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[DebAnn]

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
So far I have just been a reader on this site and I haven't got to do as much of that as I would like but I am posting to ask your help.
 Our home fellowship packed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child in Nov. 07, we had the kids write letters and include them along with their addresses in the boxes.  One of the families in our group just received a letter from the shoebox recipient in Zimbabwe.
 This is the letter:


 
Hie friend,
 
Thanks for the gift I have received from you.  It doesn't matter because it came so late.  It was because of the elections which took place in March, so everything was stopped.  Up to now, still things are not yet normal and even basic commodities are not easy to get, they are not affordable.  We are just living by faith of God.  Please if you can help don't just throw away old cloths and everything you no longer need, Post them to us.  Pray for us here we are starving.  Do not fosake us.  I feel so freely to tell you my problems The box was given to my little girl Melisa who is 3 and I'm writing on her behalf because she can't write.
 
Yours "Desperatly" Give Adam Muchima (the father)
 
"Looking forward for you reply and more news and God's message next time bye for now."

We want to help but are not sure how best to help.  We don't know whether we should try to send money, and if so how, a check?  or, should we send nonperishable food, clothes, blankets etc.  I just thought I would post and see if anyone knows of a connection in this area that we could go through, a church or a missionary, anyone who could help us to help these brothers and sisters.  If you don't know of someone we could contact but have thoughts & opinions on how we should proceed please share those.
Thank you all!

[rejoicing]

You're smart to look for someone to go through. This is one of those area you see a lot of scams come out of.  But I don't see how it could hurt to send clothing and nonperishable food? 

ETA: There IS a lot of civil unrest in Zimbabwe right now, so more than likely this could be totaly legit?  The current administration won't step down, fixed the election, and is responsible for Human Rights abuses.  AND a Cholera epidemic! Phew! They are really having it tough this year! here is more info...
http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entries/mugabe_step_down/
http://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/zi/

[Mrs. B]

I have also heard about alot of scams as well in this area.
I would probablycontact Samaritan's Purse who runs the Operation Christmas child and see how they might be able to direct your contributions.  If they are handing out the Christmas items they would most likely have local representatives I would think.

[AndysDad]

The letter certainly sounds legit. The problem is that the government is so desperate for money that anything coming into the country (especially foreign currency) is heavily taxed.

Your best way of helping would be to go through an organization that is already working in the country. You may not be able to help this specific family directly, but there are millions of others just as needy.

Andy'sDad

[joychild24seven]

My oldest brother spent 4 months this spring living in Zimbabwe with a missionary couple we know. The conditions stated in that letter are quite correct. It is, however, very difficult to get ANYTHING into Zimbabwe due to the leadership of their dictator Mugabe.  It's not even that the country is THAT impoverished, it's that anything brought in is immediately confiscated by Mugabe in order to control the people.

The missionaries that my brother stayed with are Lester and Peggy Seiler and they run a ministry called the Disciple Ship which is a boat they run between Zimbabwe and Zambia, bringing food to churches in Zimbabwe. But even this spring they were being limited in their ministry as the christians they gave food to were then beaten and tortured.

Another ministry that we have connections with is Child Legacy International and Jeff Rogers. He can no longer get into Zimbabwe because there is a price on his head, for all of the work he has done there. You can find out more about their organization here:
http://www.lifesowing.org/zimbabwe.shtml

We just heard from him that the shipments he was bringing into Zimbabwe to feed a large group of orphans has now been stopped, however the 1/2 ton of meal in the warehouse of the orphanage is not running out. They've been using meal every day, feeding hundreds of orphans, and the amount of meal in the warehouse has not diminished whatsoever. This report came from the head of their ministries in Zimbabwe, whom my brother was able to meet when he visited their facilities there.

IMO Prayer, and more prayer for Zimbabwe is the best help we can offer. Prayer that like the Israelites their food will be provided and their clothes will not wear out. Prayer that Mugabe will cease tormenting the people, prayer that Zimbabwe will turn their hearts to God! Prayer that believers in Zimbabwe will be strengthened, nourished, and sustained throughout this terrible time.

My brother said this every time he emailed home. Pray for me. Pray for Zimbabwe.

