A few of you have sent checks for a family in Zimbabwe. For those new to this the husband in this family holds a significant position in the Church in Zimbabwe. I attended Seminary with this man and his wife. We have stayed in contact over the years. About 17 years ago I spent some time in Zimbabwe learning about the Church there and doing just a little ministry while there.
As you will see from this letter your financial help contributed to literally keeping starvation at bay for this family. In the name of our mutual Lord Jesus Christ I thank you for your financial help.
If anybody desire to continue to contribute to this relief you can send checks to,
Charlotte Christian Reformed Church
421 State Street
Charlotte Michigan, 48813
Make sure and designate your checks “Zimbabwe.”
Dear Rev. McAtee
Special thanksgiving greetings from Zimbabwe.This note comes to you as a confirmation of our receipt of the special relief amount of $xxxx.xx.Indeed it was a true relief.You should have seen the joy on every face in the family at the breaking of the news.
May you please accept our deepest appreciation to the members of the church and also to your family in particular. May the Church’s efforts to share the love of Christ be greatly rewarded.
We received the funds with no problems at all.Personal funds are not generally scrutinized as would those for Non Governmental Organizations or such as may be deemed political in nature.As regards church funds for relief it is okay and Western Union has several outlets in the country.However I do understand and appreciate the church’s concern on the wisdom of transmitting funds to Zimbabwe and that must be respected.My advise would be that you continue to use your discretion every time you do it.As of now it is still safe.Our greatest challenge is on the economy.There is literary nothing in our grocery and clothing shops.So we do our shopping outside Zimbabwe such as Zambia, South Africa,Malawi, Botswana etc.A large chunk of the money is going towards food.We literally had nothing and have struggled the whole of this year.Then we will also commit some to family clothing as well. #1 daughter was supposed to go into 2nd year of college and she is doing Bachelor of Fine Art Honours Degree while Daughter #2 would have been freshman but to this day the universities have not opened yet.Only those in primary and Secondary school managed to attend some classes but mostly with no teachers Daughter # 3 girl wrote her levels this year and Daughter #4 wrote her Grade7 exams. But the prospects of the future look very dark.Thanks once again for raising our hope and faith in times like these.God bless you
your loving friends
Zimbabwe Family
