This precious video was posted yesterday by our Hands of Hope brother and ministry partner, Jephat Chifamba.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Judy's Update
Sheer joy. This is what we see and feel as we work with these beloved children. We are doing Camp Allelu here for children primarily from local feeding centers, ages 5-15. As we focus on teaching the children that they are loved by God (as most come from very broken homes), we are privileged to be a part of such godly influence alongside Hands of Hope. The Zimbabwe Hands of Hope team is phenomenal at working with the children, and we are thoroughly enjoying our time with all of them. We appreciate your continued prayer in ministering to the hearts and souls of these young children.
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| A sweet reunion. |
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| Melvin plays American football with the CA campers. |
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| Teaching the campers 1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is..." |
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| Arts & crafts time. |
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| "Lucy" sure looks a lot like Judy! ;-) |
We continue to minister to these sweet children through creative ways. The older girls have been given the wonderful gift of learning the skill of sewing from some wonderful ladies that work at Hands of Hope. Thanks to Westover and their donation of sewing machines, these girls are learning a skill that they can carry with them for a lifetime and provide clothing for themselves and their families. There is so much joy, excitement and accomplishment in the room as we watch them learn.
Along with Camp Allelu, we are also constructing a commercial size chicken coup for approximately 3,500 chickens! The construction crew has been working diligently with several local Zimbabwe men to build this structure and are having excellent progress. In two and a half days we have set 2800 feet of cement bag wall. That's roughly 150 ft an hour. The process involves constant shoveling of dirt, adding cement and water, mixing, filling buckets and wheelbarrows, pouring the dirt/cement mixture into long bags, wrestling the dirt to the end of the bag, setting it, then tamping it to a 5" tall brick the length of a wall. By the end of the day we were setting roof beams. We are transitioning today to preparing the floor and finishing the roof. Please pray for the strength of these men and that the chicken coup will be a blessing to Hands of Hope as they use their chickens to build and support their ministry.
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| MKs Callah and Iain are there to help too! :-) |
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| Still smiling as the sun sets. |
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| Thank you Steve & Anthea for this beautiful shot! |
I also want to ask for continued prayer for our wonderful leader, Robert, as we are in the last leg of the trip. Under his leadership we are able to share our team devotional time at night with the Hands of Hope Zimbabwe team and build beautiful relationships.
Judy
Judy
Out of sequence, but I had to share this
My apologies in advance to those with OCD tendencies, because this post is out of order. But, I did just receive it from Judy today, and I had to share it. (We'll just chalk it up to internet gremlins delaying this update.)
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7-20-2015 Thank you Lord! We have arrived on African soil! When we departed Greensboro we had originally planned on paying for seven additional checked bags at $100 each. The Lord blessed us with an airline staff that did not require the additional payments for these bags and they were checked. Thank you Lord! This morning we had an uneventful flight from DC to Ethiopia then on to Zambia and then onto Zimbabwe. We thank you all for your daily prayers and please continue to pray for the renewal of our energy and the spectacular first day at Hands of Hope. - Westover Zim Team 2015
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Friday, July 24, 2015
Karanda Hosptial
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| 7-24-15 - From Donya's facebook post: “We had an amazing time visiting Karanda Hospital yesterday and today. Please continue to pray for this hospital and their ministry.” |
Thursday, July 23, 2015
So filled with Joy!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers, especially yesterday for our bags! We had a sweet time at Foundations for Farming; their heart for Jesus shines in every story they shared!
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| Brian Oldrieve, Founding Farmer of Foundations for Farming, shares his ministry with the Team |
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| The Team listens to a demonstration of farming methods from a FfF Staff Member |
Can't wait to share more stories with you all!
Love, Donya
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Brittany Evans - First official trip post
"Yesterday" was the day. We arrived safely, and we have already seen God work mightily. During our time getting into the country, we encountered great difficulty in customs as we tried to get our luggage through. This time forced our team to simply stop and pray. As we sat and held onto our luggage, we could not do anything to change the situation except ask our Almighty Lord for His help and will. Judy was working her magic as she beautifully became friends with the people working customs, and the rest of our team prayed. Quietly we waited and watched many people walk through the door that we have anticipated walking through for months. Several hours later we were given the okay, and we too made it through those long awaited doors! That in and of itself is a wonderful miracle, and a great way to begin our trip of watching God at work.
