Slingshots & Whistling stones!!!

Dearly Beloved,

David told the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Armies, the God of the army of Israel, whom you have insulted.”                 1 Samuel 17:45

I am sure that the Philistine boys were forbidden to throw stones in play after David met Goliath, and the sound of a stone whistling through the air was a fearful thing in Philistia, a severe beating the punishment of all small boys who would intimidate another by such outrageous jest!  But it wasn’t the stone itself that brought the giant down.  Just like the rock that crushed the feet of the image in King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, so the Rock of Ages, the Stone that the builders rejected which has become the cornerstone, our strong tower and firm foundation, Jesus Christ, is the small pebble who brings down the pride of armies, collapsing giants and champions.  Even so today we are reminded that “It is not by might, nor by power, but by [the LORD's] Spirit” that our battles are won.  Jesus promises that we are already victors, more than conquerers, kings and priests over his kingdom, and we are here to establish it.

As I went to war in the Spirit today I felt the Holy Spirit, the God of the armies of Israel, prompt me to declare with the authority I have as a son of God in Jesus, that the followers of this “Mugabe-Madness” have their eyes supernaturally opened by the Spirit of Revelation – the Spirit of Light, so that they would see with fresh comprehension the TRUTH about what they are doing in their violent actions and destructive ways; and command them to repent!

Repentance requires a change of thought process, a change of mental authority over our own minds.  I declare a renewing of the minds of the people of Zimbabwe, followers of both sides, but especially those involved in violence and intimidation, that they will see the truth of what they are doing, the truth about the instructions they are following, and come under the greater authority of the LORD Jesus Christ.  I pray that their hearts be grieved and they turn away from the madness they are caught up in and the lies they are being led to believe.  “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, and of power, and of self control.”

They follow out of FEAR of death.  But, “It is the thief who comes to kill, steal and destroy.”  The same ‘father of lies’ ‘goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour.’  His weapons are deception, intimidation and fear, with empty promises of god-like exultation.

Remember that we do not war against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  I invite you to stand with me against the ruling Lion Spirits of the Shona people, namely the spirit of Mbuya Nehanda (Grandmother Nehanda was a Spirit medium who led and directed the two major wars in former Rhodesia colony) and of Kuguvi (who was a male spirit medium – regarded as the Spirit of War, who served alongside Mbuya Nehanda).  Both original mediums were hanged in the City of Salisbury when they were finally caught and sentenced in late 1800’s, but their spirits have new hosts and are fearfully respected by the ruling party leadership who consult these spirit’s mediums for direction and wisdom with which to run the country.

It is my belief that should a change in government occur in the natural, perhaps under the MDC, a largely Christian-based and represented Party, the powers of the demonic “ancestral” forces will be curbed and persecuted at all levels in the spiritual realm, even being driven out.  Thus the battle for power ensues.

Pray that the church will recognise the authority it has in Christ and stand and speak Life into the land by the Holy Spirit… instead of the complaining and bickering we so commonly hear!  And also to pray for the leadership of the country – Robert Mugabe especially.  Pray that he has an encounter of revelation with the Living God!  Just as Paul (Saul of Tarsus) had on the road to Damascus!  That his pride and arrogance be shattered and he be humbled by the realization of the truth of what he has created and permitted to continue happening.  Pray that God’s overwhelming LOVE pierce his hardened heart and flood his soul, and stop his mad lust for power and wealth and fame.  Pray also that he find the forgiveness he needs in his own heart to free himself from the bitterness and resentment he has allowed to fester for so long that it has driven him to this end!  He has the authority as ruler of the nation – Pray that he reverses the order he gave to create this madness – killing, stealing, destroying – the fruit of the tree of EVIL – and bring his generals and militia leaders back under control for peace not violence.

Safe beneath His wings…

My Beloved Friends and Family,

I am just letting you know that I am well despite the circumstances in Zimbabwe.  I am resting safe beneath the wings of God and relying on his divine provision.  Meals come my way daily, it seems, and I know that my Father in Heaven is supplying all my needs according to his glorious abundance in Christ Jesus.

