Zimbabwe is a land of paradoxes. Nowhere are those paradoxes more evident than in the Zambezi Valley amongst the Tonga people. It seems as if civilisation somehow stopped short of Tongaland. Zimbabwe has of one of the highest standards of education in Africa, but here illiteracy is the norm. Zimbabwe, one of the most evangelised countries on the continent, has a strong church but churches amongst the Tonga are either non-existent or weak and divided. The once-high standards of medical care are falling across the country, but one wonders if there ever was much medical care amongst the Tonga people.

Other Zimbabweans tend to look down on the Tonga as uneducated and primitive. This attitude has rubbed off on the people themselves who seem to have little sense of self-worth. We believe that if they had a better self-image and knew of God’s love they would not live the way they do. “It is tragic to see a people who think so little of themselves,” OM's doctor says.

OM Zimbabwe are training the Tonga church leadership. They are also supplying Scriptures. Most pastors have almost no training and many do not even have a Bible in the Tonga language. What the OM team is seeking to do amongst the Tonga is to strengthen the existing church (small, nominal and divided) and to plant new churches.

The work is overwhelming; Vicky constantly has to turn people away. She longs for the day when she will have a team around her to help carry the load. People with medical experience are welcome, but she also needs people who can disciple, teach the local people and be involved in church planting. “Unless these people come to know the truth and their lives are changed they will never have any hope… the Tonga people desperately need hope.”

HIV/AIDS Ministries
The OM headqurters is in a town named Banket, not far from the capital, Harare. Zimbabwe has been ravaged by the HIV/AIDS crisis.

OM partners with the Mumvuri Project which cares for children, many of whom have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. There is a daycare centre for the younger children and the older ones are taught computer skills. They also give assistance to child- and grandparent-headed homes. Along with this they care for many vulnerable children, taking them to hopsital, giving them shelter when needed and offering friendship.

African Missions
As well as the work amonst the Tonga OM Zimbabwe is helping to develop an indigenous African model for missions through mentoring and partnering with the local church. A large part of this is training Zimbabweans in ministry, equipping them to serve, be it in Zimbabwe, or internationally.

OM Zimbabwe is committed to:

• provide Bibles and Christian literature at affordable prices.

• together with the local church, impart a vision for missions.

• train candidates in discipleship, evangelism and church planting.

• Share Christ and church-plant among Zimbabwe's least reached people group, the Tonga.