ZIMBABWE MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRIES

ZIMBABWE MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL

AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

 February & March  2006

NEWS FROM THE HARVEST FIELD

 MISSIONARIES HENRY & MITZI NEL

TO ALL PASTORS, ASSEMBLIES & FAITHFUL PARTNERS IN THE DESPERATE, CRITICAL RURAL HUMANITARIAN SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM:

 God in Relation to Every Crisis:  This exhortation is dedicated to the ministry in particular and the laity in general.  Numbers 21:4-5 “They journeyed from Mt. Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom, and the people became impatient, depressed, much discouraged because of the trials of the way” (Amp. Bible)  Allow me to deviate from the norm and in place of the usual field newsletter I am taking the liberty of talking directly to the ministry, no matter what that ministry may be.

Having pastored only one assembly during all of my ministry, and let me add, I pastored that assembly for 44 years.  Mitzi and I birthed the church starting with only two members, that is, ourselves, and by God’s sustaining grace, not withstanding the many temptations to leave the assembly we birthed and take a call elsewhere and in so doing move out of the will of God.  I persevered, and in so doing over the passage of time, a very large assembly was built, with a titanic city outreach, a titanic mission program that saw many churches, mission stations and a Bible School built in foreign countries in Southern Africa, as well as an educational program for foreign indigenous students (black) that paid for their education at Bible School, and on completion launched these students into the ministry, providing monthly financial support.   Mitzi and I have now been in the full-time ministry for 53 years, and having walked the road of experience in the ministry, fully understand the challenges that face the “Pastor in his Pastoral Calling.”

What are the Challenges?  The one force that will continually militate against you in the ministry, challenge your commitment and seek to deviate you from God’s will and purpose is “discouragement.”  It was that force that found Elijah sitting under the juniper tree and wishing to die.  It was that force that plagued the life of Martin Luther.  His wife was no longer able to witness his depression and discouragement.  On one occasion she dressed herself in total black from head to foot, covering her face with a veil, and walked into the study of the giant reformer.  On seeing her in total black, he loudly inquired “What sad news do you bring?”  She replied, “Martin, have you not heard the terrible news, God is dead.”  Luther burst forth, “What do you mean, God is dead?”  She replied, “Martin seeing you these many weeks in the depth of discouragement, I concluded you must have concluded God is dead.”  Luther burst forth, “God is not dead.”  She replied “Well then, get up, walk up rightly, lift those drooping hands and downcast face, throw off that mantle of discouragement and walk knowing God’s alive.”

The Application is Pertinent:  As you face the challenges of discouragement you need to daily and in all situations remind yourself “God is not dead – but ALIVE.”  This reality is the most powerful attitude against all the forces that militate against you in the calling and the labour of the ministry.

The Normality of Seasons:  When we pass through, seemingly, periods of drought, with little evidence of surface growth, development and reward, consider the following.  Such seasons are normal seasons in the development and maturing of oneself and ones ministry.  The evidence of any visible action is never an indication of inaction and stagnation.  The germination of any seed is not evident until it appears on the surface but before it does, the inherent power of life is resident in the seed, and is at work, even when not seen.  All ministry is processed by and subject to the “time zone” and it is in this “time zone” that the greatest challenge to our faith and ministry is to be encountered.  It was the challenge of time and Abraham’s failure to wait that led to his substitution of another wife giving birth to another son – “not the seed of promise.”  The “time zone” is the “now zone,” the present, visible, and active everyday sphere of our service in, and call to the ministry.  The “time zone” is where we live daily.  It is here where we evaluate our ministry and our success.  It is here where we experience our doubts and discouragements.  It is here where we are tempted to quit. 

The Elements that Initiate Discouragement:  The “time zone” is the realm of the visible, the realm of the senses, the realm of feeling, seeing, thinking and especially hearing.  It is the realm of hearing that the enemy often times injects the venom of depression and discouragement into our spirit.  What we hear about ourselves, our ministry, the assembly, our reputation, our success, are and can be the most formidable, destructive and discouraging forces we have to deal with in the ministry.

The Consequences of Discouragement:  Discouragement leads to radical questioning.  The process is evident as set forth in the text quoted (Num 21:4-5).  Israel began to question God, His purpose, His plan, His program.  “The people spoke out against God.”  These four questionings constitute the progressive discussions in spiritual perception that cloud our understanding when in discouragement.

How to Handle the Challenges to Our Faith & Ministry:  Consider some basic elementary fundamental principles. 

1. The “seed” by which we were regenerated is “incorruptible” (I Peter 1:23 AMP) i.e. it is not subject to the element of change.  It is unchanging.  The element of time can’t process it, can’t alter it.  As His Servants, it is that “seed” we are sowing and planting.  Paul labels it “The Word.”  The prophet declared “His Word” shall not return to Him null or void - but shall accomplish His purposes.  Take heart.  The Greek (adj) “aphthartos” sums it all up.  The seed is not susceptible to any force or element that can render it ineffective or neutralize its inherent ability to produce.
2. The Gospel you preach (Col. 1:6 AMP) Paul states is bearing fruit and always growing.  How?  By it’s inherent power.  The energizing power of production is inherently resident in the Gospel you preach.
3. All trials and testing are adjusted to suit your endurance capacity and capability (I Cor. 10:13b AMP).  “…God is faithful not to let you be tempted, tried, tested beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure...”
4. The last fundamental principle that serves as the cornerstone to keep us fitted and together for all ministry is “God is ALIVE.”  The scriptures abound with dynamic references and accounts of God being a living God.  The discouragement crisis in Luther’s life came about because he failed to take into account in the midst of the manifold testings, and challenges in his life at the time, that God is not dead.  The scriptures refer to Christ as:
   1. “The Living Way” Heb. 10:20
   2. “The Living Bread” Jn. 6:51
   3. “The Living Stone” Pet. 2:4
   4. “The Living Water” Jn. 4:10
   5. “The Living Rock” Ps. 10:46

Field News:  We are currently getting ready to go into the rural area and distribute a second consignment of maize meal to a further 6 schools.  These are new schools not previously on the Feeding Program.  These children are literally starving.  I will provide photos and news in a forthcoming letter.  Inflation is now at 1300%.  Please pray for us.  The country is in serious trouble.

Yours in His Service,

Henry & Mitzi Nel