I returned to Zimbabwe at the end of February and made a trip up to Livingstone, Zambia for a week in March.  I spent time at Overland Missions, checked on my tent to find all my property safe and in good order, while the puppies who have grown considerably were very pleased to remember me, sleeping again on my tent verandah.  Job 5 was a promise to me many years ago: “You will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.”  Praise Jesus, it was so!

Furthermore I was blessed to visit with dear friends.  Heiko Held hosted me while I met with Dr. Chara, the State representative for the Department of Health, to work out the legalities of us teaching the Village Medic Program to Zambians.  Dr Chara is a Christian GP.  His wife is the founder and overseer of Ebenezer Childrens Home, and School, solely for orphans and very well run, in Livingstone.  I first visited them last year.  Now we are looking at how we can help each other advance the love of God with the skills, gifts and knowledge we share.  Since then I have been actively setting up for one of my collegues, Anita Phelps, to go and work with the Charas in the orphanage, the school, and on Dr. Chara’s mobile clinics into the greater rural community.  This will strengthen the relationship of Mandate 3 and SOLO with the Zambian Health Authorites so that we can serve the training needs for medical knowledge in the villages overseen by Overland Missions, and also Dr. Chara’s mobile clinic communities.

I also visited with dear sister and friend, Pastor of Church of New Life for All Nations, Bishop Janet Hart.  Together we have arranged for Pastors Henry and Sherry Snyder -who lead Mandate 3- and who will be with me in Zimbabwe under Barnabas Ministries training church leaders in Pastoral Seminars, to minister at her church at the end of June.

Interestingly, since I returned from Livingstone I have had great opportunity to get into the traditional health provider community – mainly herbal remedy folk who use them to help improve health for orphans – many of whom have no access to medications. When I mention Wilderness Medicine here people all expect me to be pulling the shrubbery apart and brewing an evil concoction with wild ingredients not excluding rats tails and crows feet!

 

At every turn I make there seems to be a cry drawing my attention to orphans, health needs and alternative sources of medicine.  HIV cases in the orphans is also prevalent.  However, this is the area God has been drawing my attention to right now in Zimbabwe.  Please pray for greater clarity and discernment.

 

Because of the fuel shortages travel is difficult and many of the people I want to see are in rural areas where a white guy is not that warmly welcomed at present.  Whites, and anyone who associates with them, are automatically labelled as opposition!!!  However, I rode my father’s bicycle into the nearby community farm “seized” by a black fellow – turns out he attends a church in the city where I used to be a part.  He has begun a church on the farm with a growing youth ministry, orphan ministry and camps ministry with skills workshops to the local folk also.  I attended the service this Sunday afternoon and the people were humbled apparently that a white guy on a bicycle would come through and worship with them. 

 

Pastor Shepherd “Shep” Wazara has a loving heart and fathering spirit.  I found we had much in common and he has offered me use of his land for any ministry, clinic, herbal farm etc. I may believe God wants us to do there – suggesting that I pray first!  He has also asked me to train his social and health workers in the first aid program under Village Medic so that they can be better equipped to handle such emergencies as may come along in the community, including the camp counsellors of the kids adventure camps.    Now when I say adventure camps don’t think of the luxury US type camp program – same principle with same goals, perhaps, but very different  – poor and rural!  But effective in it’s own right.  Pray for wisdom for me here.

 

I am also in the process of registration with the Emergency Medical Council here in Zimbabwe so as to be legal to practice and teach.  A local ambulance company is short of staff and have invited me to an interview this week, so please pray for me regarding that.  I need to get some practical experience to be valid in the industry, so I may be able to freelance my skills and still teach to make a little money (at least to pay the fuel to get to Harare to get the experience).

 

There is an orphanage called Eden Children’s Village on the way to Doma about 200km north west from Harare.  They have a clinic for the community and a small farm – but I have been invited to visit there and train in the clinic to learn herbal remedies and treatment also.  I am very keen to do so.  I will have to be careful though with the situation.  Currently they have encouraged me to stay away right now as they are having some politically motivated difficulties there this past week.

 

Farther afield, I have also been asked to teach Wild Med to the workers on Chete Island in Zambia – they work with tourists, but it would be beneficial even for themselves  – these guys live in an environment where the threat of attack by elephants, snakes, crocodiles, malaria and waterborne diseases are so prevalent.  Many of the fellows are Christians and involved in churches on the mainland.  I know because I lived on the island for 18 months!  It would be the start of access to that area which is where I was ministering when I first went into missions full time in 2006.

