Not Too Young - Dare2Serve

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

One Good Hot Meal

Recently we visited the Rugare Children's Home and Feeding Station.  It is one of the many Hands of Hope projects in Zimbabwe.  Today's entry are the thoughts of Dave Nelson from East Troy Bible Church who experienced the joy and the difficulties of this amazing place.

On Tuesday, March 22nd we went to the Rugare Children’s home. Rugare is in a high density population area. The Children’s home shared the grounds of the Hope Valley Assembly Church. Pastor Henry Zihove ministers to the congregation and lives on the grounds with his own children and about 6 others. Rugare is also a feeding station where local children come to get a hot meal every day. For some it might be there only meal of the day.

When we arrived, I would guess there were about 25 to 30 children who had just finished eating, and were rinsing their dishes. Most of them were wearing school uniforms. One of the care givers explained to me, the children not wearing uniforms did not go to school, probably because they could not afford it.

Two things struck me within minutes of arriving at the home. One was the level of poverty. There was no grass yard or swing. It was dirt and weeds. The one room house that the pastor and his family share with the orphans, at one time housed 15 people. The second thing that struck me was the children. Though they were dirty and their clothes worn, their faces were full of life. Their eyes lit up when they smiled, which was often. The ladies in our group had the children singing and dancing within minutes of our arrival. If you closed your eyes and didn’t notice the African accent, it was easy to imagine yourself at VBS in the States.

Though the level of poverty and the condition of the grounds were disturbing to me, the smiles on their faces and the sounds of their singing reassured me of God’s presence. I will continue to pray for Pastor Henry and his wife as they bring Hope and the Word of God to these precious children.

Please pray for the children of Rugare Church, home and feeding station.  Maybe you could be part of the blessing in Rugare!

Dave Nelson

"Shifting Gears"

A note from Bud Jackson:

It has been a pleasure to be bringing information your way in terms of what we see God doing in Zimbabwe in the area of HIV/AIDS response. In the last three months, we were privileged to have three teams of individuals visit us and see what we're seeing on a daily basis.

A major component of these visits has been the long term view of partnership we're entering into with local gatherings of Christ followers in the United States and Canada. As friends from these groups have spent time with us, we have applied ourselves together to the dynamic of discerning where, how and when to engage. That exercise is on-going.

I have also extended an invitation to representatives from these groups of friends to contribute to this Blog. I'd like for their unedited view to be available to those of you who are prayerfully following, and contributing toward, what we're doing here in Zimbabwe.

Many thanks to pastor Ron Christiansen, and members of the ZimPact2011 team who have contributed, for their excellent posts (except for the picture of me, of course!). I trust these will be on-going, and that others from other groups will feel comfortable to do the same.

As we continue to move forward, the picture of what we've been drawn here for is becoming more and more clear.

Without doubt, who we (the ANESU Partnership) are and what we do is going to be governed by the following rules of engagement:

· Every aspect of ANESU’s work is founded on meaningful inter-personal and inter-organizational relationships. All assistance, every cooperative strategic connection, and each step going forward will be predicated on genuine relational dynamics at every level.

· Nothing will be done that is not connected in some meaningful way with the Biblical household of faith both within and outside of Zimbabwe.

· ANESU is Christocentric; an active and intentional response to Christ’s challenge, “As the Father has sent me, so send I you.”

· ANESU is people oriented, not program oriented.

· ANESU’s work will grow locally and organically.

· ANESU will engage in some areas to implement helpful elements, and in others areas to supplement additional elements with a view to focusing resources and ideas, and channeling zeal.

· ANESU’s work will be as cost effective as possible (the first solution to a challenge will not be money based).

· ANESU will engage with a view to sustainability.

We are committed to the following core values:

· Biblical truth

· Great Commission

· Prayer

· Servant leadership

· Teamwork

· Compassion

· Integrity

· Financial accountability

We will seek to function within the embrace of the following principles of operation:

· Governable

· Adaptable

· Adjustable

· Valuable

· Cooperative

· Incarnational

We're very grateful for the partners in North America and Zimbabwe who are coming together. It is a privilege to meet them at the present nexus of opportunity in Zimbabwe, and to see things move in a very significant and genuinely helpful and effective way.