Since arriving we have gone to Hands of Hope and visited Foundations for Farming. Foundations for Farming is an incredible organization built with the goal to work, serve and evangelize for the glory of the Lord. Their work in agriculture is to cultivate a harvest, teach people how to farm God's way and allow families to farm and eat from their own plots of land. One small plot of land, costing $50, can feed a family for one year. We pray for this organization, this ministry, as it continues serve and teach the people here in Zimbabwe, and beyond, how to grow bountiful crops. We are very grateful to see the love and light of our Savior in the men who lead it.
Foundations for Farming motto: Equipping the church and the nation to rebuild Africa
Find out more: http://www.foundationsforfarming.org/
Find out more: http://www.foundationsforfarming.org/
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Short and sweet from Jeff Neubauer
After 40+ hours of traveling we were SO HAPPY to get this message from Jeff. Our thanks to his bride, Ashley, for getting it to us. Thank you for praying, and for your continued intercessions for the team.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jephat
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2015 11:39 AM
To: aneubauer
Subject: He's here!
Hey baby, I'm here. No real internet yet; emailing from Jephat's phone. Love you guys!
Jeff
Monday, July 20, 2015
Sun. & Mon: In Transit and Judy's PR
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| From Donya - The Team as of 11:00 pm Sunday night. Lookin' good! |
Judy's additional prayer request (sent 8:43 am, Monday July 20):
“Thank you for your prayers! On Tuesday, July 21, at 8:00 am your time there is huge prayer need for us as we go through Customs with all of those precious gifts for the people of Zim; please join us in this prayer.”
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| From Ashley - Monday, July 20, 8:43 am - Luggage loaded. Please pray it all gets through Customs and to its final destination. |
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Zimbabwe 2015 Prayer Calendar
As we go we talk over and over about the importance of prayer and having people at home who are praying for us. We covet your prayers and know how important they are and can't express our gratitude enough for them. Thank you for praying for us as we go.
July 19 – We meet for prayer at 6:30 PM, Join us in person to pray for
us as we leave and pray for those who are staying.
Melanie requests, “My prayer
request for this trip is for God to open my eyes to ways I can serve the
missionaries of Zimbabwe, the students, my teammates and all those surrounding
me. I want to be His hands and His feet and to grow more into the likeness of
who He is! I also would like prayer for super natural energy!”
July 20th – We fly from DC to Ethiopia today. Please pray for
our hearts to be prepared and that we would be able to rest on the flight.
Melvin asks, "Pray for us to be the best servants possible and have the right heart and mindset while we serve. Pray for safe traveling and no lost, stolen, or confiscated luggage. Pray for good health; no sickness or injuries. Pray that everyone will receive God given strength to accomplish more than imagined: perseverance for any challenge, unabating love, and an unequivocal sense of peace from God knowing that everything is in His hands. Pray that Christ will grow us, and those we will work alongside of, during this time of serving. Pray for our families and significant others while we are away. Thank you Lord for all the blessings and the trials, and for all that you do for us that we don't even know about every single day!
July 21st – Today we arrive in Zimbabwe. Please pray that our bags all make it through customs without any issues as we have many things packed in them that may bring up questions.
Angie requests, "Please pray that I will be open to everything God has for me! That I will be used for His glory and not my own. For peace, energy, strength, good health and positive thoughts. Pray for Dennis, my mom and my best friend, Annette--that they will have peace and be kept safe while I'm away."
July 22nd - We will
spend the day today visiting Foundations of Farming and seeing their ministry.
We will also stop by the market and then see the orphan homes that Hands of
Hope runs. Pray for the different ministries that we will see today that they
may thrive and glorify God.
Steve requests "Pray for peace and clarity in being able to leave the office behind for me. I have many people that depend on me and I have multiple high level projects going on at the moment. Pray for our family members that we leave behind. Pray for a willingness to be used in whatever capacity is needed."
July 23rd – Today we will be driving several hours to visit
the Karanda Hospital which is famous for its quality of care. We will be doing
a camp afternoon for the kids there and doing dinner and dessert with the staff
to encourage them. Pray that we would not be stopped by the police while we
travel and that our time with the staff at Karanda would be renewed.
Jason asks for prayer for the aquaponics system at Hands of
Hope, that we may learn while at Karanda and be able to help get the one at
Hands of Hope running well.
July 24th – Today we tour Karanda and spend some time
with friends and other missionaries in Zimbabwe. We will be visiting and eating
with the Loves tonight and look forward to seeing them again!
Lynn asks, “Pray that God will give me the words and messages I
need to share with our nationals and missionaries in Zimbabwe, Angola, &
Uganda. Pray also for health and strength for this six week long trip.”
