How did books from HP end up in a little library in Zimbabwe?
Come with me to Zimbabwe, Africa, and join me as we travel down the bumpy, dusty road to Zvishavane, a small mining town. As we walk along the busy city street, we approach the local post office–a large building with many shops. Curious, we step inside. A myriad of sights, sounds, and smells greet our senses. A pottery shop here, a jewelry shop there, a food vendor across the way–all vie for our attention.
However, our eyes are drawn to a little photo studio where a friendly-faced young man waits at his booth. He smiles and welcomes us as we enter his shop. “How may I help you today? Have you come to have your photo taken, or would you like to check out some books from my library?”
He directs our attention to a small bookshelf against the wall, filled with English books, magazines, and tracts. As you take a closer look, one of them catches your eye. “By Colin and Russell Standish!” you exclaim.
“Oh, yes,” he beams. “We just received a box from America with several of their books, along with audio tapes and a few books from other authors, such as B.G. Wilkinson. Have you heard of them?”
“Why–why, yes,” you stammer. “I regularly support Hartland Institute, where Colin Standish is President. How did you get these books?”
“In December 2007, two Hartland graduates came to speak at my church: Pastor Rodney Millin and Brandon Jones. From them, I came to know Hartland, and they graciously sent me a box of materials for this little library I operate in my photo studio.
“Please tell the brothers and sisters at Hartland how thankful I am for these materials, especially the Sabbath School Lesson Comments by Ellen G. White. At last I have something to hand to my clients who come in every day! I pray that I may continue to have a lasting relationship with Hartland so that my studio library can be awash with truth.”
As we leave that little photo studio, you don’t seem to notice the smoky smell of jerky or the brawling in the streets. Your mind is carried back to that gift you sent to Hartland, marked “Free Literature Fund.” Could it be that your donation helped send that literature on its way to the little studio library in Zimbabwe?
