As we drove into Nyimba on Friday afternoon, we noticed changes in the town that were pretty unusual. Speed bumps had been placed on the road through our little town and many trees were blown over. My heart began to feel heavy and sorrowful, but for what reason I was unsure. I would soon find out...
When we approached our gate I noticed that our 2 huge shade trees in the front yard were void of some large portions of their limbs. We drove through our gate and I immediately asked Zeria, "What happened??" She told us that very heavy rains and wind came through Nyimba on Tuesday and it destroyed many fences, roofs, and trees. The one billboard in Nyimba was twisted and uprooted. Zeria told us that the entire time the wind was blowing she was very afraid because she was unsure what was going to happen to our home. Praise the Lord that He protected our home from falling branches or broken windows. Kendall and I believe that it was very strong winds to have done the damage that was done. Pray for the people of Nyimba who have lost roofs and houses, pray that God will provide what they need to rebuild their homes. Now is the worst time for a house to be damaged because of the rain.
I then asked Zeria about the speed bumps and when they were put in. She began to tell me that the Tuesday we left, Amai Zimbiri's granddaughter, Patricia, was on her way to school and she was hit and killed by the postal bus. Patricia was 13 years old and in the 5th grade. She was killed right in front of all of the stores at the Nyimba market. Zeria said that right after she was hit, the people of Nyimba placed large trees in the road so that no traffic could come through Nyimba until the scene was cleared and Patricia was taken to the mortuary. I was so hurt when I found out about Patricia's death because Amai Zimbiri is my dear friend (picture below) and Patricia was the one taking care of Amai Zimbiri because she is older. The mayor of Nyimba immediately got on the telephone and had speed bumps put on the road in Nyimba in order to make the buses, trucks, and other cars drive safely through Nyimba. At Patricia's funeral, there were 1,000 people in attendance. All of Nyimba came to comfort and support her family in this horrible tradgedy.
On Saturday morning at 6 a.m. I drove to Amai Zimbiri's house to visit her in her time of suffering. We greeted and sat down in her home. I will never forget that day. The morning was damp from the evening rains, the house was chilly, and the sadness was heavy in the air. I sat beside her, pulled her close to my side, hugged her and cried. We cried for a long time. She began to tell me how her heart is broken and she doesn't know what will happen to her but only God knows. She understands that God knows all things and that His will is perfect. Please pray for Amai Zimbiri, she is hurting so much. The only family she has left is her son-in-law, Patricia's father. Pray that the people around her will love her and help her in her time of need. Pray that she will be comforted and that she will continue to find her strength in the Lord...alone.
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