Pastor's Conference

In late March, 2014,leaders from churches in the Mberengwa Insiza Baptist Association came together at the Neta Orphan Caring Center for a time of discipleship and teaching. The conference was set to begin Monday morning, and we arrived promptly at around 10am, only to find that we were the first ones there. Not unusual for Africa. However, we discovered only after arriving that the participants would only be coming late in the afternoon, since they had to take care of homes, fields, and livestock before they could come. The participants finally began arriving late afternoon (Africa time, for sure!), and we were finally able to begin the first session just before dinnertime in a nearby school classroom. Ten men and nine women from these churches gathered, and sat for two days under the teaching of Rev. Steve Skinner, pastor of Carroll Baptist Church in Southlake, TX.

Pastor Steve and Rev. Ricky Davis led the participants through an in depth study of the book of Ephesians, focusing on their responsibilities as lay leaders of their respective churches. Missionary Ramona Beam and another member of the Carroll Baptist team, Traci Cooper, led sessions for the women based on Proverbs 31 and Titus 2.

In these sessions the women were encouraged to be mentors to the younger women in their churches, teaching them to be women of God as they minister to their families and churches. Pastor Steve took us through Chapter One of Ephesians before breaking for a delicious meal of sadza (a paste made of mealie meal—corn meal for those who have never been to Zimbabwe), chicken, and greens.

After the dinner break we gathered again for more teaching, finally stopping to sleep at about 9pm. Everyone was up early the next morning, eager to hear more. After a breakfast of bread with margarine and jam and potato soup, the teaching resumed, this time in the open air under a tree since the children were in school and the classroom was not available.

The participants were reminded of these wonderful truths from Scripture: that salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ; that our strength comes through Christ; and that we must walk in a manner worthy of our calling. As leaders of their churches, these lay pastors were called to live godly lives as examples to those over whom they have leadership.

Goodbye Jennilee Phillips

Jennilee Phillips has been such a blessing to the Zimbabwe Evangelism Team during her two years as a journeyman in Zimbabwe.

She has enjoyed building relationships with the youth at her church and with the girls she taught True Love Waits to in the schools.

We loved it when she cooked tasty meals for us!

She is not afraid to try a new hairdo.

Or let a missionary kid teach her how to flick matches.

She is always in touch and asking for advice or giving words of encouragement.

She has been equipping leaders to take over teaching after she leaves.

We are going to miss you Jennilee! It may be pretty boring at our next team meeting! Love from, Ramona Beam, Mark and Angie Byler, Gregg and Donna Fort, and Barry and Marleen Robinson.

How Shall They Sing Without A New Song? (GMA Part 3)

After spending two days distributing exercise books in the schools, The Gospel Music Association Team came to Gweru, Zimbabwe where they hosted an evening of gospel music under the stars. It was well attended considering the weather turned cold and breezy!

On their final day, the team held a songwriter’s workshop for Christian worship leader’s and musicians. It was well attended by musicians from various churches in Gweru as well as from Baptist churches from several cities in Zimbabwe.

James Tealy helped set the stage to introduce the workshop. He reminded participants that each of us has the Holy Spirit within us to inspire us. Even if we don't feel creative - the God who created everything and created us in His image can give us new words and lyrics with which to praise Him! Guidelines and instructions were given to help the musicians understand some of the basics for writing lyrics as well as composing the melody.

Then the participants were asked to divide into small groups. Some of the groups were made up of older pastors and worship leaders.

There were groups of young men.

and young ladies, as well as some mixed groups.

After the groups spent time working on writing a new song, each group was given an opportunity to record their song.

Shown here is Aaron Rice with his recording equipment. Then finally, a time of worship was held in which all the groups were able to share their song with the other participants. It was amazing to hear the results of the workshop!

How Shall They Hear Without A Preacher? (GMA Part 2)

How Shall They Hear Without A Preacher? (GMA Part 2)

The Gospel Music Association Team was composed of songwriters, composers, worship leaders, singers, and musicians, as well as pastors and men involved in other types of Christian ministry. While they came for the specific purpose of distributing the BGR exercise books (written about in the previous blog – GMA Part 1), they also shared their music, testimonies, and gospel presentations with the students and faculty at each school. As the programme began at each school, introductions were made.

The students were invited to sing songs for the GMA Team.

