You all know that I began studying at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary last Fall. Many of you don't know, however, about some friends from Zimbabwe Sarah and I met not long after our arrival. Jorum and Evah Mugari (and their two children Adrian and Rosanne) are experiencing America for the first time, and although many Americans feel like our government is corrupt, the Mugari's can offer a much clearer definition of corrupt government. 45% of the population of Zimbabwe is malnourished, unemployment is over 85%, one in four has HIV-AIDS (350 children in Zimbabwe are orphaned every day due to the disease), and inflation is as high as 150,000% (the price of a carton of milk taken from a supermarket shelf can be higher by the time it reaches the checkout!). All this means that Zimbabwe currently has the lowest life expectancy in the world (women can expect to live to 34) and this country has the world's second highest diaspora (per capita), following only Palestine. The Zimbabwean government, led by the despised president Robert Mugabe (see a recent NYTimes article on the man and his deteriorating nation here; see current news of the state of the current elections here) who continues to maintain power through rigged elections. Recently, I saw a map of Africa detailing President Bush's visit, and Zimbabwe was in the shadow of the many other nations gaining American attention -- due to the prohibition of aid for Zimbabwe.
Our friends barely made it to the states to follow God's call of ministry through biblical leadership. Yet there "happened" to be a two-day window when the government was giving out passports, and Jorum and his entire family "happened" to each receive one (literally, a miracle). Jorum often tells me of the huge weight that is on his shoulders, having had witnessed daily atrocities of AIDS and the physical malnourishment of his people (largely because of the selfish over-nourishment on the part of a sinful government) but also to see how God has clearly brought him here to be a witness to a Kingdom which knows no corruption.
Jorum and his family plan to return to Zimbabwe in 2010. But there is one problem: his aid runs out at the end of this December. The Lord has faithfully provided for him and his family until now and they are confident He won't leave them in this foreign land. I often come home to my apartment building, my heart heavy with wondering about my own education and missing my friends and family; but then I see Jorum's always-smiling face, and I remember what he has seen and experienced. Jorum's ministry has included providing family and support for orphans of AIDS victims (he often traveled across the face of Africa to find family-members who can provide for the orphaned children of his community); he ministers to street-kids, who call him "Bass Jore" (Boss Jorum); he offers support for the Theological College of ZImbabwe; and he actively serves in his church. But his real passion is to transform a corrupt government through the power of a Peaceful Kingdom.
Jorum came to me a few weeks ago with his concern of (a) even returning to his country and (b) returning with the proper training he set out to achieve. I told him he was my dear friend, and I would do everything in my power to help him in his incredible ministries to a nation where Christianity is spreading quicker than it is deteriorating here (to hear the most amazing sermon on the future of Global Christianity, which has completely changed my perspective, click here). This brings me to the reason for this e-mail. God is working across his globe, and unfortunately we often don't get to see the fruit here in the States. The Mugari family has been a blessing to the Gordon-Conwell campus, and they have been good friends to me and Sarah. Will you consider to join the Lord in his work in Zimbabwe by supporting Jorum and his family and his profound ministry opporunities? Support will go to regular provision of necessities such as health insurance (a pain in the state of Massachussetts), groceries, schooling, and so forth. Obviously, they are in a continual process of finding ways to cut corners. Once the Lord provides for the Mugari's and they return to Zimbabwe, the continued aid will go toward the many ministries listed above. I have volunteered to be part of a team which oversees this process of fund-raising and support which will build lifelong bridges between faith communities across the States and the deteriorating country of Zimbabwe. Will you be a pillar in that bridge? Send checks (specify "Zimbabwe" in the Memo line) to:
True Sojourners
Barrington, NH 03825
More importantly, please consider supporting the Mugari's through prayer, and by frequently checking for upadates on Jorum's Blog. May the Lord bless and keep you.
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