dyton mupawaenda
Tendai Rupapa-Senior Reporter
It was a normal church day for Methodist Church in Zimbabwe Vavambi Circuit in Mbare when congregants were surprised to see the mother of the nation, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, among them.
The church had no advance warning of their special guest, who sang, danced, prayed, sat with them and humbly took part in the church’s worship routines.
Wearing her Methodist Church uniform, Amai Mnangagwa arrived at the church at around 10am and stayed for the whole service lasting more than two hours.
In line with the spirit of Christmas, characterised by caring, giving and sharing, Dr Mnangagwa handed over food hampers to the elderly in the church, putting smiles on their faces.
The hampers were loaded with sugar, rice, flour, cooking oil and salt, among other goodies.
She was introduced to the congregants by Bishop Edmore Chiota upon which she was given a chance to share few words with the church.
A humble, free and prayerful woman, the First Lady said she was attending the church service just like any other member of the church.
Methodist Church in Zimbabwe parishioners follow proceedings during a church service which was graced by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in Mbare yesterday.
“Ndinotanga nekuremekedza maBishop edu, vafundisi nana mai muripano nesangano dzvene raMwari. I greet you all. Today I am here as a congregant of this church.
“To be called a First Lady is just a name; I am also a woman, a mother just like all of you. I have come to worship with you, therefore be free and continue with the service as you always do,” she said.
The First Lady said she embraces every church and everyone that is why sometimes she worships at other churches.
“I have come so that we pray to our God together uye kuti mundiperekedzewo pazvichemo zvandichapira kuna Mwari wedu as we all pray uye nekuvatenda zvavanotiitira. Tese tinazvo zviri mumoyo zvatinoda kuturira kuna Mwari.
“The house of the Lord is where we communicate with him. God does not want us to carry our burdens. In the bible he asks us to lay them down at the foot of the cross. He wants us to surrender our heavy loads to him, worship and praise him. Church is a community where we can support and pray for each other that is why you see me going to different churches worshipping with them because kwese kuna Mwari. May the good Lord give us strength. Keep me in your prayers, ndinamatire ndigokunamatirawo,” she said as she knelt before the bishops and pastors who then prayed for her.
Superintendent Mbare Circuit Reverend Lonely Panevanhu, who shared from Deuteronomy 8 verse 10-18 encouraged people to always be grateful, give thanks and remember the Lord for all the good he has done.
He said people should always stand on God’s word and promises.
Bishop Chiota said the First Lady surprised them as they gathered for their end-of-year thanksgiving service.
He commended Amai Mnangagwa for her community development initiatives, further applauding her for being a selfless and prayerful mother who always leads by example.
“We want to thank the Lord for this chance he gave us to worship together with our humble mother, the First Lady. Amai showed that she is human just like everyone else.
“It is not a secret that she is a Christian and today she chose to fellowship with her children in Mbare, a sign that she is not selective. Amai and our President Dr ED Mnangagwa are members of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe.
“They always move around our churches dotted around the country because in all they do, they put God first. We continue to pray to God to always protect and give them strength,” he said.
Bishop Chiota further thanked Amai Mnangagwa for donating food hampers to the elderly and other vulnerable groups in the church.
“Indeed, Christmas came early for our mothers and fathers in the church. They are now going back home with loaded hampers courtesy of our mother,” he said.
Gogo Anna Kaseke could not hide her joy as she thanked the mother of the nation for her love.
“Today we saw the hand of the Lord. A whole First Lady sitting amongst us without any special treatment. All she had come for was to fellowship with us and to put smiles on our faces. Her humility is unmatched.
“We were all left speechless as she walked into the church just like any other member clad in her church uniform and we warmly welcomed her. Of all the Methodist churches in Harare, she chose Mbare circuit. Some might look down upon Mbare, but in her eyes, all her children are equal. She does not select and for that we are forever grateful. Amai munhu akasununguka asingadade. May the good Lord continue to bless her now and forever,” she said.
Mrs Fortunate Katsenga applauded the First Lady for taking care of the less privileged in line with the Biblical statutes.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa hands over food hampers to the elderly as early Christmas gifts after a church service at Methodist Church in Zimbabwe in Mbare yesterday. – Pictures: John Manzongo.
“We had a good time with our mother today who attended the church service with us. We felt her warmth as our mother. With her position in the country, some might think she is up there, but no, Amai is not like that, she is humble.
“She always reminds us that First Lady is just a name and that she is just like all women, mothers in the country. Today she humbled herself before us all and sat together with other women as she followed proceedings. She loves our church hymns.
“As the choir kept the service alive, Amai sang and danced with us. At one point she even went to join the choir and sang melodiously. As a church we want to thank her for the hampers she donated to the elderly. May the Lord bless her hands that gives,” she said.
Another church member, Mr Collet Mureri, said it was a rare opportunity to have been visited by the mother of the nation.
“What she did today showed that she is one of us. Her kind gesture taught us the importance of giving. Surely, we need to look after the elderly, they need our love and support. Amai led by example. Kupa kune mufaro kunokunda kugamuchira,” he said.
A prayerful and selfless mother, Amai Mnangagwa has worshipped at several churches and led various prayer sessions.
She even formed Prayer for Zimbabwe Network where people belonging to various Christian denominations come together in prayer thus uniting the nation through prayer.
The First Lady’s visit to this church is something that the congregants will all remember for the rest of their lives.
It was indeed a Sunday service with a difference.
Online Reporter