My very dear friends,                                                                                     July, 2009           

Few people around the world would be unaware of the tragedy that has befallen Zimbabwe in recent years.

Poor Leadership has resulted in massive problems for the suffering people with almost non existent medical facilities and food shortages resulting in death by starvation for some.

Our team in the country has shared in the suffering.  As we have looked on from the outside we have wanted to help but have struggled to find a way that would be effective in delivering much needed aid to the people without a large proportion of the resources going to those who should not be receiving it.

I have personally been anguished as I look at the country of my birth and want to provide help and comfort while at the same time exercising good stewardship of the gifts entrusted to us by our faithful supporters.

NOW THE RIGHT TIME HAS COME.  Because of the changing political climate and because of the great linkages that African Enterprise has with across the spectrum of churches within the country, we has established a coalition of churches that can deliver much needed aid right to the heart of where it is needed; to the poor and marginalized people who have little access to food in an environment of shortages combined with hyperinflation.  We will provide maize, cooking oil for many thousands.

The changing political scene with power sharing between the opposition and government has already enabled us to bring in some much needed food and medical supplies to those who need it most.  Now we want to bring in a significant quantity of these urgent supplies and the network of churches are ready and willing to undertake this in a professional and God honouring manner.

So dear friends, I am now appealing to you to help save Zimbabwe.  It is a matter of life and death for many and so I am asking if you can give sacrificially as the Lord enables you, for the sake of those who have suffered so much in recent years.

My colleague Orpheus Hove who leads the Zimbabwe team has stood firm in his desire to preach the gospel faithfully throughout these difficult years.  Even to the extent that he and his team suffered near starvation when on mission because there was no food where they went.  Part of Orpheus' own home was demolished by Government bulldozers.  Now is the time to bless hem, not by giving him gifts, but by giving him and the team resources so that they can be a blessing to others by sharing the "good news" and giving practical help.  I thank all of you who have stood with us as we seek to help save Zimbabwe.  Warmly in the peerless name of our Lord and Saviour.

Stephen Lungu,
International Team Leader

Michael Cassidy recently wrote:  “After returning from a visit to Zimbabwe at the end of last year, I can say I have never seen a country whose infrastructure has so totally imploded as Zimbabwe’s.”  “Not even Uganda after Idi Amin or post-genocide Rwanda have suffered the sort of meltdown that Zimbabwe has.”  BUT the Church is there and ready!

Zimbabwe Team Leader Orpheus Hove lamented last year that “humanly there is no solution.” Yet, he also asserted that “churches are forming chains of prayer & care.  Only God & His people can save us from where we are.” With over 700 Zimbabweans coming to faith in Christ last September in AE Zimbabwe’s mission to the city of Gweru, we can be confident that the Lord has not forgotten the battered people of Zimbabwe.  We, in partnering with Him, with our AE Team and the Christians here and globally, can walk with them through this dark hour, praying and working for a new day of hope and restoration, while giving of our resources to enable them to survive until that day arrives and we will all be ready to rebuild Zimbabwe.

NIRSA

National Initiative for Reformation of South Africa

A Christian Coalition for National Renewal and Integrity

NIRSA and coalition partners/Zimbabwe aid project 2009 was launched in December 2008 in response to the food and cholera crisis in Zimbabwe.  This provided a test run for what is now needed.

The initial visit by NIRSA to Zimbabwe was made by a delegation which included Michael Cassidy.  During the 2 day visit African Enterprise in Zimbabwe facilitated a meeting with leaders representing the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Zimbabwe Evangelical Fellowship, Zimbabwe Christian Alliance and Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference.  The outcome of this gathering was the formation of an alliance/partnership between major Churches & Christian Associations to serve as distributors of aid to people in need in Zimbabwe.  Hundreds of Churches became food outlets!

With donations received as of Feb 2009 and after consultation with all stakeholders the first consignment of 150 tons of maize meal and CSB (nutritional blend of soya and maze) was
purchased.  The first consignment of food should feed 2500 households of between 5 and 10 people for approximately one month.  Now we need to do more through the same network that is ready.