December 3, 2008

Is there hope for Zimbabwe?

You have heard the news, all of it grim. Political stalemate. Hyper-inflation. Hunger. Cholera. This country was once southern Africa’s pride. Now it’s the basket case.

Well, not entirely.

Yes, many have left—some were forced to, others went in search of greener pasture. True, the local currency is worthless. Factories have closed. Store shelves are almost empty. Teachers can now earn more by selling fruit on the street than they can in their classrooms. Farms produce only a fraction of their potential. Millions are starving. Even “big fish” find no peace.

But as God said to Elijah, “…there are yet seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal…” so in our time, God still has His faithful who fan the flame of hope. Let us introduce Craig and Joan.

Joan was once a fine tennis player, a real star on court, whose obsession ruined her marriage. Left behind with three sons, she struggled to survive, her life filled with anger and regret. When a friend tried to share about the love of Jesus Christ, Joan doubted that any good God could forgive such a wantonly selfish person. She asked for a sign: “If your promise is true, Lord, show me something in the sky!” And she saw a shooting star.

Since then, she has devoted her life to the poor. Her youngest son, Craig, shares the ministry.

Ted Wright with Christmas packages for women in the program.  Each contains sugar, salt, cooking oil, dried fish, beans, nuts, and petroleum jelly: all highly prized, and all scarce in Zimbabwe.

Certain days a week, you find street kids at their gate. They come for handouts of tea and bread, sometimes Band-Aids or clothing. Having learned to separate the boys and girls, also the younger from the older, mother and son provide special occasions for showers (with soap!) and watching Christian DVDs. Slowly these kids develop trust. They regard the elderly white lady as nurse, the man as referee, and both as friends. It’s amazing, because government still blames white people—loudly—for all that is wrong, and because these very kids have been scarred beyond belief by adults who rob and abuse them.

Once upon a time some of these kids went to school. If they have the right attitude and aptitude, they can go again, all fees paid by Craig and Joan.

Home of Hope clients proudly wearing their graduation projects and displaying new gift Bibles.

Then there is a program for destitute women: lessons in Bible and sewing. Lucy and Ungai know the street life and also know the Lord, so they are qualified to teach. It can take several months for any student to complete the dress that gives proof of her skill, but this provides time for deeper ministry in the Word, prayer, counseling, and healing. Those who manage to stay the course to graduation will receive a Bible, bag of fabric, and access to a machine. Great is their rejoicing on that day!

Is all this enough? No. It’s only one spark, only one candle, against a dark background. But as we read in John’s Gospel during the season of Advent: “In [Jesus] was light, and that light was the life of mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never overcome it.”

Joan and Craig call their ministry “Home of Hope.” 

American Presbyterians support this work. If you wish to join their ranks—or even come in person to visit—please contact us using the link on top of this letter.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas,

Faithfully,

Ted and Sue

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 22