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REQUEST # 1 - MEDICAL & FUNERAL EXPENSES
It is with sadness that I must report that earlier this year, Charles Dube went into Hospital and had Eye surgery performed.
Unfortunately, a serious infection occurred shortly thereafter and he was rushed back to hospital for further treatment. In
spite of the Doctor's efforts, a few days later, Charles passed away.
The Mission has already provided his widow with enough money to take care of all the Funeral Expenses,
but, to date, we have not received a final figure of the extra medical expenses.
The Mission is continuing to provide support to Charles' Widow and Children as part of our obligation as Christians, and we
ask you all to PRAY for the Charles Dube Family and, if you feel moved by God, to contribute towards this unexpected
extra expense, please designate them for the "Charles Dube Family". Your contributions will be greatly appreciated.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
REQUEST # 2 - FRESH WATER SUPPLY
There have been PERSISTENT DROUGHT CONDITIONS, throughout the land of Zimbabwefor several years now.
It has prompted requests, from many of our churches, for assistance in obtaining a supply of fresh, clean water.
The land has become dry and bare in almost all of the rural areas where our churches are located. There is
almost no grass left for the cows and goats to graze upon. Crops have failed to yield any useable produce for many years now,
and it looks like this year could be the same way once again. >>> >>>
>>>
Many years ago, in the early 90's, we had 4 "BOREHOLES" (deep water wells) drilled down in the Gwanda
district. Each was about 150 ft. deep, and until recently, these have served the region well. But by the end of
2003, 3 of the 4 boreholes had become worn out to the point of total breakdown.
In 2004, through your kind contributions, and with the assistance of I.D.E.S., we were able to raise
enough money to pay for the repairs to all 4 of these old boreholes. Fresh water is flowing once again and the
Christians in those areas are rejoicing and thanking God for the Generosity of the Christian Churches in America.
>>> >>> >>>
REQUEST # 3 - DROUGHT RELIEF FOOD
Here is a NEWER PHOTO of the 25 tons of DROUGHT RELIEF FOODdelivered in JULY 2006. Government restrictions
and a severe lack of deisel fuel, have prevented food shipments out to the rural areas during 2004 and 2005.
Life has become a Terrible Struggle just to SURVIVE for many of the members of our churches. The food supply is
CRITICAL and we pray that the Lord will help us to find a more reliable source of food to send out
to our rural churches before they are faced with starvation.
>>> >>> >>>
This year, several of the church members provided DONKEY CARTS which can be seen in the background of this photo. They
were used to help get the food from the church building out to the local villages, as the delivery truck can not
go out on the country roads.
We also had the Mealie Meal packaged in the smaller sized 20 Kg bags (45 lbs) so that it would be easier
to carry. We wish to Thank I.D.E.S. for their very generous contributions towards the funding of these food distributions.
>>>>>>>
REQUEST # 4 - BICYCLES AND SPARE PARTS
As you may have noticed from some of the other photos in this website, BICYCLES are an indispensible tool, when it come
to spreading the GOSPEL OF CHRIST. On average, a bicycle will need several major parts replaced, during the 2 - 3 years of
its serviceable life, and then it needs to be replaced. This works out to around 8 new bicycles a year.
Bicycles and spare parts have dramatically escalated in price over the years, and this in turn has put a huge strain
on other financial needs. On average it costs about $100.00 (US) to purchase a new bike, suitable for the
rough terrain.
>>> >>> >>>
REQUEST # 5 - EXTRA FUNDS FOR NEW BUILDINGS
The economy of the country has forced us to budget almost all of our finances towards meeting the physical needs
of our Workers in the Mission Field. We desperately need more SPECIAL GIVING towards the building of new permanent Church
Buildings.
Most of the Temporary Shelters, which were only meant to last a couple of years, are falling apart and, because
of the continuing drought, there is a drastic shortage of local materials that would normally be used to do the re-construction.
>>> >>> >>>
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There is a terrible shortage of fresh water in many areas throughout Zimbabwe. In several areas, it has been 4
years since any measurable rain has fallen. Many large rivers and streams have dried up.
As a result, people have had to dig deep holes in dried up river beds, in the hope of finding enough water
to meet their daily needs. These 2 girls are scooping some water out of this pit and are putting it into containers which
they will then carry back to their home, which may be a couple of miles from the river.
<<< <<< <<<
Over the next 12 months, we hope to be able to raise the extra support that will allow us to put in at least 3 new
boreholes. This time they will be done in the Zambezi Valley areas that need them the most. The Christian Organization
, I.D.E.S., has offered to match any donations that we can raise towards this project, so we desperately need your
help.
All Boreholes will continue to be located where they will benefit, not only the members of our Christian
Churches, but also the whole community around the Church. We feel that Siachilaba, Nchilibwe and Manjolo should
be the next areas to receive the benefit of boreholes.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Near the end of Dec. 2006, We were again able to locate and, with the help of I.D.E.S., arrange
for the purchase of another 25 TONS of Maize Meal. It was sent out to the STARVING CHRISTIANS
of the GWANDA AREA at the beginning of 2007. But this is only enough to feed up to 750 people for about 2 months. So
at the beginning of March, they were without enough food once again.
We urgently need to get another delivery out to this area as soon as possible but, the food and the diesel
fuel have become scarce once again. But we ask you to please CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE towards this project, to
help relieve some of the suffering our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Since the beginning of 2008, there has been a severe shortage of MEALIE MEAL to send out to our rural Christians.
In addition all non governmental organizations have been forbidden to distribute any food in the rural areas as certain members
of the Government felt that it was being used, by some unscrupulous individuals, as a tool to sway the votes of these desperate
people. Hopefully we will be allowed to resume food distributions now that the elections have now passed. Please pray that
this comes to pass very soon.
In their efforts to Minister to the needs of the congregations in their areas, it is not unusual for these Workers for
the Lord to travel more than a hundred miles in a single week while preaching the Word, visiting the sick, and calling on
new prospects.
Most of the roads are very rough and rocky and there are huge thorns to contend with while riding down the narrow pathways
to some of these remote areas. As a result, there is a constant need to replace tires, tubes, spokes, axles, bearings, hubs
and eventually the rims as well. We need your help to keep this vital part of the work going, without interuption, because
of a lack of these much needed items.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Other Churches, that have been meeting in school rooms or community centers, are struggling to raise enough money to
pay the ever-increasing monthly rent for their meeting places. It is getting to the point that it would be cheaper in the
long run to build a new building than to try to keep on using the old meeting places.
If you can help in this project, please do so GENEROUSLY. You know that God will not fail to Bless You when you Give
willingly and with a JOYFUL HEART.
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