The axe and the tree : how bloody persecution sowed the seeds of new life in Zimbabwe

A powerful account of British missionaries, Peter and Brenda Griffiths, who played a critical role in the development of the Elim church in the aftermath of the Vumba massacre. Peter and Brenda Griffiths, Stephen's parents, and their team had set up a superb secondary school, only for guerrillas to slaughter almost all the staff. After their funerals Peter maintained that forgiveness for the attackers was the Christian thing to do. This is an inspiring story of Peter and Brenda's courage, sacrifice, and faithfulness in God, who despite the atrocities, continues to build His church in Zimbabwe. A powerful account of British missionaries, Peter and Brenda Griffiths, who played a critical role in the development of the Elim church in the aftermath of the Vumba massacre. Peter and Brenda Griffiths, Steve's parents and their team had set up a superb secondary school, only for guerrillas to slaughter almost all the staff. After the funerals of those that had been killed Peter maintained that forgiveness for those who had attacked was the Christian thing to do. Despite the question of forgiveness becoming a very controversial issue in Zimbabwe. Sadly Peter dies prematurely of a brain tumour and Brenda is repeatedly robbed and ultimately flees the country in her 70s, leaving behind the ruins of all she sought to accomplish. Yet this is not the end of the story. Many students she and Peter taught have kept their faith, though scattered across the country, and many are now in positions of leadership and influence. The secondary school is now twice the size it was before the massacre, and the strong Christian church in Zimbabwe today continues to honour Peter and Brenda's courage and sacrifice A powerful account of costly mission in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, this book details how British missionaries Peter and Brenda Griffiths and their team set up a superb secondary school, only for guerrillas to massacre almost all the staff. Peter died prematurely of a brain tumor; Brenda was repeatedly robbed and ultimately fled the country in her seventies, leaving behind the ruins of all they sought to accomplish. Yet this is not the end of the story. Many students Brenda and Peter taught have kept their faith, though scattered across the country, and many are now in positions of leadership and influence. The strong Christian church in Zimbabwe today continues to honor Peter and Brenda's courage and sacrifice. The slaughter of thirteen innocent people at a Mission school in Zimbabwe shocked the world.