Pastor Thomas in Kenya
Davis and Lucia in Zimbabwe
Davis and Lucia in Zimbabwe
We've known and loved Pastor Thomas for over ten years. He is wise, humble and a faithful presence in his community. His vision is to offer education to all students, teach truth and meet real needs across East Africa. He has worked with the government for almost twenty years to educate children and young adults with disabilities through a school called Wizara. Pastor Thomas and his wife Pamela started their own private school which has grown to educate over 300 children. Thomas also started an organization with a group of youth called TOLK (Touch One Life Kenya). This group focuses on meeting real needs in their community through education, medical attention, and survival measures such as providing clean water. Recently, Pastor Thomas and Restore SB started a garden together in his community which is providing meals for students and in the future, income to the families he serves with.
Davis and Lucia in Zimbabwe
Davis and Lucia in Zimbabwe
Davis and Lucia in Zimbabwe
The Mambure's have been dear friends since 2008. In addition to serving as missionaries through Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU), they are the founders of Chenga Ose Association (COA). COA is a growing network of over 500 families with disabilities in ten provinces of Zimbabwe. Davis and Lucia meet caregivers where they are, share God's love with them, and discuss ways to empower them and their children. The Mambure's are also spreading the gospel by teaching with pastors and other leaders across Zimbabwe. There's a group of us who get together regularly via WhatsApp to encourage and support Davis and Lucia as they find ways to grow their ministry and influence. Currently, they are making a way for families to generate income and education through farming and agriculture. We are also discussing the possibility of sharing the Made book & Dirt to Use teaching together.
Our priorities
Relationships
One of the best ways to develop healthy relationships is to build trust. Well, it's a least a good place to start. It's hard work but if we will try to share our hearts with each other and truly listen without getting 'judgy' we can learn to accept each other's differences and imperfections. Letting go of worldly standards or unforgiveness gives us the freedom to explore our stories, hurts, and purpose together. Be aware, this is a counter-cultural closeness that will be uncomfortable at times but almost always result in us growing together. At Restore SB we believe that our relationship with God, self, and others matters most and leads us in working together.
Education
Education is one of the most important tools in fighting oppression. Truth is always the best place to start! The leaders we work with teach truth to their communities by sharing God’s love and vision for every person on earth. Restore SB may get to contribute to this work one day by offering the Dirt to Use message and Made book as a teaching tool. Our friends also focus on school-based learning. Our friends can get very creative in how they teach those who do not have access to mainstream education. They also provide hands-on teaching with adults learning vocational skills to contribute to their families and community hubs.
Employment
Income generation is another critical aspect of seeking justice, but money is not the only goal. The focus here is on the expectation that every person on earth has something to offer or trade for the sake of others. We are not functioning as complete communities until every person on earth is using what they have. The leaders we work with love and seek the family as a whole. It is critical to help parents, caretakers and young adults learn skills so they can provide for their families and the well-being of their community. The leaders empower their communities to further develop their skills by organizing simple business efforts such as farming.