It must have been about 18 months ago when we first felt an unusual and growing concern for Zimbabwe, and a burden to pray for that country and her people but, particularly, our Christian brothers and sisters there. Yes, Dolly's mom, sister and other relatives are there, but it was more than that. So, when two supporting friends offered Dolly a ticket to accom-pany them there in April, Dhan seized the opportunity to join them for three weeks of over-due vacation. He asked Dolly's sister in Zim if, while there, we could have the opportunity to meet, informally, with the few pastors we'd come to know on a previous visit. You're probably aware that Zim has the highest rate of inflation in the world (over 2000%) and its political situation is the subject of many news reports. We wanted to hear from these leaders (apart from the media) how they were coping with the deteriorating situation and, if possible, to encourage them. What emerged in the course of arranging this was a series of meetings with pastors and leaders at six different locations. When we were e-mailed the schedule, we were both somewhat apprehensive as this was not what we had in mind so we wondered what we should be saying to these leaders. However, we sensed that the Lord Himself was in it and that these were divine appointments.

The flight from London to the capital Harare was ten hours. Early on the morning after our arrival, we were driven to Redcliff about 3 hours away. A group of about 25 pastors/leaders awaited us, some of them having walked for hours, not having the bus fares. They expected us to address them so Dhan spoke on the nature of the church in the context of its worldwide mission. The rest of the six hours we spent together were taken up by these leaders sharing on the state of the church, the testings they were experiencing and how they were coping. The Lord graciously gave Dhan words of encouragement and exhortation to share with them.

The following day, we met with a similar group of about 50 in Harare.

On week two, we journeyed to Banket, a formerly thriving farming area two hours away, with another 23 leaders present. On each occasion, the proceedings followed the same pattern.

Thousands celebrate the Resurrection on the mountainside at Wedza.

During the second week, we fellowshipped with four other pastors who minister in the Harare suburbs. That weekend, Dhan spoke at a retreat with over 15,000 present on a hillside in rural Wedza.

On his final Sunday there, Dhan also preached in Harare and, later that week, met with about 55 of the Church's leaders. Two other requests to speak to workers at factories in Banket and Harare were also fulfilled.

What we found remarkable about these meetings was how well we were received by the people, the vast majority of whom we'd never known before. After all, who were we to ask them to open up to us, albeit as fellow-believers? Yet, they shared frankly but wisely, never focusing on their political situation. Though obviously hurting from their economic plight, they displayed a rare resilience, evidence of their maturing faith in the Lord. Still, they desired to learn how to cope better that they might honor Him. Their stories were very touching. You wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. Most of them had never met with other pastors before, so these meetings gave them rare opportunity to discuss their problems among themselves. As I moderated these meetings, I was aware of being used by the Lord to allow them to come up with their own solutions. We truly praise God for the opportunity to bring them together. We are told that Zimbabweans are a very docile people and it seems that this quality also makes them very teachable. We feel that discipleship and leadership training are the most pressing needs of the Church in Zimbabwe.

Perhaps, you're wondering whether we had a vacation at all. Yes, we did – with opportunity to spend three days on a houseboat on Lake Kariba, fishing bream and tiger fish among hippos and crocodiles and, together with visits to game reserves, viewing loads of elephants, giraffes, all kinds of deer and birds, zebra, wildebeest, warthogs, etc etc. There is always so much to see there. You get a fresh appreciation for the vast, varied, and absolutely stunning, creation that our God has brought into being and sustains by His mighty power.

But by far the great highlight of our trip was the privilege of meeting with the pastors/leaders of Christ's church in Zimbabwe, listening to them and learning from them, and being able to encourage them. There is something wonderfully stirring and refreshing about their faith. It seems to us that the Lord is taking them through these experiences to prepare them for His kingdom work in Africa and beyond. We feel that we received more from them, than they from us. Truly, we returned greatly refreshed but still very burdened.

There are big storm clouds over Zimbabwe, but don't let the sun go down on that Nation! They are asking for our help. Please pray with us!

Thanks for sharing in this ministry. We are privileged and blessed by your partnership with us. God bless you!