Tonight, we worshiped with people from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Unites States, and Canada. Our focus was on God’s Kingdom - sharing pictures, scripture, and song. In a very real sense, our time together was indeed a manifestation of God’s ways in action. It was beautiful.
One of the women from Zimbabwe prayed thanking God that we could gather in safety tonight - something that most of us take for granted.
I am reminded of how Jesus is the one who died to make us all free. May we remember him today as we celebrate our freedom.
MDC opposition party leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he will NOT run in the vote on the 27th. Too many of his supporters are being beaten and tortured and he doesn’t want to put people at harm in order to vote. Further, the entire election is a farce, and he will not participate in this illegal sham of an election (Mugabe has said that no matter what the results, he will not concede power to the opposition).
Has Mugabe won? For now? Will this move force the world to help an actual, legal, proper election take place?
This is breaking news, so we are waiting for implications and reactions. We are shocked to say the least. And we continue to pray.
In 2 weeks, Zimbabwe will hold a presidential runoff election. In the past week, Morgan Tsvangirai (the opposition party leader) has been arrested twice and prevented from campaigning. Yesterday, the secretary-general of the opposition party was arrested and charged with treason (which carries the possibility of the death penalty). Sounds like a good fair election…
Last week, Mugabe ordered that all NGO’s stop operations, claiming they were supporting the opposition. ALL OF THEM? Sadly, NGO’s are the main source of food for most Zimbabweans. Interesting that Mugabe continues to use the “we don’t want to be pawns of the west” as justification for nearly everything. Do people really buy that one?
We are praying. Pray with us. Peace. Justice. Love.
On the weekend, somewhere between 500-1000 displaced refugees were moved to a temporary camp about 10 minutes north of where we live. A few of us went yesterday (Wednesday) to assess the situation and see if we might be able to help or join with others who are doing something.
The place is horrible. Too many people in too little space. Various nationalities, no food, no services.
Complicating matters is the fact that the South African government has setup a series of army tents which the people refuse to use. Several stated to me, “South Africans have done this to us. The same police who protect us during the day are the ones who are burning our homes at night. They are all the same. We don’t trust them. We will only accept help from the UN.” The refugees also believe that the government-provided camp is South Africa’s way of rounding them all up and keeping track of them. Many fear that they would actually be in more danger by staying there.
So, while the government-provided camp sits empty, everyone camps in the mud, with a few tents, in an adjacent field. They are threatening and attacking those who do stay in the government camps. There are also rumors of trouble within the refugee camp itself - various political factions from other nations vying for power even here. The camp is housing people from Somalia, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Angola (and others, but those are the nationalities of people I spoke with yesterday).
I heard on the news this morning that there was trouble in the camp last night and that police were firing rubber bullets - not sure why. There is also a hunger strike taking place. Article from today’s news about the camp.
Yesterday, I came home stunned. Several people told me, “I would rather go home to die than to die here.” These are people from countries like Somalia that have been at war for years. And they think that would be a BETTER option. South Africa, how did it come to this?
not going to bother sounding pretty, just wanted to pass along an update on how NCSA has been corporately addressing the needs of the refugees here in SA. Many of our people are taking personal action as well:
Much prayer. Together and individually, we give this to God and demand that He respond. He is…
We have invited a friend and his wife (refugees from Zim) to live in one of the rooms at Pangani, at least for a few weeks. Considering how we can make space for others.
Money given to NCSA to help with refugees has been directed to some people building houses for refugees
Several of us are talking to others who are helping refugees - looking for ways to partner & help.
We have money which we are giving to others who are working with refugees to provide food, shelter, etc.
If you would like to contribute financially, we can receive your money and forward to appropriate services and people working to make a difference. If you are interested in helping, email me.
responding to the crises in Zim, and the resulting influx of refugees here in SA, we are:
connecting with, learning from, and sharing resources with like-hearted people around us, especially in Pretoria
helping others understand the reality of these refugees, knowing their stories, knowing their names
opening our home for refugees
asking everyone to consider housing refugees - providing safe and caring environments - Church, here’s an opportunity to love
praying for peace in Zim and for God to care for all of those in need
Join us! This is just the basic idea of what we feel God is saying to us. Please pray for us and the people of Zimbabwe. We all need God’s love and power.
I grew up listening to Bob Marley. One of my favourite cds - though not most popular among casual fans - is “Survival.” It’s about Africa, a continent I loved long before i lived here. The song “Zimbabwe” has been on my mind a lot recently. Bob wrote that song in 1979 or so when Robert Mugabe was overthrowing the colonial powers to establish a new, independent, African state. Here are the lyrics:
Every man gotta right
To decide his own destiny
And in this judgment
There is no partiality
So arm in arms: with arms
We will fight this little struggle
Cause that’s the only way
We can overcome our little struggle
Brother you’re right, you’re right
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right
We gonna fight, we’ll have to fight
We gonna fight, fight for our rights
Natty dread it ina Zimbabwe
Set it up ina Zimbabwe
Mash it up ina Zimbabwe
Africans a liberate Zimabwe
No more internal power struggle
We come together to overcome
The little trouble
Soon we’ll find out
Who is the real revolutionary
Cause I don’t want my people
To be contrary
Brother you’re right, you’re right
You’re right, you’re right, you’re so right
We’ll have to fight, we gonna fight
We’ll have to fight, fight for our rights
Mash it up ina Zimbabwe
Natty trash it ina Zimbabwe
Africans a liberate Zimbabwe
I an I a liberate Zimbabwe
To divide and rule
Could only tear us a part
In everyman’s chest
There beats a heart
So soon we’ll find out
Who is the real revolutionaries
And I don’t want my people
To be trained by mercenaries
repeats chorus
I wish Bob Marley was alive today. What would he say now? Mugabe has ruined Zimbabwe. He turned his back on the people long ago, and now he continues to torture and oppress the very people who have voted him out of power. Church leaders and rights groups have warned that this could reach genocidal proportions quickly.
So now will we find out who is the real revolutionary?
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