Link to LifeLine  MAY - JUNE 2003  AND TEAM UPDATE

The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Ps 119:130

One of our “paper preachers” has the title “Facing the Facts”.  Among the illustrations in it is a picture of a man gripping the prison bars as he looks out from his cell. Among our students are many prisoners who have been given their studies by the Prison Chaplains. They write some interesting things to us when they send back their lessons.

“I used to beat people and take money from them before I was saved”

“I was a rapist and used to abuse small children but now I have been delivered from that problem.”

“I used to be a burglar and broke into houses ….”

“ I worshipped the mudzimu – ancestral spirits – and I used to go to the n’angas – witch doctors – to have good luck. When the ancestral spirits were consulted I expected to be able to commit any crime without being arrested.  When I was arrested I said “Mudzimu waamai wadimura mbereko” [His ancestral spirits had let him down]. Now I have forsaken all these things since I have received the word of God and become a Christian.”

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Ps 119:67

Please join the Lifeline team in praying that every piece of literature that we send out will accomplish its purpose – to tell people about Jesus and to make disciples for Him.   

PETER ZULU

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. Ps 107:19

Peter saw the consultant radiologist again recently, six weeks after completing his second course of radiotherapy. She had told him that a scan would not be successful until all the inflammation from the treatment had subsided, hence the delay in sending you any news of Peter’s progress.

Although there are still some signs of a tumour, the doctor said that the size is very much reduced, but there is no way of knowing whether what was seen on the scan was active tumour or scar tissue.

So the next step is to see the surgeon who first operated, with a view to having a cystoscopy and biopsy. Peter has an appointment for this on June 2nd. He says he is feeling better than he has felt for two years, and is quite convinced that the growth is still shrinking. We pray that this is the case, so that his bladder does not have to be removed. In any case, there will be several years of follow up, including three-monthly scans for 2 years.

With the present galloping inflation – now at 270%, we were concerned to find that the cost of a scan had more than tripled since the last one. We have now been told that the hospital charges for the next simple diagnostic procedure will be more than a quarter of a million dollars, plus the fees of the surgical team. We will then know if any further operation is needed. So we are looking to God that, as before, all the costs will be met for the next phase of treatment.

We praise God for the miraculous intervention that has saved Peter’s life. Please continue to pray for complete healing for our dear brother.

He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Ps 107:20

MOZAMBIQUE

Loxley has just returned from his second recent visit to the members of the Lifeline team in Mozambique.  In Gondola Pastor John Moyo had brought together 25 church leaders from Manica province for 4-days of teaching at the start of the 2003 Ministry Training program. 

Benches and babies do not make it easy to get together into small groups. The women in Gondola are working through the Lifeline “Building your Life” foundation course. Some of the church leaders, on the Ministry Training course, outside the  meeting  place in Gondola which is 110kms from the border with Zimbabwe.

In Beira we had been concerned about the health of two of the brothers with whom we work. So it was good to find that Guilherme’s treatment had been successful in dealing with his stomach problems. At present he is working with Chris Hemborough translating Projecto Moçambique materials into Sena. His goal is to put back on all the weight he lost in the last few months while he had the problem.  He and Graça have been encouraged by the safe arrival of Marta at the end of April – a sister for Amelia and Dinha.  Please pray for the health of all the family, especially for Guilherme’s full recovery and for the welfare of the new baby.  Loxley met Chris at the half way stage of his ride from the Zimbabwe border to Beira.  So here is the evidence for his sponsors!.

Anacleto who had also been unwell stayed with us in May when he was passing thru Harare on his way to and from an FHI conference in Kenya. 

He was able to have some more tests and to seek further advice about his gall bladder problem.  He arrived here (Harare) in the long serving Toyota HiLux truck from the Beira base and we were able to arrange for some work to be done on it ready for his return trip.  Loxley and Alan Graham will be going to Marromeu, on the Zambesi, with Anacleto for a children’s workers seminar. Please pray for Anacleto and his team who have regular contact with many schools and thousands of children.

