Richard and Debbie Lee E:Mail

26 April 2000

To: "Don Hart"

Dear Don

Sorry no comas but things are very bad here. We have been off our property for a week and have been told today that it will be another week at least that we can't return. Women and children are not allowed out of the cities under any circumstances and men are advised to travel in armed groups and larger up at night. The violence on a vicious scale continues, all of it state promoted. Our work is at a total standstill and will have to remain this way until things get better - who knows when. We live from day to day at the moment.

Right now we are at our sons home in Kadoma, which is four hour drive from Bulawayo, but there is nowhere to stay. Most accommodation is taken up or very expensive. There are hoards of refugees in this country right now. One of the country hotels has offered all farmers to come and stay there for a very good price, but it gets expensive if its for too long - the length of stay is indefinite. I will be going back with a group of armed farmers to oversee our property on a day to day basis. The farmer you asked about that was killed is about 100 miles from us. Filabusi is currently overrun with war veterans on the rampage.

A note from Don Hart -- check out the BBC for current news on the web. i.e. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_707000/707516.stm

We have e-mailed Vivian and hope that she gets if and will understand what we are saying and asking. She mustn't cancel any cheques in case of emergencies this end. We will keep a total record of everything and if, and when, I come over, I will explain everything. We ask that you please bear with us and never stop praying for us Don. We can't check any e-mail messages until we get back home, but you can send to our e-mail address.

We pray that all this will soon be over and that we can return back to our homes and everything back to normal.

Gayle, and many other families, are beyond themselves with worry and concern.

Please pray for her too.

We will send this off to Viv. as well.

We will keep you informed as much as possible to the situation here. Watch the BBC/CNN news!

Love and God Bless
The Lees: Richard, Debbie, and Gayle


Field Address                 Forwarding Agent
Richard & Debbie Lee          Vivian M. Ottinger
Box 144                       708 Blossom Hill Road, #233
Filabusi, Zimbabwe, Africa    Los Gatos, CA 95032