RENEWED HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC.

Working Together For Zimbabwe's Future

June 16, 2003

Our time here in Zimbabwe has run out. We will be leaving soon to travel to South Africa where we leave our vehicle with friends. In spite of the many frustrations we have faced on this trip, we leave with sad hearts. We are leaving unfinished work and that is always difficult. More importantly we are leaving behind so many children that are facing harsh circumstances that are incomprehensible for anyone who has not experienced what we have seen. 
 

While many children are always excited to see us, there are those who have been so severely traumatized that they are expressionless. Ralph and I have their faces burned into our minds. Their eyes have no life in them at all. They don’t know how to smile. When we ask them to smile so we can take their picture, there is no response of any kind. They only stare blankly. The saddest part is that there are not only thousands of these children in Zimbabwe but all over the world; children who are facing this world alone and not one person cares if they live or die. They have no one to give them any encouragement or sympathize when they are not feeling well. Heather Chimhoga Orphan Care Center is an oasis for 569 orphans in the area it serves. There are millions in other areas of Zimbabwe that are dying of starvation.  
 

A few days ago the community sponsored a farewell for Ralph and I. Even the Member of Parliament for this area came as well as other government officials. People walked for more than 20 km to attend. It is the only way they had to express their appreciation. As in the past, many groups provided entertainment. We have difficulty trying to explain that we are only the tip of the iceberg; that there are hundreds of people in the United States that make the work possible. Ralph and I are only the messengers that bring it to them.
 

The morning following the farewell a mother came to our door with Mr. Bondeponde. She had not known of the farewell until it was over. She is a single parent with five children who are being assisted by the orphan care center. Through Mr. Bondeponde, she expressed her deep appreciation for the assistance that her children were receiving. She had heard, through her children, that we had been given gifts. She brought the only thing she owned, a reed sleeping mat, as her way of saying thank you. The mother requested that we join hands and she offered up a prayer of thanks to God. When she finished she was weeping with emotion.
 

A bit of important news is that one container of maize has arrived at the school. Some of it is already being used. The rest is safely stored. The other container should be arriving soon. It is a relief to know that it is here before we leave Zimbabwe
 

This is short but we wanted all of our readers to know that we will soon be in the U.S.
 

In His Service,
 

Ralph and Roberta

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Renewed Hope Charitable Foundation, Inc. | a 501(c)(3) charity | P.O. Box 1476 | Castle Rock, Colorado | 80104-1476