YOUTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME IN ZIMBABWE

By P. Kashumba (Youth pastor)

The belated regional Youth Educational Program which had been scheduled to be held in the Central African country of Malawi, was finally relocated  to Zimbabwe, December 2002.  This was due to financial considerations. Although Zimbabwe is going through a bad patch economically, its economy is more manageable and resilient.

However, all the pastors, counsellors, support personnel and the youth themselves were disenchanted by the new arrangement. We were now subjected to a program of last minute decisions and rearrangements.

There was not one resort facility that was able to offer us accommodation for the full period of two weeks according to the original plans.  All the schools appeared frustratingly booked out. All telephone replies were in the negative.

Grudgingly, we had to split camp into two programs.  For the first week the programme was at a retreat centre named Rest Haven.  The second program was located at a dilapidated and ramshackle country school named Waddilove Training Institute.  When we moved over to the country school, all the youth campers and staff personnel felt a great let-down. Such was the contrast in standards between our first facility compared to our latter.  For instance, all the toilet systems seemed to be malfunctional.

But we soon realised that God had arranged the program in this manner in order for more campers to join the program.  The number of those able to attend doubled as a result of this administrative irregularity.  Not only that, we had a great evangelical impact in the areas surrounding Waddilove Training Institute.  The school staff and other members became prospective members, and some of them are attending church and requesting baptism.

The wife of one member of the school staff, who had been bed-ridden for years, was restored to health after the family surrendered themselves to God and were prayed over by our pastors.  The husband and wife were later baptised and have become part of our fellowship.

God’s presence and seal of approval were evident everywhere.  Our youth had been exposed to both worlds, luxury and poverty, and were able to transform Waddilove Training School into a beautiful holiday resort.  They managed to do this through a Community Service Program and our hosts were amazed and began to inquire more about our faith.  It became more meaningful to be at Waddilove than at luxurious Rest Haven.

The highlight of the whole program was when we were able to baptise forty people at the Marondera Hotel, a small country town that is next to Waddilove Training Institute.  All the regular patrons stopped their revelry, removed the beer bottles from their tables and became attentive to the occasion.

As the pastors laid their hands upon those baptised, and as tears flowed, we were visited by a company of pigeons.  The birds seemed to know what they were doing, celebrating with us over this spiritual harvest.  The participation of pigeons was graced by one which was different from all the others. It was pure white in colour.  It hovered in daring proximity to those having the blessing through the laying on of hands.

As a result of this experience the work of God in this region has taken off, and we are witnessing many baptisms and attending to many enquiries.  The number of prospective members is unmistakably on the increase.  Many of our youth who had wandered from the faith are coming back in droves.

On the other hand, the country’s economy has been so disrupted that many of our new members as well as long time members are finding it a real challenge to attend church regularly without assistance.  The prices of basic commodities, travel expenses and health care have just gone beyond what people can bear.

However, many of our youth who had wandered from the faith are coming back in droves