Happening December 11th

2 Corinthians 1:8

“We do not want you to be uninformed brothers about the hardships…. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure….”

The words penned by Paul in 2nd Corinthians 1, mean more to us today than ever before. There are days we feel ourselves ‘under great pressure, beyond our ability to endure’ as we minister in Zimbabwe. Paul watched the impossible happen around himself, he felt God’s comfort and direction when the situation and persecution seemed impossible. He continued to minister to the needs of those around him, though he felt ‘under great pressure, far beyond (his) ability to endure’. And he was supported by a loving body of believers. His hope remained in a God who could raise the dead and not in man, so what could man possibly do to him? These words remind us every day to continue to trust. They are comfort and strength 100’s of years after Paul’s own missionary journey.

Though the Village of Hope continues to be an oasis in a troubled Zimbabwe, the miracle of this oasis is perhaps not understood. Maybe we have been too apt to report the positive only, to look like we can handle it all with great faith and never despair. But it is time for a reality check! We do not wish to provide a forum for complaint, but only a chance to explain the miracle that we are living more clearly and that God would be given glory for it! And so you can pray more specifically for our family and the ministry of the Village of Hope.

www.zimbabwesituation.com

Though we do not endorse the opinions on this website, it gives a most accurate reflection of life in Zimbabwe today and the mosaic of difficulties, economy and politics that plague this beautiful country. Inflation is reported to be in the tens of thousands - but what does that look like on the ground? As a Canadian, what frame of reference would you use?

Well - when we moved here in September 2005, a loaf of bread cost $12,000 ZD. Today that same loaf goes for $700,000,000 (YES MILLIONS!!). But since we removed three zeros last year to make calculations and currency easier, I can buy a loaf for $700,000. That is IF you can find it in a store J. Are the zero’s throwing you off? Welcome to life in Zim! I went grocery shopping the other day for home and spent the meager amount of $69,000,000.00 ZD.

ECONOMICS 101

In Canadian terms, we are limited to taking out $2 from the bank a day, because of a shortage of bills in circulation. So….

- To buy a pair of shoes would mean 10 withdrawals over 11 days (Sundays they are closed).

- To buy a tray of 30 eggs means spending one whole day’s withdrawal plus a few bills.

- To buy a 5 kg. bag of rice would mean 3 withdrawals over 3 days.

- To see a doctor….. well, you get the picture.

Since the economy is so unstable, most stores operate on cash only. And as this was making life difficult for the average person and in an effort to curb the inflation and make goods affordable, about 6 months ago “price controls” were introduced! As shopkeepers had difficulty selling at the controlled price - below cost - goods then disappeared from the shelves and hundreds of shop keepers were arrested for not complying with the gov’t prices and a huge black market opened up for anything that wasn’t on the shelves. Today it is more about ‘who you know’ than ‘where you go’ to fill your pantry shelves and feed your family!

What we commonly referred to as grocery shopping is now humorously known as grocery ‘HUNTING’

These economic woes extend beyond food shelves, to clothing, office supplies, construction materials and fuel. The lack of fuel at stations that used to be so reliable, ensures that we group our trips and sometimes park a vehicle for a few days until petrol reappears. Fuel queues can be kilometers long and take hours, sometimes only to have them run out a few cars ahead of you. The crime rate continues to rise as more families are left destitute, unable to pay rent or buy food. Companies lay workers off as they go under or downsize in an effort to survive. Yet salaries remain the same and do not rise with the inflation! A well educated civil servant or grade school teacher might make the equivalent of $3 for the whole month but a bus trip one way is 30 cents. After rent, taxes and utilities, the money is gone - never mind for transport or food. Every company is now not only limited by price controls but wage freezes as well. So strikes are imminent and when ordered back to work, they go but do not work. The primary school teachers in government schools are either not showing up, or attending but not teaching and so the education system itself is failing this future generation!

Doctors and nurses are not attending Hospitals, common medicines are not available, people with marketable skills are leaving the country, school books are not being printed for lack of funds to buy paper or ink. Because we are seen as those that have money, the requests for help come fast and furiously and we need wisdom each day to make decisions and operate outside the gray areas of life here.

Walk through your day with unlimited access to personal funds, popping into Walmart to buy a pair of socks (and finding them), or eat a meal that won’t break your cash allowance. Look at the full shelves and be blessed today!

2 Corinthians 1:9-11, 14

“….But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead…. HE WILL DELIVER US. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers….. that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

A DESERT OASIS

In a country where the very breath of life is pained and full of effort, the miracle of the Village of Hope stands as an oasis in the desert! We have bread, milk and meat! We continue to find decent medical care for those ailing around us, to feed 150 children daily and even dare to dream of expansions. We have dared to open a school and find school books. If you can even remotely understand the situation we have described above and the way it affects every day life, you will understand that THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING IN THIS ECONOMY….. IT IS NOTHING WE HAVE DONE BUT IT IS BECAUSE GOD HAS FOUND FAVOUR WITH THE VILLAGE OF HOPE!!! He is ‘our hope and He will continue deliver us’!

In reality, there are days the very pace of life here is ‘far beyond our ability to endure’ (vs. 8), and days we long to have a Big Mac with a Canadian friend instead of being here, but we also know that we are covered by your prayers through those difficult moments! Thank you to God, to you, and for the times He prompts you to pray! You are indeed ‘our boast’!

PRAISE REPORTS

- occupancy permits for the CHAPS Administration building & school block have been granted! Mr. Musasa and Mrs. Mupinda have moved in!

- Derrik has gained weight, is smiling and playing and settled in to House 1.

- Evernice has had her cast removed and has the all clear from the doctor.

- We ended this term with another successful Fun Day - bringing the kids from the local farm plots who benefit from our feeding program, out for a day of fun, a special meal and treat (pictured left).

- The first ever CHAPS prize giving happened November 30th! We praise God for Takunda - who has risen from a 6% average last year, to third in his class with an overall average of 81% in CHAPS!! (pictured above right)

PRAYER REQUESTS

- For Tinotenda, the 6 year old boy that just moved into our children’s home. His scars are inward and deep. He will need much love and to learn to trust again.

- For Joshua’s eye surgery to happen December 11th.

- For a way forward with Zviko as we are still figuring out therapy appointments and a wheelchair, as he has been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy.

- For training to happen this week for all new staff members, on recognizing and handling ‘children at risk’.

- For our family’s safety as we take some time to travel and rest this month.

May God bless you and keep you as you prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth! Merry Christmas!!

For training to happen this week for all new staff members, on recognizing and handling ‘children at risk’.

For a way forward with Zviko as we are still figuring out therapy appointments and a wheelchair, as he has been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy.

For Tinotenda, the 6 year old boy that just moved into our children’s home.  His scars are inward and deep.  He will need much love and to learn to trust again.

The first ever CHAPS prize giving happened November 30th!  We praise God for Takunda – who has risen from a 6% average last year, to third in his class with an overall average of 81% in CHAPS!!

We ended this term with another successful Fun Day - bringing the kids from the local farm plots who benefit from our feeding program, out for a day of fun, a special meal and treat (pictured left).

Has had her cast removed and has received the all clear from the Doctor