Chris & Camica who stayed at the Lifeline Base when they first worked in Beira now have their own home and base for their ministry in Sofala province. Only a few books of the Bible are available in a good translation of Sena, one of the main local languages. Loxley was able to take them a consignment of two Sena gospels and some wind-up cassette tape players, from Harare. The gospels are recorded for people who cannot read and are used in many churches in the rural areas of Sofala where Chris and Camica also show the Jesus film, as well as training children’s workers.

Please continue to pray for all these workers in the harvest fields.  We value your continued prayers for us and we send you our love in Jesus, Loxley & Mavis.

MARCH - APRIL 2003  LINK TO LIFELINE NEWSLETTER

“I thank my God …..  because of your partnership in the gospel
 from the first day until now” Phil 1:3-6

We are grateful to God for the relationships He has given us with partners in the Gospel in many places and to you our prayer partners for your faithfulness in support of us personally and the ministry of Lifeline in southern Africa.

We are encouraged by your letters and e-mails with news of your situations and asking us for more details of the work here, and how things are, so that your prayers can be more effective.  Our life seems in many ways quite normal as we have adjusted to the things that have happened but everyone is affected by the problems facing the nation.  And for many there is real hardship because of shortages of food, fares and medicines, and the money to buy them.

So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide  Gen 22:14

Give thanks with us for God’s provision.  In spite of the problems we have been able to go to all the places we needed to visit, to do all the things we needed to do and to obtain the things that we have needed for the ministry.  Fuel has been in very short supply for some time.  Long queues of vehicles have been parked for days at filling stations in the hope of a delivery to the one chosen.  Setting out for Zambia recently with just enough fuel we were able to buy 150 litres of diesel on the way and to get back with far more than when we started.  We have been able to provide food for our staff and the students on the training program.

“… pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you.”  2 Thess 3:1

The discipleship group program continues to develop.  A report from one of the workers says, ”While the situation in the country continues to deteriorate, fear and hopelessness gripping most people, our Discipleship Groups have continued to build the lives of many believers, helping them to be more practical in their faith, in these trying and difficult times.  Every student is giving out tracts on Saturdays to people who are not saved.  Pastors we work with have noticed new faces in their church meetings as a result of this tract distribution.  Our goal this year is Multiplication.  We will continue to evangelise and delegate to the students the responsibility of teaching the new Christians.” So as Paul encouraged the Thessalonians please pray for the spreading of God’s word and the making of many disciples for Jesus.

 “..  who are protected by the power of God through faith ..” Peter 1:5

We have been asked what life is like in Zimbabwe today.  Media reports highlight violence and sanctions.  A UN official notes that the food shortage in six southern African countries is worsened by the health problems caused by HIV/AIDS and the drought in the whole sub-region.  Malaria killed over 200,000 people in the region last year.  The rate of inflation in Zimbabwe is now over 220%.  The resultant price increases affect everything and everyone all the time.  Shortages and queues make everyday life hard for even those with money.  

The following items have been taken from recent issues of the Herald newspaper.  Please use them to focus your prayers for Zimbabwe and for the work of God in the nation.

“… let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap
 a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up.” Gal 6:9-10

HARVESTS.  More than half of the people of Zimbabwe live in rural areas and rely on agriculture for their food and incomes.  The nation has had two difficult years with poor rains and the harvests have produced only 50% of the annual maize requirement.  A long dry spell in mid-season this year reduced the potential harvest but good rains at the end of the season give the prospect of a crop producing two thirds of the nation’s needs.  

“… your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt 6:32-33

COST of LIVING  

At the end of February the price of diesel was increased from around $67/litre to just under $120/litre.  Now it has been increased to $200/litre – a three-fold increase in less than two months.

The price of petrol was also increased in February from around $75/litre to $145/litre, and has now gone up to $450/litre - a six-fold increase in the same period.  Transport costs affect everything.

Two ends of the same fuel queue going round the block.  Some cars are left for days waiting for a delivery to the chosen garage.

Even before the latest fuel price-rises some bus operators were charging fares several times the authorised rates.  In one week in April more than 1000 commuter bus operators were arrested for increasing fares without approval and were fined more than five million dollars.  A study by the ministry responsible for fuel showed that fuel formed between 15% and 20% of transport industry costs.  So any increase beyond that was described as profiteering.  After the latest price rise it was reported that fares had doubled or tripled.  One man with a take home pay of $30,000 per month asked how he could pay $20,000 in fares to go to work and still pay for food, rent and clothing, let alone pay school fees or the cost of medical treatment for his family.  “You will see that surviving is becoming impossible,” he said.

