Mudanda, Zimbabwe, July 2017 Blog Update #1

Before boarding the first leg of their international journey, they circled around for prayer.

“We are now on our way,” our partner-photographer, Bob, said, “and the Lord has blessed us to be here on this trip. All is well, and we need all prayer for the Lord to be magnified in His work.”

They arrived safely in Addis Ababa for their connection to Zimbabwe and everyone was eager to get to the clinic to help with the set-up.

Saturday, July 15, 2017

The team traveled to Mudanda today, and the blue skies caused Bob to reflect back to his first Zimbabwe outreach, which was to a different location in the Buhera region. The weather wasn’t quite as nice on that trip.

In Saturday’s email, Bob wrote about it:

Shalom, and good morning to all on this beautiful day the Lord has made. We are now on our way to Mudanda, Buhera. As we follow the large bus, my thoughts go back to my first time in Zimbabwe camping at another location in Buhera. We had many challenges to overcome, and at that time I was in security [Line Management].

We had arrived at the campsite, and went to the clinic to work on setup. Late in the day we had storms come through that were so strong that tents blew away. Also, the weight of the rain collecting on the top of the tents collapsed almost all tents at the clinic site.

When I saw this, I couldn't help but think, “This is it! We won't have a clinic, and we will probably have to go home.” Praise the Lord, that’s not the way it ended. We had a break in the weather about an hour before sundown, and everyone scrambled to get all camping gear in order, and we tried to get everything dry.

Here are a few photos from that first JVMI Medical Outreach to the Buhera District of Zimbabwe (Storm damage): 

Bob continues telling about the 2013 storm:

Habte Mulugeta spent the night at the clinic site setting up all the tents that were knocked down, and with the Lord’s help, the clinic opened on time. Also many locals came to know Yeshua as their Lord.

I now know that times like these help us to strengthen our faith in the Lord, and we need to put all our trust in Him. The Scripture that comes to mind for this is Philippians 4:11-13:

I am not saying this because I am in need—for whatever circumstance I am in, I have learned to be content. I know what it is to live with humble means, and I know what it is to live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment—both to be filled and to go hungry, to have abundance and to suffer need. I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me.

Also, no matter how bad we think things are, we need always to give thanks for it. 1Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Blessings from Zimbabwe, Bob Aiken

Sunday, July 16, 2017

The clinic opened Sunday afternoon with many patients waiting outside for treatment. We expect to see over 1,000 patients each day. Join us in praying for strength, wisdom, health, efficiency and unity throughout the Clinic week. (For detailed, day-by-day prayer points, click here.)

Right from the start, many patients have thanked us for coming. They are grateful for the no-cost medical, dental and eye care they’ll receive at the Jewish Voice Medical Clinic. Local healthcare in this rural region is very limited, and our Clinic will help people from miles around. Patients in line have already asked when we are coming back.

As part of the outreach, Jewish Voice Ministries helped replace the restroom facilities at the existing clinic site around which we have set up our Clinic. The work began about six weeks ago so that it would be ready for the people who would be coming to the Clinic. We are pleased to know that the new construction will be a blessing to the local clinic and its patients for years to come.

We are blessed to be Yeshua’s (Jesus’) hands and feet in this ministry to Jewish people and their neighbors in Mudanda, Zimbabwe. Thank you for being a part of making it possible through your financial support and prayers.

For day-by-day prayer points, click here.

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