Marcia Kay Thomson

In ZimbabweJanuary-February 1998 P.O.Box 231, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

Phone: 011-263-39-62285E-maih MarciaKayThomson@compuserve.com

Forwarding Agents:Charlotte & Wilford Leasure

Central Africa l\/lission13898 E. Harley Rd.

West Union IL 62477-2405(217) 279-3366

Furlough in 1998it has been a long time since I have seen you and I amlooking fonward to catching up on visiting with you thisyear. I expect to arrive in the USA in May and stayabout "sTnonths. Mv mother's'9Qth birthday is in Junethis year. I do not know just how much celebrating shewill be up to by then.

Address changes1. My forwarding agents did not move but their addresschanged because of a new system at the P.O.2. My e-mail address has changed. The good news isthat my address will be the same when Iam in the USA.

My old e-mail address was being discontinued. In themeantime I learned that if Icould get onto CompuServemy address would be worldwide. It was necessary forme to increase the memory in my computer to handlethe program. This took months but it is now in operation.

Making room for CAMELSFive years ago when 1became manager CAMELS had4 employees. Now we have 12 workers including a student and contract workers. We are remodeling to havemore space. The garage is more secure and now has aceiling. Things from the back veranda are in the garage. The veranda now has secure windows and byadding a wali will become an additional office. Efficiencyhas increased with shelves to store the paper separated into kinds and colors. An extension on the roof bythe kitchen gives the staff a protected place to eat.

In"j0 years CAMELS had filled many filing cabinetsandsome wooden boxes with job files. Instead of buyingmore filing cabinets I personally went through jobs 1-4000 and threw away what we no longer needed.

Mycarportbeing

used tomake

shelvesfor

mobiilebookstore

Shelves and tablesfor the portable Bookstore

These shelves were made according to our needs. Theshelves fit the books that we sell and the tables aremade with removable legs. The longest one is 6 footlong in order to fit into the 6 foot trailer. They are lowenough to put the books at a convenient hight.

Bookstore at

MasvingoShowusing

a tablethat wastoo high

Prayer Praises & Requests

Thank you for safe travel for my Christmas guestsfrom Johannesburg and Chinhoyi

Thank you for the new printing press

Thank you for my safe travel during 1997

Marketing of our Christian teaching materials

Help from the Lord to get everything ready forfurlough

Book stores and MeetingsThe day before Easter Newton and Iwent to Dewure tosell books at the National Youth Conference and thenon to an area church meeting near Renco Mine. . ,,'a>

The Missionaries got together in April,1997, atResthaven near Harare. For many years I have beenin charge of housing. Judy Pickett will do it in 1998 toenable me to prepare to leave for the USA. .'

The first week of August several of us went to Kenyafor the All Africa Missionary Retreat. This event is heldevery other year. In 1999 it is scheduled to be in Zimbabwe at Resthaven. I will be back from the USA in timeto be incharge of the housing. After the Retreat wasover and until we caught our plane back home, AliceFishback and I spent some time with the Nlemeyers inNairobi.

The National Church Conference was in Gweru inAugust. Godfrey Makuku, Newton Nzviyo and I ran abook store for the conference. I borrowed BenPennington's trailer to transport the books.

The first week of September Godfrey Makuku and Idrove to Johannesburg for a large PRINT EXPO. Itgave us a chance to see what the rest of the world isdoing in printing. In some ways CAMELS is not that farbehind. We only bought a couple of things while there - - - .and left an order to come through the commercial customs later. It was the first time Godfrey had been to ^Johannesburg. ^ S 3' p '

^ ^ cr < ^Masvingo Agricultural Show would be like your local ^ ^ ^d o' S"fair. We decided to have abooth to sell Christian litera- ^ roture. For our first time there was reasonable interest. t ^We also passed out flyers that we had printed to adver- S ^ ^ o" Htise the coming evangelistic meeting. 2 ^ ^ o"Masvingo Simuka Arise was a joint effort by most of wthe churches in Masvingo. The purpose as stated was to evangelize Masvingo, equip Christians, give Biblicalhope to the unemployed and impact the moral climate of Masvingo. African Enterprises who came to help inthis meeting have had experience inurban evangelism. cThey work with the churches in the area and left the ...follow up to the local churches. There were meetings toget the local people organized and trained. The publicmeetings took place from October 12 to 19. They usedlarge auditoriums in several areas and had open airmeetings in a football stadium. Local music groupsandsome from Harare helped. The speakers came fromMalawi, SouthAfrica and Zimbabwe. Many ofthe messages stressed that one was not just to attend churchbut live the life that God expected of them every day. 70*^mMost of our churches work on very small scale meetings. Perhaps they learned more about how to set upand work with larger numbers.

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To: Horizons, [102774,1772]From: Marcia Kay Thomson, MarciaKayThomsonDate: 4/18/98,12:47 PMRe: Easter

13 April 1998

Dear friends

Easter Weekend 1998

Thursday evening Masvingo Christian Church had their traditional candlelight Communion Service. This year wealso had a Good Friday 9:00 AM Service at the request of some of the congregation. After the service I left forHarare. Newton Nzviyo, Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Makuku went vwth me. We set up the mobile bookstore for theNational Youth Conference at Seke Teachers College. We sold books Friday evening and Saturday morning.Saturday afternoon Newton and I came back to Masvingo.

