Zvishavane Report

Ingome is a remote, rural settlement situated approximately 25 kilometres from Zvishavane town in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. The main economic activity is subsistence farming, meaning that the disposable income levels are extremely low. The area is made up of a network of many small villages that are linked up by a dusty road. The road network is very poor, and is prone to flooding, particularly during the rainy season. This makes it extremely challenging for some modern forms of transport to reach these areas.

The local missionary work in Ingome is being led by Pastor Mayuni and a few brothers who are based in Zvishavane. Currently, there is no church fully established in the area and the brothers carry out house to house and open-air outreach meetings to preach the gospel and pray for the sick in the villages. Accessibility is a challenge and at times impossible, but the strong resolve in the brethren has seen this work grow at a fast rate. More than 12 people have received the gospel and have taken the name of Jesus Christ in baptism since the work began in December 2020. The revival fires are sweeping the area and the hunger and thirst for the message of the hour is great, with people travelling up to 5km and sometimes crossing flooded rivers to go to listen to the preaching of the word. This has prompted the brethren to secure a classroom at Ingome Primary School to conduct regular services in the area.

CREN (Christian Rural Evangelism Network) has been supporting the work in Ingome in the form of logistical provisions like fuel support, posters, and banners to enable the brethren to spread the gospel far and wide. Spoken word books, message tracts, bibles, message SD cards and Agapao tablets have been sourced to create a ‘seed library’ which will be used by the new converts and the regular believers to enhance their understanding of the message of the hour. A consignment of bicycles has also been acquired and will be used by the local foot soldiers to reach out to some of the remote areas which are not accessible by other means of transport. As the areas we work in are mostly impoverished, we realise that the natural ministry plays a huge part in the bid for the furtherance of the gospel. Provisions are also being made for the wellbeing of the people in the form of clothes and sanitary products support, which will be distributed to the more needy people in the area.