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April 14, 2013.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

My name is Tendai Paul Manyeza, your missionary, serving as the medical director of Old Mutare Mission Hospital, in Zimbabwe. I am very excited to share with you news of the mission work in Zimbabwe. My missionary role is to provide leadership for all activities at Old Mutare Mission Hospital in order to alleviate suffering for the people living in the region. These activities include:

1. Promoting the provision of quality patient care (deliveries, inpatient management of medical conditions, outpatient care, performing minor surgical procedures, accessible investigations).

2. Promoting preventive activities (prevent childhood diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and tuberculosis by vaccinating them, pregnant women are also vaccinated against tetanus)

3. Health promotion activities through information, education and communication for behavior change (covering areas such as diabetes and other chronic conditions, HIV / AIDS, cholera prevention and other water and sanitation issues, family planning…)

4. Providing spiritual leadership to the staff that I lead (preaching and teaching with the help of chaplaincy).

All these have made a very positive impact on the lives of the people I serve. They are treated (and so receive healing from God) in a friendly Christian environment. A healthy population is best positioned to be receptive to the word of God.

The population of Zimbabwe is yet to recover from a very difficult economic period. The population is poor especially in the rural areas. Health care is not always accessible (cost and distance). Women and children are the most vulnerable. Unemployment rate is close to 80%. Maternal mortality rate is still very high. Health institutions are poorly staffed and equipped. Agriculture is not at its best affecting people’s nutrition status. The general state of health infrastructure needs attention. But patients continue to flock health institutions in search of care.

Juliet (67), a diabetic for six years developed a deep infected ulcer on her left foot. She had been to the referral hospital several times without any notable improvement. The son, a teacher at a nearby school, decided to bring Juliet, his mother, to Old Mutare Hospital for routine wound care. She had been on good dietary control and was taking her medications well. I debrided and cleaned the wound, removing a lot of dead tissue.

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Figure 1: Dr Manyeza examining a patient at the busy out-patient area of the hospital.

The wound was actually deeper than I had thought. I began doubting the wisdom of continuing with further attempts to debride the wound. But I continued giving the best wound care I could offer. After five days of wound care the wound started healing up, to my greatest surprise. I however remained doubtful about whether the exposed bones would be covered by flesh. But that’s what happened. By the end of three weeks all bones had been covered by nice flesh.

At this moment I asked for God’s forgiveness (in my heart) for doubting His ability to heal this lady’s foot. By the end of the fourth week the wound had completely healed. It was at this moment that Juliet revealed to me that her foot had been destined for amputation by the doctors who were treating her at the referral hospital. She had felt encouraged by my determination and desire to get the best results. That is why she did not say anything about the intended amputation. I thanked God for this miracle healing, more-so for using me as His instrument of healing and love in this family’s life. This experience is one of many in which the Lord continues to demonstrate His power to the patients we serve.

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Figure 2: Dr Manyeza holding Juliet’s left foot healing well.

Diabetes mellitus is on the increase in our population. But patients do not have resources to buy medications on time. The transport to the nearest health facility is unavailable or unaffordable. Sometimes when patients visit some of the health institutions, the appropriate medications are not available. Our role is to provide continued health education on diabetes and its complications besides treating the condition and its complications. We have devised a simple screening tool at the hospital that helps us to pick potential diabetics and give them the appropriate care.

The concern is always for those far and wide who cannot access a health facility or health information. We plan to access them by making regular outreach visits to educate and treat them. This service proved to be popular when we tried it once but we had to stop it because we did not have a reliable vehicle. We were always overwhelmed by the number patients who came. A good 4x4 Toyota landcruiser vehicle (or equivalent) that suits our roads would be ideal for this purpose.

We sincerely thank all the churches and people who continue to support this ministry at Old Mutare Mission Hospital in Zimbabwe. Your support is saving many lives. Many are experiencing the love and care of Christ through this ministry.

I invite you to support me and my ministry by praying for me and the entire staff at Old Mutare Hospital. Pray that the Lord will give us resources and wisdom to reach the many needy communities with the needed life saving health promotion and curative programs, over and above the hospital based curative care that we give.

I invite you to extend your support by entering into a Covenant Relationship through supporting my Missionary Advance # 3019567. Send your gifts to Advance GCFA, P O Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068 with the Advance number clearly designated on your check. For more information about developing a Covenant Relationship, visit .

My access to internet at my place of assignment is limited. But I am excited that UMCOR is setting up internet service close by to overcome this challenge. It is expected to be functional by end of May 2013 and it will definitely make a difference in my communication.

I am happy and excited to inform you that I will be travelling to the United States during the period October to December 2013 to share with interested churches about my mission work. If you are interested in setting up a time for me to visit your church, please contact The General Board of Global Ministries Missionary Support Development Coach, Mary Randall Zigbuo, mzigbuo@, 919-702-9401.

Thank you so much for your support and I look forward to visiting all of you.

Yours In Christ

Tendai Paul Manyeza

Email: manyeza@mweb.co.zw; tmanyeza@

Old Mutare Mission Hospital

P O Box 853

Mutare

Zimbabwe

Cell: 263-772 350 098

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