Home of Hope - Update
Harare, Zimbabwe
Christ is Our Light!!
“the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16 NIV
Dear friends,
No matter where we are or who we are, no matter if we live in darkness no matter how great it is…when Christ comes darkness flees. Much darkness is here in our land but all we can say is that God the Light of the world is amazing, his mercies and love know no bounds. No matter how many sins we committed or how we failed him, he calls on us to remind us that we are created in his image and therefore he loves us, and through his great love and mercy we can turn to him as he sent his One and Only Son Jesus to die for our sins. Whosoever believeth in him will have eternal life. That eternal life is a great light. It’s Heaven living inside us when Christ lives in us. Amazing. We rest in Jesus only for our salvation.
This Good News is for all peoples and in all nations. We are created by the Triune God so we are not alone, and we only answer to him. Many here in Zimbabwe have lost so much material wealth but through troubled waters, we have Jesus who walks on the troubled waters and tells us to come to him and despite the roaring of the seas we can carry on, walking without sinking. And when we do sink (which is often) he comes to us immediately with an outstretched hand to help us back on our feet when we call out for help.
It is amazing that we are still able to provide this ministry called Home of Hope here. We are surprised by God all the time. Each day is a big challenge. There is food, but it has become very expensive or in some cases, is in short supply. There has been no bread on the shelves for a few weeks now, but God sees and provides. We now cook sadza (mealie meal, the staple diet) with relish and vegetables to give out in the place of bread. We also provide a soft drink and soap the second week of the month. Despite the trouble, we thank God we can show people his love by providing food, drink, medicine, and the Gospel at no cost. We are grateful that God provides no matter what.
Some people come to us and ask how much is the food? How much are the training classes? How much is the medicine? How much are clothing and shoes? We say they are gifts from God. We have the opportunity to tell them God loves us so much that he wants us to turn from our sins and believe that Christ paid the price for our sins on the cross. We thank God for such great mercy and loving-kindness.
Sewing Class
We have about 14 ladies who come once a week for free sewing classes so that they can be self-supporting – mothers that need to support their families and single ladies that need to support themselves. Lucy teaches them and tells them of the great light of hope from Jesus. The ladies who come to us are destitute. We offer them breakfast and lunch and know that this may be their only meals for several days. When they complete the sewing class, they are able to make men’s and women’s clothes and school uniforms for their children. They are given a small amount of money to start their own business. This has proven to be an efficient way to tackle poverty.
Food, Medicine, and Clothing Distribution
We thank God for Outreach team members Ted and Sue Wright who provided us with medicine last August. We have given out blankets, shirts, and jeans this winter. God has given us an abundance of food from our own garden this year. We have an avocado tree that Joan planted when we first moved in. The tree keeps flowering and producing fruit every year. God has also given us banana trees which produce bunches from twenty to over two hundred bananas. We thank God that he gave us two mango trees that give us plenty of fruit later in the summer.
Education
School fees and uniforms have increased in price so much. When we first started, we could help about two hundred elementary students. Now we can only afford to help a few. For the last couple of months, it’s been hard for our students to study at night because the electricity is turned off. This is happening throughout the country.
Dear friends, we are very humbled by your love and commitment to Christ. Through him, your dedication has been used to change many lives. We remember you in our prayers as we carry on doing the will of God here in Harare.
Please continue praying for us, for Dave and Ria Rock, for everyone at Home of Hope, and for this nation. We ask special prayers for the people who don’t have much and are going through so much hardship. We are very grateful for your generosity and commitment to this ministry.
In Christ’s service,
Dave and Ria Rock
Joan and Craig Trevelyan
Read more about the Home of Hope ministry in Zimbabwe HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking $36,000 for the Home of Hope ministry to street people. Make a gift HERE or by mailing a check to our office.