Hope Taking Root in Tough Places
By Amanda DeWitt
In Mhondoro, Zimbabwe, families are still recovering from a historic drought. Across the country, many were left suffering — without access to clean water and without enough food for their families.
To help meet immediate needs, the local Unto® staff team hosted an agriculture workshop in Mhondoro. Together with a local church leader, Pastor Zihove, they taught people how to plant productive gardens for food and income. They also provided drip irrigation kits that use minimal water for growing. During the training, participants built a large community garden on the church’s property.
Lots of green vegetables are now sprouting in the garden. The produce helps feed people in the village who do not have adequate nutrition. Something else has taken root too — hope!
Peter is a community member who came to the training, and he has been working in the garden ever since. He got to know Pastor Zihove as they tilled the ground side-by-side. Their friendship grew, and Pastor Zihove was able to tell Peter about Jesus.
Peter shared:
“Before I was a Christian, life was really tough. I didn’t have anyone to talk to about the hardships that I was going through. Now I found someone that I can share my troubles with. I can share them with the Lord, and I can share them with the pastors. My life before and what it is now is totally different.”
After coming to faith, Peter joined the local church. His family saw such a change in his life that they wanted to know more about Jesus too. So far, nine of his family members have trusted Christ and now attend church together!
Since hosting the agriculture workshop in Mhondoro, Pastor Zihove’s church has grown from 60 people to more than 150 participants! Eight new churches have also been planted — each with 70 to 90 people coming regularly to grow in faith together!
Ministry is multiplying. Faith is spreading. In just six months, the local team has cared for more than 12,500 people. They have shared the gospel with more than 2,633 individuals and have seen 939 people come to faith in Jesus!