If you'd really like to contact Lester and Peggy Seiler (in Kariba, Zimbabwe) pm me.

[DebAnn]

Thank you all.   Thank you, Rejoicing, for the links with more on the conditions there! We weren't so much concerned about the letter not being legit as we were about the government keeping whatever we send from getting to the family and so we thought that perhaps if we could get in contact with someone there, preferably by phone or email, and get some inside information on who to send things too, it would have a better chance of getting there.
 Contacting Samaritans Purse is a good idea, Mrs. B, because as you noted they would have local contacts for handing out the boxes.  We had actually talked about just calling them but thought that it wouldn't hurt to explore other contact options as well.
Andysdad, I know that you are right that there are millions over there to help even if our assistance does not end up going to this specific family, it is just  my hearts desire to be able to come to this families aid, as well as others, because of the personal connection from the letter.
 Joyschild, you are so right about prayer being the most important thing and I know that if we have to go through an organization rather than be able to send something specifically to this family, prayer will be my reassurance, I will simply ask the Lord to be sure this family receives what they need.  I have a personality that when I read the letter my first thought was we send money or goods immediately to this address and simply ask the Lord to make sure it gets to whom it should.  To me, it's that simple because God is that reliable.  It is not that simple to everyone though and I understand that having a contact could be beneficial.  I will PM you for Lester & Peggy's contact info.
Again thank you all and if anyone else reads and has ideas or contacts, please post them!

[Deb]

There are many refugees from Zimbabwe streaming across the border into South Africa and once there , starving because of the Cholera and lack of food.. I don't have a contact but it may be a good idea to check aid or ministries in South Africa that could actually get to those there food and supplies.

[rejoicing]

We just heard from him that the shipments he was bringing into Zimbabwe to feed a large group of orphans has now been stopped, however the 1/2 ton of meal in the warehouse of the orphanage is not running out. They've been using meal every day, feeding hundreds of orphans, and the amount of meal in the warehouse has not diminished whatsoever. This report came from the head of their ministries in Zimbabwe, whom my brother was able to meet when he visited their facilities there.

PTL for this!!!

A missionary in Uganda I once met told me that it is such a "christian culture shock" to be here in the states speaking at churches, because things are so different over there. They rely on God in such a more urgent and real way. He said when they have a headache they do not have the tylenol to rely on, so they pray and trust in God even for something as small as a headache!

[joychild24seven]

[I re-typed this from a newsletter we just recieved from the Seilers - Jamie]

Worldwide Missionary Evangelism
Lester and Peggy Seiler
P.O. Box 3262
Visalia, CA 93278

Field Address:
P.O. Box 136
Kariba, Zimbabwe
Africa

December 2008- January 2009

Dearest Family and Friends,

"The Mission of the Cross is hidden in the Message of the Cradle"  You shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins. Mt. 1:21

We know our mission, for the present, is to be right here in Zimbabwe, and if it were not for celebrating the message of the cradle, there would be no joy with the present crisis that we are facing. Never did we think we would see such a day! As we celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, this country is experiencing the death of little ones either through cholera, malaria, malnutrition, or HIV. The mortuaries cannot hold the bodies. Young and old alike are dying. There are needs everywhere! Sometimes, just so overwhelming.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION: We sincerely thank all of you who have so generously sent funds, which we are using towards food relief. We are doing the very best that we can to feed as many people as possible by going to neighboring Lusaka, Zambia to buy supplies. We deliver to the isolated fishing villages across the lake and we are primarily concentrating on feeding the pastors and their family in our local area. There is talk of neighboring countries closing their borders with Zimbabwe. If this should happen, Zimbabwe will come to a total collapse and the death of many more people.

INFLATION and the US $:  After removing 10 zeros off of the money on the 1st of August, resulting in thousands and millions of dollars lost, the following will show you the inflation from the end of August on our monthly property tax .... from two hundred eighty three dollars to eighty two billion plus in five months! It's this economic situation that has created a "black market" in the exchange of foreign currency. This causes stressful living for day to day survival! Many places in Zimbabwe are now charging U.S. dollars. Without foreign currency, patients are turned away from hospitals and denied medical attention. There are unnecessary deaths taking place. With no medicines available, and no money to pay staff, many hospitals have closed down which is why so many  more are dying in the cholera outbreak; there is no treatment for them.

