What a wonderful God we have in Jesus. I have seen that there is nothing impossible for Him! I have just returned from a missions outreach to Zimbabwe where, together with evangelising, delivering Christian literature, distributing clothing from High Pointe Church in Washington and installing water purifiers from the Texas Baptist Men, God revealed Himself in powerful ways.

Through prayer to God and faith in the name of Jesus, wonderful miracles of healing happened through the power of the Holy Spirit, both physically and within peoples’ Spirits. The most spectacular miracle happened when Pastor Gwararaoma of Mucheke Baptist Church took me to go and pray for a former revered Witch who had repented and given her life to Jesus last month. She was lame and had not been able to walk since April. When we got to the house, I found her sitting on the floor of her porch, where her carer had placed her. I laid my hands on her in the name of Jesus Christ and prayed for healing in her legs. After praying, I told her that Jesus had healed her and that she should stand…she did. She then said that she had lost the sight in her right eye. I told her that Jesus could give her sight back and closed her right eye with my hand. The Holy Spirit came upon her and after praying, she closed her left eye with her hand and started identifying everyone around her. To the astonishment of the gathered neighbours and onlookers, she then walked me to the car. The following evening I saw her at the worship service at church….she had walked there from her home.

On another evening, a mother brought her seven-month-old daughter to the front of the church for prayer. The child’s legs were lame. I put my hands on her legs in the name of Jesus and prayed for the power of the Holy Spirit to heal her. While praying, her left leg kicked while still in my hands. I then prayed for the right leg, which also then kicked. Friends, we serve a loving and powerful God in Jesus Christ - faith in Him heals and saves.

However, of all these wonders and miracles, the blessing that touched me the most will probably not be regarded highly on the world’s “WOW” scale. I have been heavily burdened by troubles within churches and individuals recently. Issues that have related to peoples’ own agendas, self-righteousness, pride and disunity. This most recent trip comprised of a fourteen-member missions team made up of people from different backgrounds, churches and denominations. We had to endure long hours of travelling, uncomfortable sleeping conditions, fatigue, no hot water and other difficulties associated with African mission trips, but at no time did their focus change on why they were there. Jesus and His love was the priority in everyone’s approach, not only towards the people we were ministering to, but also to each other within the group. From start to finish, the fruits of God’s Spirit shone and joy flowed amongst the brothers and sisters. How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity- Psalm 133:1

Amongst the joy, I also wept with the passing of one of the orphans. Nyasha was abandoned at the magistrate’s court as a baby and taken to the orphanage, where he was loved for four years. In July of this year, I prayed for Nyasha who was suffering with an unknown lung disease. I pleaded with the Lord, but felt the Spirit telling me that this little boy was going to be taken back to his Heavenly father. When I arrived at the orphanage ten days ago, I was told that Nyasha had died the previous night. I was very upset and couldn’t understand why Nyasha had suffered for all those months. I struggle with God sometimes, but believe His way is best. David knew it (Psalm 119:71), and so did Paul (Rom 8:28). As an orphan, Nyasha was going to be thrown into a mass grave by Social Services. So, last week, in a bustling market in Masvingo, I bought my first coffin, and Nyasha had a decent burial the next day.

I have peace that when compared to eternity and the joy experienced in heaven, Nyasha suffered little (1Peter 5:10). Maybe he held on for us to be able to give him a decent burial, or maybe for someone to read this mail and be convicted. Whatever the reason, I know that Jesus loves us all and He has everything under control.

This year has been a tough one for our family. However, our Lord has blessed us greatly in the midst of the various trials of cancer and loss. We praise Him for the loving and gracious Father He is, where in the midst of the difficulties, He has guided the ministry into a new direction that has extended the Kingdom further and deeper and “Serves the needs in Africa” according to His prompting. I will be preaching in Washington State in December.  We hope to go as a family to present the vision to churches and individuals there, and to raise support for the ministry. We continue to rely on the Lord for His provision and surrender all to His will.

Be blessed.

Leo