COST of DYING

The Ministry of Health says about 4.5 million people out of Zimbabwe’s population of 12 million is infected with the HIV/AIDS virus.  Of these about 850.000 have developed full-blown AIDS, and at least 4000 people are dying every week.  For the poor burials have become a luxury which many families cannot afford.  There are more than a thousand paupers’ burials each month across the country as relatives fail to collect bodies from the mortuaries, because they cannot afford the cost of the funeral.  This situation is unthinkable in an African culture that has a great respect for the dead.  It is a measure of the desperate times that Zimbabwe is passing thru that such strongly held beliefs are being abandoned.  Please join with us and many others here in prayer for the nation.

“You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our

behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers.” 2 Cor 1:11 RSV

We value your continued prayers and we send you our love in Jesus, Loxley & Mavis Ford

FEB 2003 UPDATE

March 2003 New Life Update - With inflation running at over 200%, the opportunities for effective Christian love to be shown have multiplied.  The Feb 2003 newsletter details some of the ways Lifeline is ministering.  The Fords enjoyed a well-earned break back in England over Christmas, and returned late January to once again plan their diesel queuing....  See the newsletter too for the progress in Peter Zulu's cancer treatment and ongoing recovery.

Brian Rensford has a booking to return to be a part of the Ministry Training Course in July and August 2003.  Holroyd NLC's youth leaders, Craig and Michelle Burns, are accompanying him to serve there too.

There are many opportunities for doing good in Zimbabwe in these days of drought, food shortages and 200% inflation.  Everyone is affected by these circumstances and many are suffering very badly.  As we help people in need we look to God for the resources to help them out of their needs.

The ongoing literature programs address their basic spiritual need of salvation and a better way of life in Jesus. Some of the other Lifeline programs offer practical help to people and communities as they seek to change their situations and help themselves to a better standard of life. 

Computers for schools

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who 

belong to the family of believers. Gal 6:10

Lifeline has been involved for many years in the two schools at Nyamuroro. In December Loxley and Mavis went there to present them with some computers donated from the UK.  For the Primary School it was their first time to have any computers. At the Secondary School the Head Teacher had set up a Community Computer Centre some time before the electricity supply was extended to their area. Then in 1998 Lifeline supplied them with six basic computers with printers. Those have now been replaced by newer machines with the Win95 operating system.  These will now enable students to learn word processing and spreadsheet skills. When the telephone service reaches the area the machines have modems installed and the school will then have access to e-mail and the internet.

Discipleship groups

“These were his instructions to them: "Plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out more 

labourers to help you, for the harvest is so plentiful and the workers so few.” Luke 10:2-3  TLB

We have been encouraged by the impact these groups have made in people’s lives in the midst of many disturbances. This is a recent testimony.

“….. thank you very much for the work of God you doing. We worried when we had our farm taken, we had nowhere to go. We went to …. and brother E followed us there. He encouraged us to pray always. We lived in a very small house. God answered our prayers. We received some money. We built our house in a short time and planted. When we finish building another big room, we want to have our meetings inside. Thank you for the teaching we received. We are enjoying our walk with God. The teachings are so good and practical in Christ.

The people dispersed from this one farm have now started discipleship groups in three other places. Pray for them to be faithful and fruitful as they share what they have learned.

Please pray too that more people will catch the vision of discipleship groups for mutual help in learning and encouragement in sharing their lives together as His disciples.

Minimum Tillage Agriculture

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest 

if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 NIV

Lifeline shares with Compassion Ministries – the outreach arm of Hear the Word church - a commitment to transforming the lives of people in this region both physically and spiritually. They have both been working in Gokwe district for many years and have now entered into a partnership in an agricultural development project in that area starting with the 2002-2003 season. This is based on one of the groups they have worked with which is led by Isaac Manyika, the former Headmaster of the primary school at Nyamuroro.

