Tag Archives: zimbabwe

by Anthony Baker | August 22, 2016 · 6:30 am

Monday Monkey in Zimbabwe

I’m BACK!

On Friday afternoon of last week I felt the wheels of the Boeing 727 (I think) hit the Atlanta airport runway. It was the final touchdown that came after a long, long trip back on Ethiopian Air from Harare, Zimbabwe. Seriously, the worst part of my trip to Africa was just getting there and getting back home – too many hours in airplanes!

Nevertheless, I made it back, and I’m happy to be back in the USA.

So many of you prayed. Others were able to lend financial support. No matter what you did, if you helped in any way, the trip to Africa was more than a success – it was a victory! And all of you had a part.

Monkey in Africa

If you know me at all, you know that I could not pass up an opportunity to take Mr. Monkey to Africa. I mean, if he couldn’t fit in there, where else could he feel at home? A zoo?

Mr. Monkey went out with me to several places, not the least of which was to church. But before we went to church, there were times when he was able to climb real African trees…

He got to visit a real African kitchen made out of mud and thatch…

And he got to ride in a mini-bus with the local praise team from Chinhoyi Baptist Church.

Mr. Monkey got to make plenty of friends, too. So many children were drawn to him and amazed with expressions. Even one of the pastors had to try his hand – literally – at bringing Mr. Monkey to life.

Who’s Unique?

The message of the video I’ve attached is that Mr. Monkey (Buddy) was not entirely unique, for he was made in a Chinese factory on an assembly line. The children, however, were most certainly unique and one-of-a-kind.

The following video was filmed with my iPad Mini 2. The camera woman was the pastor’s wife, Mary. More about these dear folks in a later post.

Oh, by the way, there were 367 people who prayed to receive Jesus Christ on this evangelistic trip. If that doesn’t qualify as an unmitigated success, I don’t know what does. And more about that later, too.

4 Comments

Filed under animals, Countries, Monday Monkey

Tagged as Africa. Missions, Chinhoyi, Monkey, zimbabwe

by Anthony Baker | August 2, 2016 · 7:00 am

Going to Africa!

Thanks!

zimbabwe map I give praise to the Lord for all of your prayers and financial support! As of last week all the needed funds for my mission trip to Zimbabwe had come in. What a blessing! What an answer to prayer!

Yes, I needed between $2,500-$2,700 in a relatively short amount of time – right during the time when I my income was greatly reduced – and you folks stepped up to the bat and hit a home run!

I can’t wait to send out “thank you” notes to all that I can.

Stress

Now, I have to admit that all is not fun and games, however. Even though I have received all the need funds to make the trip, I am still having to pinch pennies as I purchase the necessary items to take with me – and the luggage in which to carry it.

It has been a long time since I’ve flown, and back then things weren’t so strict. Also, back then I didn’t worry about taking all the stuff I’m having to take this time. Even more stressful has been the challenge of determining what size of suitcase and carry-on to buy. Believe it or not, I had to borrow a measuring tape from a store clerk so that I could make sure what I bought was under 62 inches, and still I was so confused I didn’t even get anything.

Buying luggage is worse than shoe shopping!

And there’s more… It’s less than a week from my departure and I’ve still got to find enough clothes, change the starter on my daughter’s car, paint, clean house (and garage), try to get registered for my next round of seminary (pursuing an M.Div.), prepare for Sunday’s sermons, do some visiting, drive a bus for a field trip, schedule guest posts on this blog, and do a LOT of praying!

It’ll Be OK

You know, the Lord has brought me thus far, why should I worry? I could really use a few more dollars to finish up getting a few supplies, but God will provide. I don’t yet understand all the luggage stuff, but I’ll get it sooner or later. Somehow I’ll get a good portion of my to-do list done before I leave – I hope.

I believe God has something great in store for me. I don’t know what it is, but it will be what’s needed and what’s best. My prayer is that it will include a safe trip to Zimbabwe and back to the States, back home. I also pray it will include personal revival, along with stories of many in Chinhoyi coming to Christ.

