Richard & Debbie Lee Newsletter April 2005
Richard & Debbie Lee Newsletter April 2005
We pray that Easter has been a real spiritual occasion for all of you. Easter for us was very quiet as the elections are in full swing here in Zimbabwe and that means lots of police road blocks and a very real danger of inter-faction violence. It is best to stay at home and keep a low profile. We had family and some local Christians for a meal on Easter Monday but, other than that, we stayed home.
The elections are a turning point for a lot of people in this country. If the ruling party wins with a large majority, which is likely, then we are almost certain to become a one party state and what freedoms we still have will go out the window and we will become a totalitarian state. What a thought!
Drought has struck again in a large portion of Zimbabwe and, with no commercial farmers left, the food situation is again critical. We are unable to buy food to help the Christians (other than a couple bags sneaked in the back of our vehicle). We are not allowed to. So, we give money to the church leaders and they are managing to source and buy some for the congregations. Any extra gifts towards buying food will be a great help.
Debbie & I are going up to Binga. We try and get up there once a month to take some clothing sent by churches in the US, some money for cornmeal, Bibles, and song books. We can't go up as often as we would like to because of the fuel situation -- very scarce and expensive. It is an 8-hour trip from Filabusi. A trip to Binga costs us no less than $1,200,000 for 4 days (US $ +/-250). So, more than one trip a month is just too expensive.
The churches in Binga, though under pressure, are doing so well. Their faith, even under the most trying situation, is unshakable. The Lord is really doing wonderful things in Binga. Most congregations in Zimbabwe consist mainly of women and children, and only one or two men. In Binga all the churches have a high percentage of men, which gives a good balance in the church and in the community. An all-women church in rural areas has very little respect and is not of much regard in local community affairs either. Please pray for these Christians because, though strong and spirit-led, they are under intense pressure and need our prayerful sup port. They thank you all for the clothing you sent and so we ask, if your hearts are touched, to send more. It will be very much appreciated. These folk are in rags and cannot afford to buy clothing. Nine out often have no shoes on their feet -- just a pair of the cheapest canvas "talkies" are now $40,000!!! And, they only last a couple of months!
That said, the churches in Binga are doing very well. There have been some problems, and one of the leaders in one church has defected to the ruling party causing some difficulties, but generally the churches are strong and the leadership faithful to the word. The churches have started their own food security program. They are buying corn and storing it secretly in a home where prying eyes will not find it, so that when shortages come they can help the needy. This could be a dangerous situation for these churches in view of what the government is planning on doing to take control of all churches. Please pray for them. The church leader to pray for is Phineas.
Zane, our youngest son, and family are busy moving to Zambia. They have hired a farm there and are going to grow crops and raise chickens. The Zambian government has encouraged farmers from here to move up there and grow crops, leasing cheap farms. The banks are giving them loans to get started. They have had enough of the situation here in Zimbabwe. One has to earn or make millions before you can come out ahead monthly. Zane was paying $500,000 a month rent on their house and it has gone up in a year to $1,800,000 and was told it would go up every 6 months. Derek, our eldest son, is also planning on leaving. He is still working on it, but he, too, has had enough of this country.
Gayle is still in the UK. We were very blessed to be with her for her graduation the end of February. Richard was going on his own, as it was just too expensive for both of us to be there. But, Christian friends in Atlanta, GA got together and sent enough money for me to buy a ticket and also go. God is so good! It meant so much to Gayle, and us, to share this time with her. She is now a qualified nurse She is very keen to going on to become doctor, which will mean another 4 years in the UK. Please pray for Gayle as she is battling to find a permanent job. At the moment she doe shift work for a nursing agency, but she need a permanent job. This leaves Debbie and alone here. It is beginning to feel a bit lonely with our family disappearing and going so far away.
We are planning to go up to Zambia to assess the situation and see if we could start up church work there. Binga is on the border with Zambiaso and would be no further for you to travel to visit the churches there. It would b a huge wrench for us to just get up and leave our home, friends, and Christians here behind. We can't sell our place here. We would have to walk away from it, which is hard to do in any circumstance, but even more so as w get older and less vigorous. We are also looking at other options, but right now we wait and see what will happen after the election are over. Please pray for us that the Lord with lead us in these momentous decisions.
I was involved in a motor accident two weeks ago. A vehicle coming from behind traveling at +/- 140 kph, slammed into the side of me as I was turning into our driveway on the main tar road. Fortunately, I was not too seriously injured --just some lumps, cuts, and bruises as they hit my right arm which was out the window. Another 2 seconds and would have been killed, as it would have hit full on the side. God sure has a purpose for my life. I'm not done on earth, yet!! My vehicle was badly damaged and the insurance company is trying to get out of paying for the repairs. They say they have no money to pay! Why even have insurance! The cost of the repairs could be anything from $20,000,000 to $30,000,000. If the guilty party does not pay, we will have to take the vehicle to South Africa to have repaired, mostly panel-beating. It will be much less there. I have to have my vehicle to use. I use it for everything.
Debbie is mostly doing well with her diabetes. She has lost some weight and walks every day to get some exercise, which is also good. I am still taking medication every day for arthritis, which is worse some days than others.
Debbie still provides sewing goods to the women in Binga. They are very good at sewing for the children and it helps a lot. They now have 6 sewing machines to use. Debbie asks that if you ladies have any extra bits of fabric, thread, zips, buttons, or anything in the way of sewing, please box it up and send it to her for the women in Binga. Don't forget to address anything you send to BZCM, a and from a church address. Also say on the box "not for resale."
We thank you all for all your love, prayers, support, and faithfulness. Please continue to pray for us. We love you.
God Bless,
The Lee’s, Richard, Debbie, and Gayle
P.S. We are still putting a plea forward for help and donations towards another vehicle to use for our work. Thanks to those of you who have sent a donation.