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May 19, 2013

Tag: Zimbabwe

February 3, 2009

Fasting for Zimbabwe

by arthurstewart — Categories: God, Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , Leave a comment

A couple of us have decided to fast on Sunday for Zimbabwe.  We may continue in weeks to come.  Would love for you to join us and encourage others to do the same.

As we fast, we pray Isaiah 58:5-12

5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?

6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

January 30, 2009

Zimbabwe Cholera Crisis

by arthurstewart — Categories: Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , , , 3 Comments

Since August, more than 60,000 Zimbabweans have become sick with Cholera.  Nearly 3200 people have died.

How can we help when the government of Zimbabwe

a) doesn’t acknowledge there is a problem

b) won’t let aid agencies help

Pray.

Join Desmond Tutu and others in a once a week fast.

Other ideas?

June 22, 2008

Tsvangirai withdraws from Zimbabwe presidential runoff

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

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.

God help Zimbabwe. May your Kingdom come.

June 12, 2008

Zim election update

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, South Africa, Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

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.

May 29, 2008

Visiting a refugee camp… in South Africa

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, Culture, Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , , , , , , 12 Comments

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.

IMG_4245

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?

Help us God.  Kingdom come.

May 25, 2008

update on our community’s response to Zim refugee crises

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, Church Next, Culture, NieuCommunities, South Africa, Updates, Zimbabwe — Tags: , 1 Comment

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.

May 13, 2008

time for action

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, Culture, God, Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

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.

When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

May 10, 2008

Pentecost for Zimbabwe

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, Bible, God, Kingdom of God, Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

God, may you pour out your Spirit today in Zimbabwe like you did in Jerusalem all those years ago.

Freedom.  Power.  Fire.  Wind.  Gospel in every tongue. Kingdom coming.

We are your witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

May 8, 2008

Zimbabwe field report

by arthurstewart — Categories: Culture, Mission, Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , , 3 Comments

My friend Andrew just came back from Zim. Here’s a bit of what he experienced.

Note: there are some hard to look at pics. That’s torture.  That’s Zimbabwe.

Pray for Zimbabwe. Pray for us as we feel God is calling us to be involved in different ways.

zimbabwe

May 1, 2008

Zimbabwe

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, Music, Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , , Leave a comment

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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