12/11 - In a word: Hope.

The cholera outbreak is just the most recent epidemic in a long list of sufferings which are striking the beautiful people of Zimbabwe. Political instability, hyperinflation (a rising cost of goods and services exceeding 250,000 percent), extreme unemployment, a nearly worthless national currency, AIDS, drought, starvation and death are all words with which we have become accustom to associating with Africa. And who can blame us? Are these not the descriptions given to us by the media who seem, with great authority, to accurately depict a portion of the world teetering on the brink of destruction where systemic collapse is but one day away?

But is it possible, indeed probable, that the word "hope" also describes Africa? Today, I submit to you that Southern Africa is a place of hope and promise even in the midst of such unimaginable suffering. C.S. Lewis was found of saying, "Nothing almost sees miracles but misery." Miracles and suffering seem to bunch about the same areas of history. Perhaps this is because it is precisely in tough places and in difficult times that we see the reality of God's provision because we are forced to rely solely on Him. Or perhaps it is because God works in the hearts of His children who are living in relative prosperity to reach up and out to their brothers and sisters who are struggling. Whatever the reason, I feel Lewis' claim resonate deep within me when I considered the messy and miraculous nature of Southern Africa. The church in Zambia and Zimbabwe is strong and active living within the words of Psalm 46 and understanding their meaning with profound clarity: "The nations rage. The kingdoms totter. He utters His voice, the earth melts. The Lord of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress."

I want you to stop reading this blog - at least for today. Instead, take a moment and pray for three children who I introduced last week: Magret, Concilia, and Sheldon. Pray for their safety. Pray for their good health and physical development. Pray that God would bless their studies. Pray that they would receive a strength beyond which the world can provide as they move forward in the hope of better days to come. And pray that God would use you, in some way, to show them that they may be far from our homes, but not far from our thoughts. These absolutely incredible children likely have many more struggles than any one of us will encounter in our entire lives, but the bright smiles you see on their faces clearly illustrate their courageous and contagious hope. It is a hope that you have helped bring to them with your generous gifts in the name of Jesus.

Please enable Forgotten Voices to continue in our mission to bring this hope to many more vulnerable children. We cannot do it without you.

In prayer and blessing,

Jesse