03. Food for Thought:Challenges in Zimbabwe

Challenges in Zimbabwe

A Perspective on Youth Ministry in Highly Stressed Social and Political Situations

By Leonard Makoni

“…when God allows situations that train us ‘to wait upon the Lord’ for water to run out of the tap, to get a loaf of bread, a pint of milk, an egg, toilet paper or even a matchstick from a shop around the corner, we learn very important lessons about life…”

A Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir song called ‘God is working’ has become very popular with my three-year old son. Each time we ask him to sing he goes for that song. As I thought of what to share with Catalyst readers, I was led to the humble reminder that God is working – in every situation, including the situation in Zimbabwe where inflation is 9 million per cent.

I am reminded of the following quotation from an unknown author: ‘Optimism is being able to acknowledge brutal realities and to paint an even greater reality: our experiences are not in vain; our responses are not futile; our efforts are going to be rewarded’.

Looking at the economic difficulties, it is mind-boggling to imagine how anyone can live in Zimbabwe where, as I write, the money I hold in my ‘bag’ may have lost 200% of its value by tomorrow morning. If money loses value at such a rate, how can anyone ever pay for services and products? How can anyone plan for the future? How can one remain within the law when the law seems illegal? How can one respect God-given leaders when they are blatantly unjust? How long can one ‘wait upon the Lord’ for ‘better days’ to come?

By God’s grace, in the past five years SU Zimbabwe’s ministry has been affected, but not destroyed. In times such as these, the dark and evil world in which we live needs the light that is God’s Word. Families, children and women are the number one target of the effects of poor governance such as we are experiencing. With the breakdown of marriages for various reasons, children are left at the mercy of poorly equipped and aged grandparents. These are the children SU is reaching out to in schools and on the streets. We are encouraged by young people such as Tongai (not his real name) who we returned home after five years on the streets, to start Grade 7 at 14. Now he has started university studies at 22! SU is privileged to stand in for moral education teachers as more teachers flee the country to greener and more tranquil pastures.

It’s easy to forget God’s hand when one can swipe a credit card and fill the fridge with groceries, when one can fill the fuel tank without limit, when one can thoughtlessly flick a switch and electricity flows. When life is predictable, it can be easy to forget God’s part in one’s life. People take charge when they can control their situations – from choosing the type of bread they want to eat to changing their government.

But, when God allows situations that train us ‘to wait upon the Lord’ for water to run out of the tap, to get a loaf of bread, a pint of milk, an egg, toilet paper or even a matchstick from a shop around the corner, we learn very important lessons about life: But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ (Lamentations 3:21-24)

We at SU have been sustained because of the many prayer warriors within Zimbabwe and without. We thank God for the universal church, which has been used by God to answer our prayers. As you pray for the political, economic and social turmoil in Zimbabwe, remember that it’s just a glimpse of the global decay humanity is going through in rebellion to God’s rule. Pray that God will strengthen the church in Zimbabwe; that SU will be used of God to transform our young people to fear God and fearlessly stand for justice, be compassionate and walk humbly with their God. Please pray a prayer similar to the one Abraham Lincoln is reported to have prayed, ‘Not that God be on our side, but that Zimbabweans be on God’s side’.

Under difficult and confusing and uncomfortable circumstances, one learns to fully depend on and trust God for every aspect of life. One learns what Paul means when he urges his readers to ‘rejoice always’, because in this fallen world, only God is unchanging and only God is certain. One can only ‘live by faith’. One sees beyond hyperinflation, oppression and exploitation and sees the holy city where …God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4)

Footnote from Clayton Fergie

I find it encouraging that Leonard closes his article with this wonderful passage from the book of Revelation. In 1999, I was in East Timor weeks after a UN peacekeeping force had moved in to restore order after months of social upheaval, violence, death and destruction. At a mass rally the Bishop spoke to the people using the same passage, calling them together and encouraging them to look forward. In a context of enormous pain and crisis, it was an unforgettable reminder of the bigger picture of God’s Kingdom. It is also interesting to note that East Timor (now called Timor-Leste) is one of a number of countries where SU is currently exploring possibilities for ministry development for the first time! Please pray about this.