COMING HOME?  Not sure when. Precious people in Louisiana are prepared to pay for an open-ended ticket for us to come home. We cannot thank them enough. We really wanted to come for Thanksgiving, but we are committed to food distributions. Perhaps in a few months when food is more available and when we sort out security issues, we will be able to come home, firstly to have a good rest and see family, and then to visit you, our supporters. Our house is on 24-7 security guarding. Having guards does not mean we cannot still be robbed, especially when we are so far away from home, as what happened last time. We were robbed before our plane touched down in the States! So sad! We are also vulnerable, as it is known that we have food supplies. When returning from being out on ministry, we are relieved to find that all is in order. Our last time away it was not at theft problem, but there was no electricity for days, and many people lost all in their freezers. Because there is a water shortage, and extremely hot here, we decided to freeze bottles of water, and now we are so thankful that we did, as those frozen bottles of water kept our food from spoiling!

COMMUNICATIONS: Telephone lines have been down for months. Broadband is approximately $300 US per month after the initial $2,000 US hook up! To do this email we are using a friend's broadband, but otherwise we have no regular way to communicate with our loved ones and friends. They are as frustrated as we are in n ot being able to communicate with eachother.

THIS YEAR AND THE NEXT: this past July, these two high-school sweethearts celebrated 40 years of marriage! We're part of that small, successful "teenage-marriage" statistics! But, by the grace of God... Next year.... the big 60 for both of us! We're trusting God for the fulfillment of things hidden in our hearts for our future and for ministry in 2009. May God answer your prayers that you have tucked away in your heart for the New Year. Thank you for lifting us before the Father in prayer.

In His Service, Yesterday, Today, and Forever,

Lester and Peggy Seiler

[AndysDad]

As of Jan 29, the government has removed restrictions on the use of foreign currency, essentially admitting that their currency has failed (it is now worth one sextillionth of its value when Mugabe took over).

Stores are filling up with goods brought across the border, now that the owners can actually charge hard currency for it. People with dollars are now able to buy food.  But the vast majority of Zimbabweans don't have enough Zim dollars to buy anything. People have stopped going to work because the bus fare costs more than they can earn in a day.

So, it seems that the best way to help people now is to send dollars. And, some aid shipments are now getting through, so you could also send $ to the organizations that are sending it.

I just found a website where you can give directly:
http://www.christianaid.org/Missionaries/MIR/mir20090120.aspx
AndysDad

[horsemama]

I live in South Africa, and hubby is from Zimbabwe (bus has lived here 25 years) We go back to visit every few years, and still have friends there. There are South African organisations working with the refugees, unfortunately I don't know much about them as they are all in the Northern part of the country and we are on the east coast. But many refugees have filtered down to all parts of SA, and are trying to make a life here as illegal immigrants. It's a tough one for Christians.... we are not supposed to employ them, but we want to help. So do we give them charity, employ them, or report them??? that's a rhetorical question, BTW :-)  Our family has chosen to employ several Zimbabweans.....  The local (black) South Africans do not want them here and there have been outbreaks of xenophobic violence.

Most Christians here do what we can to help. We support a houseful of Zimbabweans in a nearby suburb. There are 6 families living in one house. We got to know of them when one of the woman, expecting her first baby, gave birth to triplets! My friend, who is a lactation consultant, went to help her get the babies latching & feeding. The mom could not afford formula, and was going to feed the babies cooking oil !!!!  She managed to successfully feed her babies, with no supplements, and they are chubby healthy babies now :-)  There is a link to the full story here......
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=644687020&v=app_2347471856&viewas=643976697

Anyhow, we send vegetables to the house weekly (we farm) and nuts when we have. And clothes. Other people and a local church is supporting them too, but what they really want are jobs so they can make a new life for themselves. Some are educated people who are willing to do physical labour type jobs.

