Formerly known as Rhodesia, this country of 12.5 million people is bordered by Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana. 75% of the population is Christian and is made up of two primary ethnic groups, the Shona (71%) who live in the north near Harare (the capital) and the Ndebele (16%) who live in the south near Bulawayo. Current challenges are extreme inflation (over 1,000%), high unemployment (over 80%), the spread of HIV/AIDS (one third of all children under the age of fifteen are AIDS orphans) and a scarcity of common goods including food and petrol.

 

God has provided "Morning Star," a beautiful location with incredible granite formations in the Matobo Hills in southern Zimbabwe, for a Young Life camp. The five most important shrines of ancestor worship, witchcraft and animism, and the high place of Freemasonry are all within 15 miles of Morning Star ranch. Pray with us that God will use Morning Star as a "rock" to shatter these shrines and that He will prepare the hearts of young Zimbabweans to see and receive the light of Christ.

Pictured right, Morning Star, the future site of a Young Life camp in Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe.

In the midst of these challenges and exciting opportunities for ministry are Pierre and Rentia de Jager and Patson Mpofu, who have been called by God to begin Young Life in Zimbabwe.

 

Nkosi's Letter:
When we arrived at Morning Star, I at first didn't know what to expect, but it was excellent to note how all my apprehensions were easily dispelled on the first night of arrival. It was so incredible how, within an hour, everyone was chatting as if they'd known each other for some time. Most of the credit for the bonding that took place was that we were all united by the fact that we love God and all want to serve Him.
 
On Saturday, I believe I had one of the most liberating days of my life, as I discovered the beauty of Morning Star, and also the varying and surprisingly mature views of the other participants on the subjects of religion and life in general. I would also like to say that reading and discussing scripture on a hilltop surrounded by nothing but rock and clean air gave me this "closer to God" feeling and a relaxation that helped greatly with my absorbing the Word and the message behind it. So I gained inspiration from the bible, the adults and my newly made friends.
 
The most incredible thing was the isolation of the camp that helped to make us all into a family, and we had amazing praise and worship sessions at night. I feel the environment and the purpose (to worship and serve God) helped to make this camp unforgettably inspiring, and I believe Young Life is a brilliant idea.

 

 

VIEW the Young Life Zimbabwe photo album.

Contact Barb Salvino at (719) 381-1826.