In Deepest Sympathy

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Born 1-February-1948
Taken to Heaven 5-July-2015


It was with great sadness that we learned late Sunday evening that our good friend, Mike Withers died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 67 years.  Mike and his wife Gilly established Chidamoyo UK Trust and have worked tirelessly for years raising money for many projects at Chidamoyo Christian Hospital.
Mike and Gilly have come on many visits to Chidamoyo to work and help us in so many ways.  They were here last year in March and he spent lots of time working on plumbing, fixing things here and there that we gave him to do.  He put my complicated mosquito net up again after I took it down to wash it!  His work suit is still in my closet for his next planned trip here.
They even brought 2 other couples with them on a visit to have a working vacation in Zimbabwe.  We put them all to work and they accomplished a lot in the weeks they were with us.
Mike was quick of wit, always cheerful, had a smile on his face and loved being in Zimbabwe.  He grew up his whole life in Zimbabwe and he and Gilly lived here until their oldest daughter Michelle turned 14 and they moved to England for better educational opportunities for Michelle and their son Chris.
They welcomed Major and me into their homes several times in our trips passing through the UK and used us to speak to groups that so generously donated to Chidamoyo.
Mike was a compassionate Christian who was very active in his local parish and with his Catholic men’s fellowship group.  He visited people in many countries who belonged to the same fellowship.
He also loved to watch cricket and even though he tried to explain that game to me several times, it still made no sense to my American brain!( I am sure he is trying to explain it to God in heaven right now). He loved football (soccer) and was happy to watch the league finals when he was here one time—staying up quite late to watch.
We are truly heartbroken and will greatly miss this wonderful man, husband and father.  We send our deepest sympathy and love to Gilly, Michelle and Sonia and Chris and Kirsty.  He touched many lives and made this earth a better place for many of us through his friendship.  We can’t wait to meet him again in heaven someday.


FAMBAI ZVAKANAKA SHAMWARI WANGU!  TICHAOONANA NEKUDENGA!



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