Recently, several generous churches in the Northwest District sent three months’ worth of food to clergy brothers and sisters in the Makoni-Buhera District of East Zimbabwe, the home of Rev. Wellington Chiomadzi, who pastors Armstrong Chapel UMC in West Lafayette.
Wellington and Conference Superintendent Rev. Lore Blin Gibson met with Superintendent Diana Matikiti from East Zimbabwe and asked how the Northwest District in Indiana could help pastors in her area be self-sustaining. Her response? “Chickens!”
For $366, a pastor in Zimbabwe receives 100 chicks and 10 bags of feed. This allows the pastor to not only support his/her family but also “pay it forward” to another pastor, retired pastor, or student pastor to do the same.
The Northwest District Operational Team challenged churches in their district to cover this cost for 15 pastors. They hoped that by the time winter arrived in Zimbabwe, their pastors
would be able to raise and sell chickens for meat to sell in their markets and purchase more chickens.
The Northwest District churches accepted that challenge, and to date have covered the cost for 26 flocks of chickens. The money raised was also able to provide hampers of food to seminary students who don’t have the ability to raise chickens in their housing.
“This project is going to change our lives completely,” said Superintendent Matikiti. “We are praying for all those who have contributed to this cause that they might get many blessings always.”
Rev. Blinn Gibson is delighted at the work happening in her district. The Northwest District and the Makoni-Buhera District are divided by 8,500 miles- as well as many cultural and theological differences but she exclaimed, “We are just crazy for Methodist chickens!”
If you would like to contribute to Mission Huku, send your donations to
INUMC, 301 Pennsylvania Parkway Suite 300, Carmel, IN 46280
attention Eva Goeb with a note that says “Northwest District Zimbabwe Food.”