BULAWAYO STUDENT MINISTRY

A group of six students from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN, spent 4 weeks in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe this “summer” as participants in One Life Student Ministries. One Life ministry projects are promoted and funded by Baptist Global Response for college students who want to be involved in human needs missions on various levels; praying, giving, and going. Kelli French, Haley Jacobs, Jessica Painter, Shaina Tilley, Seth Williams, and Emmy Winfree divided their ministry time between several orphanages. The Isaiah Home is a Christian operated facility which houses newborn infants up to 4 year olds. This little one named Keith is one of the older orphans (aged 4) who lives there.

The students spent time playing with the orphans, and helping to feed them

They were able to meet the needs of physical touch that an orphan has and even put some down for naps before leaving.

The children over age five from the Isaiah House which do not get adopted locally are filtered into two other homes: Wendell’s or Rehoboth. These are considered “Forever Families”. They live in a house with house parents who will take care of them until they reach the age of 18. The students from Tennessee helped the house parents by assisting with cleanup after meals, played games with the older kids, sang songs with them, and helped them with their homework. Kelli shared that it was encouraging for her to see how much the kids felt as if this was truly their home. They had become a family of brothers and sisters of varying ages. The most difficult place emotionally to visit was the home for girls who had been taken out of abusive situations. Many of the girls, as young as 12 and 13, come to the home pregnant. They are taken care of through their pregnancy and delivery. They are also given Christian counseling to help them deal with the abuse they have experienced. They are assisted in completing their education. The babies are taken care of as well. The girls physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are all looked after. Girls who receive Christ are discipled. The older girls get additional training so they can support themselves and not feel the need to resort to prostitution when they leave the home as young adults. The students from TTU also had several opportunities to help out in the soup kitchen at Bulawayo Baptist Church. Every Tuesday and Thursday a lunch is provided for destitute and homeless folks. There is a time of singing choruses and a devotional is given as a witness to those who come in off the streets. *One Life ministry projects are promoted and funded by Baptist Global Response for college students who want to be involved in human needs missions on various levels; praying, giving, and going.