Dear Friends, Family and Prayer Partners:Greetings in the precious Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whose birthday we are about to celebrate. My prayer is that you also are experiencing a year ending like our’s.

After a traumatic first half, the tables have turned and given us a period of calm. Throughout the Lord has led me on a walk of understanding the meaning of faith. He has confirmed that if He says it—regardless of what is happening around us—He is still in control. Romans 8:28 will apply. The end result is good; just the way He planned.

We’ve come through difficult periods that often followed what we believed were victories. I became very despondent and complaining until God’s reminder that Romans 8:28 still applies. Behind the scenes He was bringing to perfection something so much better than anything I had hoped for. This happened again and again. We were promised something by companies or officials or people, seemingly given it, and then seeing it all collapse. But later, much to our surprise, the same failures caused the matter to be revisited, and the second outcome rewarded us with more than the first. I finally understood that I must to carry on in faith and let God complete the work and give us our desire. This at last has given me peace.

I recently knew of a couple which decided to go on a Fast for one month—a Fast of not speaking in the negative. This witnessed with me as the Lord was already ministering to me about the same matter. Now I am trying to always speak positively, and this is changing my life as I focus on the good in circumstances and in people.  And I am learning that God is using even the bad situations to result in good for us. I am now enjoying a life of joy and peace.

This is not to say all problems are over. Most are due to lack of finances and our immediate and major challenge is a past due ZESA (electricity) bill of $15,000. This is not a personal bill but a community bill as all houses are billed together on one account which was arbitrarily put in the name of Emmanuel Missions. Charges spiraled out of proportion as the Zimbabwe dollar was collapsing and with disputes over who collects the rent. We could keep current if rents are paid, but most people are falling short. The stressed economy adds to the problem as companies are not paying their laborers regularly. It is only by the grace of God that we have not been disconnected.

Our good news is that our Ebenezer Refuge Project for orphans, finally registered at the end of last year, has taken off with a bang after a slow start. All of a sudden it is being recognized and accepted by the authorities. Sponsors are already waiting for the proposal[Update: Here is the proposal - Ebenezer Refuge Project], a professional piece of work drawn up by our project chairman and secretary. (Alfred, our chairman, is my spiritual son.) As we distribute this document, we are hoping it will generate the funds to begin the tasks required by the local authorities.

One potential sponsor is looking at building an orphanage to house 50 children. As I mentioned in my last letter, another is prepared to partner with us to renovate existing buildings into an orphanage complex. A fitted borehole to supply water is also under consideration. All this is in addition to Ebenezer’s mandate to assist orphans in their rural homes.

I mentioned earlier how God often works through difficult circumstances to bring about the good. We were threatened with being shut down by health authorities when a flurry of diarrhea cases was found in our area. A poor water supply was the problem, and we approached one of the mining companies which donated a borehole pump. We now have water in our village which alleviates the problem. So, this is one of those times when something bad has brought about the good.

I thank God for my walk with Him this year. I am a changed person who has acquired a love for my Lord in a way I’ve never before experienced. I have a new  joy in life.

We want to thank all of you so much for faithfully supporting us with donations, finances, goods, foodstuff, support for our pastors, and especially for your prayers. It is because of you that we have been able to survive. Thank you so much.

We close now with our heartiest greetings and best wishes as you celebrate Christmas.
In Africa as we travel we are often asked for a Christmas Box—a request for a gift at checkpoints and police stops. This gives me a perfect opportunity to witness to them about the reason for Christmas. Jesus came to give, so at Christmas they should be thinking about what they can give to somebody else as Christmas is about giving not receiving.

I also pray that 2012 will be the year of our desires being fulfilled, especially the outpouring of the Lord’s Spirit in Revival.

We love you all and thank you for partnering with us. Yours in His Harvest,

Gert, Anna and all at Emmanuel Missions

 

December 2011 Budget