Zimbabwe Newsletter Easter 2014 Ebenhaezer Masvingo Isiah 53:1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For HE grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; HE had no form or majesty that we should look at HIM, and no beauty that we should desire HIM. HE was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces HE was despised, and we esteemed HIM not. Surely HE has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed HIM stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But HE was pierced for our transgressions; HE was crushed for our iniquities; upon HIM was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with HIS wounds we are healed. JESUS!!! He is the reason why we celebrated this Easter weekend together with our dear ones in Zimbabwe! There is no other name like HIS and this is why we want to glorify HIM through this Newsletter. After traveling for about eleven hours, we; Brother and Sister Human, Brother Brandow and ourselves safely arrived in Mberengwa. On our way the LORD protected us from a terrible accident. An oncoming truck was overtaken by another truck and just in time the LORD made space for us on the opposite side on the gravel. Thank you JESUS! These four days were filled with testimonies and the confirmation that the HOLY SPIRIT was amongst us. More than once the Holy Spirit spoke the exact words in more than one person s heart; just to confirm that everyone hearing the words, heard correctly. Upon entering one specific church building, the HOLY SPIRIT spoke these words in the hearts of two of us; This congregation is blessed because of the many children who are here. This was very interesting, because in Zimbabwe we actually have many children in every congregation! In this church service one of the brothers spoke directly with these children. They wanted to give their hearts to JESUS, and were led in prayer. What an awesome GOD we have, because HE loves and cares for the children. In that same service, at exactly the same time, the LORD told the same two persons to pray for one specific girl. We also prayed for a young boy. Two years ago I took a photograph of the children in this congregation. Every time I looked at one specific young boy on a photograph, my heart got heavy, and I started to pray for him in particular. It was this boy for whom we also prayed on that day. The heaviness and darkness left his heart and immediately after prayer one could see the change in his face and posture. Suddenly there was light and hope in his eyes! Thank you JESUS! Most of Zimbabwe has experienced a very good rainy season, in fact the best in many years! Our Brothers and Sisters are full of thankfulness about the rain! Many of the dams were overflowing, most people had a good harvest and their cattle are in very good condition. Because of the rain, many roads were in very bad conditions and on some we were just constantly driving in and out of holes!
We sometimes receive used clothing for our congregations in Zimbabwe. More than once from as far away as Switzerland and Germany dear ones there go out of their way to get these clothes to South Africa. These clothes are welcomed with open arms, and a prayer of blessings over the donators! We stand in awe how the LORD works in the hearts of HIS children and the love and care you show through what you do! Together with our Brothers and Sisters from Zimbabwe we want to say thank you for going to such trouble, to get these clothes to us. May GOD richly bless you. At one congregation a Sister approached us with a broad smile. She asked us if we remembered her and showed us her little baby. For many years she and her husband did not have a child. One day, last August they came for prayer and by September already she was expecting a baby. She told us that she never had any problem during the pregnancy and that the baby was healthy and strong! Praise the LORD! We were also very thankful to see that our church building in Masvingo (picture on letterhead) was newly painted. This was something we had hoped for, for a long time. Thank you LORD for the paint which could be purchased, as well as the willing Brothers who did the work. The building really looks neat and beautiful now! More than once, the LORD really spoke deep into our hearts through HIS word! Once we read the words which JESUS spoke in John 17 verse 4. JESUS was at the end of HIS earthly life. HE is praying- and although HE knew what was waiting for HIM, HE was not praying for HIMSELF, but for the disciples and HE worshipped HIS FATHER. To us, the last words spoken by someone who is dying or leaving us forever are very important. This scripture here, spoke deep into our hearts. JESUS says in John 17 verse 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. Wow! The question which arose in our hearts was: What are we living for??? Do I live for myself, my honor, my time, my money, do I live to make the time on earth as nice and comfortable as possible, or should we do as JESUS did, and make it our goal to just live to glorify GOD on earth and to finish the work which HE gave me to do? Have we even bothered to find out which work HE gave me or you to do? If JESUS came to glorify GOD, so should we! Will we be able, at the end of our road to say the same words as JESUS did? We also heard in that same service, that we must make a decision for JESUS CHRIST, then follow it through and fight the good fight. Because church is not for entertainment on weekends, but to follow JESUS every day, in everything we do. We have to guard our hearts like we hear in Proverbs 4 verses 20 to 24. Part of our kitchen team in one of the three kitchens there. During Easter weekends up to 1500 congregation members come to church here and also enjoy a meal! Here we make boiling water for tea and cooking! Many congregation members come by donkey cart