Sunday morning at Masvingo Christian Church, I was sure, was going to be too good to miss. I was notdisappointed. Many of our regular attendees went to their rural homes but we still had a full house. The numberwas 106. Besides regulars there were visitors from a distance and local people that usually do not come. Therewere some that had not come until the last few weeks that are now regular attendees. Lorna Borland'sgranddaughter was dedicated.

The average attendance has been about 70 for some time. We have been doing a 50 day Spiritual Adventureusing the book "I LIKE CHURCH, BUT..." by Dan Lupton and the related materials. The last 6 weeks ourattendance has averaged 100.

We have applied for a site to build a church building. The town council meeting to grant permision Is near theend of the month. We have enough money in our building fund to buy the lots and the fund is growing. We wereonly considering remodeling the present building until recently when we decided that would not be adequate. Ihave never seen so much excitement in this church. Some plan to be baptized next week. Some attended aclass for several weeks to be better prepared. When we build a church building we will have a baptistery Insteadof going to another church or using a swimming pool as we do now.

The next few months are not a time that I want to miss but furloughs come around on a regular basis. Themissionaries meet at Resthaven April 21-24 and I leave for the USA on May 5.

May God bless and keep each one of you.

Marcia Kay

P. S. If you want to be left off of any other mailings please just let me know.

Marcia Kay Thomson

In ZimbabweMay 1998

c/o Charlotte & Wilford Leasure, Central Africa Mission13898 E. Harley Rd. West Union IL62477-2405

Phone:(217) 279-3366E-mail: MarciaKayThomson@compuserve.com

In U. S. A.from May 21 until November 16

My schedule is not finished but the conventions areset. Perhaps I will see you in St. Louis June 23-26 atthe NACC or in Cincinnati November 12-15 at NMC.I also expect to see many of you in your churches.

Masvingo Christian Church is growing fast. It isalmost so exciting that I want to cancel my furloughand participate. Our average attendance has jumpedfrom 70 to ICQ. We have made an application for asite to build a church building.

The Lord answers prayer.Many people have been hurtin traffic accidents recently. After 30 years of accident free driving I was hit by a bus but have no serious injuries. I was only a half block from CAMELSPrint Shop.The employees came to see aboutme.Theyphoned Ben and Karen who came immediately. Thechassis was bent and the local shops did not quote tostraighten it. It is in Harare now for repairs. Ben andKaren have been generous with their car and I havebeen able to carry on my work. Praise the Lord!!

My car in Vehicle Inspection after meeting the bus.

Zimbabwe Christian CollegeIt is such a blessing to see the collegecarrying on thetraining of leaders for the church. I am the only personthat has taught in the Bible College in all three of itslocations. This means that I am acquainted with ourministers of all ages. I am not involved in the programin Harare now but I am still interested in the college. Iattended the AnnoHtMeering as one"ofthe"suppuiieisof the college. The others that attended are picturedabove. Some of you have met Kenneth Makusha andKingston Sithole that left for a visit to the USA theday after graduation.

National Youth ConferenceEach year the youth have their conference over theEaster Holiday Weekend. Thisyear they metinHarai-e.We went from CAMELS to run a bookstore for them.Itwas good toseeourZCC personnel involved in leading and teaching. I had an opportunity to hear fromsome of the graduates how the work in their area isgoing. Danny bought a stewardship book. He is in apoor area but the church is supporting him. Sadockbrought 45 young people from Dewure to participate.

Some of the young people were looking for us as wehave had a bookstore for them for several years. Theystarted buying hymn books before we got the bookstoreset up.Wedid not stay until theend as we wantedto be in the service at Masvingo Sunday morning.

The church will grow stronger if the members continue to study. We try to help them with material thatthey need and in the process providejobs for some ofour Christians.

HER LOVE WILL-BE.REMEMBEREDy

January 8 1998 the tombstone for Marilyn AnnRichards was laid, a memoria! service was heldat Chiredzi Church with an unveiling service atthe cemetery. Then refreshments were served atTshovani Church. More than three years hadpassed since Marilyn was laid to rest in ChiredziCemetery. It has taken longer than we expected toget everything wound up. Marilyn's investment ofyears continues to be-felt in the people she influenced for Christ. It may be difficult in this picture toread the words on the bottom stone, "HER LOVEWILL BE REMEMBERED." Going back to ChiredziI could feel the reflected love that the people show.1. The women that she worked with continue tomeet as individual groups. They also have carriedon with the Annual Area Women's Meeting that shestarted. On the way to Tshovani one of thesewomen told Judy Pickett and me of the work.2. Jephitah Mavangano has finished his teachertraining and now has more than two years experience as a teacher. He has just moved to the schoolnear the Tshovani Church. He will be able to helpwin more young people to the Lord and train themin the way they should go.3. Holly Bird has completed 3 years of training atKentucky Christian College and will spend part ofher summer with me. I hope you get to meet her.

