FEBRUARY
– APRIL 2004 LINK TO LIFELINE NEWSLETTER
Zimbabwe
– naturally speaking….
Some
people would be glad to see steam engines replacing diesels but perhaps not for
the reason it is reported to be happening here - that there is a severe shortage
of diesel. Although inflation is
officially down to 584% - from 623% in January – that is a very small comfort
today - however much it is a sign of better times ahead in the economy The
cricket team has a new record - for the lowest score in a One Day International
match. All these, and many more
facts and figures, could easily obscure the suffering of so many people whose
lives are affected by the underlying problems.
A local paper noted recently that in one rural
community of 84 families, through HIV/Aids related illnesses, 62 are widowed and
11 are child-headed homes. Some
people have died of malnutrition. Today
it is reported that there have been 225,340 cases of malaria in Zimbabwe so far
this year.
and the
other side of the story
In
all these circumstances we have - the Jesus kind
of life - in all its fullness. John
10:10; The presence, gifts and
power of the the Holy Spirit; The
peace of God - Phil.4: 7, Col.3: 15; A
hope and a future; A call and a
purpose 1 Pet 2: 9, Rom. 8: 28;
Power to overcome. John
16:33; A message of reconciliation!
So that we can share The Good
News about Jesus - Salvation and sins forgiven - Healing and wholeness -
Deliverance - So, please pray for the Lifeline team as we go and tell
people about Jesus and make disciples for Him.
PETER ZULU
We report
with great sadness the death of our dear friend and colleague Pastor Peter Zulu.
He was admitted to hospital in February for an operation to remove his
bladder, but a scan revealed secondary tumours including one that affected his
brain. Despite much believing
prayer, he went to be with the Lord a few weeks later.
We praise God for his life and ministry, and are
delighted that his ministry is continuing through the pastors he raised up, and
also Martha, his widow, and his two eldest sons. A team from Chinhoyi Christian Church, of which Peter was an
elder, has visited the churches in Binga district on 2 occasions recently, led
by Pastor Peter Banda.
Please pray for Martha as she seeks to support her
three younger children to finish their education.
Mozambique
– Care of Orphans
While
in Mozambique recently for the 2004 teaching program, Loxley was able to visit
Pastor Domingo Caetano and his wife and their household of 37 orphans in
Nhamatanda. The children were about
to go back to school for the afternoon but there was just enough time to open
the large case of clothes, shoes, toys and school materials
that had been sent from the Holroyd New Life church in Sydney, Australia.
Craig & Michelle Burns, youth leaders in the
Holroyd church were very moved, when they visited Pastor Caetano last year, by
his vision and the sacrifices that he and his wife had made to show the love of
Jesus to these children. So, they
found out what was needed by the children and organized a collection to meet the
need. There was great excitement as
the first case was opened and the children saw all the things that had been
sent. So there and then, they all
had to have something, and went off to school very pleased with their new
pencils and the promise of more to come when they returned.
One look at the picture of their smiling faces will
tell you that these children are loved and cared for. Please pray for God’s provision for Pastor Caetano and his
wife as their family continues to grow in every way.
On a Personal
Note
While passing through Mutare on the same visit to
Mozambique Loxley was at last able to collect our Work Permits which are now
valid until December 2005. We had
applied in August 2003 for their renewal and had been given several temporary
extensions since the expiry date in October last year.
So we are grateful to God for this confirmation and to you all for your
prayers for us and the ministry of Lifeline in this region.
We send you our love in Jesus,
Loxley & Mavis.