We've enjoyed meaningful interaction with a contact in Austria, and had informal conversation with a friend in Australia about extending our partner base in those directions.

So it's onward and upward for the Kingdom! We'll keep you posted.

Bud.

Bud Jackson

Team Leader, ANESU Partnership

Zimbabwe

anesupartnership@gmail.com

Africa HIV/AIDS Coordinator

TEAM

Just for Fun

Buddy in High School

I found this picture in my parent's photo album yesterday.  Just thought you might like to see how Buddy looked in high school.

You also might enjoy a note Bud's son Heath wrote about him.  Below is the link.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=180142325351561&topic=234

Bud and Mandy are uniquely positioned in Zimbabwe to be ambassadors for TEAM and the Kingdom of Heaven.  God has raised up Bud and Mandy for such a time as this.

He is Faithful - A New Godly Generation

Today's story is about how the ANESU Partnership is working shoulder to shoulder with Zimbabwean Christians to reach a new generation with hope and Christ.

________________________________________________________

It is one thing to read the Bible and it is another thing altogether to do what it says. The Scripture says that we are not just to be hearers of the Word but doers of the Word.

On one of our excursions was into the Cranborne community in Harare to Cranborne Community Church. We had a meeting in a pastor's home. On the surface, the property was very nice. It had beautiful gardens and trees. Beside the house was a large 25x15 foot porch in the middle of the yard covered with a thatched roof.

Under this roof, seven young Zimbabweans had gathered. They were young people in their late teens and early twenties. They had gathered to tell us about their lives. All of them had been orphaned or abandoned. The pastor had given his wife, Pavensi, permission to bring them into their home. So, Pavensi began the effort of caring for them

However, as she cared for them, she realized that she needed to prepare them for life by ensuring their education and providing life-skills training. She began a ministry to them and through them called the "He is Faithful Ministry"

The idea of He is Faithful is to train young people to go into the rural villages and work among other disadvantaged children and orphans by tutoring them and sharing the Gospel. Their goal is to share the Gospel of Christ through the door of compassionate social ministry.

So, Pavensi began training them. She converted the garage to a chicken coup and started an egg and fryer buisiness. The money began to support the orphan's care and provide for resources. Then, TEAM sent Karen DuBert to further train the young people in refining English, public speaking, and teaching skills.

The orphans in Pavensi's home each have a personal faith in Christ. They have hopes and dreams for their own employment. But they also have a desire to share their hope with others. They will be going to rural areas soon to begin a ministry with orphans. Many of these rural orphans are in "child led homes" without a future. These homes are in crisis. As children head the homes, they have to take care of their siblings and have no time for school or English. English is required by the universities. Without further tutoring, these children have no hope of success or hope of hearing about Christ.

He is Faithful desires to "raise up God-fearing children out of the orphan community." They desire to "catch them young for God." They want "to touch and change the world by teaching and encouraging children in Christ."

So here is Pavensi's work. She read the Bible and saw that to care for the widow and orphan is true religion. She took the orphans into her home not only to care for them, but to raise them up for God. She then began equipping them for life and for ministry. These orphans are now articulate young adults and beginning the work of helping other orphans.

Pretty amazing! But, God can use you too. Are you willing? Begin to pray and ask him to show you.

Pavensi said at the end of our talk, "I don't know how this is going to work out, but we are going to take the first step."

That is faith in action.

First Aid 4 AIDS - Reach4Life

Reach4Life is an HIV training program in the local schools that utilizes the New Testament. The New Testament training book was designed and launched in 2004. The little orange book, which has since become a global icon in HIV prevention, contains the whole New Testament plus 265 pages of material geared at revolutionizing young people’s sexual attitudes. The ultimate message of Reach4Life is a gospel message; producing safe lifestyle parameters by means of changed lives, calling young people to a relationship with Christ. This new relationship with Jesus Christ will sustain their commitment to chastity, and provide a solid foundation for wise lifestyle choices. Governments and school systems have requested this discipleship ministry to enter the public schools.

Olen Johnsen of our team from the East Troy Bible Church writes his observations of the Reach 4 Life Ministry.

