Emmanuel & Betty Zihoue from Zimbabwe
As men did from Judah in the book of Nehemiah, the Zihoue's came to report the condition of their country, Zimbabwe. They run 3 orphanages in Zimbabwe as well as plant church throughout southern Africa. "The walls are broken", he says. "There is rampant poverty, we have lost or dignity and protection. The corrupt government means oppression and lack of freedom. We long for freedom."
Zimbabwe stands 4th in the ranks of HIV/AIDS. 25% of the adult population is infected. 60% of those are women. Out of 600,000 births each year, 200,000 are born HIV+. There is no medication, no doctors, NO NURSES. The ordinary person does not have any medical care. Parents die leave their children with the grandparents. Life expectancy is 37 for men and 54 for women, so the children are orphaned a 2nd time. They are then left to care for each other, leaving any idea of a childhood behind. Emmanual says, "we live everyday by faith".
Is my burdon for Zimbabwe? Is that where the Lord wants me?
What did Nehemiah do with his burdon? He prayed for them. He prayed for his meeing with the king. He asked the king to allow him to go to Judah and rebuild the walls. "...And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the King granted my requests." Neh. 2:8b
Back to Emmanuel's plea today. "Come and help us....rebuild the walls", he says.
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