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NEWS

The news here is that we have had a reasonable wet season. It started off very well then suddenly in early February we had quite a dry spell and then we had a little bit of rain, and then none again for 2 weeks, so all the crops were drying off and the grass was disappearing. However, this last weekend we got 2" of rain which has revived everything. We are thankful to the Lord for getting us through. Now we are busy making silage and then we will also make as much hay as we can to get us through the dry season which will last between 6-8 months. But signs are that we will have enough fodder and silage to get us through that period. Amen.


We were disappointed with the fact that Martin and Marian were eventually asked to leave by the Ministry of Home Affairs. We did believe that the Lord was going to give them another period here, but immigration has become very difficult and in fact they are writing new laws to make it more difficult for ex-pats to be admitted into the country and to Sta} here. It is possible that this may be related to the S. African situation as many Zimbabweans did go into South Africa from here and if trouble breaks out in South Africa then they will probably try to return so it does appear that the Zimbabwean Government is going to try and restrict that to the minimum.


Martin and Marian are now over in Malawi, and they hope to return here for a short period to sort out their own personal belongings and then they will return to the UK for a lime, possibly with a view to returning to Malawi or maybe some other African country. Joanne was of course very disappointed with leaving, she had done really excellent in her 'O' -level examinations getting 8 'A 'sand 2 'B's so we do thank God for that and that she hasn't suffered with her education being here. In facts he has done really very well, maybe in the Lords timing she needs to return to the UK, so that she could go on to University over there.


Charlie and Ruth Foster arc also doing very well and have settled down into Zimbabwe. Charlie is doing a tremendous work on the Farm and is managing that side of things. Ruth teaches at the Kennedy School where 2 of my children go and so we are very thrilled with what they are doing. Ruth is expecting her first child in September and also her sister is getting married in July, so they too will return to the LJK for a couple of months in the summer. It is possible that John and Martha Shaw will return to the UK to attend the Rora Conference and of course to visit their family and friends.


I, myself, was planning a visit to the UK and going on to America and Canada to visit some friends there. However, I feel with Martin and Marian having to leave and others preparing to travel that I will need to stay here during those months and so will postpone my visit home and onto America and Canada. I do hope this doesn't cause any problems with those who have kindly arranged to have me during that time. I am also quite disappointed with the way things have worked out as I was really looking forward to being with those dear ones who had invited me and to sharing and having fellowship again with them.


In the summer we are having a team from Tear Fund who will start to lay out and to build a new village for our workers. This is a project long over-due. So, we are quite excited about the thought of setting up a new village on a new site and to give each person a plot where he can grow his own vegetables and crops.


The Secondary School is progressing quite w\ell and we will have the classrooms ready for next term and a laboratory and possibly a workshop in operation by then.


Another development has been the installation of a windmill which is now pumping clean water down to the pump and for use of our workers and this is a tremendous step forward. And we do trust that this will improve the health of our people, as many of them suffer with Bilharzia.


In the Bible School, the new students have settled in and amongst them there are some who have a real calling of God on their lives. I do enjoy teaching them and am with what I have seen and heard from them, and I do hope that in the near future that we will set up a school evangelistic team and move out into the district and to the towns around. I am sure you know that AIDS has got quite a hold in this country, and we are seeing signs of it all over and do believe that we must move out in a real effort to touch men and women while there is still time.


The Primary School is improving all the time and has achieved much better results this year in the government examinations and they are also becoming a force to be reckoned with in the local sports competitions. So again, we do thank the Lord for the progress on that side




