Author's original title: MATABELELAND 'S SOARING SOULS

The every day economic realities that Zimbabweans face seem incomprehensible to us.

1. By month-end (April) Zimbabwe 's year to year inflation rate will have topped 1000% according to calculations by regionally represented Imares Financial Services Group.

2. “At independence 25 years ago 30% of the population lived below the poverty datum line, now, in 2006 it's over 90%. Unemployment was between 15% and 20%, now it is over 85% if we want to be conservative and use government statistics”, said Lovemore Matombo President of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions

3. At least 3,000 Zimbabweans are estimated to die each week of HIV/AIDS related illness while more than 170,000 people are in immediate need of ARV (anti-retroviral) drugs. The United Nation's Emergency Children's Fund (UNICEF) recently said a child dies from disease every 20 minutes in Zimbabwe .

4. Life expectancy for women in Zimbabwe has plummeted to just 34 years of age, by far the lowest in the world according to data released by the W.H.O. (World Health Organization)

5. 4,000,000 Zimbabweans go to bed hungry every night.

In spite of a national crisis Christians in Matabeleland Province of Zimbabwe are full steam ahead with God's agenda.

Since 1995 men like Austin Vimba, Velaphi Mlangeni, Edmore Moyo, Justin Siziba, Jacob Moyo, Clement Tshuma and their families have brought about revival in Matabeleland . They, with others, have ignited a neglected and almost dead church.

WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL

With the focus on enrollment in the mid 1990's throughout Matabeleland coupled with the dedicated follow-up by the brethren, church growth and development has been meteoric. Adding to this progress was the opening of the WBS office in Bulawayo in July 2002. Currently they have more than 10,000 students and have witnessed approximately 1,200 baptisms. Velaphi Mlangeni directs this mission assisted by Jacob Moyo, Tendai Nyandoro and Mthokozisi Sibanda, all converts through WBS teaching. Lucky Ncube, a recent graduate of the Mutare Bible School , is also a part of the team. Brother Mlangeni is the speaker for World Radio heard each Sunday in prime time over a 20-state network which blankets Zimbabwe and surrounding nations. He also serves as an elder of the Bulawayo Central Church of Christ, a congregation of about 100 members.

In Bulawayo , the congregations which were started after the opening of the WBS office in 2002 are as follows: Airport, Mbizo and Pelandaba. The average attendance is 50.

Congregations which were started in the rural areas are as follows:

1. Lushongwe in Gwanda

2. Stanhope in Nyamandlovu

3. Forester in Nyamandlovu

4. Mazikhelela in Mtshabezi – Gwanda

5. Kumbudzi in Mtshabezi - Gwanda

6. Ezikwakhweni in Mtshabezi – Gwanda

7. Esikomena – Binga

8. Siachelaba – Binga

9. Mafululu – Binga

10. Luzimba – Binga

11. Chibila – Binga

12. Sichitumba – Binga

13. Gwangwaliba – Binga

14. Chipele – Binga

15. Nakaluba – Binga

16. Kabuba – Binga

17. Chuzya – Binga

18. Syadindi II – Binga

19. Masikili – Binga

20. Musazi – Binga

21. Malunga – Fig Tree

The average attendance is 80.

NKULUMANE – The “ Jerusalem Church ” of Matabeleland

When Austin and Miriam Vimba returned from their training in the United States in June 1995, they along with 15 others began a church in one of the most populous suburbs of Bulawayo . Today, on any given Sunday, you will find 500 people in worship. This congregation has continued to grow over the years while planting 18 other congregations from its own ranks.

Bulawayo and Matabeleland South

1. Pumula North 9. Nswazi

2. Pumula South 10. Siwazi

3. Nketa 8 11. Saphila

4. Nketa 9 12. Tshabalala

5. Nkulumane 13. Irisvale

6. Standmore 14. Sidawe

7. Shake

8. Cowdray Park

The average attendance varies between 80 – 120.

Gweru - Daniel Chikware and his wife (both WBS graduates) are making a big difference in this the 4 th largest city in Zimbabwe . Daniel spent about 2 years with the Nkulumane church and benefited from the leadership training provided by Austin Vimba.

Victoria Falls - Two congregations. Clement Tshuma and his family were sent by the Nkulumane church to revive a dying work. The last 3 years have seen the growth and influence of the church increase. It would not be uncommon to worship with as many as 200 on a Sunday morning.

Hwange - In 2004 a young family moved from Victoria Falls to begin a new work in this coal mining city. It is quite obvious they are following the precedent set by the Nkulumane church in Bulawayo to plant more churches.

A Little Bit of History

The first church in Bulawayo began in the early 1950's started by 2 Rhodesian families, the Claassens and Hadfields meeting in Brother Jimmy Claassen's home. This later became the Queen's Park Church of Christ. The second congregation to be established was the Hillside Church of Christ. With the blessings of the Queen's Park brethren these five families began this new work: Flynns, Masseys, Hadfields, Smiths and Rushtons.

Brother Jonah Inyathi and Fazo Nkomo began a church in another part of Bulawayo known as Mgwegwe in the late 1960's. The Hillside church provided the funds for their building. Other churches established from the1960's and later were Emganwini, Trenance, and Southwold.

NEW MAN ON THE BLOCK

In June 2005, Hailey Mlangeni (son of Velaphi and Stella Mlangeni) returned to Bulawayo from the United States after receiving a B.A. in Bible and a B.A. in Computer Information Services. He is the first Zimbabwean in Matabeleland to focus on teens and young adults. During the week several group Bible studies are being conducted by Hailey and his weekends are filled with youth oriented activities as well. Hailey says, “I have continued to meet with youths from other parts of Bulawayo . We have now written and sent letters inviting all youths all over Zimbabwe for this year's 1 st Annual Youth National Meeting.”

Good News Traveling Upon Good Works

The church in this southern province of Zimbabwe has immersed itself in a variety of good works that are meeting the needs of desperate people.

*Food is continually being distributed to villages in outlying areas.

*Wells are being dug providing precious dependable supplies of water

*Jacob Moyo conducts workshops to teach drip irrigation to drought stricken farmers and teaches them the gospel as well. More than 100 have been baptized through this effort.

*Clothes have been delivered to areas like Binga, Gwanda and Victoria Falls as well as those living in the townships surrounding Bulawayo , a city of 1,000,000 people.

I grew up in the Hillside congregation in Bulawayo where my father served as an elder for many years. My wife and I have truly been blessed to be part of the rebirth of the church in the province of Matabeleland since 1995. In recent correspondence from Austin Vimba, he reminded me of his longstanding friendship with our family. He was an interpreter for my father from English to Zulu and we have relished renewing our strong bonds of friendship and brotherly love. Please keep the Lord's work in Zimbabwe in your prayers, as well as our efforts.