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The Michael Project Newsletter
April 2007
Contents
Recent Highlights
An
exciting event for the Michael Project was to have the pleasure of taking
the toddlers from Chikurubi Day Care Centre out for the day to the local 'theme'
park. For the first time these innocent little children were taken away from
the confines of the prison and it was delightful to see the joy on their faces
as they bounced on the trampolines, went for rides on the train and chair
lift and were treated to party food.
For the children at Wingate we decided to take them to Mukuvisi Woodland Park on the last day of their Christmas holiday club. Here, amongst other things, the children walked through the bush with a guide, coming up close to a number of wild animals. They ended their outing with hot dogs and ice-cream and were thrilled to each be given a Christmas present.
Seeing God expand our team to include a pastor and PA to Dave, and opening up new opportunities all the time has brought fresh ideas and impetus to The Michael Project. We've always felt that the field is ripe unto harvest but the labourers are few, but it is exciting to see that God is bringing new people and new ideas on board to grow the ministry.
.
Who are some of the children in The Michael Project?
Jaison
Jaison, who is 6 years old and was born a twin, was abandoned by his mother, along with his siblings when his father died and he was 4. Thankfully some aunties took them in and Jaison now lives with his aunt and big sister Yolanda. His twin sister does not live with him. Jaison and Yolanda live in very poor conditions at a mine on the outskirts of Harare, where there is much drunkeness, rape, violence and gambling, having to walk 16 miles a day for school. The Michael Project is able to pay the children's school fees, buy their uniforms and give them basic food stuffs and toiletries, but they are in desperate need of a stable and healthy home environment where they will receive nurture and love
Ian
We
praise the Lord for Ian who, along with a group of six boys went on a youth
camp late last year. It was here that Ian met with the Lord and made Him his
personal saviour. We have great hopes for Ian, who although orphaned and living
with an aunt who would rather not have him, he is doing extremely well at
school studying A Level Maths, Physics and Chemistry. It is tough at government
schools which are extremely under-resourced and teachers are paid well below
the bread line. We have seen a change in Ian since his acceptance of the Lord
and a desire within himself to do well so that he can in turn help other children
who have suffered as he has when their parents have died.
Jealous
Jealous
joined the Wingate pre-school when it first opened and was a delightful little
boy. We began to get more involved in his life when it became obvious that
his mother, who smoked and drank heavily was not very interested in her son's
life. Jealous' father was already deceased, and in February 2006 his mother
also died, leaving him to stay with his stepfather and grandfather. His grandfather
became the greatest positive influence in his life and we saw improvement
in his studies at school and in his attendance at the clubs. Sadly his grandfather
has also now died and so the future of this little boy who knows no real love
and security, is uncertain.
Mark Dishley's Insights into Binga Trip
Mark Dishley has been based with the Michael Project for the last 5 months getting involved in all aspects of the pre-school and children's activities in Wingate and Binga. Mark has written much of his time in Zim - a brief precis of one of his trips to Binga gives some idea of life in the villages.
'We travelled to
Nsenga to meet the volunteers from the church 
whom
The Michael Project is working with. We literally had to create a track through
the bush with the 4x4 pushing through the many bushes and small trees until
we came to an open area of sandy land with lots of paths leading off into
the thick undergrowth with a mud church building in the middle of it. In true
African style the meeting with the volunteers took many hours with lots of
discussion; at one point, a cow stuck its head in until a woman got up and
let it out, and a dog came in and lay at people's feet until it was moved
on. Both in search of the cool. Whilst the team talked with volunteers, I
organised games with the children, really thanking God for the words and ideas
that came to me. Shortly after this the rains came, and with it the opportunity
for the locals to get some food. One of the women caught a huge frog ... thankfully
it was put in a pot to one side with it's feet tied, ready for later.
We also helped
to show the Jesus Film to some of the Tonga people. As I sat down to watc
h
the film, I noticed people appearing out of the bush from all directions to
see the film. Apart from the film, it was also enthralling to see a fire fly
mini light show. It was only when I turned around at the end of the evening
that I realised how many people had turned up .. quite incredible. On the
way back, we had to cross a fairly deep river and some pretty rough terrain
in the dark. Then suddenly seemingly out of nowhere, two young men darted
out in front of us on foot, like they were being chased by something. We soon
realised they were in fact using the light of the vehicle as a guide and would
have to stay ahead of us to clearly see their route through the bush .....
Wow these guys could run !
So far it's been an amazing experience and a privilege to see God at work in so many children's lives.'
Please Pray for
Wisdom for The Michael Project team as we endeavour to practically and spiritually meet the needs of children. For our teachers and community workers who are faced with trying to reach these children who have suffered so horribly as a result of HIV/AIDS and poverty.
Zimbabwe, whose people are suffering greatly as a result of runaway inflation.
The children especially endure much hardship as poverty stricken relatives
abandon those in their care.
Please Pray for
Jaison and Yolanda. That God would protect them and watch over them.
Pray for the aunts who are sacrificially looking after these children and trying to meet their needs.
For Ian's continued success at school. For his teachers to encourage him and support him, despite personal hardships.
Pray for Ian's walk with the Lord, that he will grow spiritually and know God's provision and protection.
For the pain and anguish that are so obvious in Jealous' life. That God would raise up people in the community to be his mother, father, brother and sister. He is in such need of love and care.
