BLCC November Report - from Tafara/Mabvuku

INTRODUCTION

Men were given the floor to lead the Sunday prayer meetings for the whole month of November. This was done to encourage men to fully participate in the prayer meeting. Usually men prefer to sit at the back and interact with only a few people after the meeting. New male members are sometimes left alone, with no male counterparts to help them understand the proceedings of the prayer meeting.

This really worked out so well because each and everyone tried hard to participate throughout the prayer meeting. Some members, who have never participated, were motivated to participate.

LEADING

The following members led the sessions throughout the month, Richard Vheremu, Nomore Mahovo, Derek Nyakupinda (2 sessions), and Sekuru Chiwaura. It was first time for Derek to lead any prayer session, but people were blessed on both occasions. Nomore, Richard, and Sekuru Chiwaura were also known preachers. One person was leading every week though he was free to nominate anyone to assist him, for example, greeting visitors. Team attendance also improved from average of 3 people to about 6, with men dominating the attendance. The above indicated that individuals can be multi–talented, meaning one person can sing, preach and lead, though people had a tendency of concentrating on one gift only.

PREACHING

Regarding preaching, the people who usually preach, preached, these are the likes of Alois Mahovo, Nomore Mahovo, and one week we had to accommodate a visitor as a way of welcoming him – Baba Bwanaisa. The following week Charles Mahovo preached. It was his first time to preach but again people were blessed.

Men could however not give testimonies. This has been a standing problem for sometime. They only give testimonies once in a while and average one person over a long period like a month. The other reason could be that most of them do not attend supportive group (cell group) prayers due to various commitments which range form work to study, unlike most women who are not employed who try to spend as much time as possible meeting and praying. Men are generally shy to stand before a congregation.

SINGING

Singing was another area which lacked something, though they tried. I would say this “awakened” them as they felt the responsibility was in their court. At least those who could not sing would agree by clapping hands etc.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance in number did not change but intercession improved. People have a tendency of coming to intercede when they have been given something to do. This motivated them as they also felt that they are equally recognized in the group.

CONCLUSION

As much as possible men should be given the floor to participate. They have the gifts but lack motivation. There is room for the group to grow if men continue participating fully in the group. New members who may be men would feel encouraged to come to the sessions, currently the perception is that the group is female dominated and somehow, they think it “a women’s group”, but if they see men being active they are bound to be convinced that it is for everyone.

Men tend to be more gifted in preaching and teaching above everything else.

Notes:

1. This report has been compiled by one individual.

2. It is purely based on personal observations.

3. I did not manage to comment fully on week 23.11.07, as I was attending a conference in Chitungwiza.

4. By men I referred to both men and boys.

5. Verses preached were not included due to time limitations but may however be given in due course.

6. The practice did not end on men; December has been given to girls only, women excluded.

7. The whole aim it to try and make every member recognize their potential and ministry should grow to the fullest.

By Evelyn Mahovo

Team of three for Chikwaka

Mr Liberty Zinhara gives this report of ministry in Chikwaka from the 9^th–11^th of November. Mr Zinhara was the leader and Mr Joe Jumpa, visiting from Hwange, and Ms Viola Motsi made up the team.

Mrs Kupara, an old lady, had come back from attending the Community Day in Harare and people were surprised to see her walking around, fully recovered from the problem she had had with her legs. This attracted many people who had needs of their own.

We prayed for one family that had two sons, one of them 45 and the other 34 years old who are not yet married due to psychological and/or evil spirit causes. We are yet to hear from the sons since they are both working in Harare.

We also ministered to another woman who has been coming to the prayer group for almost a year, but without fully repenting. When they gathered on Saturday evening, Mr Joe Jumpa and Mr Liberty Zinhara gave a strong teaching.

On Sunday morning, this woman came and confessed her involvement in brewing beer and preparing snuff for the mhondoro spirit of the area, which is the tribal spirit. This was causing her problems, especially with her children. We prayed deliverance prayer to free her from different evil spirits and prayer for inner healing and she went home praising God.

There was also another young woman who was experiencing abuse like the woman in Acts 16:16, whom her lord used to generate income from the activity of a divining spirit.

We also met one who was under the influence of a spiritual husband; she also had special spirit-connected things buried in the garden so that her family would generate more cash from selling vegetables. She was set free on Sunday morning after she exposed all these activities and went home praising God.

Among other testimonies, some testified to the loving reception they received when they visited the Community House.

We recommend that next time we visit this place we should have one team that will teach the Chikwaka team to give seminars while another team continues with door-to-door, point-of-need ministry.

Community Day (3)

Sunday was another story. We started with a powerful praise session and the Lord was at work in this session and throughout the day.

We set aside the programme, though not altogether, and came in freely on the subject of what we need is the Holy Spirit and we need to see the power of God at work in BLCC ministry. We alternated this with testimonies from different places and these fitted in very well with the teachings. By the time we finished, at around 3:00 p.m., we were exhausted but happy.

We thank God that there were no water cuts or power cuts throughout the whole of this weekend.

We thank God as well that this weekend lifted up the community and gave it a fresh start. The proof of that will be in the fruits that follow and I am confident these will be there.

Community Day (2)

Saturday was a difficult day; we were doing our best but it was hot under the canvas we had erected as a tent and we were tired.

The group was not in the Spirit as it should have been and we had to bring out the fact that this was not like a BLCC meeting. It is easy for a meeting to settle down to receiving teachings but that alone is not enough. Anyway, towards the end of the day things improved. This day included a valuable session of sharing and the lists of suggestions we received from this will help us all.

Community Day (1)

To make it more worthwhile for those who come from outside Harare we start our ‘Day’ on Friday evening and let it carry on into Sunday.

The subject for Friday evening was ‘Communication’, but we saw that what the people who had arrived so far really needed was more of the Holy Spirit. Father, Mr Makore, Mr Chimwaza, Mrs Masuku, and Mrs Makaure each came in briefly on this subject and it built up until everyone was very much in the Spirit.

We were due to finish at 10:30 but it was almost midnight by the time we got to bed. This gives some idea of how the Spirit took over.

We were nevertheless up in the morning for private prayer 5:00–6:00 and intercession at 6:00–6:30 etc.