The largest bread company just announced they have 2 days left of flour and then will be shutting down operations. The local supplier of Coke & Fanta (sorry Hanover J) and other drinks have now closed their doors.

I find it hard to believe, but things really have gotten worse over the last month. And where there were pockets of goods here and there last month, the shelves have emptied to almost nothing. The lack of things, I have often said, are making us all ‘non-christians’ as it is easier to hang onto butter, milk & bread for your own use, then share with those around you because you might not see them again for a while. The lack of water for days, or electricity for whole days, and the phone line that cuts in and out, is wearing on a soul and family. The general mood in the city is turning from one of jovial acceptance and prayerfulness, to one of defeat and depression.

And yet God has still supplied ‘manna & quail’ and there is little at the Village we have gone without!! We have still managed to feed the 7 children that live on the grounds, provide for 34 preschool children and over 75 children through the feeding program daily. For that we praise God! We are living the instruction & miracle in Matthew 6 … “Therefore do not worry about what you will eat, or what you will drink, or what you will wear…for our heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you.”

We thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for your emails and phone calls of concern over our well being! We are being stretched and we continue to need your prayer support, but still know that this is where God wants us and are waiting the situation out. There is so much positive happening on the ground, and we are watching God’s favour over the Village. Because God has supplied our needs at home, our own children are handling the crisis well as they are somewhat protected from the lack we see daily as we run errands for the Village.

THIS MONTH /

- We hired 7 new teaching positions to begin with Cornelius Hope Academy Primary School (CHAPS) in January, 2008. On that month, we will open for a full stream of grades 0-6, 25 children/class. (the norm in Zimbabwe is 50 /class)
- We reviewed resumes and set up interviews for 6 house moms out of the over 20 applications received. These positions are yet to be decided on and will need your prayers.
- We have chosen about 70 children for Child Care Plus, of the over 100 spots in CHAPS for sponsored children. Meetings continue as we deliberate over spots for grades 4, 5 & 6. My heart breaks with the horror stories, the stories of oppression and abuse that repeat themselves over and over as we review these children’s histories. Please continue to pray! (Profiles of these children are not yet ready to be picked up as we take pictures and prepare the profiles for transfer to Canada. We’ll let you know when they are ready J.)
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The two newest classroom blocks for CHAPS now have their roof! And the Administration block is being painted, awaits a final inspection, and then will be ready to move into. Mr. Musasa and our newly hired Administrative Assistant are thrilled!
- Our relationship with Social Welfare is being established as the 7 orphans already on the grounds were fully registered as being official residents of the Village of Hope! We are now walking through the process of taking on more children once our newest house mom is trained and ready to go.
- The gazebo at the VOH entrance was rethatched and refurnished to create a shady and pleasant meeting spot at the Village.

SEPTEMBER 2nd /

On the 2nd of this month we celebrated our second full year in Zimbabwe as Directors of the Village of Hope! And while it seems a life time ago that we first stepped off the plane, we can look back with satisfaction and give glory to God for the milestones He has made happen, the cornerstones He has established! Despite the economic and political strife in the country, the 7600% inflation, the 80% unemployment.…
- God has given the orphanage full Registration with the Department of Social Welfare!
- God has given the Primary School full Registration, provided funds to build it, and opened its doors!
- God has provided a little girl in Ontario who is 2/3’s of the way to providing all the monies needed to establish a Medical Clinic on the grounds of the Village of Hope. Thank you Carrie Anne!
- God has provided for our children’s education and our family’s wellbeing over and over in difficult circumstances.
- God has continued to provide for our own missionary budget and for the Village’s financial needs during this critical growth period.
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God has healed Precious and Chipo and Takunda and Rumbi and……….

PRAYER REQUESTS /

For the people of Zimbabwe through this crisis in the country. That God would supply all their needs.
- For house moms with a God given calling to be at the Village and affect the life of a child.
- For Derrik – a 4 year old boy who is HIV +’ve and very ill. He is part of our feeding program, but part of a difficult family situation as well. Pray that God would intervene and heal Derrik (pictured right with Anita).
- For the new CHAPS teachers as they prepare to become part of our team.
- For our children and family as the schools open for third term. For our safety and wisdom during these times.

We pray for you often. We are blessed to know you! THANK YOU.