Zimbabwe's Version of a County Fair!

Sept. 26, 2014

The Manicaland Agricultural Show is a BIG event every late September, and it reminds me of our county fairs at home ~~ exhibits of what would be 4-H projects, art projects from elementary schools, all kinds of vendors and food, and performances in front of the grandstand!!

Our missionary, Larry Kies, has major responsibility for setting up a fairly large area to promote Africa University.  Most of the Faculties send a representative or two to share about their programs with those who come.  The Health Sciences faculty is always present to do blood  pressures, blood sugar, and malaria checks.  They bring a white lady manikin whose body parts come off!!  Children are really fascinated by that and sometimes hang around for a while!!

 Here is a banner welcoming folks into the building where Africa University has many displays!! I did not see any showing of animals, such as cows, pigs, rabbits, etc., but lots of booths advertising their wares, just like at home!

I usually go around and visit companies that have a stand and talk with them about possibilities for internships for our students.  Most of them are very appreciative of the info about AU, but most don't have any options for students to get experience.

Prizes are given for the best presentations, set up, etc.  Here is our agricultural horticulturalist who received the first prize award for the best live decoration!!  His son is always happy to get in the picture, too!!

This year I took time to watch what was happening in front of the grandstand!  Many different school groups come in fancy uniforms and perform as drill teams, etc. ~~ very colorful and a big hit with the crowd!

This year was a little different and not at all what I expected!  When we arrived at the show grounds we noticed quite a number of soldiers with police dogs walking around the perimeter.  Later they demonstrated how these dogs are trained to sniff out drugs, or take down an intruder, etc. 

 Then all of a sudden this brigade of soldiers came on to the field with their guns and took up their position against the "terrorists" across the field.

 Here they are advancing on the "terrorists" and apparently have killed many of them.

And then they set off tear gas to create a smoke screen between themselves and the "terrorists" (or enemy).  I'm quite convinced that there is a strong military presence, not only around Pres. Mugabe, but throughout the country.  They are not visible on the streets of Mutare or surrounding area however, but maybe need an opportunity now and then to flex their muscles and show their stuff!

Never fear ~~ Zimbabwe is a peaceful nation, so there isn't any reason to worry about my safety.

These are a few of our children from the AU farm enjoying their lunch and all the activities!!  Face painting seemed to be an extremely popular activity among all the children!!

I did not see any fun things for the children last year at the Ag Show, but this year there were lots and lots of inflated jump houses, a very tall inflated slide, and this opportunity to ride in an inflated boat or climb around on the inside of one of these huge balls.  Often 5-6 children would be inside and could make it roll over and over, getting in the way of the boats!!  A great time was had by all!!  And on a hot and dusty day it was especially fun!!

What fun have YOU had today??

May God's grace surround you with love and peace as you receive it and generously give it away!!