Tearfund partner Zimbabwe Orphans through Extended Hands (ZOE) helps rural communities overcome poverty, hunger and the effects of climate change so that families have enough food and income to support themselves. This Harvest week, pray for ZOE and the many farmers in Zimbabwe who have benefited from their support and expertise.
Sunday 1 October
Theresa, 82, used to wander around her community asking for food for her family. It made her an outcast. But since joining a goat-rearing scheme from Tearfund’s partner ZOE, she has enough to pay for her grandchildren’s education. Pray for her efforts to be blessed, as Theresa still strives to help her family despite her age.
Monday 2 October
Shupikai likes to be called ‘Mrs Tranquil’ after her late husband. Before ZOE trained her to rear sheep and goats, she had very little income. ‘I didn’t even have a penny to buy matches,’ she says. Give thanks that Mrs Tranquil lives up to her name, as her cattle means she can now pay for all of her family’s needs.
Tuesday 3 October
Kester from Gonyere village says her life used to be tough: ‘I lived a painful and pitiful life. I was poor and I had nowhere to start.’ But by joining a Tearfund- supported self-help group she has managed to not only provide for her family, she has enough to support others. Give thanks for her generosity and ask that more lives will be changed in her village.
Wednesday 4 October
Now a farmer, Gift used to be a miner but felt the work was unsafe. He relocated from the city to rural Nswazi village. He was trained by Tearfund’s partner ZOE to be a Gender Champion, challenging men's and boys’ negative beliefs, behaviours and actions towards women. Pray that ZOE will raise up more gender champions to bring change in their communities.
Thursday 5 October
ZOE taught Joice, a farmer in Masembura village, about climate-smart farming, including how to grow crops in drought conditions. She now enjoys bumper harvests of maize, peanuts, sweet potatoes and other vegetables. Pray that ZOE will be able to expand its work to provide sustainable crops for more families.
Friday 6 October
Lack of rainfall means that life in Mawane village is tough. Sukoluhle, 40, has learnt new skills from Tearfund’s partner including tailoring to provide for her family when she can’t grow crops. ‘I am a Christian and I pray,’ she says. ‘I prayed to buy a sewing machine.’ Give thanks that God answered her prayers and pray for blessings as she expands her tailoring business.
Saturday 7 October
‘Hannah’s story from 1 Samuel in the Bible motivates me,’ says Sukoluhle. ‘It really touches me. If you have a problem, do not go around telling people. Learn to get on your knees in your house and pray on your own. God will answer your prayers, just as he gave Hannah a child.’ Be inspired to pray like Hannah today, lifting up farmers in Zimbabwe. Ask God to enable ZOE to reach families in greatest need.