Reach for Life - The Choice is Yours is a combination curriculum to fight against HIV/AIDS. The book includes the New Testament and a 4 part curriculum. At the beginning the reader is encouraged to think about a revolution. There are two revolutions. A sexual revolution and a spiritual revolution. The sexual revolution is the call to understanding sex within the bounds of marriage, and away from the suicidal sex that permeates the world today. The spiritual revolution calls people to understand the value of life in Christ.



The book was developed in partnership with International Bible Society. It has since become more than a Bible giveaway, but whole ministry of its own. Provinding classes in many venue's from church to school to home.

Prospective instructors are given a month long training class, then they are enabled to step out into their ministry area to teach Reach for Life. It has turned out to be a compelling way for the Word of God to be delivered all over the world. In most parts of the world the class is part of the public school curriculum on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Each book costs ten dollars. This puts the whole New Testament, a mentor, a church, and the lessons into the hands of a young person. The book is well written, relevant to modern youth culture, and accurate to God's truth.

Reach for Life is one of the tools that the ANESU Partnership is using to build relationships with Zimbabwe youth pastors,orphan homes and church leaders.

We have small groups already supporting Reach 4 Life in Zimbabwe. Maybe you would consider supporting Reach for Life to impact thousands of young people with clear answers about morality, spiritual guidance, and salvation.  Please contact Bud Jackson to ask how you can partner with this life saving ministry at anesupartnership@gmail.com.

Olen Johnsen

What is AIDS?

The Dark Reality: The life expectancy of a woman in 

Zimbabwe is 33 years old.

What is AIDS?

ACQUIRED: That is, it is a disease that people get or catch. The virus is passed from person to person, often from mother to baby. An infected person gets or acquires the virus that causes AIDS from someone else who already has the virus.

IMMUNE: HIV attacks the immune system. The word “immune” speaks of protection or defense.

DEFICIENCY: There is a deficient, inadequate, or “less-than needed” response to all diseases by the immune system.

SYNDROME: Any syndrome is just a group of signs and symptoms. When a person has AIDS, there is a group of signs and symptoms that point to that fact.

A person on ARVs - antiretroviral drugs can live for many years. However, in Africa only about 5 ARVs out of about 12 products world-wide are effective. Apparently, this is because people in Africa are not consistent in their use of ARVs and many of the drugs are now ineffective.

When people die of AIDS - what does that mean?

AIDS is only a description of the syndrome related to HIV. A person infected with HIV usually dies of some other opportunistic disease. HIV weakens and destroys the immune system so that the body cannot resist other diseases such as Malaria, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia or any other life threatening illness - even viral induced cancers. Further, HIV/AIDS renders a person tired and weak so that they tend to neglect nutrition and hygiene. They no longer have the energy to work in their gardens and in their homes or live productively in society.

Photo: Dave Nelson

What are some of the keys to 

living positively with HIV?

Support - people with HIV need medical support, but they also need the encouragement of their families. People with HIV need training and partnerships with other people living with HIV and from caregivers.

ARVs - people with HIV need good medication and medical attention to combat HIV and other opportunistic diseases.

Nutrition - people with HIV need to have good nutrition in their diet. Further, nursing infants need to have supplemental milk from another source than their mother.

Attitude - people with HIV need to have a good outlook on life.

Transparency - all HIV carriers need to be open and transparent for any of the solutions above to be effective. Today, there is still much stigma about carrying HIV and still much bad information. In short, people live negatively and live in denial about HIV. This prevents them from getting good treatment, it allows them to potentially spread the infection, and prevents them from getting good spiritual, physical and emotional council.

What can the church do?

The church is strategically positioned to assist families and individuals in every area of their lives. More importantly, the church can introduce a person to Jesus Christ who transforms them from the inside out and gives them a purpose for living positively. This blog is dedicated to the churches who are in the battle. It is exciting to see individuals ignite the church in Zimbabwe to offer real help. These churches are offering help for the physical crisis of today but also offering help for HIV of the soul - which is more deadly than any other form of HIV.

What is HIV?

Bud and Mandy have a heart to minister to people with HIV in Africa.  But what is HIV?  Is it a Homosexual disease?  Why do children have HIV in Africa?

