Vumba – Danielle Face
Since graduating from Regents in 2017, Danielle Face has been working for Elim Missions on international projects and relief appeals, as well as coordinating missions training, which includes the missionary apprenticeship programme, GAP years, the missionary academy and student missions teams from Regents. She has also been involved in the development of the Vumba Memorial Garden, which she will explain…
“In September 2019, Elim had the privilege of honouring the 13 Elim missionaries who were murdered in 1978 in the Vumba mountains in Zimbabwe. We gathered with the families who lost loved ones for a remembrance service in the beautiful memorial garden, in the grounds of the Elim International Centre. We were deeply moved and inspired as we reflected on the sacrifice of Peter McCann (30), Sandra McCann (30), Phillip McCann (6), Joy McCann (5), Phillip Evans (29), Susan Evans (35), Rebecca Evans (4), Roy Lynn (37), Joyce Lynn (36), Pamela Grace Lynn (3 weeks old), Catherine Picken (55), Wendy White (37), and Mary Fisher (28).”
The opening of the garden was one of Paul Hudson’s last tasks as Missions Director. He said, “Many family members have never had an opportunity to go to Zimbabwe and visit the graves of those they loved and lost. It is marvellous to have a tangible location, closer to the home, where they can come, and have a lasting memorial to remember their loved ones”.
The garden was designed by Philip Hidderley who will be well known to our Alumni community. He writes: “When I was asked to design the Memorial Garden, I sensed immediately where it should be. There was a somewhat neglected Rose Garden on the campus, sitting just below the main building, shaded by a stunning Western Balsam Poplar, which was already an area of tranquillity and beauty. I carefully chose which plants to include, so that something would always be in flower to bring colour throughout the seasons, and we built a central circular bed to be home to a rare Osakazuki Acer. As the garden becomes established, I am pleased it has become a place to sit and enjoy our wonderful surroundings and reflect on those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice”.
