Hello all that clicked on this page! My name is Dario and I have been involved with youth in churches in upstate South Carolina for over a decade. After many years, doors have opened up for me to join in God’s work in Zimbabwe! The plan is for our team for 2 weeks to create a space for activities, games, and services surrounding the Gospel to teach the young adults and kids more about Christ. The love that Jesus has for them through us and being someone to help them navigate the events of the week. Team Zimbabwe is leaving July 29/30th to get there before camp starts in August; please pray we are able to being the answers well to the kids and adults of the area!
Funding steps: most of the expenses are to help with the students’ crafts and curriculum for the two camp weeks, as well as food and other amenities used for the camp. The rest is for travel and living expenses for the team.
Come alongside the team with prayer and a monetary donation, if able, so that together we can meet part of God’s will.
Why Zimbabe?
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!