 

Back in Zimbabwe many people are suffering and I see us returning under Mugabe’s rule threatened by the military with a war if we don’t.  However, while here God is addressing the issues of fear that I have carried since the Rhodesian war when I was a child.  So I am in the right place for now.  But I am often driven to anger over the injustices against the people by the authorities who are supposed to be our protection and provision.  It is Evil and wicked – the work of the devil!

 

So I continue to stand in the gap for Zimbabwe (please interceed with me) as I prepare messages and lessons for the pastoral seminars we will be teaching in June with Barnabas Ministries from Bulawayo, to Gweru, Kwe Kwe, and Harare.  Then I am off to Zambia to teach Missionary Med there at Overland to the Advanced Missions Training School students, with Dr. Frank, spend some time with Dr. Chara and minister to the people around Livingstone.  I hope to go on to Chete after that, then back to Zimbabwe (…potentially on to Eden Children’s Village).

 

The hunting safaris are slow to come through this year because of the politics – so the days I had booked are apparently no longer!!!  Many cancellations by uncertain folk not wishing to lose their money in the event of a breakdown of peace and law.  But God is teaching me new things daily about faith and belief and trust, so I am growing in him.  He has already supplied ALL my needs in Christ!

 

Thanks to dear friends who lovingly addressed issues of fear and unbelief in my life through this past year – things which were debilitating my effectiveness in relationships and in ministry - I have sought Christian counselling one day a week for 2 hours (Thursdays) to work through these things - many fears of rejection and loss, and abandonment etc. stemming from the Rhodesian war are coming to the surface now under the current political circumstances, so it is proving beneficial.  This is the year to make all the adjustments and overcome all hindrances so that I can run strong with life and the ministry in the years to come without being held down.  Thanks be to God for knowledge of the Truth, and freedom that comes with it!

 

Thank you for your prayers and support.  Please keep in touch.  Your encouragement is a blessing – even if it is just “hello”.

With S-Word in hand, and a heart filled with God’s Love,

Rowan

Drumbeats…

After a month in Africa away from the snow and ice of northern New England the temperatures have begun to edge toward a tropical winter.  With it, fears of an economical and social winter loom in the hearts of the Zimbabwean people as they await with trepidation, the final outcome of a presidential election that has been dragged out for four weeks without a final conclusion.  Meanwhile the military campaign for the former guerrilla leader, president for 28 years; and suspected opposition activists are persecuted and beaten, some even killed, by hired and politically motivated supporters of the ruling party.  Opposition candidates are silent as they travel the developed world in exile, crying foul.  They accuse of vote rigging, hoping to stir up enough support to push themselves into the position of national leadership which they claim is theirs according to their own independent election calculations.

Should we as the church get involved in politics?  God is a politician, a King!  People are his greatest love and the desire of His divine heart.  For too long the society around us has been pushing to remove the matters of Church from the matters of governance, especially in the US.  However, when governance opposes the greater well-being of the people it governs, this becomes very much God’s business.  As the family of God we have a responsibility to pay attention and declare the truth, to re-establish that which is right.  But we must remember that the weapons of our warfare are not of this world, but are mighty through God, for the tearing down of strongholds.  Our true enemy is the one who has come to kill, steal and destroy.  Therefore we do not war against flesh and blood, but against rulers and principalities of this dark world of Satan.  Praise be to Jesus our Lord and King – he has already won the battle and given us the victory because Satan was overcome when Jesus disarmed the devil and took back the keys of hell and death  – when Jesus rose again from the dead.

Zimbabwe today is becoming the most expensive country in Africa to live in, even with the thriving black market.  The average person lives on the edge of poverty and many go for weeks without an adequite meal.  Now many are being intimidated, physically persecuted, even tortured for voting against the old ways, wanting a new life and change.

We watch from the edges, while we pray, confidently declaring that the God who is Love is in control and He is the King of Zimbabwe, no matter who gains the presidency.

To learn more about what is happening in Zimbabwe please click here