Dedication – Easter 2011 – You’re Invited!

Ebenezer Refuge Project came to life on 10 December 2010 with formal government approval and a registration number n to operate as a welfare organization. Behind this red letter day were long years of waiting. Three years into the process the application papers were discovered missing, and Gert Olivier was encouraged to reapply four years ago.

Outdoor Kitchen

The site for Emmanuel Missions is adjacent to a chrome mining operation which includes numerous houses renovated into homes creating a village setting. Two mining companies originally operated at Lalapanzi on land owned by Gert Olivier’s cousin, Cecil MacLaren. They stopped operations for a number of years. Law required them to bring the property back to its original condition. Gert Olivier offered to purchase the buildings to use for the orphanage, and so he did. Orphans and elderly were placed in many of the homes but then after a few years major problems developed.

One was the land issue which is a current or potentially future problem in most post-colonial countries. This is a very complex issue and at Lalapanzi has its own twists. One of the mines opened up again and wanted the buildings back. Local people are claiming the land, even moving boundary posts to confuse the issue. Gert Olivier writes in his Christmas letter 2011, “It has also been a year of so many ups and downs, but … right now the light is shining bright and the hope is there. The words which the Lord gave me during a period of trials, saying, “Fear not. You will recover all” is true.

The other big problem was registering as a non-government organization (called NGOs in Zimbabwe). This process was begun some years back but the application was discovered to be lost in some government office some three years later. So re-application was made, and four years later approved as Ebenezer Refuge Project on 10 December 2010.

Until approval came the homes were shut down and the orphans and elderly sent further into the rural areas to other homes. The Mission still assisted with food, school fees, etc. Now with registration approval they are able to open up housing on property in buildings undisputed in ownership.

The philosophy behind ERP is non-institutional. Each unit is comprised of a family group, including a “mother” and up to six children. Supervision is provided to help them in their daily needs—washing, cooking, personal requirements, etc.

A dedication to mark the new beginning is planned for Easter 2011.Everyone is invited!