J.

BACON

SSION, 06:03 PM 4/13/01 +0200, BACON'S APRIL LETTER

Deli\ered-To: missionz@usit.net
From: "J. BACON MISSION" <jmlbacon@adtech.co.zw>
To: "Pickett, Judy" <judith@zol.co.zw>. <Peter.Makiriyado@jbc.edu>,
"Peter Jackson" <loganmil@samara.co.zw>,
"MSA" <editorial@missionservices.org>,
"Morris Brion & Joyce" <blmorris@global.co.za>, "Mo" <TarotMo@aol.com>,
"MKBrooks" <MKBrooks@iname.com>,
"Michael Jacob" <gnfamichael@iname.com>,
"Merritt Harold & Roz" <hmemtt@lccs.edu>
Cc: "Peril, Marie France" <mfperil@skynet.net.au>,
"Peril Jacques & Margaret" <jperil@mentoneggs.vic.edu.au>,
"Pennington Jack" <]ackpenn@juno.com>,
"Peggy Pennington" <peggy-pennington@juno.com>,
"Paul Reyman" <PaulReyman@xc.org>,
"Paul Dwight ULM" <pulm1@compuserve.com>,
"Paul Dover" <100735.2163@compuser\.com>,
"Paul & Margaret Pennington" <paul.pennington@cincyblble.edu>,
"papapaul2" <papapaul2@juno.com>,
"Neil James(Skelmersdale.c.c.)" <james@jnprop.freeser\.co.uk>,
"N Burtenshaw" <burtenshaw@intellisoft.co.zw>,
"Mt Carmel Church - Chamberiain" <edchambe@eos.net>,
<MSweitzer@teamexpansion.org>
Subject: BACON'S APRIL LETTHR
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001 18:03:56 +0200
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2314.1300

BACON'S APRIL LETTER ^0 0 I

It has been a long time since we sent a newsletter, although we have
corresponded with most of our supporters, in the past few months. We
thought it appropriate to write as we enter the Easter holidays, and as we
celebrate the Risen Christ to 'gi>fi an account for the HOPE that is in
us.*...(1 Pet 3:15...)
More than e\r, we need that HOPE, as Zimbabwe is suffering from high
Inflation, a shortage of foreign currency, and scarcity of many basic
commodities. Tliere are long lines of vehicles at gas (filling) stations;
people are buying candles, as power cuts occur nearly e\ery night. You must
ha\ read about the violence and lawlessness prevailing in some parts of the
country. Many people are leaving for greener and safer pastures, while many
businesses close down. The situation is very severe. Amid all this
tumioil, we know that God is in control. This is apparent, as the building
industry is still viable because of the many church buildings being erected
at present!

Jim has been wori<ing with IDES, on a drought relief program, at Silobela,
one of the

many communal areas in Zimbabwe. Tliere are 10 of our churches there. The

cost of supplementary feeding per person is less than US$5 per month. Ifany
of you has mission committees that are interested in this kind of work, we
suggest you contact IDES.

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J. BACON MISSION, 06:03 PM 4/13/01 +0200, BACON'S APRIL LETTER

Nearer home, in our little church on the edge of the city, the demand on our
own feeding program has suddenly escalated. With a minimum wage of $1000
(US18), the economic climate has created extreme hardship with our people.
We sent 17 AIDS orphans to school last tenri, five seniors and twelve
juniors. To those who ha\e a parent, we pay school fees only. For those
who have lost both father and mother, we buy items of school uniform (which
Is compulsory in Zimbabwe), shoes, books, provide supplementary groceries;
and for a 16 years old orphan we pay lodgings. To the donors who are
financially helping many of these children we give thanks. Know that ALL
your donations go to help these children. We also sent an underprivileged
girl to college, to leam dressmaking. This was an expensi>e undertaking as
fees doubled in that period, and strained the budget. We thank God that she
completed the course!

Looking after these orphans poses many problems, as we constantly face

interference fr-om the orphans' extended families. Many an 'uncle' has taken
the food destined to the children. We also have to be careful when handing
money to the children to pay their school fees as the 'uncles' prey on them,
and they are so defenseless. As we make mistakes, we leam how to cope with
these situations as they arise. Please pray that God grant us wisdom to
work with these people.

