Tuesday, July 30, 2013

GO Zimbabwe '13 

Recently Lifepoint Church sent a 10 member team to Zimbabwe, Africa to continue our partnership with Gregg and Donna Fort.  This was Lifepoint's 7th trip to Zimbabwe.  The dates for the trip were July 14-28, 2013 and in this time, this team was able to be part of many ministries in the Mberengwa area.  This years ministry site is about 15 miles from the site we served two years ago.  We were able to see God move in MANY ways as we were obedient to prepare and GO!  My next several blog posts will be based on our ministry time in Mberengwa and these will be an effort to help you understand how God is working in Chiedza. (Chiedza means Light!)

The first way I would describe the trip is - POWERFUL.
Listed below are some of the highlights of how God moved in a POWERFUL way while we were there and how He will continue to move. 


Chiedza Baptist Church was LAUNCHED!  
The church's first service was Sunday July 21.  I preached on John 4, The Samaritan Woman.  The church is located at a newly established bore hole.  This bore hole provides water for over 100 families that previously had to walk more than 3 miles for water.  
[10] Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”  (John 4:10 ESV) This living water is what the people of Chiedza need!  Thankful for God's grace as 2 individuals gave their lives to the Lord including a lady that is 89 years old.






Our team spoke with BOLDNESS:  Our team combined to shed the truth of the Word of God in the lives of many.  Each team member was obedient to share their story along with the story of Creation to Christ.  MANY individuals and FAMILIES gave their lives to the LORD.  I am so very thankful for His GRACE.  Ephesians 2:8-9


Pator's Conference:  This was a great time of communicating and encouraging several leaders from churches that we have planted over the last 7 years.  By his grace, I was able to share how God's Word speaks!  Our God is not created by the hands of a man!  [7] The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved.  (Isaiah 41:7 ESV)

[2] and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  
(2 Timothy 2:2 ESV)






We visited with the ORPHANS of the Caring Centre:  We loved on the 12 orphans that are there.  We heard their stories, formed relationships with them, and shared our stories with them.  This is a true account of James 1:27, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."





We gave them a glimpse of Jesus as we shared the JESUS film.  Many that were there each evening had never heard of Jesus.  We shared the Jesus film that was created in 1979 and we would share worship through music, testimonies and preaching each evening.


We were able to give them a new 'Soakaway.'  This is a huge hole that is used for a drain system.  This particular soakaway will be used for a laundry area where the children that are at the caring center can wash their clothes.


We were able to see the fruit of our labor!  The lives of many were changed, including our own team members.  These changes were a result of obedience for the sake of the gospel.  We were, and are carriers of the 'light!'
[15] And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” [17] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.  (Romans 10:15-17 ESV)

A special thank you to all that prayed for our team while in Zimbabwe.  Look for more updates in the coming days regarding our trip!  
Check out this website for on going ministries at the  Caring Centre.