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>From jinlbacon@adtech.co.zw FriMar 8 15:19:34 2002

For: <editorial@missionservices.org>
From: "J. BACON MISSION" <jmlbacon@adtech.co.zw>

To: <mrazga@ides.org>, "Mt. Carmel Church of Christ" <mccc@eos.net>,

"P.J. Grey" <grey@telco.co.zw>,

"Pat & Chuck McDaniel" <patch@coshnk.net>, <PDULM@CS.COM>

Cc: "melodiewiUiams" <melodiewilHams@hotmail.com>,

"MSA" <editorial@missionservices.org>, <MSweitzer@teamexpansion.org>,

"N Burtenshaw" <burtenshaw@intellisoft.co.zw>,
"N Wilson-Harris" <nwh@education.uct.ac.za>,

"Nat Young" <hokhoa_laujing@yahoo.com>,

"neviUe Hudson" <neviIle@ccserv.icon.co.zw>, <oatleys@telco.co.zw>
Subject: MArCH 2002, NEWSLETTER
Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2002 22:08:23 +0200

X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2314.1300

MARCH 2002, NEWSLETTEK^

Dear Friends,

It does not seem possible that we have already been back in Zimbabwe for
over a month now, and have been busy! Busy! Busy!
We must first thank our fiiends in the UK and USA, for their hospitahty,
kindness and generosity! We do apologize for not having been able to
visit many of you as we had planned. Jim's illness and the December holidays
made this almost impossible.
The long trip back home seemed very daunting, with the prospect of several
changes of aeroplane, and a long lay over in London. We needed not have
worried. At Cincinnati Airport, our four very heavy sviitcases, were booked
straight through to London - a major hurdle had been taken care of. However
we still had to take our entire luggage between London Heathrow and Gatwick.
British Airways provided a shuttle between the two airports, and we were
able to book our luggage 12 hours before departure to Zimbabwe. At Gatwick
Airport, we were joined by Jim's 89-year-old mother, who had decided to
spend three months with us. BA allowed us to use their executive club with
all its facilities for the remainder of our stop over, right down to
depositing us on the plane with mother. A second hurdle had been over come!
Our trip home was smooth; Jim had anticipated problems on arrival, as a
piece of legislation had been passed prohibiting people to be dual
nationals. Although there were no problems, and our last hurdle had been
overcome; Jim has since reverted to being a permanent British resident, and
is no longer a Zimbabwean. His mother was given a two-week stay at first
and which had been extended to six weeks. We have taken time to write in

this regard, because so many of you prayed for us during our return journey,
and we wanted to give this testimony to the power of prayer.

During our absence, Sandy Pike, who is the treasurer of Daylesford Community
Church, ably administered the orphan programme. She said she was happy to
do it, but was pleased to relinquish her duties as she found it was very
hard work, made doubly difficult by the shortage of all basic commodities.
Since our arrival these shortages have become more acute through the current
dry spell, with the temperature reaching 100 degrees, causing crops to bum
up in the ground! However the Lord's hand has been upon us, and we have
been able to cater for the childrens' needs.

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The Tapuwa Upenyu Orphan Program, which we started with Dan & Theresa
McArthur, and Alfred and Chamiso Chinyoka in Gweru's largest high-density
suburb, is doing very well! More than thirty orphans had their school fees
paid for the year 2002, were equipped with school imiforms, shoes, and
books. Sadly, Dan and Theresa announced they were leaving Zimbabwe for a
period of two years. They will continue to fund raise for this project.
Lisa has taken over Theresa's work as secretary, and Sandy Pike, who is a
bookkeeper, has taken over Lisa's work as treasiu*er.

Jim is involved in the building of a pastor's house in the high-density

suburb of Ascot in Gweru. The Ascot Church is the oldest Church of Christ

in the City. The progress has been slow, as the congregation does some of
the labovir. The house is a roof level now.
He also came to the aid of Gweru's Town Church of Christ involved in an

ambitious project of building a 300-seat church. With escalating costs,

they found themselves facing a penalty clause with the City council, if the
foundations were not completed by Slst January! This problem has been
averted thanks to the Lords provision, and they are now looking forward to
phase 2.
Lisa's vision of a Christian Centre at Beacon Kop has sadly faded with the
prolonging of farm occupation. However another opportunity has been offered
us. A large housing stock on a disused mine in Lalapanzi, twenty-six miles
from Gweru has been given to 2 resident missionaries, the Oliviers. The
beer haU has already been turned into a church, and there is a
non-denominational bible college for evangelists. Several self-help projects
have started. Jim has obtained funds from IDES to upgrade 10 of the former
workers' houses. These wiU be used for orphans and the elderly. We intend
to take this part of the project slowly and see how it develops, although we
have discussed several other areas of cooperation with the Oliviers. Please
pray for God's direction for us.
Unfortunately there have been some disruptive elements at Daylesford Church
while we were away, and as a result Dinki SumaOi, Jim's co-pastor has moved
from the premises on which the church is located. Jim has been preaching
while Dinki settles in his new home. This setback has not dampened this
young man's enthusiasm for the Lord.
Please pray for us as elections time approaches. Pray also for Dinki, for
the people here and for the Church in Zimbabwe. Though we are passing under
a dark cloud, we know that God is in control. He is doing wonderful things
here. There exists a unity never experienced before. We went to a leadership
conference with Baptists, and had wonderful fellowship. Lisa is prajmig
with other women from a niunber of denominations. On a recent trip to
Harare we saw the massive building erected to the glory of God. The gospel
is being preached, and people are turning to the Lord.

Thankyou for sharing in our joy of being able to serve the Lord in this
country. Thank you for your prayers and your continued support. We love
you all.

His Blessings & our kindest Regards

Jim and Lisa Bacon.

file://C:\DOCUME~l\STEVES~l\LOCALS'-l\Temp\eud9.htm

3/11/2002