Zimbabwe Update

I realized that I never posted the FINAL information from our July trip on this blog!

For all of those who have helped donate $ to feed the orphans/displaced people of Zimbabwe, we are thrilled to announce the fruits of your labor (and donations). In July, our team was able to distribute:

-31 TONS of corn

-1698 lbs of beans

-748 candles

-225 gallons of cooking oil

-447 bars of soap

-1102 lbs of sugar

-868 lbs of salt

-447 boxes of matches
in 4 different locations! In summary, between Wells of Life donations and other private donations, just this amount of corn is feeding 3, 832 people for a month. The report is that some of the elderly people were so hungry that they were eating the ground corn meal straight from the bag and mothers were crying and smiling because now they could "go home and feed our children." The people were so hungry that both elderly and children were picking up whatever remnants of food had fallen to the ground long after the food was distributed. If you would like to make a difference by helping us to feed the hungry in Zimbabwe, remember that you can feed 4 people for a month with $10. 100% of your donation goes directly towards the purchase of food. Please contact us if you would like to help!

Update on Zimbabwe Food Orphan Support and Food Distribution

Just a quick update about the Zimbabwe food distribution. Thank you to everyone who donated their precious dollars to help our team buy food for those who are starving in Zimbabwe. I heard a quick report yesterday that the team has felt safe in Zim and has had no trouble. Over the weekend, they were able to do the first of several food giveaways and this time, they provided a month's worth of food to over 400 families, with the main focus on feeding those who are caring for the many orphans and displaced children there. We are so grateful to have this opportunity and will be extending this program on a permanent basis in the coming months. If you are interested in donating, as always, please contact me at julie@Hiscreations.com

Lastly, you might remember that we were trying to implement an education program there. Their educational system would obviously be the best option for the students, however most of the teachers have left the country to find work and feed their families. In Zimbabwe, the teachers are paid approx $60 US dollars per month whereas the neighboring countries are paying $800 per month. Seeing the devastating effect of the children actually losing hope in their future and dreams (they know that education is the only way to a better life) prompted several of us teachers to get together to write curriculum for a once-weekly supplemental program for students K - High School in Zim. There are courses in everything from Art History to Higher Mathematics. I wrote the curriculum for the upper level remedial reading. It was extremely challenging because here's the question that we all faced..how do you teach someone to read or write (or do math) when they have no paper to write on and hardly any books to read? Answer: We used a lot of alternative methods which hopefully are supported by their strong oral tradition and culture, as well as lots of manipulatives which could include anything found...rocks, sticks, etc! Anyway, I understand that the program was presented successfully over the length of an entire day to about 40 adults who are excited about moving forward with the future of the children.

Just wanted to give you an update and say thank you again for all of your support and love that is going across the miles!

For His glory,
Julie

Fresh Clean Water at last!

As you might know, in late fall of 07, we began constructing and drilling wells in Harare and Bulawayo. We have a great report to share with you! As this time when the lack of public sanitation is causing so many people to fall ill from being forced to drink contaminated and dirty water, we have struck fresh clean water in Harare! This is great news for the people in the surrounding areas!! I have not gotten the statistics on how many people this well is providing for on a daily basis, but I cannot wait to find out!

Also, we are in Phase II of establishing the orphan/caregiver program so please check back soon to find out more about what you can do to fill a child's empty tummy.

Remember that just $30 will feed one "family" (made up of mostly orphans and widows) for one month and you can fill that need. %100 of your money will be used to supply food to a hungry family.

To fill the need by making a tax deductible donation, please contact me at julie@hiscreations.com

Check this out!

As well as being an outstanding photographer, Ron Storer is a very dear friend to Damion and I. Many thanks to Ron for featuring us in a spot on his blog :) Click here to read Ron's blog post on Wells of Life! And be sure to check back, he is always featuring encouraging and thoughtful tidbits on his blog.
Thanks Ron! Love ya!

World Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe--April 27th

The church leaders of Zimbabwe have collectively shared that they believe that they are on the verge of a genocide. They have called out to the world to stand with them in prayer on this Sunday, April 27th. Here is the link to learn more about it.

If you have ever prayed a prayer, please say one on this day as Zimbabwe is descending into utter madness and a clear human rights disaster. The goal is to have "a continual, strong stream of prayer and supplication flow up to the Lord on behalf of all the people on this Day of Prayer, exhorting His divine intervention throughout the nation."

As you may already know, the media is not reporting the extent of the atrocities that are happening now. Here is a link to a very honest and disturbing letter forwarded to me. It is written by a man in Zimbabwe (whose name has been removed for security reasons) and clearly spells out the danger and chaos that they are facing now: houses being plowed and burned down, thousands of people sleeping homeless outside, no media allowed to document this destruction, organized torture tactics being spread throughout the county to discourage those who would vote or did vote for the opposition government. After reading it, I believe your heart will moved to do something!

First, one of the most powerful things that you can do is join us in prayer on Sunday, April 27th, World Day of Prayer for Zimbabwe

Secondly, remember that just $10 will feed one "family" (made up of mostly orphans and widows) for one month and you can fill that need. %100 of your money will be used to supply food to a hungry family.

To fill the need by making a tax deductible donation, please contact me at julie@hiscreations.com

Most sincerely,
Julie