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Dear families and friends,

Once again we thank you all very much for your effective prayers and support for this project, and for our
family.

Below is Steve’s latest Newsletter:

Steve Kostamo is back in Canada for a while. During my time in Zimbabwe Ifound that my original plan to start working on the church project was verylimited due to a number of things. The shortage of materials including localcurrency as well there was problems caused by the developer of the lots we
purchase last year. The developer had dug up our marker beacons to put in awater main. But their work has been at a stand still due to the sameshortage of materials.

These problems only opened the door to work with the Orphanages that are also a part of the ministries we have been working with for the past years. So a lot of my time was focused in helping to set up the infrastructure for these orphanages. There is still a shortage of materials, but we have a team working to secure what we need while I am here in Canada. I will then be going periodically to oversee the works from time to time in 3 – 4 week periods. The next trips are being planned for March and August this year
depending on the volatility of the situation at the time. We still don’t have a visa so to take my family is not practical on this account, and just adds to the reasons for the short trips every few months. It is a constant education on the current banking and means of exchange as it varies from day to day. This is especially true when the scarce Zim dollar losses value and thus driving up the demand for it just to buy the basic necessities.It is actually cheaper to use cash for toilet paper than to buy toilet paper, only that toilet paper is slightly softer than cash. One day I pulled out a thousand dollar bill from my pocket and blew my nose on it to the
dismay of the bystanders as I threw it in the garbage after. But after I did the math comparing the number of sheets of tissue on a roll and how many thousand-dollar bills each sheet cost there was laughter all around at the plight of the economic situation. It is a rare thing to have water, electricity, and your phone all working at the same time, and the lack of either is the top on the list of small talk before the weather and politics.
But some how through all this there is away to help the 500 + orphans on a daily basis for their sustenance and education. And to each one of them this means the whole world. Even though in the 6 weeks I was there 3 of them died of aids or in a flood the thought of their plight if we didn’t help tears ones conscience.

So till I go again I am trying to keep in touch with our team in Zimbabwe to keep up to date on the progress of finding building materials and the means of exchange and how best to send help.Blessings,

Steve Kostamo

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The situation that is happening in Zimbabwe is like a history repeated itself in the story of Moses in the Bible:
Exodus 8:1 , ” …Thus saith the Lord, ‘Let my people go, that they may serve Me’.”

*WHEN YOU BELIEVE- Prince Of Egypt*

-Many nights we prayed..With no proof anyone could hear. In our hearts ou hopeful song…we barely understood. Now we are not afraid… Although we know there’s much to fear. We were moving mountains long before we knew we could.

-There can be miracles when you believe. Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill. Who knows what miracles you can achieve. When you believe, somehow you will, you will when you believe.

-In this time of fear…When prayers so often proves in vain. Hopes sems like the summer birds too swiftly flown away. Yet now I am standing here–My heart’s so full–I can’t explain. Seeking faith and speaking words…I never thought I’d say.

-They don’t always happen when you ask. And it’s easy to give in to your fear. But when you’re blinded by your pain…can’t see your way get through the rain. A small resilient voice…Says LOVE is very near.
—*

See the music video:

*Attach is the Africa pictures that Steve took while he was there.May God bless each one!Shalom,
Grace Kostamo and children