I have just returned from ministry trips in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, both very different but both highly favoured and extremely effective.
Zimbabwe, a country full of the most friendly people in Africa. A country with a history of prosperity, but now only a remnant of what it once was. A country with beauty only matched by that of our own (South Africa). A country that soaks up spirituality like a parched Sponge Bob Square Pants. A country, still, with endless potential.
Having my roots in the country (my parents were born and raised there) and still having some family in the area, it felt more like a home-coming for me. I didn't come home empty handed though, instead we took up a team of fourteen world-changing missionaries, all equipped with the good news of God's unconditional love and grace and the ability to communicate it.
We immediately connected with our sister church, Charis Ministries, in the capital, Harare and travelled our first day to a rural farming village outside the town of Maronderas. Charis Ministries had recently planted a church there under the dynamic leadership of a former sangoma, turned pastor, Goggo.It was at this gathering that we saw some incredible healings and deliverance's on the back of the gospel being taught and testimonies being shared. The young church was extremely encouraged by us being there, as God proved faithful to His word by wielding His power through us, his willing hands!
After that, our week of ministry began in Harare. We worked mainly in Highfields, a township on the outskirts of the city and also in the neighbourhood close to where we were staying, in the greater Borrowdale area. Our strategy was a simple one: Find a house or houses who would be willing to be discipled for everyday in the week and disciple them. This worked wonderfully well as, by God's grace, all our teams were able to connect with several household in the area and work through the gospel with
them. By the end of the week every household was 1) Born-again 2) Baptized in the Holy Spirit (most spoke in tongues too) 3) Given their own bible (thanks to many of your generous donations) and 4) Connected to a local church where they will be taken care of and discipled further. On top of that, God showed His love to many of the people tangibly, by meeting their immediate needs of provision, healing and deliverance.
Joel's story: The one individual story I would like to tell is that of Joel. When we arrived in Harare Pastor Lameck told us that one of the church's ministry partners, Joel, had just been diagnosed with cancer and had undergone an operation to remove what they could. After visiting Joel initially, we decided it would be best to take a small team to his house everyday to pray for him, encourage him and take him through the word and show him that God wants him well. On our first few visits Joel was in a lot of pain, he would lie in bed, not moving and not speaking to us at all. After a day or two his countenance started to change as he started seeing himself as a healed man. By the Wednesday the doctors tests came back and reported that he was absolutely cancer free. Praise the Lord. By the time we had our last visit with Joel he was baptized in the Holy Spirit and was able to get out of bed and stand on his feet, with some help!
Joel's story is an incredible testimony of God's willingness to heal. There is no formula for healing, but there is always a positive outcome, a testimony, where Jesus gets the glory and others are able to overcome.
A church was planted due to the teams efforts and God's grace, in the community of Borrowdale. The effects of mission Zim 2012 are going to be felt for decades to come as Jesus establishes, strengthens and encourages His church in Zimbabwe.
See the photos and captions of some of the more outstanding moments of our time in Zim in the next post.
