Recently, Bud Jackson started building a relationship with a young man named Rob Chifhokoyo. Rob is around 28 years old and has taken it upon himself to live out the words of Christ. In the future, Bud and Rob will have many opportunities to work together. Below is the first impression of this new ministry initiative written by two of East Troy Bible Church's team members.
What would you think if you saw a group of 15-20 students hanging around a street corner or walking the streets at night talking to prostitutes? Would you immediately think - "hey look at those people hanging out! I'll bet they are talking about Jesus Christ."
Well, take another look! Rob Chifhokoyo heads up a grass roots ministry called Dare 2 Serve in Harare. Rob had left Zimbabwe to pursue his dreams in America, but while he was there he felt convicted to return to his home and become a difference maker. The Lord placed a burden on Rob's heart to share the compassion and truth of Christ to the forgotten people of the streets, nursing homes and orphan homes.
Every Saturday, Rob sends out a text to friends and students for a new project. They gather for prayer and then head out to one of four different locations. They rotate through a street vending situation, nursing homes, and orphanages. Often these homes are run by the state and aren't connected to a local church. So Rob's group interacts with the residents and pray.
On Saturday, March 26th we met with Rob's team in a parking lot for prayer. They made a decision to drop off some Bibles to the street vendors. Just the week before, these vendors had responded to the gospel. Twenty of them received Christ. Then our group met Rob and the group at the Rose of Sharon Orphan Home. The Dare 2 Serve group played games, sang, brought supplies, talked about Christ and prayed for the children.
These young people are so similar to American students. They like the same music, study the same subjects and have a desire for a deeper purpose. They are difference makers. Some of their friends wonder why they spend their Saturday afternoons out in the streets or the forgotten homes, but for these students, ministry is worth living for. They have decided to take up the call of Christ themselves and not wait for others to serve. They have Dared 2 Serve!
Pray for these students who are making a huge impact. Then ask yourself, "what can I do in my neighborhood?"
Jessie Eickman and Karen Sautbine
