ZIMBABWE MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRIES
ZIMBABWE MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL
AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
December & January 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:
Greetings in the glorious name of Jesus! What a privilege it is for Mitzi and I to be servants to the desperately needy peoples of Northern Matabeleland Province as also your servants representing your compassion, love and care as you partner with us, as we minister the Gospel to the sick and dying undernourished and hungry, especially the children.
Since I last spoke to you via Field News, nationally the economics of the country has taken a further SLIDE. Inflation is steadily rising; most economists believe it is now close to 900%. Of course the authorities keep the true figure tightly under wraps, only admitting it is out of control.
National Fuel (Gas) Situation remains critical, only available on the Black Market. Fuel filling stations throughout the country have closed doors, as these have not had any supplies for the past 8 months. The prospect of any hopeful change in the future is NIL. We know of a very large trucking company who fetches fuel (gas) from a neighbouring country, and keeps us mobile with 30-50 litres at a time.
The Christian Disposition must at all times be “contentment.” Paul states “I have learned in whatever state I find myself, therewith to be CONTENT.”
The HIV AIDS Pandemic – Think on This Bulawayo now has seven cemeteries and currently 40-48 funerals (burials) are taking place daily at each; i.e. approximately 270 funerals a day. Now bear in mind that Bulawayo is only one city in Zimbabwe and that the major population lives in rural areas throughout the country. I recently had a meeting with a “highly placed lady in the Field of HIV/AIDS Research” and she told me one out of two of the population are HIV positive. CNN confirmed this in a recently televised program stating that in excess of 50% of the nation is HIV positive. No reliable or accurate statistics are available. No testing is available for the rural population. No records of the majority of rural deaths are kept.
Uncontrollable Rising Costs These are weekly, the Bulawayo City Council has just increased monthly rates and taxes by 250%. We have just received a letter from the rental property administering agent that as from the 1st of January 06 the monthly rental of the property we are staying at will be increased from Z$2 million a month to Z$10 million a month, i.e. 500% increase. That excludes the monthly levy of Z$3 million making the monthly rental total now Z$13 million. NOTE: 87% of the entire working force of the country earns only on average Z$7 million a month.
Rural School Feeding Program Finalized We proceeded on the 23rd of November 05 to the rural areas to distribute to the 8 rural schools the acquired cargo of food. We met trucks at Cross Dete, a rural junction some 380 kilometres from Bulawayo. The cargo on the trucks consisted of 320 -50kg bags of sugar and 12 – 50kg bags of salt. The cost of this cargo of food was Z$280 million. NOTE: I had to provide the fuel (diesel) for the trucks to deliver the food. This was made possible by a large transport company who sold me the diesel. The maize milling company who supplied the maize meal did not have fuel to deliver the food supplies. The food provided will last 4-6 months only.
THE INDESCRIBABLE EMOTIONAL AND ESTATIC WELCOME AT NDANGABABI PRIMARY SCHOOL Words are totally inadequate to describe the scene when the trucks drove into the school grounds. The children became uncontrollable and hysterical. They rushed out of the classes shouting, waving their hands, singing and many praising God. The scene was just too much for Mitzi and I. We openly wept uncontrollably. To see these hungry and undernourished children rejoicing at the sight and prospect of food was an experience we will never forget. THE SAME SCENE WAS REPEATED AT ALL 8 SCHOOLS. A FOOD ALLOCATION SCHEDULE TO THE RESPECTIVE SCHOOLS IS ATTACHED.
The Festive Season We will be spending Christmas and New Year’s in Zimbabwe. Hopefully our children and grandchildren will be with us. They will be bringing much needed supplies.
Your Desperately Needed Partnership This ministry can not continue without your faithful financial support.
Outstanding Load for Maize Meal Purchased The maize meal purchase for the School Feeding Program is still on. Please, as a Mercy Christmas Gift, help to clear this account.
Photos Following Photos of the Feeding Program will be mailed/emailed separately. Should you need any information regarding the ministry, please contact Ramona Potter at 757-874-1223 or email her at rpotter@wowcenter.org. Ramona is the lady in Newport News, VA who so kindly and graciously helps to keep all partners informed via the Field Newsletter.
Season Greetings Thank you for your faithful support and prayers. May the blessings of Christmas be abundant and the New Year bring a constant abiding awareness of His presence. Have a blessed Christmas and New Year.
Your Servants,
Henry Nel
