Our New Partnership with VisionTrust International

God's Garden is pleased to announce its partnership with VisionTrust International in Colorado Springs, Colorado!  From the beginning of this ministry, God has given us His dreams for orphaned children.  Two of those dreams have been to help more hurting children in Zimbabwe and to significantly connect those children with individuals here through child sponsorship.  As part-time volunteers we realized that to see those dreams become a reality required more time, experience and skills than we possessed.  In God's perfect wisdom and timing, He brought to us, supernaturally, VisionTrust, an organization with the same heart and vision for orphaned children and the administrative gifting and experience to take God's Garden to the next level.

Why VisionTrust?

• They share our heart for Christ and the value He places on the millions of orphaned children throughout the world. Their mission and core values align with God’s Garden as they focus on meeting the spiritual, educational and health needs of orphaned children within their communities, through the leadership of nationals. 
• They have a proven track record of ministry excellence.  They are 13 years old and have seen God multiply their work to 144 projects throughout 11 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  Members of ECFA, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, they have earned Charity Navigator’s highest rating five years in a row. 
• They operate a successful child sponsorship program that God’s Garden will be a part of beginning in March, 2010. 100% of the $35 monthly sponsorship gift is applied to the program.  Four times a year, sponsors and their children communicate with one another, and mission trips that include visiting sponsored children are numerous and encouraged.    

What is the impact of this partnership in Zimbabwe?

God’s Garden is the sole VisionTrust partner in Zimbabwe.  Davison Mzezewa-Zhou will continue in his role as National Director, reporting directly to VisionTrust.  Our name will remain God’s Garden, and the work of discipling, educating and providing for the basic health needs of orphaned children will carry on in Ngundu. 

What about in the US?

In the US, God’s Garden will become a part of VisionTrust International.  Our work here will no longer be under the name God’s Garden or its 501c3 status.  All administrative functions will be handled by VisionTrust.  Upon individual donor approval, all records and resources will be transferred to VisionTrust by April 10, 2010.  Lisa Foster, founder of God’s Garden, will continue to work on behalf of God’s Garden in Zimbabwe, along with local volunteers.  She will be heading up a leadership team whose efforts will be focused on child sponsorship, donor relations and communication, and prayer.   She will continue to be in regular contact with Davison.

When is this happening?

The process of partnering with VisionTrust began in November, when Davison was here for strategic meetings with the God’s Garden board.  After VisionTrust leadership visited Zimbabwe in January, a partnership agreement was signed with final board approval occurring on February 4, 2010.  April 10, 2010 will be our special Kick-Off Event celebrating the partnership.  At that point, all administrative functions will be handled through VisionTrust. 

What do I need to do?

• Continue to pray and support Davison and the work of God’s Garden in Zimbabwe.
• Beginning in April, all donations need to be sent to VisionTrust, with a note on the check for Davison and/or God's Garden.
• Attend our Partnership Kick-Off Event on Saturday, April 10^th.  Not only will you have a chance to meet the leadership of VisionTrust, but you can be one of the first people to sponsor one of our precious Ngundu kids!

           Child Sponsorship in Ngundu, Zimbabwe