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the pathogen that causes AIDS. In this short clip, three of scientists discuss how HIV infection occurs, how the virus attacks the immune system, and how it replicates within white blood cells. Visit the documentary website - http://www.conversationswiththeliving.org. 

HIV: Belongs to a group of viruses called retroviruses. There are several types (varieties) of HIV. There are many types of the virus found in different areas of the world, especially in different areas of Africa. If you are infected with any type of HIV, and you are not treated with antiretroviral drugs, you will almost certainly develop AIDS and die within two to fourteen years. If you get good medical care and take antiretroviral drugs properly, you may live longer but will likely die of AIDS in the end.

HUMAN: The virus is only found in humans. It is not found in animals or insects.

IMMUNODEFICIENCY: The virus reduces the defense power of the immune system. The immune system has the job of protecting the body from all kinds of infections and invaders. It destroys harmful microbes that enter the body.

VIRUS: A virus is a microbe too small to see with a regular light microscope. Viruses are the smallest of all micro-organism, hundreds of times smaller than a bacteria or malaria parasite.

Colored scanning electron micrograph of a T4 cell (green) infected with HIV (red).
© NIBSC/Science Photo Libraryc
http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_life_cycle_9635.shtml

How does someone get HIV?

HIV is spread most often through sexual behavior in Africa. In the US it is considered a homosexual disease or a disease of IV drug users. But in Africa, HIV is largely a heterosexual disease. Sub-Saharan Africa has a low IV drug use rate. Instead, HIV is spread through sexual promiscuity. The promiscuous husband brings the HIV back into the family and infects his wife or wives. The women carry the disease and then spread HIV to their children through delivery and nursing. One of the greatest 1st steps in eradication of the disease is through testing for HIV. If a person is tested, they will be more likely to think more carefully about sexual contact and more likely to change their behavior. In Zimbabwe, testing is a priority for all people, even children.

A World Shaped by HIV/AIDS
http://www.worldmapper.org/images/largepng/227.png

Cents and Sensibility - Rafiki Girls Center

One of the needs in Zimbabwe is skills training for disadvantaged children.  Children on the streets with no skills will more likely be used, abused and pursue crime to survive.  Children with skills will have a new sense of worth and will have something to offer a supply and demand market.  Further, children who are invited to know Christ while at the same time learning skills will become a happy and productive part of culture.

Bud and Mandy are working to establish relationships with organizations that are preforming this kind of service to disadvantaged children.  These organizations give spiritual promise and economic hope to children. Today, Karen Sautbine from East Troy Bible Church shares her story about the Rafiki Girls Center at Central Baptist Church in Harare.  This program is a perfect example of how Christian individuals and churches are meeting the need of disadvantaged children in Zimbabwe.

Imagine not being able to go to high school because you could not afford the tuition, or didn't score well enough on the entrance exam for high school.  What would you do?  How would you earn money?  How would you feel about yourself?  Would you feel lonely or unworthy?

The Central Baptist Church in Harare provides an answer for girls who are trying to learn skills.  The Rafiki Girls Center provides skills training for impoverished girls from 17 - 25 years of age.  The school is located in the upper floor of the church.  Twenty six girls are selected for a nine month program.  They learn basic life-skills for the first three months and then spend six months learning a marketable skill. The skills taught at this school are catering, sewing, computer skills and home furnishing design. These girls are then able to be employed, seek further education or start their own business.

The Rafiki Girls Center builds relationships with these young ladies by encouraging them, and assisting them to improve their lives. The teachers use this opportunity to share the Gospel and disciple the girls in Christ.  They provide mentorship, follow-up and accountability for the girls.  The school has united tools, equipment, mentorship and discipleship into one program that equips the girls to live and succeed.

I loved the eagerness and smiles on the faces of the students.  They grinned proudly as they showed us the items they had created.  They protrayed a sense of hope and future.

Please pray for these girls and this mentorship ministry.  The Rafiki Girls Center needs tools, supplies and equipment.  Further, pray that the girls can find employment and relationship opportunities after graduation.

What was a Sign of the Messiah?

