Today's texts

At 5:00, I received the following text from Philani, our dear friend, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe:Hi, friends. How do you do? Back to us, all is not so well.Things are out of hand. We've spent two days without food. The foodfrom the money (name of person/group of people) sent has run out. Shopsare now legalized to sell rands (South African currency; South Africa shares aborder with Zimbabwe) but our salaries are in local currency. It'sharder than it's been; the government of unity is still on hold. Peopleare dying from hunger and cholera. Our city hasn't suffered much fromcholera though. We are limited to 100 000 000 Zimbabwe dollars per weekwhich is 20 Rands yet mealie meal (flour which is used to make breakfast, lunchand supper) costs 280 Rands a 50kg bag. Pray God keeps us through thesetimes. Please greet all. Thank them for the lives they'vekept. GOD BLESS! PHILANI & FAMILYWe responded:Hi, Philani and all those you love who are near you. I was justwriting you a text when I got yours. Thanks for writing. We havebeen thinking of you this Christmas season - we have heard of thousands ofpeople in Zimbabwe who are sick with cholera and/or starving from hunger.We thank God that to this point you are well. We want to send US$200tonight - how much do you need? We will get money from family and friendsif we need to. Please text to tell us how much you need.In less urgent news, we thank God we now have a picture of you, yourfamily and parts of your house. A friend in Canada mailed us the picturesI took when I stayed at your house in 2003. I will try to send copies ofthem to you in the mail - they might be happy memories for you and yourfamily. We also sent you a picture of our family in the mail this morning- pictures are less expensive than a text out here.We thank God you found a way to text to tell of your need - we donot want you to go without food. I will text again with a confirmationnumber.We pray God continues to give you strength. WendyPhilani's response:Thank you so much for you to think about us. I've been afraid to SMSyou. You've carried a lot of our burden. More than any onecould. I as an individual accept you afford. Let us not be a burdenbut a month needs 400 US$. This 200 you wanted to send goes a longway. We are guaranteed of survival through food rationing. GODBLESS! PHILANIOur latest response:Thank you for your honesty. We can send $200 and we can askfamily and friends to help us. We just sent $200. The MTCN (MoneyTransfer Control Number) is XXXXXX. We pray this eases your situation alittle bit. We thank God for every opportunity we have to help you.Wendy, Korey and Gabriel -------------------------I almost forgot to mention - if you want to research the Zimbabwe situation, please do. It's incredible. Hospitals are shut down. Police are looting banks. Cholera is an epidemic. Starvation. Very, very ugly situation. And if you want to join some of our other friends in helping Philani and his family, just let us know. We'll be thrilled to help you send money without us or to send your money for you if you prefer. Whatever your spirit says you can do joyfully, please do it. Thanks.