We are again looking for a suitable site to build a church in Daylesford.

This is proving urgent because of a sudden decision of the landlord to
charge rent for the bam we use as church building. It is not easy though;
the City council will not give land, as there are already two Christian
church buildings unfinished in the City.
Dinki Sumaili, Jim's co pastor, is still doing a good job. He has a number
of bible studies with the youth during the week. Lisa teaches the women on
Tuesday afternoons and to a mixed group on Wednesday e>nings. She
continues with the Christian Business Womens' group on Thursdays.

We had one set back at the church, when a small elitist group led by the
newly ordained evangelist with Pentecostal leanings broke away to spend more
time in worship. As Jim and Dinki feel their call is to evangelism and
winning and nurturing souls it is comforting to note that the empty chairs
are filling fast. At the request of some of the older men In the church,
Jim preached during the month of March.
The congregation saw the death of two of its senior members. Mr. Martin,
Dinki's father in law died last month. Dinki had baptized him a month
before his death.

The wife of a Moslem man who comes to church regularly also died. She had
glvsn instmctions to her husband for a 'Christian' burial. She died very
peacefully, knowing the Lord, as Jim had baptized her some 4 years ago.

On a personal note, we wish to report that we have had bouts of ill health
again. Jim's blood pressure kept fluctuating from high to very high.
Before the doctor could settle on the right pills, Jim was prescribed

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J. BACON MISSION, 06:03 PM 4/13/01 +0200, BACON'S APRIL LETTER

various medications which had not proved effective and which had left him
fieeling ill all the time. With the general feeling of unrest in the
country, and Jim's condition, Lisa is feeling stressed. Howe\r, we both
know that unless the Lord tells us otherwise our work is in Zimbabwe.

Please pray for us: for God's protection and provision, for our safiety, that
God grants us patience, perseverance, strength and good health; but most of
all that we still have lo\e in our heart for the people of this country.
We thank you for your prayers, your help of our orphans, your financial
support, and your fHendship. May God bless you.
Jim and Lisa

US Agents: OOF, 2627 Redwing Rd #111, Fort Collins, CO 80526 (Cheques made
to James Bacon Mission)
UK Agent: Kevin Yates, 3 Guilfbrd Dr, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1HG
(Cheques to J. Bacon)
Australia Contact: Mrs. MF Peril, 1/8 Topaz CRT, Mulgrave, Vic 3170

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J. BACOI^ISSION, 09:58 AM 8/17/01 +0200. J

//^- /0{fi 9

Detivered-To; missionz@usit.net
From: "J. BACON MISSION" <jmlbacon@adtech.co.zw>
To: "Hilderbrand Gill &Allister" <hunterjb@netzero.n6t.co>,

<churchi!@mweb.co.zw>, "Richard Smith" <smithr@dmrtc.net>,

<rhundley@missionsen/ices.org>
Cc: "Ronald E Heine" <rheine@pscc.edu>, "nhudgson" <nhudgson@telco.co.zw>,
"MSA" <editorial@missionservices.org>. "Mapiwa" <htwm@utande.co.zw>,
"MAKUWATSINE GRACE" <GMAKUWATSINE@AfricanBankingCorp.com>
Subject: J
Date; Fri, 17Aug2001 09:58:13+0200
X-Mailer Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2314.1300

J.Bacon Mission

August Newsletter 2001

As we write this letter, a cold and icy wind is blowing in Gweru, which matches the economic climate of the
country! High inflation, the lack of foreign currency, cormption, lawlessness, violence and unemployment
has seriously affected e\ryone in Zimbabwe.
Ne\er has there been a greater need for our Lord Jesus; ne\er has there been a greater need to put on the
whole armour of God, as the spiritual battle intensifies.
And we know that God is at work when we notice church buildings being erected, places of entertainment
being turned into meeting places for Christians, and Christian programmes being broadcast on radio and
television everyday of the week.