We have a lot of perceptions about Jesus and His ministry.  We have done much to define, capture and understand Him.  The Life of Jesus is like a multi-faceted diamond.  His life can be examined from different angles and new things can be understood and learned.

However, the life and ministry of Jesus had some specific aspects.  One of the many reason's Jesus became incarnate and walked this earth, was to define God's values for the Kingdom of Heaven.  The Kingdom of Heaven as introduced by Jesus is very different from the kingdom of this earth.

Isaiah 61describes the King of the Kingdom and His work

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

          to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

          to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

     ²     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

     ³     to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

          the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

          that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

     ⁴     They shall build up the ancient ruins;

they shall raise up the former devastations;

          they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

Jesus walked into His home town of Nazareth and went to His synagogue on the day this passage was to be read.  Jesus was invited to read the text.  It is found in Luke 4:14.

¹⁴ And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. ¹⁵ And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

¹⁶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ¹⁷ And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

     ¹⁸     “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

          He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

     ¹⁹     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

²⁰ And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹ And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus saw Himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah 61.  It is interesting that these verses describe God's Messiah as being a King of justice, truth and compassion.  The character traits of the Kingdom of Heaven are marked by the character of the King.

John the Baptist was eventually imprisoned.  As he awaited his doom, it seems he was captured by doubt.  In his anxiety, he sent and asked Jesus for evidence that Jesus was truly the King of Isaiah's prophecy.

Jesus responded in Matthew 11

² Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples ³ and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” ⁴ And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Jesus could have responded in so many different ways to John's question.  But Jesus had begun a ministry to Israel to demonstrate the King and the Kingdom of Heaven.  He gave John the answer that soothed John's mind.  Jesus was the King and His teaching was marked with justice, compassion and truth.

If we are followers of this King, then as we wait for the fulfillment of His kingdom, should we not also walk in His ways?  We may not be able to do signs and wonders, but Jesus will perform justice, compassion and truth in us as we serve Him.

The question is, how will the world around us understand what the Kingdom of Heaven is like and be attracted to the God of the universe if we aren't active in demonstrating Christ and discipling people?  

As we begin the tour of Bud and Mandy's ministry, you will see that this is not a humanitarian mission. Instead Bud and Mandy are developing a little slice of heaven on earth.  As people taste and see the Lord is good, they will find His truth is just, compassionate and full of hope.  They will crave for the good food of God's Word and be healed in their souls.

Pastor Ron Christiansen

The Holy Bible : English Standard Version., Is 61:1-4, Lk 4:14-21, Mt 11:2-6 (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001).

Inspiration

One of the Scriptures God used to show me what He values is Isaiah 58.  If you haven't read it for awhile, read it again.  The question is - are these just words on a page or do they reveal the heart of God for His people?  Yes, they were written thousands of years ago, but God's heart never changes.  If you read these words, be prepared to apply them.  Ask God to show you how to obey and ask Him to give you His heart.

Pastor Ron

Isaiah 58 “Cry aloud; do not hold back;

lift up your voice like a trumpet;

          declare to my people their transgression,

to the house of Jacob their sins.

     ²     Yet they seek me daily

and delight to know my ways,

          as if they were a nation that did righteousness

and did not forsake the judgment of their God;

          they ask of me righteous judgments;

they delight to draw near to God.

     ³     ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?

Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’

          Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,

and oppress all your workers.

     ⁴     Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight

and to hit with a wicked fist.

          Fasting like yours this day

will not make your voice to be heard on high.

     ⁵     Is such the fast that I choose,

a day for a person to humble himself?

          Is it to bow down his head like a reed,

and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?

          Will you call this a fast,

and a day acceptable to the Lord?

     ⁶     “Is not this the fast that I choose:

to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the straps of the yoke,

          to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?

     ⁷     Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

and bring the homeless poor into your house;

          when you see the naked, to cover him,

and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

     ⁸     Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,

and your healing shall spring up speedily;

          your righteousness shall go before you;

the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

     ⁹     Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

          If you take away the yoke from your midst,

the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

     ¹⁰     if you pour yourself out for the hungry

and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

          then shall your light rise in the darkness

and your gloom be as the noonday.

