Richard & Debbie Lee Newsletter December 2004
Richard & Debbie Lee Newsletter December 2004
Yes, against all odds we are still here. Out of 6,000 plus land owners in Zimbabwe there are barely 500 left and Debbie and I are among them. In Filabusi, where we live, there were 100 land owners; we are two left. The Lord must have something in mind for us or we would have been gone long ago.
On the surface things seem to have quieted down somewhat, but there is still an undercurrent of things going on which are continuing to make life here very trying. The government is busy subverting the church right at the moment. All churches have to register and accept government rules on how they run their business, or be closed down and property confiscated. Church buildings can be commandeered and used as polling stations and churches can only preach and teach Bible; no benevolent programs allowed, no orphans care, no food programs, and so on. Government representatives are to be allowed to attend services or any church business meetings to keep a check on what is done or said. There is to be a state church. The leader is a Mr. Msindo, and all churches have to be registered with the state church. This is an impossible situation, so there are going to be problems in the congregations. Please pray for the Christians in Zimbabwe. There has never been state control of churches in this country before and this is a serious backward step. The word is that Mugabe is modeling this interference on the system operating in China.
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.
Malaria is a very serious problem in Binga. The people living there do have some immunity, but still suffer from it; especially the children. After my last visit I came down again with it. This was the 14th time I have had it. Fortunately I caught it early, so did not get too ill, but it is still a big worry.
Individuals and Christians in the US have been sending us boxes of 2nd hand clothing, which have all arrived unopened - a miracle in itself. We and the Christians are most grateful to you all. Clothing in Zimbabwe is very expensive. We ask that when and if you would like to send anything like old clothing or shoes, it will be very welcome and we so appreciate anything you can manage. Just remember to address all boxes to BZCM and send from a church address. Label "old clothes, not for sale." For me to continue to work among the churches in Binga we have had to come to an accommodation with the ruling party ZANU PF. We have not negated or compromised our faith or any of our scriptural principles, but we had to do something or not be allowed to continue with our work.
In Filabusi we still continue to have our weekly Bible studies, no interference there so far, PTL. I have completed a commentary on Hebrews for church leaders to use. It is being printed in the US by a fellow missionary. I am also working on a commentary on Matthew and hope to have that finished early next year, for printing in the US. Commentary sounds like a very grand title, but what we are doing is printing a Bible verse, in the vernacular, on the left of the page and a brief explanation, commentary on the verse on the right hand side of the page. This makes it easy to use and we hope and pray that it may be accepted and used in the churches.
Debbie and I are having some health problems, all part of getting old, I suppose!! She also slipped in the bath and fell and cracked her rib. Please pray for her as she is in a lot of pain. I have a cataract in my right eye and am scheduled to have it removed in June next year when an eye specialist comes over from the US - not safe to have a local doctor do it. Debbie is controlling her diabetes as best she can with a controlled diet and pills.
Gayle is now "Nurse Gayle Lee" and we are so proud of her. Please pray that she will soon find a job. The NHS (National Health Service) is not employing many nurses right now as they are short of money. She has applied for several jobs and waiting for replies. It is not the best time of year to find a job, but we know God will provide. She is managing to work some part time hours. I plan to go over for her graduation the end of January, God willing and providing. She won't be home for Christmas this year, the first time in 24 years. Debbie and I will have a very quiet Christmas as we will be on our own. It is not safe to go away and leave our home during this time, especially with elections so close. Our next door neighbors went away beginning of the year and when they got back, their home had been trashed and everything stolen - not a thing was done about it!! They had lived there for 40 years. He died a couple of months ago, the shock and stress was just too much.
We have had lovely soaking rains the past three days. What a blessing as we were having temperatures of over 100°! It is much cooler now.
The cost of living soars every day. It is getting almost impossible now. Last week an inland postage stamp was $4,500 (zw); this week it is $6,900. A letter to the US is $50,000 and to the UK is $40,000!!! Our medical insurance goes up every three months. It just went from $399,000 a month to $518,000!! - over half a million!!
Please send us your email addresses (those of you who have one) so we can keep in touch. It is almost impossible to write a letter anymore. We hope to get some photos off to the churches. We have yet to get some help on sending them by e:mail — the two of us will never work that out!!!
We can never stop thanking you for your love, prayers, support, and faithfulness. We say again, without your prayers and support we cannot carry on. We love you all.
Have a very happy and blessed Christmas and we pray for a peaceful 2005.
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.