In this first season of the 3-year project 10 farmers are involved, who have already used the Minimum Tillage method. After two years of poor harvests they did not have money to plant again this season. 

So each has received a loan of inputs for maize, cotton and groundnuts and will be provided with training, advice and help during the season. The loans will be repaid from the sale of their harvest. 

<<<  Isaac Manyika   and   Don Gaylard with the farmers  >>>

The Minimum Tillage method eliminates:  #1 ploughing – saving time and costs.  #2 weeds - conserving water and fertilizer.  #3 burning of residues.  By the use of crop rotation, fertilizer and pest & disease control measures the method can improve yields compared with traditional methods by up to tenfold.

For the project to be viable it is desirable to have 200 farmers for future seasons. So the two ministries will be identifying farmers groups within the Gokwe area for the extension of the project in the 2003-2004 season. To finance the inputs for this expansion we will seek to link the farmers with local credit facilities. To fund the project we are seeking sponsors for the salary of a project manager and the transport expenses for the ministry personnel who visit the farmers up to 14 times during the season.

The other important function of these ministry personnel is the spiritual nurturing of the cell churches made up of the community members involved in the project.  We are asking for your prayerful and practical support for this project.

Peter Zulu.

Peter has responded very well to the chemotherapy, and the tumour in his bladder is substantially smaller. He has felt no pain since the pressure on his kidneys was removed, and remarkably, had virtually no side-effects from the treatment.  He has now started an intensive course of radiotherapy, due to finish in mid-March. This was originally the preferred option to chemotherapy, but there were no facilities available at that time.

As far as we know at this stage, another operation to assess the situation will follow. We are looking to God for total healing by whichever means He chooses, and ask for your continuing prayers for Peter. Any gifts towards the considerable costs of the treatment should be sent to one of the addresses below.  

He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given. Prov 19:17

Oct 2002 - LSA is currently widening its accountability base to include on an Advisory Board representatives of the principal networks of churches it works with in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, as well as a representative of Emmanuel Press (the original ministry in RSA that Lifeline first began in relationship with, to distribute their literature in Zimbabwe in the 1970's).  Representatives from the principal supporting churches overseas are also joining with Ron Davies (founder of LSA) to contribute a wider perspective to the direction and oversight of the ministry.

This is a kairos time for LMSA as it seeks to position itself to remain culturally and spiritually relevant to the changes and developments going on in the regions LSA serves in.

MAY/JUNE 2002 UPDATE

Report from Loxley Ford, LifeLine Southern Africa Coordinator

I have just returned from more than two weeks away during which I was able to be at each of the three Doulos venues here and to do some teaching at each of them.  Its amazing the changes that God is working for many of them through Doulos.  So in spite of many problems here now it continues to be a great encouragement.  The program is now becoming a real test of faith for those involved - students and teachers.  There is great hardship due to the economic situation and as one leader said to me even if you have money there is often no food to buy.  He meant their staple food maize meal and basics like sugar, oil and milk.  Bread is sometimes in short supply and is an expensive alternative to mealie meal for most people, as is rice.

I was able to get some rice and oil in Gondola for each place but it requires quite a lot to feed 15 people for 10 days.  Peter Zulu's wife Martha gave some maize from her fields to the Chinhoyi students and the church there is now paying the bills so between us they were OK this time.  Cosmos Sibanda is doing well in managing the course, as well as teaching, in the absence of George Moyo.  Being on a farm they get their vegetables and meat there and again we saw that as God's provision in the move out from Bulawayo.  Things were much harder in Gweru where it was exceedingly cold this time.  We had to have some of the lessons out in the open because the building took so long to warm up!  The numbers were down in each place this time partly because of the general problems of life now but one had got a job - a miracle now - another was writing exams, two were summoned by their main leaders to church annual meetings.

Felix, one of the former students, has become established as a teacher alongside Cosmos and we continue to encourage other former students to become involved as 'student teachers' being trained alongside the experienced teachers.  Its quite amazing that things are being shared in remote rural areas that many churches in the cities do not hear, and the students are encouraged to share the things that impact them the most with the people in their home areas. 

