Overseas Contacts - Zimbabwe
ZIMBABWE
Usebia is a church member originally from Zimbabwe. In 2006 Steve Fisher, the then minister, visited Zimbabwe to open a new church building in Chegutu, to which Christ Church has significantly contributed. The church there has been growing in numbers, but because of the difficulties with the regime there have been more and more demands on the church for help. Up until now they have had a part time pastor only. As the church has more members it needs a full-time pastor and they have been told they can have one IF they builst a house for him to live in.
As a church and as individuals we need to think and pray about how we might help them in this task. 2010 coulld be the start of a this big challenge - as every long journey begins with a small step. If you have any ideas for how to help then speak to the minister, or one of the church elders about this.
In the meantime Usebia is busy collecting new and secondhand clothes which she sends in a big barrel by sea. This takes 3 months to arrive but is cheaper and safer than the postal system. IEven so it costs £200 every time one is sent.
Because of the situation in Zimbabwe it has been really hard getting any money out to Chegutu church and we often have to rely on Bodias, Usebia's husband, or oftentimes people we do not know to carry the money into Zimbabwe for us. This is not without risk and we cannot send too much at any time. Customs officials are often over rigorous in checking what comes in and in levying fines or confiscating good. Even so we have been blessed in that all of the money we have sent has reached its destination and so you can be sure that any gift that you have purchased via the A.G.A.P.E catalogue has made its way to the neediest families at Chegutu. They have recieved shoes, goats, peanut bushes, blankets, bibles, mosquito nets and the very popular cataract operations necessary to restore someone's sight. There is a mobile clinic that comes nearby but people did not have the £10 the needed to pay. This gift of sight makes able to look after themselves again, to work, cook & collect firewood or care for children.
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