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Warmest greetings from Chitakatira to the Oregon City Church of Christ.

September 2026 marked the beginning of spring in Mutare.

We thank God for carrying us through the month.

September Focus

  1. Family
  2. Fellowship
  3. Evangelism

Theme of the Month

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15

Spiritual Nurture and Doctrinal Teaching

Mid-Week Bible Study

Average attendance: 8

Theme verse: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.” — Hebrews 10:23

Lessons taught:

    1. Serving God as a family
    2. The power of prayer in the home
    3. Remaining faithful in difficult times

Worship, Attendance

Average Sunday attendance: 22

Sunday Sermons

  1. “As for Me and My House” — Joshua 24:15

Application: Families were encouraged to lead their homes in worship and service.

  1. “Choose This Day Whom You Will Serve” — Joshua 24:15b

Members were called to choose Christ over worldly pressure and economic hardship.

  1. “Put Away the Strange Gods Among You” — Joshua 24:23

Application: The church was called to remove idols, fear, and ancestral traditions that hinder true worship.

Home Bible Studies

Topics studied:

  1. The Christian and the home
  2. Walking in the light
  3. The hope we have in Christ

I preached twice at Chitakatira, and Brother Sithole preached once.

Evangelism and Follow-Up

Follow-up visits were completed, and tracts were distributed in the Chitakatira and Chishakwe areas during the first and second weeks of September.

Youth Ministry

Average Sunday school attendance: 8

Topics:

  1. Faithfulness
  2. Respect
  3. Knowing God’s Word.

Average youth class attendance: 8

Theme: Rooted and Built Up in Him — Colossians 2:6–7

Ladies Ministry

Average weekly prayer attendance: 6

Topics:

  1. Marriages
  2. Evangelism

Events Attended

  1. Chitakatira Ladies Fellowship — 19 September 2026

Ladies Fellowship

Sermon texts: Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:6–14

Lesson topic: “Embracing God’s Call” — Isaiah 6–8; 2 Corinthians 5:20

It was a wonderful and uplifting time for the ladies.

  1. Dangamvura Gospel Week — 5–11 October 2026

Theme: Working While It Is Day — John 9:4; Ephesians 2:10.

I spoke on theme development, and my topic was “Recognizing Your Assignment.” I did my work and returned to Chitakatira. Dangamvura Church of Christ hosted the program.

  1. Mutungagore Church of Christ Evangelism — 22–26 September 2026

We moved around the area, studying with people in their homes each day and sharing the Word of God with those we met. The reception was good.

  1. Funeral in Rusape

I attended the funeral of my cousin in Rusape.

Sunday Fellowship at Mutungagore — 27 September 2026

Mutungagore church of Christ

Bible classes: I taught the youth.

Topic: “The Youth Versus the World”

Adult Bible classes

Sunday school

Main service:

The Fellowship Sunday was excellent. We had a wonderful time at Mutungagore Church of Christ. We held the same program there last year, and it was also good.

We thank Brother and Sister Mumba and the church for organizing such a powerful and effective program.

Upcoming Events

  1. Ladies Fellowship — 31 October 2026
    Sakubva Church of Christ
  2. Preachers’ Retreat — 13–16 October 2026
    Bear Valley Bible Institute, Gweru

Theme: Celebrating the Past, Commissioned for the Future

  1. Graduation Ceremony — 17 October 2026
    Bear Valley, Gweru
  2. Chinyamanhanzva Church of Christ — 25–27 October 2026

Chitakatira Church plans to attend the program.

Challenges Faced

  1. School fees
  2. Food shortages
  3. Deaths
  4. Health concerns and high medical fees
  5. Road accidents
  6. Demolition of houses and vendors being displaced by the authorities

Prayer Requests

  1. Form 4 and A-Level students writing examinations in October. Our daughter Nokutenda is among the candidates writing A-Level examinations.
  2. Growth and unity
  3. Safety on the Mutare–Chitakatira highway
  4. Strength in leadership
  5. Good health.
  6. Peace in homes and throughout the community

Climate Change

Rainfall is now unpredictable. Zimbabwe once had reliable rains from November through March, but the rains now come late, stop early, or fall too heavily at once.

Effects on Communities in Mutare and Manicaland Province

  • Food insecurity
  • Water shortages as rivers and dams dry up
  • Higher temperatures
  • Crop failure

Practical responses for Chitakatira:

  • Pfumvudza/Conservation Farming.
  • Small grains -Sorghum, millet(rapoko, mhunga) instead of only maize.
  • Water harvesting, Boreholes.
  • Early planting.

Economic Situation

  • Zimbabwe continues to operate with two currencies. About 80% of the money held in banks is in U.S. dollars, shops prefer U.S. dollars, and public confidence in the ZiG remains low.
  • Jobs are scarce, unemployment remains high, and many young people rely on informal vending for income.
  • Food and transport costs have risen. A fuel-price increase drove September inflation, petrol now costs $2.10 per litre, and kombi fares have increased.
  • The cost of living remains high for rural families in Chitakatira, and the Food Poverty Datum Line continues to rise.

Health Situation

Public hospitals and clinics face two related challenges:

  • A shortage of doctors and nurses, many of whom have left the country
  • A shortage of medicine in public hospitals and clinics

As a result, medication is generally available only through private hospitals and surgeries, where the cost is unaffordable for many people.

Thank you, brethren, for your prayers and unwavering support for the work in Chitakatira and throughout Zimbabwe.

May God richly bless you!

Compiled by Rishoni and Linnet Gushure

Missionaries
Rishoni and Linnet Gushure