But whatever happens, God is in control, and it’ll be OK. Just keep praying for me, would you? And prayers for my family would be appreciated, too!

Thanks!

11 Comments

Filed under ministry, places, Thanksgiving

Tagged as giving, Missions, prayer, Stress, travel, zimbabwe

by Anthony Baker | June 17, 2016 · 2:06 pm

There’s a Need! You Can Help

Getting Revived

Most of you are probably aware of calls for revival in our churches and our nation. God knows we need it. However, when have you last heard of a pastor needing revival?

Believe it or not, preachers and pastors need to be revived and recharged from time to time. Doing the same thing over and over, week after week, with all the regular issues that are never-ending, will wear a rut in the road of life. That is why I decided to accept an open door to preach in Zimbabwe – to get off the well-rutted path.

I need revival.

Back Story

A couple of months ago I impulsively, in a tongue-in-cheek way, posted a statement on my wall which read something like, “Now accepting speaking engagements around the world. Call now before my schedule is full.” Almost immediately Dr. Eddie Rushing, the Associational Missionary (Director of Missions) with the Northwest Georgia Baptist Association messaged me. He wrote, “Do you want to go to Zimbabwe?” “Are you serious,” was my response. He then asked, “Are you?”

zimbabwe map Good question. And yes, I was. I just really didn’t think I’d get a response…at least not that quickly.

I considered it a God thing.

The Current Story

Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe is a small city in the central, northwest area of the country. The local association of churches in that area have scheduled revival meetings in six different churches and want American pastors to come preach. I am one of those pastors! The meetings will be conducted simultaneously across the city in the evenings.

During the daytime, we will be going door-to-door and speaking with people in the streets. Unlike here in America, people there are very open to having people visit. However, I am not so naïve to believe there will be no opposition, so your prayers will be very welcome.

This is something I’ve been desperately in need of. I need to be refreshed and reignited…revived. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone, going to a totally different environment, and witnessing many things now alien to Christianity in this country. If nothing else, I will be able to preach longer without people getting upset 😉

The Need

Here’s the deal, and I’m going to lay it out for you as honestly as possible. I don’t have the money for this trip, so I need help.

I mean, seriously, committing to go on this trip could not have happened at a worse time, financially speaking. Among other things, this is the summer and I am not driving a school bus. That means a large portion of my income is gone for three (3) months. The summer months are very, very tight.

So, as you will see in the attached letter below – one that some of you may have received in the mail – the need is great, and there’s not a lot of time to spare. If you can help in any way, your gift to help fund this trip will be tax-deductible (if that matters to you) and will help make a huge difference in this preacher and the church I pastor.

We all need revival.

Below is a copy of the text from a support letter sent out by the Northwest Georgia and Lookout Valley Baptist Associations on my behalf.

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you on behalf of Anthony Baker. Anthony has signed up to go on a mission trip to Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, August 8 – 19. This will be a life changing experience for him. Our association takes trips somewhere in the world every year. Many people have been saved as a result of these trips and all who have gone have come back fired up about supporting missions around the world.

This trip will cost somewhere around $2500. Anthony has some of his support but needs to raise a good part of it. Will you please consider sending a donation to help pay for the cost of this trip? If you are unable to help financially, we understand; but, we ask that you pray for him related to this. If you can help, please make you check payable to the Northwest Georgia Baptist Association and send it to us at the above address. Please mark your check designated for Anthony Baker’s mission trip. All contributions are tax deductible.

While there, Anthony will be speaking in churches and doing door-to-door and street evangelism. Our work will be among a people that are very open to the gospel and who desperately need someone to come and share the good news.

Thanks for your consideration of this and may God richly bless you.

In His Service,

Eddy Rushing

Associational Missionary

P S: The deadline for this need is July 15, 2016.

Contact Information

Northwest Georgia and Lookout Valley Baptist Associations

63 Pin Oak Drive, Rock Spring, Georgia 30739

Phone: 706-764-1941

Fax: 706-764-1959

Now, would you please pray for this need? Even if you can’t afford to help financially, would you at least pray? I want to see great things happen not only in Zimbabwe, but in my own spiritual life. You can help by praying for me.