Water Ministry team returns from Zimbabwe, Africa
Posted: June 10, 2010
Cholera is the result of years of things going wrong. For centuries the infrastructure in Zimbabwe was designed for the privileged. During the times of political unrest between whites and blacks the whites were forced out and the blacks took over the land and over-taxed the infrastructure. Constant over usage of all systems caused failure of all – sewage pipes broke, trash not being picked up clogged the drainage canals, and when the rains came there was no place for the water to go. It caused the sewage to flow through the streets and the gardens – the places where children play and people walk and work.
The city of Harare is the nerve center of Zimbabwe. All buses and people go there. So when cholera broke out it did not take long for those affected to give it to those traveling back to the rural communities. Children take water from the sewer canals and from street gutters, so cholera soon found its way all over the country.
The financial system has failed. Their money is not worth anything. They no longer use it – they use either US dollars or South African Ran. Rules and regulations change by the hour. 
Supplies cost almost ten times their value. Everything is in short supply or non-existent.
On the other hand the church is alive and well in Zimbabwe. We found the spirit of the people in the churches uplifting and focused on Him. The churches care and want to help their countrymen – lack of money is the main problem. When a barrel costs $200, a pair of buckets $30, and a spigot $25, it is out of their reach.
There are 56 churches that are members of the Zimbabwe Baptist Union. To install 2 barrel systems in each of the Baptist churches, check on them, and report the results of their success it will take another $8000.
Dr. Raymond Motsi, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church in Bulawayo, believes that helping their mission churches is their primary purpose. They have already been working with the South African Union on food, medical and water projects.
The water purification efforts to-date have been a challenge. Technical help and parts have left them without a working unit. By giving John Benn’s representative the training, tools and equipment to go to all 56 churches, the water units would make a big difference in the cholera problem.