Rebuilding after Cyclone Idai

UPDATES

16

REBUILDING AFTER CYCLONE IDAI by Brian Heffron, SIM SASC media coordinator

Since Cyclone Idai devastated south eastern Zimbabwe in March, the body of Christ has been helping rebuild communities, churches and lives.

Violet Myambo, who is managing SIM Zimbabwe’s relief efforts, said: “When the houses were destroyed, some people came out with nothing — some not even clothed. The church community shared what they had.

“The church was in despair, and most people’s faith was tested. Some people fail to understand why the loving God allowed calamity upon his people but it also strengthened the church as people came to understand there is nothing permanent in this world.”

Church buildings opened as safe havens and as mortuaries. Homes and food were shared with those who had lost theirs or who were stranded by roads that remained closed for days, weeks, or even months.

Violet said: “The church sustained the community until roads became passable. Churches in every town and village gathered food and clothes to help the victims.”

SIM Zimbabwe bought and helped distribute food, clothing, sanitary wear and school supplies around Chimanimani. SIM is also rebuilding a bridge in Biriiri.

Many people are still living in tents despite overnight temperatures that dip near freezing. Rebuilding cannot begin until the government identifies and allocates safe locations.

Hundreds died in the storm and its aftermath; one local church lost 72 members. People are experiencing nightmares, becoming uncomfortable at signs of rain, and feeling fear of flowing water.

Pastors and missionaries have been counselling survivors, and an SIM Kenya team, led by Thaddeus and Lucy Gichana (see page 15), will soon lead trauma healing counselling in the region.

PLEASE PRAY

 that safe locations will be identified in

Zimbabwe so rebuilding can begin.  that Bible-based trauma healing will help many to heal spiritually and emotionally.  that the new Biriiri bridge will be a lasting reminder of God’s loving providence.  for abundant crops, so people can feed themselves again soon.  for donations to SIM International Disaster

Relief Fund #88600 and SIM Malawi Disaster

Relief #96759 for neighbouring Malawi.

HOPE FOR LIFE LAUNCHES WEBSITE

by Jacquie Croxon

Our pioneering Hope for Life network of ministries has just launched a new website at www. hopeforlife.net. Go check it out!

The mobile-friendly website is designed to promote our Hope for Life ministries, including 40 projects in 16 countries across Africa and Asia all working to address HIV and related health issues.

Hope for Life is a fresh take on the compassion ministry established by SIM’s HOPE for AIDS, which began in the 1990s. The site reflects the hope-bringing, life-giving basis of Hope for Life and, in so doing, engages with prayer and financial supporters and tells tories of God at work. It also provides a forumbased platform to encourage networking, collaboration and resource-sharing among those interested in these ministries. Stories and other content can can be re-purposed for your newsletters or personal presentations; please attribute it to us at www.hopeforlife.net.

Contact me at international. hopeforlife@sim.org for more information or just to tell me what you think of the website. I’d love to hear from you!