ZIMBABWE MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRIES
ZIMBABWE MEDICAL & EDUCATIONAL MISSIONS
NEWS FROM THE FIELD
Sept –Oct 2004
To all Humanitarian Partners reaching out to the suffering & hungry peoples of the rural communities. Greetings in Jesus name.
Words are inadequate to express the profound gratitude and appreciation that Mitzi and I have towards you and your assembly for reaching across some 14,000 miles of expanse and taking our hands and that of suffering, hungry and starving peoples, especially children mostly HIV positive living lives of absolute poverty, and yet CONTENT WITH LESS THAN LITTLE, always smiling, in spite of having NO SHOES and in most cases having only one worn out dress or shorts and a shirt. I need to repeat that should children be able TO COME AND WALK WHERE WE WALK, SEE WHAT WE SEE, TOUCH WHAT WE TOUCH, HEAR WHAT WE HEAR, AND ABOVE ALL FEEL WHAT WE FEEL, NO ONE COULD EVER BE THE SAME AGAIN. Yes, values are changed, pursuits adjusted, desires realigned, priorities refocused and above all spiritual values redefined. Yes, the things of time become of secondary consequences as the Supreme things of eternity are focused on.
Your Financial Partnership:
How does one express ones gratitude and inspire faithfulness in giving, I guess by physically seeing. This is not possible for the majority. The alternative is this newsletter and photos. Thank God for the email. Trust you will share the Field News with the assembly and thus let the partners know what the money is doing. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT – PLEASE CONTINUE.
Field News: Medical Missions Trip Called Off
Having done weeks of planning and arranging the entire program, which entailed meeting with many high placed officials, as also visiting the many clinics in the rural areas, accommodation reservations in place, official welcome and farewell in place, assured all is on track by VIMM, some 3 weeks before arrival I received a fax of 5 lines from VIMM (Volunteers In Medical Missions) office in South Carolina, saying the “trip has been cancelled.” As of the time of writing I have not yet received any official reason or communication for the cancellation.
Profound Disappointment: Words are inadequate. How do you imagine, suffering and needy rural people feel, (most of whom have never seen a doctor) when told the desperately needed and hoped for help is no longer coming. One word only can describe it. DEVASTATED!!
School Feeding Program:
Your regular financial support has made it possible for ZIM$17 (seventeen million dollars) i.e. US$4,500 to purchase some 14,800 KG of maize meal. This will be distributed to six primary schools within the next three weeks. Some 2,500 children of whom 70% are orphans, the parents having died of AIDS will receive one plate of porridge a day, IN MOST CASES, THAT WILL BE THE ONLY MEAL FOR THE DAY.
Sugar appeal:
The Principals have appealed for sugar to be provided so as to make the porridge more palatable. A major sugar distributor has offered to sell sugar at cost, which is ZIM$150,000 for a 50 KG bag. WE NEED 50 BAGS which will cost US$750. PLEASE, PLEASE ADD SWEETNESS TO THESE LITTLE CHILDREN BY HELPING TO BUY SUGAR. PLEASE PRESENT THIS APPEAL AND TAKE UP A SPECIAL OFFERING.
Clothes: We were donated a good quantity of good used clothes these we will be taking to a village where dire poverty exists. Mitzi has sorted out the clothes and ready for distribution.
New Works Established: Two new works (assemblies) have been established. One in the rural area of Insizia and the other in Nkayi. The pastor’s name is George. He is married with two children. Each assembly has some 25 members and is growing. I’m only able to give him ZIM$100,000 a month support i.e. US$20. Not much, I know, especially when inflation is running at 475%.
Adopt a Pastor: I’m sure one or more families would like jointly to adopt a pastor. Some US$60 a month would be wonderful.
Assemblies & Pastors: To date there are 8 assemblies being taken care of. If you would adopt a pastor, I’ll send you a family photo. Let me know.
Container Ministry: We are in the process of finalizing the shipment of a 40 ft. container to the Victoria Falls. I will be visiting the newly completed clinic shortly and meet with the Town Council. The contents will be medical equipment, office equipment and computers. The person heading u this container ministry is Rabbi Eric Carlson of Zion Sake. Rabbi Carlson is a messianic Rabbi and is located at the Church of God in Newport News, VA. He is contactable at 757-874-3303.
Computers: Can you help? Please do. Schools that teach computers have in most cases only 2 for the entire school and most of these have only Windows 95. Do you have one or more to donate? Urgently contact Rabbi Carlson. WE NEED YOUR GIFT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Please ensure that the computers are in good working order. It needs to be shipped in the present container.
Orphan & Widow Feeding: Insizia – We proceeded to this rural area where some 22 orphans are being taken care of by 3 old widows. We delivered several 50 KG of maize and held a wonderful service. Mitzi preached to a fine congregation. Many surrendered to Christ. Photos will be forth coming.
WHAT DOES YOUR SERVING CHRIST COST?
This is what it cost Spinich Hlohla of Mbembezi district, Northern Matabeleland. Here is his story as told to me by himself on the 26th of August 2004. At the time he lived in a rural village with his parents, he was 20 years of age; and the entire family were members of the United Zion Pentecostal church. One night around midnight a group of terrorists soldiers schooled in the Markist doctrine (of Communism) raided the village, forced all villagers into their huts and se the wood and thatched (grassed) buildings on fire. All the villagers were burned alive including the parents of Spinich. By an act of God’s grace he managed to crawl out of the blazing hut. Both hands were totally burned off. The pursuing Zimbabwean army rushed him to the hospital where both hands were amputated. THIS HAPPENED 28/2/76. SINCE THEN HE’S HAD NO WORK, ONLY STUMPS FOR HANDS. PRESENTLY HE SITS OUTSIDE A SHOPPING CENTER BEGGING. THAT’S WHERE I MET HIM AND HAVE BEEN GIVING HIM SUBSTANTIAL MONEY REGULARLY. WHY DID IT HAPPEN? THE COMMUNIST ACUSED HIM (PARENTS AND VILLAGERS) OF SERVING GOD OF THE WHITE MAN. HE CONFESSED TO THE PERSECUTORS THAT HE WAS BORN AGAIN. SPINICH IS A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN WITH A SPIRIT OF LOVE FOR HIS PERSECUTORS. AS I REGULARLY SPEAK TO HIM, I’M MOVED TO TEARS.
My Vision for Him: I’ve taken many photos of his begging and have a vision of artificial limbs fitted for hands. He has no money and one change of clothing.
Your Participation – HOW?
Start of fund and call it Artificial Limbs for Spinich. I’ll be providing all photos. Ask God what He wants you to do. PASTOR, YOU DECIDE AT WHAT LEVEL YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR ASSEMBLY INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT.
Faith Pledge Promises: Please, please continue. Mitzi and I are fully aware that there are assemblies and individuals who by now have had their monthly commitment expire. Unfortunately, we are not able to come to the USA at this time, the Field needs us desperately. Will you, will your assembly please, please continue with your Faith Promise Commitment.
Pray for us in this Field of Humanitarian Crisis.
DONATIONS AND GIFTS CAN BE SENT DIRECTLY TO:
PO Box 1848
Yorktown VA 23692 or: via Church of God World Missions Project #102-0003
Your servants of the Master and to the desperate peoples of Zimbabwe,
Henry and Mitzi Nel
To contact the Nel’s :
ZIMBABWE MEDICAL EDUCATIONAL AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 3925, Tygervalley, Cape Province South Africa. 7536 Ph# 021-976-7024 or 021-975-0408
