October Report, 2017.
I am still determined and focused to my main vision of training Church leaders. My belief is that strong leadership builds strong Churches. I am trying hard to equip leaders with necessary skills and knowledge to be good shepherds of God’s flock. I had leadership seminar with the pastors, elders, deacons and their wives from 24 – 28 October. I was so happy to share Leighton Ford’s insights in his book, “Transforming Leadership: Jesus’ Way of Creating Vision, Shaping Values & Empowering Change.” The leaders felt to have moved from one level to another. There was transformation indeed in their leadership and in their personal lives. We had also a full day of praying and fasting before the lessons and discussions. It was indeed a good time praying for our Mission, lessons, families, donors and so on. It was great to feel the presence of God in prayer. The weather was unfavourable for fasting. It was very hot so much that one could be tempted to take a sip of water. We endured thirsty!
It seems this is a year of our favour from God in terms of rain in Zimbabwe. We usually have first rains at the end of October, but we received good rains right in the beginning of the month. In some places streams flooded. We thought our seminar would be disturbed by rain. We received showers of rain on our last night. We anticipate good harvest this year. We had one shelter where we honoured ladies to put up and men slept on the open air. At midnight there was strong wind which blew till morning. There was dust everywhere. We got so disturbed until the ladies called us in the shelter. At dawn the ladies got up to fetch some water at the nearby borehole where they saw a bull elephant heading to the hills. What would have happened if the elephant bypassed where men slept outside the shelter? This reminds me of Neva Fitch in the States who used to say, “I can kill an elephant with a stick.” Am sure men would gather a lot of sticks to kill the elephant!!!
For all those who are interested in supporting Zimbabwe ministry, please make your donations to:
Jill Hartzell: Email: hartzz1@comcast.net
Good Neighbor Network
2445 SW Crestdale Dr
Portland, OR 97225.
In His Service
Alec.
