Zimbabwe
(MNN) — Zimbabwe's
population risks starvation because of a severe drought and the effects of the
country's economic meltdown. Crippled
production and skyrocketing inflation make food hard to come by.
The United Nations World Food Program recently asked for
help from the international community for humanitarian food aid to over 3
million Zimbabweans facing severe food shortages over the next eight months.
Scott Hendrix with GAiN USA (Global Aid Network) says many Non-Governmental
Organizations are responding, including them. "We have clothing and school supplies and other things like that
we're sending, but the most critical aid is the food. In the last few years,
the team there has been going to villages and showing the JESUS Film. By showing the JESUS Film, they have
established 346 churches."
Global Aid Network is serving alongside a local partner
ministry who planted 300 new churches in 2004 through an effort known as Project
Jericho. GAiN-USA is planning a
mission trip next August 7-18 to the city of Mudzi in the Northeast part of the
country. Participants will reach out to
women and children in the various areas and distribute compassionate aid.
They're also teamed up with Feed My Starving Children who
donated the food packets for the food distribution. The packets are complete rice casseroles which include essential protein, vitamins, and starches.
Hendrix says their staff is feeling the effects of the food crisis. They're now requesting food in lieu of
paychecks but are determined to see ministry go forward. "Many people
won't come to a church, but when you come into a community and they're worried
about feeding their family, and you're able to give them some food and talk to
them about the love of Jesus Christ, we've seen some amazing results." Click here if you want more information or can help provide food.