     ¹¹     And the Lord will guide you continually

and satisfy your desire in scorched places

and make your bones strong;

          and you shall be like a watered garden,

like a spring of water,

whose waters do not fail.

     ¹²     And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;

you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

          you shall be called the repairer of the breach,

the restorer of streets to dwell in.

     ¹³     “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath,

from doing your pleasure on my holy day,

          and call the Sabbath a delight

and the holy day of the Lord honorable;

          if you honor it, not going your own ways,

or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly;

     ¹⁴     then you shall take delight in the Lord,

and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;

          I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Is 58:1-14). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Dear Friends

Dear Friends,

If you are a regular reader of this blog, then we share a few things in common. Likely, we share a friendship with Bud and Mandy Jackson and are very interested in their ministry. I am sure that we also share a common love for people, an interest in HIV/AIDS, a love for orphans and widows, and we are probably very interested in God's response to this world of His.

Buddy sharing his heart

Buddy has invited me to periodically post glimpses into the world in which he ministers. As a pastor who was convicted by Scripture to become involved in the things that God values, I took a trip with seven others in March of 2011 to Zimbabwe. Our team from East Troy Bible Church, the Chapel in Marlboro and Antioch Evangelical Free Church saw first hand the ministry, the people and the heart of Bud and Mandy's mission in Zimbabwe.

Maybe these entries will give you a deeper appreciation for Bud and Mandy's journey of ministry. But more importantly, will encourage you to do more than read a blog. Hopefully, you too will visit Zimbabwe and see for yourself all the good things God is doing within the devastation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zimbabwe. Hopefully, you will pray more earnestly for Bud and Mandy. Certainly, you will be convicted as I was to be involved in acting positively for the cause of the orphan and the widow.

Please pray for the Jacksons. Mandy will be travelling on the 9th of April (her birthday) back to Zimbabwe. Pray that her travel is safe, the packing gets done, the last minute details accomplished and for a good reunion with Bud!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Ron Christiansen

AWANA Day at Chironga

"ANESU Situation Report ... three months in"

ANESU Status Report

ZimPact 2011

The ZimPact 2011 team from East Troy, leaves today for Zimbabwe.

I will be at the airport to meet them at mid-day on Sunday, to begin a two-week itinerary in and around Harare and out into the tribal Northeast of Zimbabwe.

The team will be impacted powerfully at every level. Please pray for us and with us as we meet hurting people and connect with those of the household of faith in Zimbabwe who are responding to the hurt.

Please click on the ZimPact 2011 link at the top of the column to the right, or copy and paste http://zimpact.blogspot.com/ to your browser to follow the progress of the team. This excellent Blog is already well underway. We invite you to join the "Home Team" as they support the ZimPact 2011 team with their prayers and interest.

Bud Jackson
Team Leader
ANESU Partnership

"Rising to The Challenge From an Agricultural Point of View"

ANESU is grateful for the excellent working relationship already in place with Foundations for Farming. This is an agriculturally based response initiative that shares the vision ANESU has of engaging the Church in Zimbabwe in a redemptive response in answer to the felt need of marginalized and disenfranchised Zimbabweans.

Brian Oldrieve, the founding director of Foundations for Farming is a long-time friend of ANESU’s director, Bud Jackson. Both Brian and Bud worked together in a church planting context in the 1990’s, at a time when Brian was a leading Christian commercial farmer in a community where a new church was being formed.

Clearly, God has used this authentic servant of His in a powerful way thus far. God continues to bless the vision that he gave to Brian some years ago. This is especially evident in the aftermath of a recent call to prayer that was initiated in Zimbabwe through the auspices of Trumpet Call for Transformation, a partnership between the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and Foundations for Farming.

Since then even a number of government departments have indicated a desire for Foundations for Farming to be included in their agenda.

Clearly, God is at work in this nation.

Please watch and listen to this interview, and hear the testimony of this remarkable servant of Christ as he shares his vision for Zimbabwe.

ANESU team member, Julie Vanzevern, is engaged with Foundation for Farming in a medical and natural medicinal herb-based response. The expansion and broader application of this program is part of the on-going strategy of ANESU in Zimbabwe.

One to one with Brian Oldreive from Newfrontiers on Vimeo.