ZIMBABWE MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRIES
ZIMBABWE MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL MISSIONS
NEWS FROM THE FIELD
July August 2004
To all our faithful partners in prayer & financial support Greetings from your missionaries Henry & Mitzi Nel.
The last few weeks have been hectic and eventful. Before I get on to field news, let me talk about Zimbabwe and inject some positive good news about the Christian climate that prevails in the country.
Zimbabwe and Christian Ideals Did you know? The majority of its central and provincial leaders are born again believers. Many are Pentecostal believers. The President and Central Government protect by legislation the sacred and cardinal principles of fundamental Christian beliefs. These are:
Homosexuality is a criminal offence punishable only by imprisonment. A past President was imprisoned for 3 years for homosexuality.
Gay and Lesbian movement are criminal and anyone found practicing these sexual abnormalities and diversions will serve a jail term.
Same Sex Marriages are a criminal offence.
Abortion under any circumstances except to save life is a severely punishable crime.
Pornography under any and all forms is a criminal offence punishable only by a jail term. No Western liberal suggestive magazines are allowed in the country.
National Television has outlawed all forms of violence, no American or Western movies of crime, war, murder, violence and drugs are ever permitted. National media of all forms, TV, radio and the press are not permitted to use vulgar language.
The Media & The Gospel:The two National newspapers devote a full page to Christian topics always highly evangelical. The National radio devotes a large portion of its airtime to evangelical gospel programs.
Independence Celebrations held in May 2004: The 21st Independence celebrations held at Harare Stadium lasted a full day. Throughout the day the vast crowd was entertained by leading Gospel bands, musicians and vocalists. The program was interrupted by prayers offered by Evangelical ministers. The President, in his address, called upon the nation to turn to God, prayer, the Bible and church. Is it any wonder that 65% of the nation are born again and that every strata of private, public and civil life has been infiltrated and impacted upon by committed believers. WHAT A SHARP CONTRAST TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN AMERICA AND THE WESTERN WORLD.
Field News: We spent some days travelling and visiting by invitation of a High Ranking Government official a rural area some hundred miles from Harare. The area is known as Makoni. I visited a school and clinic. The school has 2,200 students; half of these are taking Computer Science. I sat in the computer class and witnessed some 70 students sharing 4 old computers with Windows 95 programs. The Principal and students appeal for computers to be donated. THIS IS NOW A TOP PRIORITY PROJECT WE NEED USED COMPUTERS! CAN YOU HELP?
HIV Orphanage: I visited an orphanage and spent time with the children. The youngest was 18 months and the oldest 17 years. This orphanage has a chapel on site seating some 100 CHILDREN BUT WHAT THRILLED ME MOST WAS THE BAPTISMAL BATH IN THE CHAPEL. The matron and staff are ALL Pentecostal Christians. A pastor conducts services every Wednesday and Sunday and many of the older HIV orphans have been baptized. This orphanage was built by an American Charismatic family who are still involved in its running.
Your humble servants & the servants to the peoples of Zimbabwe,
Henry & Mitzi Nel
To contact the Nels :
ZIMBABWE MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 3925, Tygervalley, Cape Province South Africa. 7536 Ph# 021-976-7024 or 021-975-0408
DONATIONS PLEASE FORWARD TO THE U.S.A.:
ZIMBABWE MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 1848, Yorktown, Virginia. USA. 23691
E-mail: hpnel@telkomsa.net
View us on the WEB: www.ministrytozimbabwe.org/
