Life in Zimbabwe:

“Working disciples can no longer support themselves due to the country’s soaring inflation rate. They get a salary, but they cannot afford to buy petrol for their cars and groceries for the month. Some walk to church for over 10km either way! Every disciple is in need: 215 in Harare, 55 in Bulawayo and 10 in Mutare. 

One may have cash in hand, but there is no food to spend the money on. I earn a good salary, but my fridge is empty because there is no food in the shops. My 8 month old baby is losing weight due to the poor diet.  It hurts to see my other children go off to school with a small packet of potato chips because we cannot get bread. Most people are used to having one meal a day. People have to queue in long lines at supermarkets and bakeries and food items are sold out within minutes. There are newspaper reports of people dying or being seriously injured during food stampedes is such queues!”  

Kizito Muodzi 

Reading these words of Kizito’s are enough to make your heart break. My husband and I were able to go and visit the church in March of 2008. The situation has even worsened since these words were written as our visit was just before the general elections, which is yet to be concluded.

When you understand the reality of life in Zimbabwe, you cannot get over the joy of the disciples - their faith, their vision and their desire to please God. They were generous, hospitable and warm… You would never have thought that they are experiencing all that they are! What a joyful group of men and women. 

Here in South Africa we have moaned and complained after two or four hours of load- shedding when in Zimbabwe, electricity cuts last days and even weeks!  When your eyes are on Jesus it is possible to be joyful despite your circumstances! 

Lisa Comrie - Durban  

Rudo Marovatsanga (Harare)

I am Rudo Marovatsanga. I will be 33 in June 2008. I am a single mother with two girls aged 12 and 8. I am self-employed. I sell electrical gadgets. I was married in 1995 and became a disciple in 1999. My husband never became a Christian and he was very abusive. The last time he beat me, I broke a tooth and had eight stitches in my face to repair the damage. In April 2006, he finally walked out of my life, paying no maintenance. My daughters and I felt the bite of the economic hardships in the country. We had to walk 7km to their school. Buying food or groceries became an elusive dream, yet there was not a night where we went to bed on an empty stomach. For a whole year I could not afford to pay school fees. God moved the Headmaster’s heart and he allowed the girls to stay. When there was no money for rent, we moved from house to house, taken in by both people in and out of church. What has kept me faithful is seeing the power of God in all my challenges. I have seen God’s hand provide both food and shelter. The girls are well behaved and have done very well despite their circumstances. The power of prayer has become very real.   

Themba and Buhle Ncube (Bulawayo)

When Themba became a disciple some years back, his wife Buhle was staying in the rural areas because he could not support her off his gardener’s salary. His home consisted of one small room, not big enough for two people. Soon after becoming a Christian, Themba made the radical decision to leave his job because of over-time demands that would make him miss church services. With no job and no accommodation, life was very difficult until a disciple offered him accommodation in one of the townships. Another disciple offered him commission work selling magazines. During this difficult time, Themba walked over 10km three times a week for morning prayers. Later on, after getting a job in a musical studio, Themba brought his wife Buhle and daughter Viola to live with him in a single room so that they could attend church. 

Their current home is bigger and better, but he and his wife often have to walk 15km to church because taxi fares are too high. They also, like many other families, have to contend with the country’s food shortages. 

God has come through for the Ncubes and many others like them in the Bulawayo church by moving the hearts of people in America and South Africa to help with money and food. Despite the intense suffering, the Ncubes have emerged tougher and more faithful. Their attitude is both faithful and hopeful. “My wife’s faith has grown tremendously; she is no longer just following her husband to church, but has matured in her conviction.” said Themba. 

Themba is now a powerful song leader in the church and dreams to lead a Bible Talk in Lobengula.  To God be the glory!   

Steve and Terry Angelos, Durban , South Africa

In February 2007, our family and some members of our family group were the victims of an armed robbery while in our home in Durban. Four men all armed with guns entered our home as we were finishing Bible study. Crime is a grim reality in our country, but it is truly terrifying when it becomes a personal experience. Our children were all in the house and I was only able to pull Luke, my youngest child, under me while we lay on the floor with guns to our heads. The men and women were separated and we found out later that the other children were pulled into the room and my oldest son of 11 was dragged from his bed where he was asleep. For the next 20 to 30 minutes the house was ransacked and we were held at gunpoint, not knowing whether we would live or die!

My husband’s car alarm went off and this seemed to scare the criminals because they “miraculously” vanished. We were left much traumatized, but no one was hurt. 

Although the robbery was a terrible experience, the challenge has been to deal with the effect that it had on us in a godly way. My reality and outlook has forever changed - crime is not something I just read about or hear about, but is something I think about and take extra precaution against every single day! 

We have had to work through feelings of fear, frustration, anger and despair. In all things, God promises that He is at work for our good. It is hard to see in this kind of situation. The day before the robbery, I had had a very detailed talk with my children about what to do in either a hijacking or robbery at home. I believe this was God at work to keep us safe! No one was hurt and we are all grateful to be alive and to learn that in those few minutes when your life is in danger, the only thing that matters is that you have a relationship with God!