Father McDonald joins Volunteer Encounter for two ‘working holidays’ in Zimbabwe
Father Joe and Dallie at the Dusty Acres Equine Center in Kuna, where he practiced his riding skills. (Photo courtesy/Kristin Inglis)
By Father Joe
for the ICR
I’m getting ready to travel halfway around the world for a four-week volunteer program at the 10,000-acre Antelope Park game preserve in Gweru, Zimbabwe.
I will participate with other volunteers from around the world in two “working holiday” programs offered by Volunteer Encounter: the “Teaching and Communities Project” and the “Safari Stables Project.”
The Teaching and Communities project involves lots of time in the classroom. The goal is to assist overwhelmed teachers by focusing on a special needs class for students with a variety of learning disabilities.
In addition, volunteers do community and conservation work on the same day to widen our understanding of how these two fields interact: We will take the resident rescue elephants for a walk, make elephant food, and then, of course, clean up after them! Together, we will learn how to take a game inventory, count Zimbabwe’s critically endangered vultures and learn about greenhouse duties.
The goal of the second “working holiday” program, the Safari Stables project, is to give volunteers the opportunity to see how an African stable is run. Rising before sunrise, we will groom and feed twenty-five horses. After breakfast, we will muck out the stalls, clean tack, treat any injuries and get the horses ready for the day. In the afternoon, there are game counts to be done, snare sweeps, boundary patrols and even a chance to work on our riding skills.
Both projects have a purpose. The volunteers are encouraged to “Go M.A.D.” (Make a Difference). Through education, community development, and ecological conservation, the volunteers learn the invaluable experience of caring for the youngest and most vulnerable. At the same time, these communities want to teach visitors to honor their ancestral and spiritual homelands.
I was very excited when I received the shopping list for school supplies.
I took my list and immediately went to Walmart. When I got there, I was completely overwhelmed. After looking at the aisles of school supplies, I had to ask myself “How do parents do this?” Then, I began to add up the costs. I was shocked at how much a family had to spend on school supplies. I thought, “What a great act of love and sacrifice parents are willing to make for their children to go to school.”
The list I had seemed less complicated. If I wanted to bring some extra things, they would welcome pencils, a box of crayons, paper to write on, cold and flu medicine to help sore throats, and “Any activity books
for ages 6-16 relevant to teaching English, math, reading, etc. were also welcome.”
My next shopping list was quite different from the first. It included things like bridles, halters, lead ropes, hoof picks, helmets, Colic Guard, veterinary bandages, hoof oil, and any other equine first aid!
The third shopping list was pretty astonishing! Items needed for a lion rehabilitation and release program included essential oils for behavioral enrichment: lavender, eucalyptus, cinnamon, and, you guessed it, cat nip! They also asked for extra-large “Boomer Balls” to make toys for the lions. Humans needed rubber gloves and bandannas to use during the preparation of meat to feed the giant cats and their cubs.
Photo provided by Volunteer Encounter: the “Teaching and Communities Project” and the “Safari Stables Project". Father Joe McDonald will volunteer with a lion rehabilitation and release program.
The instructions were clear: “Lions do not react well to bright colors in the bush, particularly red. We suggest packing minimal bright-colored clothing.”
I started working on another list of things I’m going to need in Zimbabwe. I thought, “If I am going to be working in an African stable, I better learn how to ride a horse!” I was able to connect with a wonderful horse and human family at Dusty Acres Equine Center in Kuna, Idaho owned by Susan Tupper. There, I met horses Sonny, Chilli and Dallie, and my wonderful British riding instructor, Kristin Inglis.
The more I thought and prayed about the trip, the more my own list seemed to change. I am going to need courage, self-confidence, and perseverance. I’m praying for the inner strength to rely on others, not be judgmental, and, most of all, for God to grant me an attitude and greater openness to learning and having fun!
I would guess the personal goals that volunteers have are common to most of us: perhaps learning something new every day, meeting new people, believing in yourself, and being brave enough to travel 10,000 miles alone, landing two-plus days later in a country whose name begins with a “Z.”
Father Joe McDonald shows Assistant Superintendent of Schools Christina Linder the school supplies he bought for the “Teaching and Communities Project” in Zimbabwe. (Courtesy photo/Trish Campaña)
I think we all wonder if we really have the courage and skill it takes to teach children, serve food to the homeless, learn how to ride a horse and reach out to others who might see “us” as the ones who are different, who talk funny and have an American accent that is hard to understand.
One of my goals is to laugh with the children as they try to teach
me how to play soccer and jump rope. I’m already praying for lots of humility when we all try to learn the “Jerusalema”—a dance challenge! People dance together to bring joy to each other. And, of course, the volunteers at Antelope Park are encouraged to jump in and learn!
The message of the song is very comforting. People sing: “Jerusalem is my home / Guide me / Take me with You / Do not leave me here / My place is not here / Jerusalem is my home / My kingdom is not here / Rescue me / Walk with me / Do not leave me here.”
I continue to be grateful to the people of the Church in Idaho. Because of you, my priestly life has been a marvelous adventure. It has included studying Canon Law in Rome, going to the Holy Land with Msgr. Andy Schumacher, and, in 2011-2012, a sabbatical to study at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
In retirement, I have discovered that it is challenging to move from one phase of life to another, to become “old” in the eyes of others, to reevaluate my purpose after being in parish ministry for 36 years and to wonder, “What can I do with others that really makes a difference in the world?”
Fortunately, I was surrounded by many of the Diocese’s retired priests, who welcomed me “into the club.” They shared their wisdom, advice and encouragement, admonishing me to be active, not to forget to pray, and always to remember to be grateful.
On this new adventure, I will gratefully remember the Church in Idaho as I find my next, albeit temporary parish in Zimbabwe.
Well, that’s enough from me ... I have some crayons to pack!
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