An update from our Zimbabwe Team Leader

This month, on Lake Kariba,  at least 97 people (including many children and babies) were drowned after boarding an unseaworthy ferry, which had a carrying capacity of 90. It is estimated that over 180 people were on board.  Seventy seven people survived, mainly men. The ferry was the main source of transport for ‘isolated lakeshore communities'  to get to Kariba town where they would sell products to earn enough to survive for another week.  The road to town is virtually impassable. 

This road is typical of many others which are not maintained.  For instance our dedicated ZVSF team leave the day before to deliver food for schools in Lupane 100 miles away to make sure they are there at the designated time. The poor state of the roads damages vehicles and causes fatal accidents.  The high accident rate is also due to wreckless driving and unroadworthy vehicles; the numerous police roadblocks are there to collect fines and/or bribes.

Policing authorities also ignore large-scale degradation of the environment due to indiscriminate surface mining. Near Bulawayo and in our eastern highlands whole hills and mountains have been razed.

So we have a gold rush but it does not benefit Zimbabwe.  Instead our highly corrupt and undemocratic parliament regularly passes statutory  instruments to tax and levy small businesses. Such owners often chose to close  rather than operate in such a hostile environment.

Despite our neglectful leaders, or because of them, we see God remembering the vulnerable and answering their prayers.  So many people say they don't know how they are surviving, but they know its because of God. Through him ZVSF is making a difference to the district of Lupane by feeding the school children and now some school leavers are soon to start on a training programme to give them skills to earn a living.  I can only imagine their nervous excitement.  

Thank you for obeying God's leading as your have faithfully contributed generously to the work of ZVSF.  Please pray for this country for responsible government so that '(His) people will live in safety, quietly at home' - Isaiah 32:18.  God bless you.