity. Eagle's Nest Christian School in Limpopo is so similar to Cornerstone Christian Academy in the US. There wasn't a thing I didn't love about that school. Especially the relationships I made. Everyday from now on I'm going to look back and say that South Africa and Eagle's Nest will always be my home away from home. I also had the opportunity to go to Zimbabwe for an outreach experience. That one week we were there changed my life forever. The two things I will take away from that trip is the beauty and creation of God and how happy and welcoming the people were.



James Barrett:

Through this visit God has given me a heart for Africa and it's people. I will never forget the classes I visited, the students I spent time with, the places I visited such as The Great Zimbabwe Ruins and Kruger Park, or the relationships I formed. The students and teachers of Eagle's Nest, as well as the wonderful people of Zimbabwe, welcomed us with open arms. I feel like I leave behind a family in Africa. I am already looking forward to returning sometime soon.




Doug and Mitzi Pavey:

Coming to South Africa was a dream come true. We weren't sure what to expect but what we experienced exceeded our dreams. South Africa is a country of spectacular beauty. Kruger National Park was one of our favorite places to visit. Observing lions, hippos, zebras, giraffes, elephants and other animals in their natural habitat was breath taking. And the beauty of the land is indescribable. We had the privilege of going into Zimbabwe for 6 days as well. Once again, we were faced with incredible natural beauty. In addition to amazing landscape, the most outstanding characteristic of Africa was the friendliness of the people. We were treated with exceptional hospitality at Eagle's Nest Christian School as well as all other areas we visited. We leave today with mixed emotions. It will be good to go back home to America, but we're also sad to be leaving so many new friends. We leave with a strong desire to return again one day.

Music for Life / African Children's Choir

Then and Now

I took a little walk down memory lane and had fun remembering how little my kids were during tour! I am SO THANKFUL for the chance to visit them in Uganda and Kenya last month!


Auntie Jenny and Bridget June 2011 and Oct 2008





































Julian was such a tiny little girl on tour! Now she is a tall young woman! May 2011 and Dec. 2008











































Auntie Jenny and Jane! May 2011 and Nov. 2007. She is still my "Little Bunny Foo Foo" and loves the camera just as much as the day I first met her!

Dear Washo, Margaret, Jackie, Julian, Jane, Halima, Faulanta, Prisca, Harriet, Christine, Bridget, Sarah, Enid, Hudson, Jacob, Marvin, Martin, Joseph, Peter, Johnson, Daniel, David, Enock, Jerome, and Ibrahim,

Hardly a day goes by when I don't think of you and wonder how you are. I feel so blessed to be able to come and visit you! It is a dream come true! I love you! See you soon!

Love, Auntie Jenny