My name is Andrew Goddard, and I am looking to depart on a two-week mission trip to Zimbabwe!
Sadly, Zimbabwe is one of the most economically depressed countries, where the average salary is less than 9 dollars per day. This results in poverty, hunger, a high population of orphans, and a large need for missions. This is why I am spending two weeks in Zimbabwe with an organization called Global Encounters.
Global Encounters is an organization who’s goal is to reach lost nations with basic needs such as food and water as well as spread the Gospel in accordance with the great commission. This mission trip will love and support these children by running the equivalent of a VBS program where the kids can laugh, play games, and most importantly, learn about the Gospel. They will learn about who God is, what Christ did, and what it means to be a Christian and have hope of eternal life. In addition, this mission trip will encourage and train young adults who have graduated from orphanages and have a heart for children’s ministry.
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. The Global Encounters team is flying to Africa this summer to love the kids of Zimbabwe and show them Jesus through camp-style ministry. Our 2022 trip will run July 30-August 14!
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 at the feeding station. We bring them to camp in groups of fifty at a time to be loved, trained, and fed (physically and spiritually). Because the kids at each camp come from the same feeding station and village, we get to see the real life relationships. We help the older ones learn to be protectors rather than bullies and teach all the kids to work together rather than fighting.
We are praying for salvation for any kids who come who may not be saved yet, and for opportunities to disciple each of them in the Lord. We are so grateful for the last two years of fruitful ministry and are excited to be a part of what God does this trip!
However, departing on a journey like this is not free. Participants are responsible for paying for registration, airfare and any other miscellaneous expenses. Please help me generate the funds to travel to Zimbabwe. I am looking to raise 3,000 dollars to cover these expenses.
Your contribution will help the children experience love, support, and the life-changing truth of who God is. Beyond that, please pray that the Word of God would convict and Lord willing save many of these Children. Also, please pray for the team at Global Encounters. Pray that we would have a strength to present the Gospel with boldness and that God would us however He so please.
Thank you, and God bless.
