Making All Things New: How God Redeemed People, Property, and Purpose at CURE Zimbabwe

And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” – Revelation 21:5 

It never ceases to amaze me how God calls, equips, and uses people like you and me to participate in His extravagant work of transformation — healing the afflicted, restoring places that have been laid waste, and making all things new. All of these come to mind as we celebrate the first anniversary of CURE Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Today, the hospital is one of our most beautiful and vibrant facilities — but that wasn’t always the case. 

Built in the 1960s, the hospital building originally served as an infectious disease ward for a larger hospital complex. It was, in reality, a place where people with tuberculosis and HIV were sent to die in isolation. Eventually, it closed down, was abandoned, and severely damaged by a fire. There it remained, a scar on the city. 

This is what is so compelling about the mission that God has called us to. His redemptive work is on display every day!

But our God is a redeemer. When CURE International was presented with an opportunity to take over a newly refurbished building, we humbly accepted the challenge. Through much hard work, CURE Zimbabwe officially opened in April 2021 to serve children living with disabilities. God would use CURE to blow a fresh wind into the city of Bulawayo and bring hope and joy to children and families across the region.

In a very short span of time, CURE Zimbabwe grew from having eight staff to 75, including three world-class surgeons; Dr. Rick Gardner, Dr. Collen Msasanure, and Dr. Tongai Chitsamatanga, who happens to be the first and only Zimbabwean pediatric orthopedic trained surgeon in the country of over seven million children. 

To date, CURE Zimbabwe has performed over 600 surgical procedures (the initial goal was 300), many of which treated severely neglected clubfoot. While we are delighted by the progress thus far, we know the need remains great.

As you know, CURE addresses the physical needs, as well as the emotional and spiritual needs of our patients. So far, more than 3,000 children and their families have heard and experienced the love of Christ through our work. This is what is so compelling about the mission that God has called us to. His redemptive work is on display every day!

I’ve had the opportunity to visit CURE hospitals around the world and meet our incredible CUREkids. In fact, I have been to CURE Zimbabwe twice and often think of children like Kimberly, Nyasha, and Marshall who all have treatable disabilities, but had no means to pay for care. Their treatable condition would have become a permanent disability, changing the trajectory of their entire lives.

These precious children come to the hospital scared and downcast. Then weeks or months later, they return to their villages healed, loved, and able, with a newfound identity in Christ, with strong legs and even stronger spirit, unshakable in their pursuit of big hopes and dreams. Redemption. 

Thank you for partnering with us to allow God’s mercy to shine on these beautiful children. Every single day, you allow CURE doctors to provide world-class surgical care to children who need it most. You take that burden off their parent’s shoulders with your generous, compassionate support. You are part of God’s plan to lavish grace on his children. 

That’s why an anniversary celebration is so much more than just another day. It’s a reminder that we journey with God and with His people. He sends us to help redeem the “least of these” and proclaim His goodness to all nations.