The program that was in Banket for the last two years has been moved to a new venue in Chinhoyi where we will have 15 students.  Then a new program is opening in Gweru this year with 20 students for the first session.

We are grateful for the gifts received for the work at the Gweru church building.  The roof over the classroom area will now be completed before the course begins and the basic furnishings and equipment are being obtained.

This picture shows, on the left below, the roof of the office block, now completed, and good progress on the roof of the classroom area.  The electricity is connected to the property and so lighting for the classroom can be installed as soon as the roof is finished.

There has been almost no rain in most of this region for the past three months.  As a result the harvest of maize for food will be severely reduced and the cash crops like cotton will also be affected with a major impact on family incomes.  There are already people starving and dying in the region as a result of the present shortage of food. So the prospect is for hard times for another year at least until the next harvest.

We continue to ask for your prayers and support for this year’s programs of training, evangelism and discipling. And for the Lifeline staff, teams and work in Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

We send you our love in Jesus, Loxley & Mavis

MARCH / APRIL 2002 LIFELINE NEWSLETTER

LifeLine in Mozambique

In March Loxley & Moses were in Mozambique for the start of the Doulos Leadership Training Program at the new venue in Gondola.  This was hosted and organized by Pastor John Moyo whose relationship with Lifeline started when Ron Davies first went to Beira during the war years. John interpreted for Ron at seminars there in the early 1980’s. Since then we have had occasional teaching seminars in Manica province and have always wanted to have a regular training program in that area. It has finally happened in Gondola and Loxley and Moses taught at the first session. This was attended by seventy church leaders from 10 different churches. It was very encouraging to see them receiving the word with such enthusiasm even though the teachings were quite new to some of them. Many commented that although they were presented in a simple way they were very powerful and practical. 

After the Doulos teaching at Gondola Loxley and Moses went on to Beira. They met there with the Child Development Program staff from Food for the Hungry International and the Doulos students. The theme of the two-day seminar was  “God’s heart for children” and 30 people participated. The seminar was held at the Lifeline Training Base where Anacleto, the overseer of Lifeline work in Mozambique lives with his family. 

The participants were challenged as they heard that God had a greater purpose for children, and a greater love for them, than they had been brought up to believe. They learned that the common off-hand approach to children’s ministry in the church did not reflect God’s heart for children. Many of those present got very excited as they were encouraged to enter into the teaching as children and as they participated in games and some of the practical aspects of children’s ministry. 

Anacleto, who is the Manager of the Child Development Program at FHI. is also overseeing the construction of a school at Cundue, which is near the Zambesi. This is the place where David Livingstone’s wife, Mary was buried. The project is being funded from South Korea and Anacleto has contracted the Ezra Project workers to do the work.

The Ezra Project was started in Beira in 2000 by Lifeline to help repair and rebuild people’s houses that were damaged by Cyclone Eline. The workers were mobilised from churches working with LifeLine and the skilled ones had apprentices working with them so that they had skills imparted to them.

When that phase of the Ezra project stopped some of the teams continued working together on private jobs. Anacleto has now been able to start a new phase and to provide them much more work on the school at Cundue.

LifeLine in Zimbabwe

In February Moses and Loxley were invited to speak at three week-end conferences for leaders of student Christian Unions arranged by FOCUS – Fellowship of Christian Unions.  There were more than 100 men and women from 20 colleges and universities present at the three venues.  We were very happy with the subject on which we were asked to speak – “Leadership.” At each venue we had several sessions and the teachings were very well received.  We look forward to having further opportunities to relate to and impact this generation of future leaders of the church and community.

DOULOS

This year we will be running the Doulos Leadership Training Program concurrently at 3 venues. These are Bulawayo, where the program started in 1997, and where we have 30 students for the 2002 course.

The program that was in Banket for the last two years has been moved to a new venue in Chinhoyi where we will have 15 students.  Then a new program is opening in Gweru this year with 20 students for the first session.

We are grateful for the gifts received for the work at the Gweru church building.  The roof over the classroom area will now be completed before the course begins and the basic furnishings and equipment are being obtained.

This picture shows, on the left below, the roof of the office block, now completed, and good progress on the roof of the classroom area.  The electricity is connected to the property and so lighting for the classroom can be installed as soon as the roof is finished.