We have a man doing some building work for us, and he drove back to Zim last weekend (he was asked to take a corpse "home"!!!!) and took a lot of supplies for his family who still live there. His family are not starving, because they have a small piece of land, and can grow food. He took them seed and cooking (sunflower) oil. He said that is what is most needed.  People in the towns are starving. They have no way to create their own food. Unemployment is at 94%. Even if they had a job, their salary would still not even buy bread.

Protein is in shortage - especially animal products. Our friends who had a game farm, say that everything that moves has been killed & eaten. EVERYTHING... from the giraffe & buffalo to the rabbits & rats. It's like that all over the country. Zimbabwe was always famous for it's game parks 

So..... to answer your question....... it seems that the confiscation of aid is random. Sometimes you will get through the border with your goods, sometimes you will be searched & it will be taken. When I see Mandla (our builder) again, I will ask him what is the best way to get aid in. I know he will say powdered milk and cooking oil are good things to send.

I will also ask around the Christian community here and see if I can find you a South African aid organisation to work through. The US$ is worth R10 at the moment, so it might be a good way to get the most goods for your dollar.
Anything else I can do or try to find out for you?

[DebAnn]

Thank you all so much!  Sorry it has taken me so long to reply here.  We are looking into all of your suggestions/leads.
One of the ladies in our fellowship called Samaritans Purse but they don't have a connection in that area.  They suggested giving him (Adam, the father) an email address in case he could get access to the Internet and could communicate with us that way.  They said to ask about tariffs that he might have to pay in order to receive goods if we were to send things.  They also said that if we wanted to send money and he or his church had a bank account that we could send the money via Western Union but that was all the help they could offer.
The lady who made that call is also trying to get a hold of someone at Campus Crusade for Christ.
We are printing out all of your suggestions/leads and are going to decide what the next step will be this Sunday.
Horsemama, I will get back with you when I know what our group is going to do, thank you for your offer  for more help!
Thank you all, again, what a blessing to live in these days (for all their troubles) and be able to sit in  my own home and get advice so quickly on issues like this and from people all over the world at that! Pretty nice! 
I'll try to get back on here and up to date you all next week.

[denim&lace]

horsemama,

My daughter read this thread over my shoulder this morning and has been contemplating ways to help since.  She's engaged her some friends in a conversation about how to help... so now...  I need information. 

If they are hurting for protein, would beans, rice and oatmeal be foods that they could and would eat.  If so... 
We need the information that you said you would ask your builder about.  We need to know how to get the food there. 

One of the kids thought that we should  just put rice and beans in lots of envelopes and send them to random addresses in Zimbabwe...      I told them that I thought there might be a better way to insure that hungry people would indeed get the food...      Now they want to know HOW! 

So whatever information you can provide would be helpful...

Thanks
D&L

[DebAnn]

One of the kids thought that we should  just put rice and beans in lots of envelopes and send them to random addresses in Zimbabwe...     

I love it!!!    I know how they feel though, they just want to do something right away!

So whatever information you can provide would be helpful...

Yes, horsemama, please post anything you come up with.

Thanks!
DebAnn

[horsemama]

I have not seen our builder for a couple of weeks (oh please please please let him come back to work!!!) but I will ask him when I do see him. I've also been trying to call a friend in Jhb, who has been doing outreaches & taking food up, but have only gotten voicemail..... 

Just wanted y'all to know I'm working on it. Nothing happens fast here, this is africa

[Cherika Four Seasons]

I'd like to know if you ended up having any success with this, DebAnn?  and D & L?
If not, when I was 16 I spent time over there, and have some reliable connections. If you're still interested, P.M. me...or go to www.abadonedzimbabies.org., they are some great people and could use any help. Their work also extends beyond babies, they have some great programs in connection to the babies home, where they help people start up small business ( I remember candle-making and caramel popcorn....they sell on street corners).

the worse thing, though, is that the ones who often need help the most, (the "squatters") are not legally recognised by the government......technically they don't exist. I'm talking about the masses whose homes were bulldozed in 04 and then bussed away to remote locations and dumped.

We found the only way to help them....was to visit them in person. no normal aid agency will go anywhere close.

Pray!

edited to add: can anyone tell me if the zim babies links is working or not? I just tried it (haven't in a while) and I can't seem to get the website to load.

[AndysDad]

The link doesn't work.

Andy'sDad

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