Africa Leg 1
Travelling to South Africa takes a long time! I left Regina early morning on the 13th
and after three flights and 19 flight hours arrived in Johannesburg at 10 pm on
the 14th. I met up with a
pastor from London, Ontario and we travelled together from Toronto and we soon
found out that we knew some of the same people from within the PAOC
family. Gary was a pastor in Rosetown,
Saskatchewan where my aunt and uncle still attend and he went to school with my
cousin at Horizon College in Saskatoon. It was good to have a companion to chat with
during our layovers. Our hosts Don Mann and Bill Pipke met us at the airport
and welcomed us to South Africa and soon reminded us we had to be back at the
airport in 7 hours to get on the plane to Zimbabwe.
It was a fitful sleep
even after not really sleeping for most of the previous 40 hours or so. As we met up and travelled to the airport the
news was starting to trickle out of Zimbabwe that the military had taken over
the government and our contacts in Harare were concerned about whether we
should come or not. The Commissioning a
Lifestyle of Integrity Summit was starting on Thursday and Pastor Zowa was just
not sure what to advise. Whatsapp was
buzzing with updates while we sat in the airport waiting to board and by the
time we got on the plane it was felt that it should be okay for us to
come.
When we arrived in
the capital of Harare we were told that the military had taken over to ensure
that the nonsense over the past few weeks with President Mugabe and his wife
did not escalate and to ensure that the ruling party did not make things worse
under the Mugabe regime. Leaving the
airport, there were some soldiers and things were quiet as many people were
staying home to see what was going to happen.
The president had been placed under house arrest and the first lady was
also being held in the family compound.
Many of the party leaders faithful to the president were arrested and
everyone was waiting to see what would happen next.
What a time to be in Zimbabwe. Pastor Zowa kept saying “nothing like this
has ever happened here, we will have to see what happens”. There was concern that the number of people
expected to attend the integrity conference would be low because of the
uncertainty. Thursday and Friday as we
drove around the city it was business as usual but the activity was a bit
lighter than normal. Not so many cars on
the roads, not as many people on the streets.
With each passing day there was a bit more traffic and more shops open
and people out and about as it was clear that things were secure and safe and
the people were supportive of the actions taken. As Saturday approached more
news was coming in that the President was being asked to step down and a rally
and march was being planned for Saturday.
Due to the uncertainties, attendance at the summit was low for both
evening sessions. About 40 people showed
each night from what was expected to be 2-300 before the military actions on
Wednesday.
We were able to move
around freely and were not concerned about our safety at all. We felt very
safe. The people of Zimbabwe are known to be very peaceable, and so there was
no trouble being caused. On Saturday
hundreds of thousands met for a prayer rally and then they marched to the city
center and it was like a celebration.
Jubilant groups of people, many draped in national flags or waving
smaller ones were happy and making noise like they were celebrating a world cup
win or the Grey Cup. Everyone was in a very good mood. Our summit that day was poorly attended
because a lot of the attendees wanted to be part of this unprecedented moment
in Zimbabwe’s history. After the summit ended we travelled through the city
center and saw the people walking and cars honking. We had to weave through and
divert around the large groups of cars, buses and people scattered through the
downtown. It was really something to be
in Zimbabwe at such a historic time and to see firsthand such developments and
to hear from the people what they were thinking about things as they unfolded. “MUGABE MUST GO” posters were everywhere
and every newspaper has a bold headline.
This kind of free speech and reporting from within Zimbabwe was unheard
of while Mugabe was in charge. To quote
the caretaker at the mission house we stayed at
”It is time for change, life is too hard here, there are no jobs and
things must get better”
There is a feeling of relief and expectation of
a better future for Zimbabwe. The Country is bankrupt, there is no currency
available in the country and unemployment is around 90%. 4 million diaspora
have fled the country. There is almost
nowhere to go but up. We all pray for
peace, prosperity and good government and a positive transition. As we sit in the Harare airport waiting to
board our flight back to Joburg, the news says that the former VP has been
reinstated along with a number of exiled cabinet members from 2014. Mugabe has not resigned yet so impeachment is
the next step. So the short term future is uncertain but with millions around
the world praying for the country of Zimbabwe, let’s look forward to a brighter
future for these people. May it become
the bread basket of Africa it once was.I have been trying to get access to internet and it is still sketchy so once I get this sorted out I will post photos and more reports.
Rick
Hi Rick, I'm so glad to hear you are safe in Zimbabwe.Your arrival at such special time indicates a great task assigned you there:)This is a small world, as we also met a pastor here who knows a staff at Argyle Church and he has even been to Argyle Church! Change is not easy but is not harmful. I hope you enjoy your stay in Zimbabwe and successfully accomplish your task assigned by God. Please keep on posting your life and pictures. We'll pray for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Rick & Cheryl....May God Bless you and keep you safe as you do His work. Chris & Wells (friends of Lorne and Shirley)
ReplyDelete