There has been almost no rain in most of this region for the past three months.  As a result the harvest of maize for food will be severely reduced and the cash crops like cotton will also be affected with a major impact on family incomes.  There are already people starving and dying in the region as a result of the present shortage of food. So the prospect is for hard times for another year at least until the next harvest.

We continue to ask for your prayers and support for this year’s programs of training, evangelism and discipling. And for the Lifeline staff, teams and work in Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

We send you our love in Jesus, Loxley & Mavis

MARCH  2002  UPDATE

 “… go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you;  and be sure of this - that I am with you always, even to the end of the world."  Matt 28:19-20.

Lifeline still uses paper preachers and teachers to reach and disciple people all around this region in fulfilment of the Great Commission.  Many of them have no other contact with Christians or the church.  We are also using the 1-year Doulos training program to equip believers to be more effective in leadership, and in making disciples and helping churches to grow.  This year we are starting the program in Zimbabwe after the Presidential election and all the associated activities and excitement.  As we prepare for the new students we need your prayers and we need resources The church hosting the program in the new venue at Gweru is preparing a new building for their activities.

The picture on the left shows their temporary home on the site, made of tarpaulins & plastic sheets with benches of planks on bricks.  They have completed the new toilet block, the offices, counselling room and storeroom.  They are now fixing the roof over the first section of the main meeting place.  The trusses are in place and some of the roof sheets have been bought.  We need the roof to be completed before we start the program on 8^th April.  If you would like to help with the purchase of the remaining roof sheets and to provide basic furnishings for the classroom please send your gift marked Gweru Doulos project.  Thank you.

 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  2 Tim 2:2   “ .  .  .  and when we take your gifts to those who need them they will break out into thanksgiving and praise to God for your help.” 2 Cor 9:11.

This picture shows the condition of the Lifeline Land Rover when we found it in the vehicle recovery company’s yard in April 2001.  

This was after the accident in which Edmore lost most of his right hand.  The vehicle had been in use at the Lifeline Base in Beira and was registered there.  It had been donated to Lifeline by the Land Rover Co. in UK to replace the Discovery that was lost when Loxley and Mavis were hi-jacked in Lusaka in 1995.  At the time of the accident it was in Zimbabwe on a temporary import permit.  So here Peter Zulu is checking the papers that we found to see if we had all the needed documents.  Loxley and Peter faced many problems, with rebuilding, paperwork and parts, in restoring the vehicle to enable it to be used for the Lifeline work in Zimbabwe. 

The Land Rover in Banket November 2001.  Peter oversaw the rebuilding of the vehicle and Loxley dealt with the paperwork and getting the parts.  Peter’s workers stripped the vehicle down completely and straightened and repaired almost every part that could be, or had to be, re-used.  We found the other parts in many different ways and places.  By October, after much hard work and the exercise of considerable ingenuity and skill, the Land Rover was running again.  Getting the clearance papers from Mozambique then took until mid-January 2002 and it was finally registered in Zimbabwe in February.

Edmore continues to make good progress in his recovery.  He now has his “new hand” which helps him to use his right arm, and improves its appearance considerably.  He has been teaching English, Shona and Portuguese at a local language school and is seeking to set up on his own, giving individual tuition to beginners.  We thank God for His help, and your prayers, in these processes of Restoration.  Moses, who was previously with Edmore in Beira, is now working with Loxley from the base in Harare.  They are getting involved with university and college students in Christian Unions across the country as well as with the Doulos program here and in Mozambique.  So now we seek your prayers and support in this year’s programs of training, evangelism and discipling and for the Lifeline work and teams in Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.  We send you our love in Jesus, Loxley & Mavis

A real people, serving a real God, making a real difference

DECEMBER 2001 UPDATE

. thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”  2 Cor 2:14

Join us in giving thanks to God as we look back over the year 2001 and at what has been accomplished by the Lifeline team.  We rejoice in the achievements and we are grateful for your prayers and help in overcoming the setbacks.

