Who would have thought?

Attempting to relate experiences of our mission trip without repeating something is nearly impossible because so much is interwoven into the accounts. Keep this disclaimer in mind as you hear someone relate what happens during a Volunteer in Missions trip regardless of the location.

When the Columbus Baptist Association (Georgia) and the missionaries in Amandebeleland made a three year partnership covenant, the first year was envisioned as a mutual prayer partnership. At some point the missionary teams in Bulawayo were convicted to support a mission team in 2003. In spite of the many obstacles facing logistical support of such an endeavor, they finally just said, “Let's do it!” Then a whirlwind of activities began on both sides of the Atlantic.

Holding an eye camp at a predetermined location would certainly draw people from long distances. It would be the hub of witnessing and sharing the gospel. Local was the key.

A young Zimbabwean man working at the Baptist Publishing House in Bulawayo expressed a desire to establish a church in his home town of Lupane. He lived and worked in Bulawayo, but in Africa there is a strong affinity for one's hometown and ties there remain often causing people to travel often to be with friends and family at home. Vu Lunsinga was such a person. He knew that a Bible study was being conducted in a home in Lupane which might be the nucleus of a church start. Upon sharing this passion with one of the IMB missionaries, it was agreed upon that an eye camp held here might afford the Columbus Team opportunity to plant a church.

Lupane is a rural town of about 2000 population close to three hours out of Bulawayo. A mile or so outside of Lupane is the Mabhikwa High School, more than 700 students and has a large number boarding students, where the eye camp was to be conducted. Vu had responsibility for making all local coordination and promotion of the team's ministries. This was his first effort at prearranging everything to meet the facility requirements and coordination with all required authorities. The venue was selected.

The plan of action for an eye camp was to provide screening and where appropriate give reading glasses (where possible prescription glasses) and in some cases schedule surgery for selected persons. The team would divide into witnessing teams to canvass the local community and have someone be available to witness to people waiting to be seen by the doctor. In the evenings the JESUS film would be shown and evangelistic preaching would follow. Three days and nights would be devoted to this activity followed by a Sunday worship service.

The teams arrived on site, set up, disbursed to witness, and screen eye patients. By the end of the day about 70 people had come through the eye camp and the doctor had serious misgivings about continuing in that location for the next three days. At the showing of the JESUS film that evening a smaller crowd than was anticipated attended, a couple of hundred or so. At this point serious consideration was given to relocating into Lupane the following days.

A ray of hope shined upon the teams later in the evening. After showing the JESUS film and preaching, there may have been as many as 70 young people and adults went forward during an unplanned invitation.

The following morning there was only a small gathering to see the doctor for eye exams. Doc Beaty as he was briefing the people on the procedures to be followed expressed the possibility of moving the eye camp into town. An older gentleman ask that Doc reconsider and allow people to continue coming to the high school. The eye camp ministered to almost 200 people before the day was gone. All were astonished at the turn around in people seen.

More encouragement was to come as the day passed and evening came-time for the movie and preaching. As dark descended Doc Beaty told Steve King that he would have to turn up the volume as he preached that evening. It was difficult to estimate the crowd's attendance that evening as it had grown to 300 to 500 people before preaching began.

An excitement began to move throughout the crowd that evening. Our team began to comment one to another about the electricity which seemed to permeate the air. Something was happening on the high school campus that evening. This was later evidenced by the 100 plus who went forward at the invitation. It was the same on the third night as even more were moved by the message brought by Lowell Cliatt and Fred Phiri.

What happened? Prayers were answered. I believe that the stage was set by the gentleman who ask Steve not to move the eye camp. He had said the people will come and they did. Young and old came to see and hear the message that Jesus is Lord. The crowd gasped with emotion upon seeing Jesus unjustly crucified in the film. The Holy Spirit working through the Lupane community and the mission teams opened eyes and ears, the preachers preached, and the message fell on fertile ground. It wasn't anything done especially by the teams other than their commitment to be true to the purpose of going and sharing the gospel “unto the world.”

Jesus says in Matthew 6:34 not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough trouble of its own. Our worrying was for naught. The team saw more than 550 at the eye camp and we believe 250 or more made professions during the evening rallies. One thing we know for sure, something was happening on the campus of Mabhikwa High School while we ministered in Lupane. Praise the Lord!

Earl Rawling