Some of you were added to this list becauseyou were on Marilyn's mailing list. I will remove your name with this issue unless youlet me know that you wish to continue.

Please continue sending newsletter.

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Marcia Kay Thomson

In Zimbabwe USA

Dear Friends

CharlDi^eJUAmioKU^agjreMitral Africa Mission

13^ E. Harley'Roaa'West Union. IL 62477-2405

-300110^217-279-3366E-mail:leaswc@comwares.net

E-mail:MarciaKayThomson@compuserve.com

October 1998

I have enjoyed seeing many of you while I have been in the States. It is good to see churches growing andplanning new facilities.

Is your addi^ss on this letter correct? If not, please let me know.

Masvingo Christian Church

The church had a 50-Day Spiritual Adventure which ended at Easter and the congregation grew from 70 to100. Attendance has stayed at an averageof 100. Aspecial offeringwasalmosttwice the goalset to pay fora lot for the new building. The whole town is talking about the church paying for the lot so quickly. Theyhope to start building in January.

Zimbabwe Christian College Our Prayers Answered From E-mail by Brent Brewer

Aldred Maboreke contracted a fatal form of fungal meningitis. He was president of the ZCC student bodyanda spiritually mature student. He gave upa good job forBibleCollege. Hisfamily rejected himin someways b^ause he refused toparticipate in certain traditional religious ceremonies since he became aChristian9 years ago. One uncle saidto him,"When yourJesus fails you, you will comerunning backto us."

A short while after Aldred became so ill we requested prayer by bush telegraph and e-mail and heard ofpeople praying from coast to coast in the US, in Australia, New Zealand, Mozambique, Tanzania, SouthAfrica and of course many in Zimbabwe. Praise the Lord for technology.

The good news was all the p>eople praying for a MIRACLE! One of Aldred's big concerns has been hisfamily - most of whom were notChristians. We asked thatGod would use this illness insome way to reachAldred's family for Christ.

Aldred's family accepted thatmedicine could nothelp and decided to take him to theirhome village about60 miles east of Harare. Kenneth Makusha and Brent Brewer used their trucks to take Aldred and his familyhome. Different groups wentfrom Harare to the village almostevery dayto praywithAldred.

Yes, weknow first prize is heaven butwe thought God would be glorified and more people won if Aldredwere healed. One week after Aldred went to his village home; he went to his heavenly home.

Aldred's father, a non-Christian who was very opposed to Aldred going to Bible College said he had neverseen or experienced the kind of loveshown to his family byAldred's Christian friends. And he said, "I canonly give praise to God for what you have done, if you had a church here I would become a membertomorrow." Makusha, principal of the college, gotupand promised thatwewould bring students from thecollege fora service thenext Sunday anddiscuss possible future plansfor a churchand everyone cheered.

So God has done some amazing things through this wholeexperience. It was not only Aldred's family thatwas helped butthose of us who participated as well. The hours in prayer have changed us and we learned^wG^ used us. Our primary motive was to pray for afriend but in the process we became friends with hisTamil^nd began to minister to them.God's ways arenotourways andheaccomplished something inthisfamily thatneitherAldred norwecouldhave ever imagined happening. Praise to His Holy Name!!

CJV.M.E.L^.

Things are going all right at CAMELS.

Mr. Style Mawanza is not well. Please pray

Godfrey and Teresa Makuku had a baby boy ptitote!They named him Leroy.

The world wide economic unrest is bound toELS as well as other business in Zimbabwe/Two|yL^ago the exchange rale in 2mbabwe was US$r-SiO.When I left Zimbabwe in May it was US$l=Z$i7.1 hearthat recendy it has beenjumping from 25 to 35. It is difficult for me to think about these sudden changes.

Mom's Birthday

A special thankyou to those that sent birthday cardsto mom. When she opened them she made remarksthat indicatedthatshe remembered manyof you.Therewere over 50 cards. The Birthday Party went well.There were enoughto celebratebut not too many.

Mom has some days that are better than others. Sometimes she does not recognize me. She spendsmost ofher time in a wheelchair.

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National Missionary Convention

This year the^conyentiott-i&Jn Cincinnati^_QWo on12-15. The booth for the CentraTAfifca^^

Mission needs some work before then and to be put up and taken down at the convention. The conventionis a wonderful time to see people that I know buthaven't-seeaiep-yeare and get to know-some newfriends. November 16 is a Central Africa MissionMeeting and on the 17th I fly off to Africa goingthrough Miami, Florida.

Travel

Besides flying around the world I have been drivingbackandforthfromWichita, Kansas,to Rushsylvania,Ohio, and several points between. Through a dearfriend I have been loaned a first class car instead ofpaying a lease.Thankyou fcH* your [HByers that I wouldhave safety in travel and for the Lord's answer to thoseprayers, I also have some new medicine that is making hayfever season bearable. listening to recordedbooks has helped traveltime to be profitable.The Lordis so good to me. Please continueto pray for me.