Everywhere we came we really enjoyed such hospitality. Every time we are amazed! One night we slept over in Zvishavane, at Brother and Sister Taffa s house. They even moved out of their bedrooms for us, even though we tried to change that. May the LORD bless everyone with HIS wonderful blessings for the love and hospitality they offer us every time we are in Zimbabwe. We also visited Benson in hospital, although it was already late at night. This visit also was from the LORD, as Benson was not in a good condition, and we could help him in a specific manner. There is a chance that perhaps he could get into a home for disabled, which would be much better for him. But in Zimbabwe there are many persons like Benson, and it will be a miracle from the LORD, if he can get into that home. Would you please pray for him? (Remember he fell into a fire over three years ago, lost his arms and has a crippled leg because of that. Since then he is in hospital) When we arrived in Dekezi we were accompanied by music for the last 200 meters. This congregation is also very blessed with many children and youth. The children immediately gathered to sing a very nice song to us. They were not even finished yet, when from the other side the youth started singing. We really had a very blessed Holy Communion service here. The church was filled with people. When, after the service we asked that the youth should stay behind, so that someone could talk just to the youth we were surprised! The church was still nearly filled with people, but this time just with the youth! We wondered where the older people sat before! This is just the youth and perhaps three or four youth workers! When we went to Zimbabwe in January I had some baby clothing which some of our senior Sisters in Jatniel had knitted. For one pink pullover, I just didn t find the right person and took it home again. This time I saw a baby and the mother and knew they would be the receivers of the pullover and hat. Sister Elna also had something for someone, and it turned out to be the same person. Again we got the confirmation that we heard the right voice. Someone also made baby clothes and shopping bags from left over material, and everything could be given away. Praise the LORD!
More than once it happened that the brothers in church had exactly the same scriptures they wanted to share with us, as well as the same direction in message. More than once they thought to say something different just before the service or even prepared for it. But in church the Holy Spirit changed it to HIS message. It was such a blessing. After the service in Dekezi we went on our way to Bikita. We arrived there on Saturday at around 20:30. Because Brother Brandow had offered earlier to conduct a financial Christian Teaching, everyone was already waiting for him. So he started that night at nine o clock till about half past ten with the teaching. The congregation learned a lot and were really blessed. What a privilege it was for them. When we entered the service on Sunday, we nearly thought we were in Jatniel. A full band was playing in harmony. One organ, two mouth organs, two or three tambourines and one saxophone. We never saw the saxophone before and asked the young man of about 15 years of age when he got the sax, and when did he start to play it? His answer astonished us. He said that he played this instrument for only a week!!!! He played every song, and he played it beautifully!!! This really is a gift from the LORD! The service was very blessed and we again felt the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT. At the end of the service my husband and I knelt in front of the congregation and they prayed for us because one week later we would leave for three months in Hungary again, like last year. We really felt that something happened in the Spirit when our dear ones laid hands on us. And even my hip was touched. I struggled for weeks already with severe pain and in Zimbabwe sometimes did not know how to walk. Immediately after the service I walked and sat in our vehicle later on for the long road home, and did not have any problems! Thank you JESUS! After the service we gave some sweets to the children. We did not have a lot, but everyone could get one and they were very happy! These children sat in church on the floor for two and a half hours and where totally quiet! We thought of ourselves when we were that age and remembered that we were not so well behaved. Also in this service Brother Whitey spoke directly to the children, and they listened and responded. What a blessing it was.
On our way home we were really praising that the LORD might open the border for us. With the Easter weekend this border is a very big challenge. Thousands of people pass through that border. And our Heavenly FATHER was so faithful, in just one hour we were through the border!!! Hallelujah!!! But this was not the end In South Africa, just on the same route we were driving, thousands of people attended church services for the Easter weekend. Approximately 800 to 1000 vehicles per hour drove through different tollgates. And this continued the whole day. We stopped in Pietersburg at Brother and Sister van Zyl s house for a wonderful supper. They tried to convince us to sleep over at their house, as we would not get home that same night because of the traffic. But we really had to push on. And again our FATHER was wonderful! When we came to the road where all the busses and vehicles from the ZCC church join with our road, we saw the first few busses arrive and we just made it to be in front of them!!! Is this not wonderful??? And this, even after first stopping for supper! We can just thank and praise our GOD! As the LORD wants and we are still alive, we will be back in Zimbabwe in August. When we left Zimbabwe we just felt again how much we have come to love everyone there. We also can look through the years and see what a wonderful work the LORD has done, first in us, as well as in many other people. We are sorry that this Newsletter is so late; but with all the unpacking and packing and traveling to Hungary, we did not manage to write earlier! Thank you again for every prayer. We know that we are dependent on them! May GOD bless you!.. With lots of love and appreciation, Jürgen, Martina,.. Wynand Brandow, Elna and Whitey Human