Hatcliffe, Zimbabwe Relief
June 2004We are sending you a few updates concerning our recent projects. As you read this letter, KLM International is working in the country of Zimbabwe laying the groundwork for the upcoming crusade to be held there. This country is hurting spiritually, emotionally, and physically. In the next few weeks KLM International, in cooperation with "Feed the Hungry" and several local ministries, will be distributing 80 tons of food to help bring relief to this impoverished nation. As you think about the work we are doing in Zimbabwe, pray that God will open doors so that the Gospel may be preached with great effectiveness there.
Zimbabwe (formerly called Rhodesia) is located in southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia. It is slightly larger than the state of Montana and is home to Victoria Falls, which is regarded as one of the natural wonders of the world. It is here that you can find the stone enclosures of Great Zimbabwe; as well as, herds of elephant and other wild game that roam massive stretches of wilderness. The country possesses both the natural, and the human, resources to produce enough food to export to the neighboring, poverty-stricken nations but has fallen far short of its potential.
The nation of Zimbabwe has a population of just over 12 million and has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection. It is estimated that thirty-three percent of the people are infected with the virus. Due to this epidemic, the average life expectancy has been shortened to a mere thirty-nine years. Medical care is priced far out of reach of the average Zimbabwean, leaving those who are sick without hope. Unemployment has reached historical levels and over seventy percent of the population is listed below the international poverty line. With recent inflation of six hundred percent and bare shelves due to the collapsing economy, this country is in an alarming situation.
Millions of Zimbabweans are thought to be at risk of famine. Aid agencies and critics partially blamed food shortages on the land reform program. The government however is blaming a long-running drought. Defying international condemnation, President Mugabe was accused of rigging the 2002 presidential election to ensure his re-election. Opposition and labor groups launched general strikes in 2003 to pressure President Mugabe to retire early; security forces are accused of brutal repression of the government's opponents. The country has been experiencing upheaval in every area. There is a sense in the country of everything coming undone.
As the natural state of the nation drops, so does its spiritual climate. Although true Christianity in Zimbabwe had a great start under British rule, the church has lost much ground. Now, close to fifty percent of the population practices a syncretic religion (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs), twenty-four percent are following purely indigenous beliefs, one percent adhere to the Muslim faith, and less than twenty-five percent of the population practice true Christianity.
Remember: as you read this letter we are distributing 80 tons of food to help with the relief efforts. Our team there is busy making preparations for the upcoming crusade and are in need of your prayer covering. Along with the crusade we will be holding a leadership conference. This intense training is for the indigenous gospel workers. Training the local leaders allows the impact from these events to continue long after our team has left. Because of the drastic shortage of fuel we are planning to hold our crusade in the most densely populated part of the city. This, of course, means that it is one of the darkest and most dangerous areas as well. We will be bringing a great light there and many will hear the saving message of Jesus Christ for the first time!
We have wonderful opportunities ahead. Crusades are scheduled in India, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through these crusades we can witness another quarter of a million souls come into the Kingdom of God. Please, be in prayer with us about each of these ground breaking evangelistic events. As always, Neja and I want to thank you for your prayers and your support. Together we are making a difference. Together we are seeing thousands come to Jesus! Together We Can!
Note: Special thanks to Feed the Hungry for their hard work and generous gift that made this outreach possible!