Hwange, Zimbabwe - "What did you do for Easter, Susan?" "Oh, I spent it with 1,500 fabulous teens and young adults in Zimbabwe!"
More than 1,500 spiritually hungry young people gathered at the Assembly of God Conference Ground in Hwange for the Annual Youth Conference. Some were able to ride buses, but most didn't have bus fare so they walked . . . often times for several days and for 50 or 60 miles.
Praise God! Members of the Daniel Fast Community donated their precious dollars so that we were able to minister to these young people. First, we were able to rent an additional conference tent so all the kids could be in the shade during the meetings. Also, many slept under these tents at night.
Second, we arranged for a truck to travel to the distant churches and pick up kids. The truck showed up late Friday night and the place erupted with joy as more than a 100 young people climbed from the truck
Third, our team purchased all the food for the kids, but the Daniel Fast Community provided for the additional food to accommodate the extra kids. The youth prepared all the meals, but we purchased the maize for the sadza (similar to grits) along with additional meat and vegetables.
One Daniel Fast couple was led by God to donate $1000 for our Christian brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe. This generous gift will be one that "keeps on giving." We made special arrangements with a member of the Zimbabwe church who has a small farm. We purchased three cows and they will produce the livestock that will be used next year and many years to come for the beef to feed the youth! The church leaders were so touched with this unexpected and amazing blessing. The goodness of God was delivered! Amen!
Resurrection Sunday: I had a memorable Easter with the youth at the conference. And the Lord touched me in a beautiful way. He helped me see again that He sees His vision for me in His power and not in mine. Praise God!
As I sat praising God for His goodness and blessing toward me (some of you know a little of my story), the youth choir starting singing "How Great Thou Art" in their local language. The presence of the Lord filled the place and I could hardly stay upright. Within the next few minutes more than 50 youngsters submitted their lives to Christ. What a blessing . . . to witness lives changed forever!
Blessed to Bless: After a day of rest it was time to leave. On the way to the airport, we stopped by a curio strip-mall, which were actually side-by-side shacks along the road. In one of the stalls a woman with a beautiful smile had handmade baskets hanging on the wall, several of which interested me. When I asked the price, she told me two that I liked were $4 each and the others were $6 each. So I paid her first price (in Zimbabwe bargaining in customary) and purchased four baskets for a total of $20.
A school teacher in Zimbabwe makes about $100 a month, so $20 for one day is a huge amount. And few tourists come to Zimbabwe now, so this was a great blesing to her. She was so excited and then I found out she was a member of the church were the Pastors's Leadership Training Conference was held. I was also blessed, not only with the baskets, but
with the ability to purchase them! It was only 18 months ago when $20 seemed like a $1000 to me! But God . . .
So again I pass my very sincere and deep appreciation to all those who "came to Africa with me." Your gifts of prayer and financial support provided a confidence and strength that the Lord used to bless His precious people in Zimbabwe. Bless you, dear ones. You have helped change the hearts of your brothers and sisters in Christ!
In Christ for Christ,
