June 2022

“Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His godly ones.” Psalm 116:15

I am writing as I am getting ready to leave Zimbabwe. My heart is grieving like yours as I just saw online pictures of the children and the two teachers who lost their physical lives in the senseless diabolical Texas tradegy.

Pastor Albert

I arrived at the end of April and two days later we had our 4-day Hands of Hope Youth Leaders Camp for 230 of our youth from our 25 partnering churches. It started out on a sad note as pastor Albert who you see pictured was murdered the day after I arrived. He was pastoring in a remote area in the bush. I came to know him when he attended our first HOH pastors/wives conference in 2014. He had saved up $2,000 and was going to buy their first car. He leaves behind his wife and 5 precious children.

Hazel

Two days ago one of our HOH children died after a long battle with AIDS. She had it since birth and was on antivirals but her immune system just gave out. She along with pastor Albert are both home with our loving Savior. Hazel had been a regular attender at our VBS camp from Mbvuku Baptist Church at our Habitation campsite. She is the second girl on the right and below is a picture of her. Our HOH minstry team attended her memorial service. Lots of tears!

Perhaps you remember Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 16:9, “For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. Not much has changed from those days in the early church. The day after the youth conference I tested positive for COVID and was quaranteed for 10 days. But the Lord graciously brought me through this illness providing everything I needed through the kindness of our HOH team and friends here.

At our 4-day pastors/wives/caregivers conference it was a blessing to be able to share from 2 Corinthians on suffering. This was an opportunity to build up, encourage and bless these dear saints who minister to our children 24/7. I cannot begin to thank you all for making these camps and conferences possible.

For Jesus’ sake and for the children,
Glen and Patty