July 25th – A day of rest before camp starts. We will
be organizing and polishing up everything we need for camp and construction. We
will also take some time today to try to help with the aquaponics system at Habitation
of hope and get it running well.
Judy aks that you “Pray that I may have ears to hear & eyes
to see beyond the words spoken. Pray I might depend on Jesus daily for strength
and wisdom.”
July 26th – Sunday we will be visiting some of the
local churches, one of which is the church attended by some of the workers who
helped us last year! The kids will also arrive for camp this afternoon, please
pray for the camp and that the kids would see the love of God through us.
Pray that Donya would have the energy and focus needed to
organize and run the camp this week. That she would have wisdom and her love
for God would overflow into the lives of the kids.
July 27th – This will be our first day of camp and
construction. The first day is always hard as we will be trying to figure out
how everything will go and as we get the feel for both the camp and the
construction of the chicken run.
Pray that Jeff would have wisdom and a great understanding as we
begin the construction project. That he would have a grasp on the project and
know what needed to be done and be able to delegate well.
July 28th – The chicken run that we will be building
this week will be approximately 100 feet by 30 feet and will be constructed with
concrete and dirt bags like last year with wooden poles and a metal roof. We
will have several men from Zimbabwe working with us, please pray that we would
bond well with them and encourage them in the Gospel.
Ashley requests, “My prayer
request is that God's will be done in every area and in everyone that will part
take in this journey.”
July 29th – Camp Allelu Zimbabwe is made up of 50
children who are part of the feeding programs. They receive 1 meal a day and
many have no family. They often don’t have people in their lives to show them
love. Pray that God would use our team to minister to these kids.
Pray that Brittany would be used by God in a mighty way to reach
out to these kids. That He would use her gifts and abilities to in teaching in
a mighty way and that she would have patience and strength throughout the week.
July 30th – This is our last full day of camp and
construction. We desire to finish the projects we started and to love these
kids well throughout the whole week. Pray that God would give us the strength
to finish strong and the love to put people over projects.
July 31st – Today is a fun day where we take the kids
to the lion and cheetah park and spend time laughing and smiling. The last day
of camp can be hard for the kids and for our team. This is the day where we
leave ones that we have spent a week getting to know and have grown to love. It’s
a bittersweet time, please pray for comfort and full hearts that know Christ.
Traci requests, "Pray for Family members here. Pray for the children coming, hearts are prepared and that they feel at home, safe and loves when they're with us. For continued bonding of the team and that our hearts are ready to serve the Lord in every way that arises."
August 1st – Balley Vaughn is a game park run by long
time friends of Judy and Lynn. We will spend the day relaxing and enjoying God’s
creation. Pray for laughter and the ability to process all that God has done
and taught us this week.
Pam requests, “May God continue to prepare me with patience, courage, humility,
and faith. That He give me peace, strength, love and hope. That He allows me to
see others through His eyes. Let me be ready and willing for whatever God has
for me.”
August 2nd – Our last day in Zimbabwe. Pray that travels
would be smooth as we leave Harare at 3pm. We fly to Ethiopia and then have a
long flight back to DC.
Robert asks, “Pray for strength for the final leg of the trip and
the ability to sleep on the plane. Please pray that I would see opportunities
throughout the trip to show Christ’s Love until we land in Greensboro.”
August 3rd – Pray for our layover in DC that all of
our luggage arrives safely and that we are able to rest as we continue to
debrief and see some of the city. We arrive back in Greensboro!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Preparing for July
Greetings to all our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!
As July approaches quickly, our team is meeting, planning
and laughing as we enjoy each other’s company. Preparing lesson plans and
packing lists creates and ever-so real feel to this journey that we are
embarking on as a team. Our team has melded beautifully with no doubt that God has
uniquely crafted this team in order to fulfill His purpose for our trip.
In our first meeting we each shared a word that summarized
the way we feel about this trip. The common words were “expectant”, “excited”,
“thankful”. These words ring true how we are expectant that God’s hand will
move as we follow His will, not of our own doing, but because He is a faithful
and mighty God who moves when we allow Him to work in our lives. We are excited
to rejoin and meet the warm people of Zimbabwe. And ultimately, we are thankful
that the Lord has allowed us to share in this small part of His plan.
We eagerly await our voyage to Zimbabwe and are incredibly
grateful for your prayer and support. We are not yet fully funded, which can be
intimidating; however, we confidently rest in God’s hand and in His faithful
provision.
Grace and peace in our Lord’s name,
The Zim Team
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