The Gospel in Zimbabwe

Power struggles, economic disaster, corrupt politicians,unjust imprisonment . . . These are just a few of the issues that the people ofZimbabwe live with every day.

Alistair Croudace is a native of Zimbabwe, one of the fewwhite landowners remaining in the country. His wife Shelley has served therewith him for more than 25 years. They have experienced trials, conflicts; thegovernment has even tried to forcibly remove them. But through it all, God hasbeen faithful. Shelley says, “it is in our darkest hours when God shows up inthe most phenomenal ways, and He calls us to step out in faith in the mostdramatic ways. And then He gets all the glory. We can’t take the credit,because there’s just no human way possible that we could do it.

Their home and mission, “Lasting Impressions,” covers 450 gorgeousacres. Students throughout Zimbabwe come there to experience the beauty of thecountryside and hear the life-changing gospel message. Their mission is “tomake a positive impact on the hearts and minds of the people of Zimbabwe forChrist through educational camps, inspirational retreats and community eventsin a picturesque setting.”

School groups representing all faiths and ethnicities cometo Lasting Impressions to enjoy the outdoors, have fun, and build community. “Weprovide a unique opportunity to shine a light in the darkness,” Alistair says. “Allthe students who come hear the gospel message. We incorporate the gospel intoeverything we do.”

The Croudaces also shine a light in the community where they live. They have taught a local man how to farm. Now he grows vegetables that they buy to feed the people who come to Lasting Impressions. They feed hungry children in their community, help orphans, and provide jobs – they set an example of sharing Christ’s love with everyone they touch. They are known throughout the area by their fruits.

In November, they put a well in their community anddedicated it at a special gathering. Shelley tells us, “We just shared thegospel message at the dedication service, and 11 people dedicated their livesto the Lord at that service. We have a couple of little churches that meetunder the trees, or in the bush, and they joined us at the dedication. The Lordis on the move and we are getting more opportunity because we are serving andshowing the gospel through our actions. We are praying for true transformationthroughout Zimbabwe.”

In a country where 85% of the citizens claim to be Christian,the name of Christ is often scandalized. Pastors have multiple wives andmistresses; they steal from their church; they practice an entitlement philosophythat enriches them at the expense of the sheep in their flock. “There is acrisis in our country now. The economic crisis, the wholesale theft, the lackof justice – the list is endless. I would say only a handful of people arepracticing Christianity and living their faith,” Alistair tells us.

Shelley adds, “We see just how broken the society is,because if the Word of God was really followed, lives would be different. Youwouldn’t have pastors with multiple wives and mistresses and everybody havingAIDS if they were following God’s Word.”

“A friend brought to our attention that the mustard seed isan example of faith not so much because it’s small, but because it is pure. Youcan’t graft anything onto a mustard tree. That small, pure seed grows andmultiplies. It shows how the holiness, the purity of what we share with othersis so critical and if we really abide by God’s standards, that is going toshine so much brighter and have so much more impact.”

The Croudaces are planting pure seeds of faith throughoutZimbabwe, serving God and the people of their country by living Christ’sexample. Their deepest desire they tell us is, “to be salt and light to theircommunity.”