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It is an exciting yet hectic time as we do land preparation for the crops which we will plant, maize, soyus, sun hemp, grasses for fodderand possibly groundnuts (peanuts). Meanwhile John Hussy is cartingin baled hay to stack undercover so that we will have ''bedding'' for the chickens and calves when the rains arrive. I am also busy making pillars and a platform so that we can mounta windmill on a borehole which will provide clear water to our compound. During the rains, the borehole is in the middle of the dam, so it is only now that we have access to install the windmill. It is not often that we ask the Lord to hold the rain back but we could do with another week before He allows it to fall here!Amen. All in all we have beenreally encouraged with the progressthis term. The farming side is looking more viable, especially with the extra water the new dam is providing. The Secondary School is progressing well as you will see from John Shaw's report. The Bible School will increase with the new intake and the new dormitories coming into operation. The church in Chegutu is now packed and we will have to provide more repairssoon. The outreach is proving profitable, with groups being established on the outlying farms. Praise God! The Word of God is growing, increasing, multiplying and will prevail. Hallelujah! As regards the Primary Schoolit has been quite a difficult year for the school, but we praise God He has provided. Inflation has meant that the book and stationary grant we have got from the Government has depreciated considerably, and we have had a real struggleespecially in this last term to make ends meet. We are thankful for your support. It is so wonderful tos ee these children grow up hearing the Gospel. On a Fridayat assembly, we have a time when the children can perform a play, say a poem or sing a song. It is a time when a lot of children say a memoryverse they have learnt, or sing a chorus. I reallyenjoy these times and it refreshes me to hear what they are learning at Sunday School or in the classroom. MARTIN & MARIAN WILLIAMS - ZIMBABWE The first term of 1993 passed without too many incidents, and we have managed to keep all 19 of the students so far. Partway through the term Rashiwell Shunabamini, who had all but finished his course some years ago at Ameva, asked if he could return and completethis year. We advised him to do so on the basis that he would stayfor the rest of 1993 and graduate with the four other 2nd year students we have at present. Rashiwell has been making himself useful hanging doors on the new dormitory blocks and doing general carpentry work, ''working his passage", so to speak. Some of the students are quite changed from when they first arrived, we trust, for the better. Sadly, there have been the usual absences for attending funerals of near and not-so-near relatives. Many times, one does notreally know what these people have died of. Sadly, we are left to draw our own conclusions as to the causes ... The work goes on of seeking toinstruct these young men in the things of God: but in the end it is God who does the work.We try to meet the needs as they arise, for example, during the second term I felt from the Lord to give some teaching on stewardship, touching on money, time, the Gospel,etc. On the matterof money, a student will happily set off on a journey costing $20 to answer the call of a relative who has promised them $10, or even just written to say, "I have something for you." I was very pleased to receive 2 or 3 bicycles which I have been able to give to ex-Ameva students, who are now pastoring. It was most comical teaching one of them to ride - this was done by my nephew who was visiting. Oswell, the Pastor,would insist on carrying a dozeneggs with him on his pioneer journey toChegutu bus stop.Thank you to those who have had a hand in collecting bikes. The freezer is also very welcome and still working, though I think I shallhave to requestanother, as the one sent is already full and taking the load of our own domesticone. We used to store five dozen loaves, the students' meat and margarine in ours, leaving little room for our own items: Next year we may well have 40-50 students here and we shall need a large refrigerator and another freezer. As I write,the applications are comingin for 1994, 6 or 7 a day at present. Will webe here to see another year though? I do hope so, as our hearts are here, but our permission to stay expires on 31st December, 1993. Please remember our situation before the Lord. We have put in our preliminary request for a further two years. NEWS FROM JOHN & MARTHASHAW AMEVA FARM - ZIMBABWE Our love and greetings from Zimbabwe. The rainy seasonhas started and now everywhere is so green in markedcontrast to the months of dry parched surroundings. Prior to the rains it was so hot with temperatures reaching 39 degrees C (over 100 degrees F) in the shade. It was a relief to see the rain and of course after the high temperatures there have been terrific thunderstorms. Already this season 23 people have been killed by lightning in Zimbabwe. School term has just finished, much to the relief of staff and pupils alike. It is unfortunate that the pupils have to take the public exams at the hottest time of the year, sometimes having three papers in one day.The three African teachers have given excellent support this year and we are pleased they are continuing with us next year. Three more staff will be joining us in January. Hopefully one of these will be a young Christian man who has already been teacher-in-charge of a secondary school in the ruralareas. He will act as my deputyand will be ableto take on some of my duties. Two of our best first-form pupils are leaving as their parents are moving to new areas. I would mention here that I would like to have two graduate teachers from the UK to join us in January 1995. I especially need an English specialist and the other would preferably be able to teach science, but other subjects would be considered. (Something for you to pray about!) The school is situated in a very large field and some of it has been ploughed for the farm workers to plant their maize.It is quite a scene to look out and see the builders working in the foreground and the women planting in the distance. It must be the quietest building site in Zimbabwe as the builders have been so co-operative and have never disturbed any of the lessons. We are hoping two more classrooms and the administration block will be completed before school opens in the middle of January. We look back with thankfulness to the Lord for His help during the year. It has not always been easy and there have been disappointments. We learnt, with sadness, two days ago, that one of the second-year girls, aged 16, who lives in Chegutu,is pregnant and will not be coming back to school. Martha and I visited her along with one of the African teachers. The young man's family are vehemently opposed to them marrying, and I saw the power whichthe older sistershave in family matters like this. We came away challenged and aware of how littlewe understand of the African culture, but also aware that the need of the human heart is the same everywhere. On the positive side, there has been much to encourage, with many pupils progressing well both academically and spiritually. We are holding another youth weekend at the farm next weekend, when we expect a good numberto attend. Some of you will know that our permit expires on 31st December 1993. I reapplied and the Education Authority have acceptedme for two more years and I have submitted this to Immigration who make the final decisions.