Our work with the orphans continues. We created great excitement at the Senga Junior School, where
eight of our orphans attend. On 'Open Day' when parents examine their children's work and confer with
their teachers, Amai and Baba Bacon went along. Our presence caused quite a stir and our kids felt like a
million dollars! We were able to discuss our orphans' academic performance and act accordingly.
We ha\e had to step up supplementary feeding, because of escalating prices on basic commodities. So to
donors for individual children, we tmst that you won't mind us utilizing surplus money for an extra child in
need. All designated funds are used for the children; none are used for administration purposes.
Last month, we took thirteen of our children to the local dentist, for a check up; he also kindly did some
extractions. He said he wanted to hear the children sing, which they dutifully did. The younger ones said
some memory \erses, and I noticed a lump in the dentist's throat. On the way back home, one of the
smaller girls tugged at my arm and said Baba (father) I am hungry. I looked at the crowd of children, and
wondered how to sort out this problem as I knew I had only Z$100 (US$2 approx.). With that money, they
bought three cut loaves sold at the side of the road, and which they divided between them and happily
devoured, before we reached our destination. No complaints! No requests for anything else! They were
just happy that someone cared!
During Dan McArthur's absence I have again been taking care of the planting and feeding program at
Silobela, and of the completion of the school at Makaranga.
Those of you who responded to our request for second hand Bibles might like to know that some of these
ha\ found their way into that area, and in the township churches of Gweru.
offered a ranch a few miles from Daylesford for evangelical outreach. We had in mind to
house some of our abandoned women, our orphans, and impro\ on our self-help schemes and teach them
self-reliance. However the government In its land refonn program has appropriated it. We have appealed
against this, as the ground is not arable enough and there is insufficient water. The homestead would also

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J. BACON MISSION, 09:58 AM 8/17/01 +0200, J

be used for e\angeiical outreaches, retreats, etc. We ha>e the vision of establishing a Christian village,
and build a worship centre and e>entually de\elop a Christian community. All this has been put on hold, for
the present. We continue to take this vision to the Lord, and would ask you to pray that His will be done.
We stand on the words of Habakkuk:

For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail. Though it tarries,
wait for it; For it will certainly come; it will not delay. (Hab 2:3)

We have started a number of Bible studies in various homes in the area in which our CD-pastor Dinky is
involved. Amai Bacon is busy teaching the Shona ladies and the High School kids and Baba Bacon is
back preaching and calling. Our numbers are again increasing. We havs had several baptisms, which
shows a positive response to our combined efforts.
We are still busy with The Church at large in the city. Lisa continues to teach an interdenominational
Business Woman's Group. Jim meets with the indigenous Church of Christ Pastors on a monthly basis,
and last month preached at the Senga Church of Christ.
Also, we are both inNX)lved in helping and working as facilitators in the Craig Hill Curses to Blessings
(Ancient Paths) Seminars.
Our letter would not be complete without mentioning The Tapuwa Openyu Orphan Project in which we are
both board members. We have sufficient funds to start implementing the programme in September. We
will start working with the orphans from the Mkoba Church of Christ. The project Is similar to our own In
Daylesfbrd, but on a much larger scale. Dan & Theresa McArthur are in the U.S. at the moment soliciting
funds for this project.

We are planning to be in UK during October. Jim is anxious to be with his mother, who will turn 89 soon,
and visit his eldest daughter and two grandchildren, who have just resettled in Leeds.
We would like to
see as many of our faithful supporters and friends, as time will allow.
We will then proceed to Cincinnati,
USA. to be with our son John (Didi), wife Shannon, and our four grandchildren. We intend to be with
them for the months of November and December, returning to Zimbabwe beginning of January.. Again, we

would like to usit with friends and supporters as may be ananged. We are looking forward to some 'time
out' as the last 12 months have seen us under a lot of stress. Jim in particular has been dogged with

hypertension. We therefore will welcome this blessed time, when we can rest in the arms of our family.
Should you wish to speak with us whilst we are in UK and USA, the people to contact are; in England Kevin Yates, Tel: (0116) 221 7967
In USA - Bacons, Tel: 513-753-7418

We are grateful for your friendship, your support, your prayers and your partnership in the Kingdom. We
thank God for you.
Yours in Christ,

Jim and Lisa Bacon

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