Background:
Recent members of our church moved their family to Zimbabwe in 2008, with a heart for working in their field internationally. A national food crisis has been developing over the last few years in Zimbabwe, and they wanted to do something about it on a personal level. This year, it is estimated that 6+ million of the 11 million people in Zimbabwe are at risk of starvation. This epidemic is expected to continue for the next 2-3 years. Our friends felt led by the Lord to help the people of the country they were now serving.
At the same time, a small group study from our church wanted to do something to impact the world in a larger context for Christ. After praying about it, an idea sprouted to see what needs our friends were experiencing in Zimbabwe. It was determined that providing food to people in a nearby village was both plausible and possible. A process was set up and they have been delivering foodpacks to this village monthly.
The goal of this process is to partner with our friends and support this Zimbabwe with $850 a month minimum, which will feed 47 small families per month with Food Packs. In addition, a farming mentor from a ministry called Farming God’s Way is being supported to help teach the village how to grow their own food for next year. In this mission, a total of 65 families are being fed each month, along with a second farming mentor. Our hope is that this village will be self-sustained in a year. First Fruits is the name of this mission opportunity.
How Can You Help?
1. What are we giving to?
Each month a Foodpack ($18) will help supplement a family’s very
limited food supply with:
- 10 kg (22 pounds) of cornmeal (called Sadza)
- 2 pounds of salt
- 2 pounds of sugar
- 1 bar of green laundry soap, about 1.5 feet long
- 1 pint of cooking oil
- 1 pound of kidney beans
2. How is it being delivered?
Our friends are personally delivering this to a small village two hours from their home once a month. In the village, there are approximately 65 families with 120 total people. The first time they visited the village, one family had been subsisting on boiled beans and another on boiled/raw mangos for weeks, as that is available. In our friend’s words, “some people are really close to starvation and all the people that I saw were listless and obviously not in fine health.”
3. How do I participate?
Please consider giving $18, $36, or $54 (1-3 families of support) monthly for at least the next year. We anticipate the giving to last for even 2 to 3 years due to the current crisis. Write a check to Escalon Presbyterian Church with “Zimbabwe” in the memo line of the check. All money will go directly to feeding people in Zimbabwe through our friends delivering it to the village. Please pray continually for our friends and this mission.