Give thanks for the 30 graduates from the Doulos Leadership Training program.  In 2001 we had two venues in Zimbabwe – one in Banket and the other in Bulawayo. The picture shows some of the Banket group with Peter and Martha Zulu and their twins at the Kopje in Harare on the day the group visited Hear the Word church. Edmore and Moses, who was one of the teachers at Banket, were also with them. 

In Bulawayo the teaching was shared by George Moyo and Cosmos Sibanda with the help of Felix Mhlanga.

We are grateful to the churches in UK and Australia who sent teachers to assist us in both places, who brought an impartation of their gifting to the students as well as the information in the lessons.  Andrew and Morag Evans from the Acorn Church in Chesterfield, Jim and Jackie Bowler from Carmel Christian Centre in Denton, Alan & Jenny Wright from Lifeline Community Church in London, and Brian Rensford and Debbie Hudson from Holroyd New Life Church in Sydney.

Brian & Debbie also taught the Doulos group at the Lifeline training base in Beira.  We have a regular group of 25 men and women church leaders there, with another 15 who come to the sessions when their work and church responsibilities permit.

Jer. 29:7 NAS   “ … seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.”

One of the setbacks to the literature ministry was the 400% increase in postal charges in December 2000. Our correspondence course responses dropped at first by 80%.  They have now recovered to almost the previous level – just in time for another increase of 50% in the postal rates.  Please pray for the people of Zimbabwe as they face the consequences of a 100% inflation rate – and that will include our students.

Discipleship by correspondence course is all that some people have available especially in the rural areas, where many of the people of Zimbabwe live. To give more encouragement to our students to be ‘doers of the word’ we have started some discipleship groups this year using the three new LifeLine courses. The first group in a high-density suburb of Harare has completed the first study and are now functioning as a cell group. Their relationships are growing and the lessons are being applied in their lives.

We have just had a new course on the Acts of the Holy Spirit printed. Like the “Building your Life” course and the John’s Gospel course it focuses on applying the lessons to the lives of the students. It will be used in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.  We are grateful to Dayspring church in UK for producing this study and to Holroyd church in Australia for funding the printing.

In the March 2002 we will be starting the Doulos Leadership Training program again with new students in Banket and Bulawayo and at two new places - in Gweru, Zimbabwe, and at Gondola in Mozambique.  Gweru is in the Midlands province 275 kms from Harare and 160 kms from Bulawayo. Gondola is 110 kms from the border with Zimbabwe on the road to Beira.  Moses Koroka will be a full member of the teaching team and we will be assisted in each place by some of the Doulos graduates.  

Please pray for all involved in the preparations for this expansion of the training program – for teaching venues, accommodation and finance and for the right students to be able to come for training.

The Lifeline team has been asked to assist in the training and discipleship program of a group serving college and university students in 39 CU’s across Zimbabwe.  These young people will be the future leaders and influencers of the nation. So we value the opportunity to share in God’s purpose for their growth in Godly character and their understanding and use of the gifts He has given them to serve as leaders.

  The Lifeline team faced a number of problems as a result of the road accident in April in which Edmore Hute lost the fingers of his right hand. Edmore had been responsible for the base in Beira and was overseeing the process of acquiring the property for Lifeline. The good news is that Edmore has finished with the medical treatment and is about to be fitted with a prosthesis which will enable him to regain some of the use of his right hand.  In the meantime, while he is staying with Loxley & Mavis, he has been busy learning to write and type with his left hand and to manage for himself in the ordinary things of life. He is sending out CVs for every job he can find and is using his language skills in translating Doulos notes into Portuguese and Bible studies into Shona.

Pastor Anacleto Luis Ferrão has now taken responsibility for the Lifeline base and is living there with his family.  Anacleto pastors a multi-congregation church in Beira, runs the Doulos program in Beira and works as children’s programs co-ordinator for an international relief organisation. Guilherme Lino, who was with Edmore in the accident, continues to run the book room and to oversee the literature work, as well as planting churches in Beira and Tica.

The good news for us personally is that our work permits have been extended for another two years which will give plenty of time for our permanent residence application to be processed and approved.

A vision fulfilled.  This year the guest wing at the Lifeline house in Harare was completed and has already been a blessing to our many visitors.  Thank you Father.   We send you our love in Jesus with our thanks for your prayers and support,  Loxley & Mavis