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The opening of Ameva Primary School in November 1989 was attended by 400 enthusiastic well-wishers, and 360 school children. 'It's been a great day' was the unanimous verdict.


The guests heard Comrade T.B. Gororo, Regional Director of Education for Mashonaland West (deputising for Comrade M. Chivende, the Provincial Governor) re-affirm the Government's commitment to universal primary education. He praised the efforts of the Christian Marching Church and Christian Fellowship trusts who are the responsible authority for the school, in their response to the pleas of local children for a 'proper' school in the area.


The crowd were entertained by various items performed by the school, and the other supporters. After cutting the tape, Comrade T.B. Gororo, was taken on a tour of the school by Headmistress Celia Valentine. The occasion was also graced by the Mayor of Chegutu, Comrade P. Gwanzura, the Town Clerk and Councillors.


The ceremony was followed by a presentation of textbooks by Mr. Mugabe, Managing Director of College Press. They generously donated textbooks for Maths, English and Shona for every child in the school. The gift was received by Bishop P.M.Gobvu, Chairman of the Trusts, who expressed heartfelt thanks on behalf of the school.' An Extract from 'The North Midlands Gazette', Kadoma, .3rd November 1989)


Celia also reveals her 'unofficial' diary of that day:


5.30 am Got up and cooked chicken for 200 people

6.30 am inspection of field and tents. Opened classrooms to move chairs. Brief Bishop on introduc1iom·.

7.30 am Collected together all gifts to be presented to Regional Director of Education. Put flowers in the offices, last minute tidying and arranging. Gave Richard the badges for stewards and teachers. Fixed red tape for opening. Gave scissors to M.C. for safe keeping -know! will lose them if I don't!

Told off several children for running around and screaming. They all look very smart in their uniforms - those that don't have uniforms must sit with other spectators. Teachers not yet arrived.

8.00 am Chaos in my kitchen, chicken not cooked yel. Made orange juice for 360 children.

8.30 am Got changed and smartened up.

8.45 am Regional Director of Education, Mr.T.B. Gororo, arrived with other educational officers. The house is a tip but invited them in for a cup of lea. Chaos still reigns in kitchen, but Rebecca is coping. Dash in, dash out. Mr. Howarth, Headmaster of Grace and Paul's School arrives. Bishop Gobvu and his party arrive. Marion is organizing entertainment for other visitors on the field.

9.30 am We go over to the field. Mayor of Chegutu and some councillors arrive. Bishop Gobvu opens with welcome.

1.00 pm The Official Opening closes. It didn’t' go too badly. The introductions were mixed up. We had to shout at the M.C. once or twice. Paul had no shoes on, and the entertainment went on forever, but I restrained my frustration and thirst. Now for the chicken and rice ..

2.00 pm Waved goodbye to the Director. He is a very nice genial man and seems rather over­ whelmed by his presents. Returned to the house to find various Valentine and Gobvu children running round screaming for something to eat - gave them sausages and eggs to cook themselves - more chaos in the kitchen. Locked myself in the bathroom. Took a two-hour bath!


We had a few days break last week in the Eastern Highlands. A local Christian lady paid for us. The weather is much cooler there and there were buttercups, clover, and vetch, as in England, and so peaceful.


We had a terrific thunderstorm on Monday night and about four inches of rain in about one and a half hours. The front of our house was flooded, and the water swept in through our bedroom and into the bathroom and living room, and we were bailing out until midnight. John has been up fixing the roof and the gutters over the past two days!


Well, we are now permanent residents . John was driving one day from the Farm to Harare, 50 miles away. He saw a lady on the side of the road flagging him down for a lift. He stopped and they chatted generally as they drove along. On arrival in Harare, John discovered quite by accident that she had connections with the immigrations, and he shared his own problem with her. The lady told John to go back to the immigration office and tell the officer of her family name. No-one outside her family knew her by that name. John did as suggested and was assisted immediately. The next day he received a call to collect his residency permit. The book of Revelation reminds us, 'I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, which is, and which was and which is to come, the ALMIGHTY.'


John Valentine writes I would just like to thank all who prayed for us regarding our Residence Permit. It came to the point where the immigration had taken our permit off us and had given us one month to leave. However, God intervened and provided, miraculously, access to the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs. The result is we are now permanent residents.


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