I’M GOING TO
I am excited to be part of a music ministry to Zimbabwean orphans this summer! Please read this page for info on the Global Encounters team I am traveling with, why I am going, and how you can help.
Why am I going?
Zimbabwe is one of the most economically depressed countries in the world and AIDS has ravaged the adult population, leaving many orphans without training, parenting, or provision. However, these kids love music! We will be partnering with Hands of Hope, an organization that has established feeding stations for the children all over Zimbabwe… and children’s choirs! The children’s choirs give these kids a sense of belonging, a community, and a lot of healthy fun. I will be primarily working with a group of eleven young directors who lead these children’s choirs. While I am training the directors, the rest of the team will be running a camp for the kids from the children’s choirs. The directors will be able to take the training I give them and immediately put it into practice with the kids.
Why does Zimbabwe need missions?
Zimbabwe was once the “breadbasket of Africa,” the most prosperous sub-saharan African country. Now it is deeply mired in poverty, since their economic collapse in 2007. Hyperinflation and corruption cripple the economy. In addition, Zimbabwe has one of the highest AIDS infection rates in the world and very little medical care, which has resulted in millions of orphans and tens of thousands of child-led households. These children desperately need practical help to meet their basic needs and people who will love them and show them the love of their Heavenly Father.
Global Encounters partners with Hands of Hope, a ministry that has established feeding stations for orphans all over Zimbabwe. These feeding stations keep the kids alive physically, but also provide community, mentoring, and discipleship. Each feeding station is run in connection with a local church that helps take on the responsibility for caring for the orphaned kids.
Hands of Hope also owns a camp facility. Global Encounters teams have been going each year to run summer camps for the kids from the feeding stations. We bring them to camp in groups of fifty to sixty at a time to be loved, trained, and fed (physically and spiritually). In addition to learning about music, our program has a strong focus on the gospel. Many kids have received salvation at these camps over the years.
How can you help?
How can you help?
Please pray for our time in Zimbabwe, that the orphans we work with would know that they are valued and loved by God and that would be able to give the young choir directors valuable skills to help them in their ongoing ministry to the kids. You can keep up with our team’s ministry activities through the Global Encounters' Instagram and Facebook pages.
You can also help financially! My expenses are about $4000, including flights. You are welcome to share in this opportunity in large or small ways! You can use the link below to donate and it will be put towards my trip. Thank you so much for your generosity and your help!
