Hope and Healing

Sekuru (meaning ‘grandfather’ in Shona) stamped out the cooking fire before settling down to his simple meal. Looking up at the hazy October sky, he shaded his eyes from the glare of another blistering day and for the umpteenth time wished for rain. Everything was parched, baked, dried out from the relentless heat. After eating, he made his way back along the dusty path to where he had been busy with the task of brick making.   He was grateful for the short gust of wind which blew up and cooled his face, unaware of the small ember being carried from the fire to the arid tuft of bush just a few feet away. Within seconds it caught alight, but Sekuru continued down the path, oblivious of the flames that had begun licking his straw home….

Within a few hours over fifty mud-on-straw homes in the Mandebvu community were gutted by fire as people stood helplessly watching their meagre possessions being swallowed in flames. Sekuru’s was the first, but the close proximity of the houses meant that the fire took only minutes to leap from one to the other. Tragically, no one was aware that a young expectant mother and her child lay sleeping in the house next to Sekuru’s. By the time they were found, it was too late.

The trauma has been huge. It shows on the faces of the victims. They have lost everything, which was very little to begin with. A few have part-time jobs within the area, but many are unemployed. A week later, some could still be found returning to gaze at the charred remains of where their homes had stood, their eyes empty and defeated. However, churches, schools, businesses, NGO’s and individuals have rallied in an incredible way with food, clothing and building materials to help restore what was ravaged and stolen by fire.

Meantime, there has been a flurry of excitement at Foundations for Farming over the last few weeks as preparations got underway at Clouds End to receive the physically challenged community from Chivhu. Trainers have been busy prepping lectures, ramps have been built for wheel chairs, accommodation has been geared for special needs – everything has been buzzing with the anticipation of welcoming these special guests. However, some administrative delays necessitated a temporary postponement, which although disappointing, opened the opportunity of serving the Mandebvu community in the meantime.   For the next two weeks FfF will walk a journey with these precious people, a journey during which they will be loved and served as they hear the Gospel and are equipped with tools to help rebuild their lives. A journey on which the team will share God’s farming methods on how to grow food to feed and support their families. Included in this will be a teaching on good budgeting and stewardship of money. They will also hear how and why God designed the family, and be introduced to five biblical values for family living. Throughout all of this the Alpha Course will be woven in on a daily basis to offer the opportunity of getting to know Jesus in a personal way, and hopefully learning their intrinsic value in the eyes of God.

Once the course is completed, FfF will dedicate themselves to walking alongside this community for a year with regular visits and encouragement.

What a privilege to serve these people, who are so close to God’s heart. Our prayer is for His healing flow over them, and that the light of Christ will shine into their spirits.