(Cover photo released from Sokwanele)
Zimbabwe (MNN) ― Although Zimbabwe's national unity government has launched an ambitious 100-day reform program, a cholera outbreak and mass starvation threatens to derail it.
Although the country has just adopted the U.S. dollar and the South African rand as its currency, replacing the Zimbabwe dollar, there's a long way to go.
Ordinary Zimbabweans are desperately short of food, healthcare, clean water, and safe sanitation. Because the country's water and sewage systems have not been repaired, cholera is on the rise. The World Health Organization says more than 91,000 cases of cholera have been reported.
There were concerns that humanitarian response might be thwarted or stolen. However, Global Aid Network's Charles Debter says, "We have contacts at the highest level of government with the new Prime Minister, and through those relationships we're able to ensure that the aid is reaching its intended destination."
Partnerships make ministry possible. Debter says, "'Feed My Starving Children' connected Global Aid Network with Willow Creek Community Church in the Chicago area, and this church is bringing together their membership to pack up four million meals."
Global Aid Network and ministry partner Life Ministry are also providing water purification devices, food and medicine to 56 orphanages. They're also providing assistance to clinics, schools, and churches in the areas hardest hit by the cholera epidemic, including Harare, Mafbingo and Mutare.
In addition, their team is sending two large water treatment systems into an area where GaiN USA helped to build a school. The water systems are capable of purifying 10,000 gallons of water per day -- enough clean water for 2500 people.
Life Ministry is distributing humanitarian aid as a part of a larger project of sharing the love of Christ with the poor of Zimbabwe. The organization has developed a prayer movement in collaboration with local churches, training in evangelism and discipleship, and church planting as part of a holistic approach to ministry there.
Pray for open doors for the Gospel. "When people are facing survival for hunger and thirst, it gives our ministry and our local partners a chance to reach out with the grace of the Lord," Debter explains. "Through these efforts and through showing the Jesus film, many people are coming to Christ."
