Update from BHW Zimbabwe Partnership Facilitator

Recent Events

COVID-19

COVID-19 has created a number of challenges for Gideon and Jennifer. One of the biggest challenges has been people calling them at all times of the day and night needing assistance. This has caused extra stress to them as a family as often they do not have time to sleep or enough time to rest or spend time together. These challenges have come from the team, but more so from the communities they serve.  

Two of their staff members became infected with COVID at the beginning of the year but thankfully they are both doing well and have fully recovered. 

The government has started vaccinating people with vaccines that were donated by China but people are very reluctant to take the vaccine because they do not trust China. They have started with people working in clinics, hospitals and some government officials and it looks like people may be vaccinated soon. The number of cases of COVID-19 increased a lot in January and February this year but they are beginning to drop at the moment due to strict lockdown measures. 

The lockdown measures however have brought other challenges and they are witnessing an increase in the number of people committing suicide due to the problems of COVID-19. Many people have lost their sources of income as well as losing their jobs, and it looks like this situation will remain the same for the foreseeable future. 

Impact in the Community

Gideon and Jennifer are so grateful to God that in the midst of all this Fountain of Hope (FOH) is making great strides in touching lives and communities in Zimbabwe. FOH has made a huge impact especially in communities like Mtshazo, Makamure, Mthombothemba and Nemauzhe such that when they organise field days for people to come for Foundations for Farming training, there are huge lines of people wanting to learn. 

The District Administrator of Chivi was so impressed by FOH that has promised to give them a 5-year agreement to work in the district.

Apart from farming, schools are grateful for the way that they have been helping orphans to remain in school and also to have proper accommodation and helping them to get the necessary documents. Gideon writes on the 4th March 2021, "This morning we received a call from one of the school heads appreciating the work that we are doing in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children."

He continues "Furthermore, our greatest desire is to glorify God through what we are doing and for people to get to know God through all these activities. Makamure community that used to worship ancestral spirits has completely changed since the chief of the community is now a Christian through Foundations for Farming. He has abolished all kinds of rituals people used to have in the community and encourages people to worship God. This has opened a great door for us as FOH to disciple the community leaders and that is what the team is doing."  

Plans for the Future

There are many opportunities and it is hard to see a clear path. The ongoing impact of COVID and the economic pressure makes life very difficult. 

They think there are many more places that need help and receive requests from whole communities to become involved. Knowing how to respond places a lot of pressure on them. 

They would love to have their own house one day as the cost of renting is constantly increasing. 

Current Issues and Challenges

Finding the time and opportunity to get away for a break as the constant pressure is overwhelming.

The economic and political pressure creates many challenges. 

They need to spend more time supporting their team members as they are all under pressure. 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) Pray that they may continue to grow in knowing Christ during the difficult times that they are going through
2) Pray for wisdom, courage and strength as they minister to downtrodden communities
3) Pray for them to be able to have time to rest and have time to themselves
4) Pray for provision especially during this time when they are under lockdown
5) Pray that they will be able to surrender all to the Lord whenever they become overwhelmed with challenges 

Comments

These are wonderful partners and their leadership is the key to the impact this partnership is making. We should continue to support them in every way we can.