Then the team sang songs for the children.

(Jeff Junie, Corey Voss, David Gentiles, Kevin Jones, Erskin Anavitarte, Hank Murphy, and Todd Thomas) The songs the musicians sang were catchy Christian choruses and the children enjoyed listening to them.

Then the team taught songs to the children to sing with the team.

Near the end the students began to dance with the music.

When the musicians began to dance, even the teachers joined in!

The presentations turned into a time of joy and celebration. (Shown here are Corey Voss and Erskin Anavitarte)

At each school testimonies were given. (Shown here is Robert Coppedge)

The gospel was also presented at each school. (Shown here is Tommy Rowe.)

If the preaching went a little long, one could always find a way to entertain oneself!

It was estimated that 5,000 students and teachers from eight different schools heard the gospel during the two days of ministry!

Praise God for these godly men who came to sing and preach the gospel in Zimbabwe.

How Shall They Learn Without Any Paper? (GMA Part 1)

Many of the rural schools in Zimbabwe struggle along without the basic resources needed to educate their children. Baptist Global Response (BGR) has helped us meet the need for writing paper by providing 150,000 exercise books (notebook paper stapled together instead of bound in a spiral notebook) to be distributed to orphaned and vulnerable students in as many rural schools as possible. “One Life” is an opportunity for young people or groups to engage in a project on the mission field in which BGR is an integral part. Mike Lopez is one of the IMB personnel who helps match people with a project.

Zimbabwe has two “One Life” projects which are currently ongoing. The first project is called “One Orphan” and is a response to the one million orphans in Zimbabwe. (About 1/10 of our population.) This project is to refurbish three huts, provide funding for self-help projects such as raising chickens, goats, and gardening. The “One Notebook” Project seeks to provide orphans and vulnerable children with writing paper and pens to help children be able to take class notes, do homework, and take tests. The covers of exercise books given out have a gospel witness as well as messages concerning God’s plan for purity for young people who are not married. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ONE LIFE PROJECTS AVAILABLE CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE: http://www.onelifematters.org .

Members of the Gospel Music Association USA rose to the challenge of the "One Notebook" project. Their team of 15 came to help distribute exercise books to orphans and vulnerable children in 9 schools in a remote part of Southern Zimbabwe. Matt Nations is seen here carrying a box of books into one of the schools. Then the books were counted out four per student by the GMA Team members.

One of the primary (elementary) schools they visited was established in 2008. The headmaster (principal) told us that the first year the school opened there was no paper on which the children could write their lessons. When the Grade 7’s took their Secondary (High School) entrance exam there was only an 8% pass rate. Their school was ranked #99 out of 109 in their district.

The following year, 2009, the school began receiving BGR exercise books.

Since then their students have improved dramatically in their Grade 7 exam results. Currently their school is ranked #13 in their district! The headmaster and the teachers all thanked Baptists for helping their students in this way.

Before leaving the school, the team members were treated to boiled corn and sugarcane. (Shown here are Kevin Jones, Hank Murphy and Aaron Blanton. The children followed us out as we left the school and team member Barry Brown is shown here saying farewell to some of the students.

Missionary Kid Returns "Home" to Wed

On 8 March 2013 missionary kid Jason Fort returned to Zimbabwe with his sweetheart Shay King

where they were married on the “verandah” of their lodge

overlooking the Zambezi River Gorge.

After viewing the Victoria Falls

Their “reception” was High Tea at the famous Victoria Falls Hotel.

Later they enjoyed a romantic sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

Missionaries Jennilee Phillips, Ramona Beam, and Steve and Jane Beaty welcomed the couple as they passed through Bulawayo.

A dinner and “wedding shower” was given for the couple in Gweru, Jason’s hometown. Missionaries Mark and Angie Byler, and Barry and Marleen Robinson as well as other local friends attended.

Pastor J. Ncube, Pastor Isaac Mabvumba and Esinath Mabvumba, along with Willie Green shared some Shona wedding traditions with the couple. They were given flowers to wear to honor them.

They also learned about the “uncovering” where the groom’s family must pay to "uncover" the future bride and meet her.

Jason and Shay were also treated to sadza, nyama, and muriwo - a traditional meal.

Before returning to the states Jason and Shay also visited the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

While there they located a potential “homestead”.

A real fixer upper!