Africa Leg 1

Travelling to South Africa takes a long time!  I left Regina early morning on the 13^th and after three flights and 19 flight hours arrived in Johannesburg at 10 pm on the 14^th.  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