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Missions, Outreach & Ministries |
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Transforming The World For Jesus Christ… One Person At A Time |
School & Medical Supplies for Zimbabwe Kids |
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May 31, 2007—It was a hot and steamy day. And it got hotter and steamier. Daniel and company in the fiery furnace hot and steamy. Self-basting volunteers hot and steamy. But, we kept telling ourselves, at least it isn’t raining. (Hot rain on hot asphalt would make sauna quantities of steam!) But one of the blessings of the event was that none of the 46 volunteers was whining. Or complaining. Or bursting into flames. In fact, by staying hydrated, taking breaks in the shade and eating lunch in the air conditioned hotel halls, we managed to not have anyone spontaneously combust! The event—the 2007 Zimbabwe Container Project. The goal—provide the hospitals and schools at various United Methodist Missions in Zimbabwe with some basic provisions that they could not provide for themselves. Like chalk for chalkboards, and aspirin for pain relief. Things we take for granted here. Oh, and National Geographics. Lots of ‘em. One church won the award for donating the most prolific collection of National Geographics with a whopping 1073 of them. An appeal had gone out to all of the churches of the North Central New York Conference of the United Methodist Church to partner with the 2006 Zimbabwe Missions Team in providing some of these basics to primary and secondary school kids and the Mutambara Hospital. And, in nothing short of a movement of God, 130 churches, several doctors and other individuals responded, filling a 8’ x 8’ x 20’ container full of much needed supplies. And not just supplies poured in, but money. Over $8300 was raised to defray the shipping and customs costs of getting all of those supplies to Zimbabwe. One of the wonderful things about this project was that, having been to Zimbabwe with the mission team in 2006, I personally met many of the beautiful and wonderful people who will be the beneficiaries of this immense and gratifying act of generosity. I can actually see in my minds eye the tears of joy and beaming faces as they receive these items. Knowing that they have sisters and brothers in Christ 8000 miles away who love them and care about them will mean more to them than the goodies in the carton. But make no mistake. The goodies in the carton are much needed. These family members of ours across the Atlantic simply cannot provide these things for themselves right now. It is not a matter of want; it is a matter of need. And a full carton of supplies, while not fixing anything, will go a very, very long way towards alleviating their current shortage of basics. Please continue to pray for them, as I fear the worst is not over yet for our Zimbabwe church family. Please pray also for the container as it travels the many miles from here to it’s final destination. On behalf of our family members at Ishe Anesu, Fairfield Orphanage, Mutambara Mission and Africa University, I thank you. For Aspirin. For School Supplies. For cash. For volunteering to sort, pack and load. Kudos to all who rose to the occasion to fill a need— Christ will no doubt acknowledge in the end of days that, on this occasion, his sheep did well in helping others in the flock. |
