Richard & Debbie Lee Newsletter March 2008
Richard & Debbie Lee Newsletter March 2008
We are still in Zimbabwe waiting patiently for Zambian Immigration to decide our fate.
I will try to explain our situation in a logical way, which is almost impossible in an illogical part of the world!!
Missionaries or non citizen church workers are not welcome in Zambia. The only way to get in is as an investor in some company and then use that as a cover to do church work. We invested $35,000 in our son's agricultural com¬pany, appointed as directors, and then told by Immigration we could go ahead while we waited for our permit. We bought a small farming property.
After some months, we were told that the file with our application had been lost and we must re-apply to enter Zambia. In the meantime, the investment requirements had been changed to $250,000 -- totally beyond our reach. Our second application was rejected because our investment was insufficient. Immigration then told us that we could enter as dependents of our son. Then this was rejected as they said I was too fit to be a depen¬dent on anyone. I spent hours visiting Immigration. After this, I went to the chief Immigration officer. They would not let me see him. However, I found his office and walked in, much to his surprise! He told me that the only way he could, see us getting into Zambia was on a visitor's permit. This was granted after 3 months. But, it has to be renewed every three months, cost¬ing us nearly $1,000 each time for the visa and all the other requirements that go with it.
Immigration allows us into Zambia for three months at a time with tight restrictions on what we do. Customs only allow us to bring our vehicle into the country for two weeks at a time, so every two weeks we have to go over the border for a day, then return -- a time and money wasting situation.
The only remaining option we have is to reapply as directors of our son's agricultural company. He has been in Zambia for three years and still waiting for his investment papers to be grant¬ed. His papers have been "lost" three times. They tell him they moved their office and things were misplaced!! He has now submitted his papers for the fourth time, so we wait and see what happens now. We may get in once he receives his permit. God is in control; His will be done. It is all very trying and stressful.
We have built a small cottage on our property, cleared some land, fenced the whole area, and had a borehole sunk. I still need to do the plumbing, electrics and get glass and gauze for the windows -- gauze being a neces¬sity because of the mosquitoes. Malaria is very rampant here. So everything is ready for us to move on and get going, except for the Zambian Immigration who obviously are not willing to let us into the country!! If all fails, we will have to sell the property and get our money back.
In the meantime, while we wait here in Zimbabwe, we are involved in a church where I preach when the regu¬lar preacher is away, which is about once a month. We are also involved in a Bible study and we support an AIDS orphanage.
In April I start a series of classes in a tribal area where I will be teaching elders and leaders from Indigenous churches. I will be teaching, preaching effective leadership and church organization -- all subjects close to my heart.
Debbie & I need some input from you, our friends and supporters. We are still welcome (to a degree), here in Zimbabwe. We are also welcome in South Africa where we are entitled to citizenship because of our ancestry. It seems Zambia does not want us; but the door is not, yet firmly closed. We can do our mission work here in Zimbabwe if we work around all the rac¬ism and hate sponsored by the present government. We are having elections here in March which may improve or make matters worse. We have to shop for most everything in South Africa and survive in that way, but no one knows the future!!
The cost of living increases by thousands of % every week, every month! When we moved to this house a year ago it was $60,000 a month. It is now over a $1 billion a month. A loaf of bread was $3,500,000 last week; yesterday it was $7,800,000. An inland postage stamp was $30,000 last month; this week it is $550,000!!! We now have a $10,000,000 note. They had to bring it in as when you go shopping you!have to carry your money in a wheelbarrow. But, because this money is so worthless, you have to watch the wheelbarrow as it's worth more than the cash!!!
Debbie has been asked by some of the women in our area to do Bible/ sewing, so she will teach some of the poorer women, those who don't have jobs and are AIDS widows with children. She will need to ask for your support in sewing materials, such as fabric, cottons; needles, scissors and anything that could be used for sewing. A couple of churches have already offered to send some. She will have to buy a couple of hand sewing machines in South Africa: Nothing like that is available here anymore. She will also have to supply them with Bibles. The last time Debbie did these classes, it .was a great success and many women gave their lives to the Lord.
Anything that you might want to send must be addressed to Botswana Zimbabwe Christian Mission, c/o Mrs. L. Layland, P O. Box 11, Musina, 0900, South Africa. Please, don't put a high value on the package; state "not for resale." By doing this, it won't be a problem with customs. It must also (very important), be sent from a church address.
This is our situation at the moment. Give us your thoughts on what you think we should do. And, most of all, please pray for us.
We love you all and thank you for your love, prayers and support. Email us when you get a chance, we would love to hear how and where you are.
The Lee’s, Richard and Debbie