Hatcliffe, Zimbabwe Crusade Report
Neja and I along with our family and staff appreciate each and every one of you. We are seeing God open tremendous doors of ministry for us in country after country. We are also finding God using us in a powerful evangelistic manner right here in the US. You, our partners and friends, make it possible for us to do what God has called us to. You are a vital part of this ministry. Thank You!Our crusade in the city of Hatcliffe, Zimbabwe was a tremendous success. After many layovers and several long flights, totaling almost 30 hours I arrived in Harare. After so much travel sometimes my biological clock is a little messed up. With the crusade scheduled to begin the next day I tried to get a good night sleep. Early the next day our crusade director, from Ghana, took us to the ground where the event would be held. Everything seemed to be coming along and there was a sense of expectancy in the air.
The first few nights of a crusade always seem to be the roughest. Usually we have to spiritually plow through some hard ground to reach the people. This opening night however was different. It might have been different because of the desperate situation the people are in. That may have caused them to readily open their hearts. It might have been because of the many hours of prayer that went into this event. Whatever the reasons in the opening night the power of God flowed in a greater measure than it usually does.
The simple message of the Gospel was declared. Gods' heart for humanity and His desire for a family touched the people. When the call to receive Jesus was given thousands responded. I was taken back a little by the show of hands, it seemed as if everyone in the crowd wanted to receive Jesus. I asked the people to put their hands down so I could explain the altar call more clearly. With great detail I communicated that we must make Jesus the Lord and Master of our lives to become a Son of God and to be saved. I went further and stated that if Jesus was to be our Lord than He must take first place in our heart and in our actions. When I felt they understood the seriousness of the decision before them I made the salvation call again. Thousands of hands went up and we had a wonderful time of prayer together as they were translated from the kingdom of darkens to the kingdom of light. It was a wonderful opening day, God showed himself strong and we experienced results much like that in the book of Acts.
Immediately after the prayer of salvation I began to pray for the sick. There were several declarations of The Word of knowledge and the glory of God was present. After a few moments it was obvious to everybody that God's healing touch had been released. I asked for those who could already tell their body had changed to raise their hands and those who had received a miracle began to come forward. The first lady that testified was weeping with joy when she stepped on the platform. She explained that she had been totally deaf for several years but when we were praying both of her ears suddenly popped. As she wept she said that the silence left and sound came rushing into her ears! What a glorious miracle! God sovereignly reached down from heaven and healed her in an instant!
Each night the miracles and testimonies kept on coming. Every night thousands gave their hearts and lives to Jesus. We've selected just a few photos to share with you but a few miracles that weren't captured by the camera were so notable that I feel I must tell you about them.
On the first night of the crusade there was a certain woman who was in such bad shape that they brought her in a wheelbarrow and placed her in front of the platform. Later we found out that she had been bedridden for several months. She and her family had been prepared for her death but they heard about the crusade and borrowed the wheelbarrow to bring her. During the prayer this woman clutched the sides of the wheelbarrow and brought her self out. Standing to her feet she began to raise her hands testifying that God had healed her. She and her family left that night with great joy in their hearts. The crowd was very pleased when after her testimony she calmly walked down the stairs and picked up the handles of the barrowed wheelbarrow and pushed it off of the field.
On another night before I preached the gospel I took some time to share about some of the people who were paralyzed or in wheel chairs and that were miraculously healed in our crusades. As I was sharing I noticed a young man laying flat on his back. I couldn't tell if he was able to hear what I was saying or not, I couldn't even discern if he was breathing. Later we found out that he had been completely paralyzed for several years and his body was rapidly deteriorating. While I was speaking something gripped this young man. He was lying flat on his back and suddenly he sat straight up. Everyone around him was amazed! He astonished them even more when he stood to his feet and began to walk! The crowd began to shout for joy at what God had done! He not only walked in front of the crowd, he slowly and deliberately made his way up the stairs to the platform. He testified that what I was saying must be true because God had healed him in the same manner. The crowd was in such a state of joy and celebration that we almost lost control. After several minutes we were able to calm the crowd long enough to preach the gospel and pray for the sick. What was the result? Thousands more gave their hearts and lives to Jesus!
The love of God was manifested to these people through many signs, wonders and miracles. I was amazed at the number of notable, powerful miracles that happened each night. People who had been blind were healed. Paralyzed limbs were restored. There we even several cases of tumors disappearing. One young lady came to the platform to testify that when she came to the crusade that night she had a large tumor on her breast. She had had this tumor for over three years. She said while we were praying that she felt warmth spread over her chest area. After the prayer when I had asked the people to check their bodies she felt her breast and the tumor was gone. She told her husband and examined her as well. He said, "You must go and tell the people what God has done." It was a great time with the people and with God.
When you look at the inside panel of this newsletter and you see the large photo of the crusade you can begin to glimpse how many lives each one of these regional events impact. It's not just those that attend the crusades that these events impact but many more. For example, our first day in Zimbabwe I was interviewed by the national Television news team during their mid day news. I was able to preach a quick gospel message right there from behind the national T.V news desk. This broadcast not only covers the entire nation of Zimbabwe but reaches five neighboring nations as well. There is no way to measure the effect of this kind of broadcast, only God knows how many people were tuned in that afternoon.
During each crusade we spent the afternoons ministering to the needs of the local Pastors and the indigenous gospel workers. In Zimbabwe we were able to minister to hundreds of different gospel leaders. Some of them were in charge of the churches there in Hatcliffe and will carry the responsibility for the follow-up with those who gave their lives to Jesus during the crusade. One local Pastor said; " We really appreciate all that you are doing, this is the first event that we've seen where the Pastors are fed as well, thank you!"
Neja and I thank you as well! Through your prayers and support we are able to take the uncompromised gospel to nations like Zimbabwe. Because of you we are able to see thousands upon thousands saved and healed. Because of you we are able to teach, encourage and lift up the hands of those who labor for the sake of the gospel. THANK YOU! Together we are making a difference!
Your missionary evangelists,
Kenney & Neja Linhart
