As I write this blog, we have updates on more praises and requests. Yolanda's sewing group is going very well. The ladies have been learning quite a bit and have been thoroughly enjoying themselves along the way. So much progress was made on their door snakes last week, that Yolanda told them they should be able to finish them this week. They were so into it, that they all wanted "homework" and took their work home. So who knows, they may show up tomorrow with them already completed. After Yolanda initially taught them the basics, she asked the ladies to explain it to each other because if you can teach it, then you really know it. She wanted them not to just get through this project, but in the big picture, to be able to use their skills at home or to be able to earn an income. The following week is when the crochet group will begin.
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Yesterday, we received a phone call from immigration informing us that the renewal of my spousal permit was approved and that I can take my passport for them to apply the stamp. This allows me to continue to live here for about another year. We won't be sure of the length of time until we see the stamp, but my last one was valid for 18 months. We have heard that one year is standard, but it just depends on who is working your case.
It is such a blessing that Yolanda's Zimbabwean citizenship has allowed me access to live here and my U.S. citizenship has allowed Yolanda to have a U.S. green card (valid through 2025), allowing her free travel in the U.S. All of the hours of paperwork, hoops to jump through, interviews, and fees can seem endless, but it is so worth it. God is in control and we have not had any hassles or problems in this area, unlike the horror stories we have heard from others in similar situations. Much to be thankful for. Since Yolanda also needs a visa to enter England, we completed all those steps (including listing dates and locations of any foreign travel for the last 10 years and all visas she has received in that time) last week, so that we will be able to visit her mother for a few days in transit to the U.S.
We are returning to the U.S. for 10 weeks at the beginning of March. We will fly from Harare on March 3, visit Yolanda's mother, and then arrive in the U.S. on the 9th, returning to Zimbabwe at the end of May. We will be visiting each of our supporting churches to update them in person. Our desire is to also visit with as many of our individual supporters as possible. This means traveling from New York to Louisiana, to Minnesota, to Oregon, and other places in between. Even though the schedule will be tight, we are excited for the opportunity to reconnect with you face to face and share more details of how YOU have positively influenced these women and children in the past year.
It is such a blessing that Yolanda's Zimbabwean citizenship has allowed me access to live here and my U.S. citizenship has allowed Yolanda to have a U.S. green card (valid through 2025), allowing her free travel in the U.S. All of the hours of paperwork, hoops to jump through, interviews, and fees can seem endless, but it is so worth it. God is in control and we have not had any hassles or problems in this area, unlike the horror stories we have heard from others in similar situations. Much to be thankful for. Since Yolanda also needs a visa to enter England, we completed all those steps (including listing dates and locations of any foreign travel for the last 10 years and all visas she has received in that time) last week, so that we will be able to visit her mother for a few days in transit to the U.S.
We are returning to the U.S. for 10 weeks at the beginning of March. We will fly from Harare on March 3, visit Yolanda's mother, and then arrive in the U.S. on the 9th, returning to Zimbabwe at the end of May. We will be visiting each of our supporting churches to update them in person. Our desire is to also visit with as many of our individual supporters as possible. This means traveling from New York to Louisiana, to Minnesota, to Oregon, and other places in between. Even though the schedule will be tight, we are excited for the opportunity to reconnect with you face to face and share more details of how YOU have positively influenced these women and children in the past year.
From eNews Channel Africa, showing an attempt to help a malnourished cow stand up (in Yolanda's hometown of Masvingo) One of the prayer requests we wrote about last time was for rain. We have continued to see rain in Chinhoyi about every other day. The grass, trees, and plants are all very green. However, also like we mentioned, that has not been the case throughout the rest of the country. The livestock has been suffering without corn to harvest for cattle feed. These cattle are many people's livelihoods, but they are running out of food for them. Many have been forced to cut their losses and sell them before they die for a quarter or an eighth of the price they are worth. Meanwhile the people are not faring much better. We just read an article from Yolanda's hometown about the lengths people are going to in order to scrape together enough money for food. Girls are reportedly selling themselves for sex for as low as 50 cents per sex act. Not 50 dollars; 50 cents. That's one bottle of water. Whether they have chosen this out of desperation or their families are forcing it upon them is irrelevant. The suffering is immeasurable. With the unemployment rate swelling above 90%, people feel like they are running out of options. In addition, drinkable water is at a premium for most people, due to the minimal rain and unsanitary city water. There was another recent article calling water the "new gold" in Harare.
Girls are reportedly selling themselves for sex for as low as 50 cents per sex act.
A different, but related, issue that is ongoing is the takeover of farms. Zimbabwe used to be the third richest country in the world agriculturally (behind the U.S. and Australia), and exported food to other African countries to provide food aid. In 2000, a new land redistribution program began. White farmers were kicked off their land by men with weapons (sometimes police), not allowed to take anything with them or sometimes one carload, and of course not compensated for their property. 90% of farms were overtaken within the following several years. The land was not looked after and the result is now the need to import most of the food that is consumed in the country. These land invasions (which are deemed "legal") are continuing and there have been multiple instances within the last couple weeks. One case involved a widow and the other a family, but both have owned their properties for decades. The widow was informed by armed men that she was to leave. A few weeks prior a woman (wife to the man taking the farm) came in the house and began making plans to redecorate. The other farming family, had police trucks show up to their house. The police proceeded to load up the furniture, handcuff the husband and drive through the night before releasing them. Not only are the farmers homeless and jobless, but all of their employees are now as well. One of the farmers had a full crop ready for harvest, worth six figures, but now all is lost. The widow has employees who have worked for her for 38yrs, 24yrs and 18yrs - now these families will also suffer.
During these times it is such a comfort to know that God is in control. But how easy is it for us to say and so difficult for the individuals going through it to comprehend at the time. Please be in prayer for the hungry, thirsty, jobless, homeless, and oppressed. JM2Z cannot possibly help all of these people, but for the women and children within our realm of influence, we pray that God would use us (the collective us) as a vessel for them to see and experience who He truly is.
During these times it is such a comfort to know that God is in control. But how easy is it for us to say and so difficult for the individuals going through it to comprehend at the time. Please be in prayer for the hungry, thirsty, jobless, homeless, and oppressed. JM2Z cannot possibly help all of these people, but for the women and children within our realm of influence, we pray that God would use us (the collective us) as a vessel for them to see and experience who He truly is.
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