Christian Outreach to Southern Africa
Newsletter—February 2011
9 February 2011
Dear COSA Friends,
Well, we are back in Zimbabwe. After our very challenging 2010, we are greatly relieved to be in Masvingo and a much less complicated way of life. We do thank you all for the prayers that encouraged us during the roller coaster ride our new grand-daughter took us on. As of this month, Seanna is eight months old and is up to a whopping 12 pounds. God has answered the prayers for Seanna and the rest of our family.
It was not easy to say good-bye when Will, Sarah and Seanna dropped us off at the Cincinnati airport on 10 January. We left the USA just ahead of the blizzards and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 11th of January. We finally arrived in Masvingo on the 14th after a safe and uneventful journey from South Africa.
Now that we are back in Masvingo, there is much to do. The projects put on “hold” in 2010 are back on top of the list along with some new ones.
We have started working on the new church building for the Matsveru congregation. Their old building was unsafe and near collapse, so we have decided to do a complete rebuild. They have been busy moulding and burning bricks for the new building. The church members have also completely knocked down the old building and are getting ready to dig the foundation trenches for the new building. Our builder, Carl Pistorius, has quoted a building cost of approximately $20,000 for all materials and labour. If all goes well, we hope to see the building completed by June. The biggest roadblock is the finance issue. We have $3,000 on hand designated for the building. So, we can only build as the funding comes in. So, we will build on that basis and pray that the remaining $17,000 comes to hand before June. Otherwise, this project could last all year. And the congregation at Beit Bridge are chaffing at the bit to get started on their building. We shall watch and pray.
We are in the process of starting a project for the orphans in the Mandamabwe area near Masvingo. We have been paying school fees, providing some clothing and food for this group for the past two years. There was a pressing need for a well (borehole) for the two villages where these kids live. We approached IDES (International Disaster Relief Service) and they agreed to fully fund the well project. So, in the next few months we anticipate the drilling to get done, a pump to be installed and a storage tank to be placed at the site. The contract with the drilling company should be signed in a few days. Then we wait until the drilling rig can be moved to the site and the drilling to begin.
Plans are being made for the Easter Revivals in and around Masvingo. Although they won’t take place until the end of April, the churches are planning ahead. The District Women’s Conference is going to meet at Masvingo Christian Church on 18-21 February. Karen has been asked to speak at that conference.
Although Zimbabwe faces many problems and challenges, the churches remain strong and there is growth. It is exciting to see what God is doing here.
Yours in Christ,
Ben and Karen
Dear COSA Friends,
Well, we are back in Zimbabwe. After our very challenging 2010, we are greatly relieved to be in Masvingo and a much less complicated way of life. We do thank you all for the prayers that encouraged us during the roller coaster ride our new grand-daughter took us on. As of this month, Seanna is eight months old and is up to a whopping 12 pounds. God has answered the prayers for Seanna and the rest of our family.
It was not easy to say good-bye when Will, Sarah and Seanna dropped us off at the Cincinnati airport on 10 January. We left the USA just ahead of the blizzards and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on the 11th of January. We finally arrived in Masvingo on the 14th after a safe and uneventful journey from South Africa.
Now that we are back in Masvingo, there is much to do. The projects put on “hold” in 2010 are back on top of the list along with some new ones.
We have started working on the new church building for the Matsveru congregation. Their old building was unsafe and near collapse, so we have decided to do a complete rebuild. They have been busy moulding and burning bricks for the new building. The church members have also completely knocked down the old building and are getting ready to dig the foundation trenches for the new building. Our builder, Carl Pistorius, has quoted a building cost of approximately $20,000 for all materials and labour. If all goes well, we hope to see the building completed by June. The biggest roadblock is the finance issue. We have $3,000 on hand designated for the building. So, we can only build as the funding comes in. So, we will build on that basis and pray that the remaining $17,000 comes to hand before June. Otherwise, this project could last all year. And the congregation at Beit Bridge are chaffing at the bit to get started on their building. We shall watch and pray.
We are in the process of starting a project for the orphans in the Mandamabwe area near Masvingo. We have been paying school fees, providing some clothing and food for this group for the past two years. There was a pressing need for a well (borehole) for the two villages where these kids live. We approached IDES (International Disaster Relief Service) and they agreed to fully fund the well project. So, in the next few months we anticipate the drilling to get done, a pump to be installed and a storage tank to be placed at the site. The contract with the drilling company should be signed in a few days. Then we wait until the drilling rig can be moved to the site and the drilling to begin.
Plans are being made for the Easter Revivals in and around Masvingo. Although they won’t take place until the end of April, the churches are planning ahead. The District Women’s Conference is going to meet at Masvingo Christian Church on 18-21 February. Karen has been asked to speak at that conference.
Although Zimbabwe faces many problems and challenges, the churches remain strong and there is growth. It is exciting to see what God is doing here.
Yours in Christ,
Ben and Karen
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