Some times we need to put aside our agendas and busy schedules and be open to whoever and whatever God brings across our path - how often have I missed an opportunity that God wanted for me because I was too busy. Today could have shaped up to be one of those days.
In addition to visiting, observing, speaking and teaching, God has continued to bring opportunities to encourage and pray for people that are really struggling. Between services we had an opportunity to meet with a pastor from Zimbabwe, Dennis Chuma. Bishop Jere and his church have been supporting this church and others in Zimbawe, smuggling clothes and food across the border to them. Pastor Dennis shared about the persecution, desperation and poverty in Zimbabwe. He says that there are over 500 orphans that their church tries to support. There is no food in any of the shops, and even if there was, they have no money to buy it, and the inflation is over 175,000%. Many people are starving and some dying from the dire conditions. The church here in Zambia took a love offering to send clothes and food back with Pastor Dennis.
We also met with another pastor, James, from here in Zambia. He had an orphanage that someone came in and tried to take over due to a disgruntled family member of a government leader. They came in and bribed several of the older girls to file false accusations against Pastor James and his wife. He was jailed for 2 days and is still fighting to clear his name and get the orphanage back. We were able to talk with 3 of the other older girls that were also bribed but refused to turn against him. They were given harsh treatment and threatened. It was a time of tears hearing their stories and getting a chance to encourage them, share some verses to encourage them and pray together with all of them as they get ready to go back to court this week on the case.
Before leaving we got to mingle and talk with the 20+ orphans that John & Joyce care for in their own home - Samaritan Children’s Home, and get some precious pictures to share with you. Pray for John & Joyce as the government has forced them to send away more than 60 of their children who were over the age of 12, and they say that a children’s home should not have children over 12, in line with UNICEF recommendations. Most of these kids have been raised cared for, educated and spiritually nurtured by John and Joyce since they were small children - they are mom & dad to them, but now they have been sent to live with relatives who can’t care for them or do not want them. These are the same officials involved in the case against Pastor James.
Posted in God, Faith, the Bible, Christian life, Missions
