Dear LTLA Friends, Discouragement, refreshment and grief are words that described the month of August 2018 for the LTLA family in Chinhoyi. Let me explain...
Discouragement
On July 30, Zimbabwe held their first presidential election after the long standing former president Robert Mugabe of 37 years was forced to resign last November. The campaigning period was marked with unusual peace and freedom of expression by the opposition political parties. Arthur, LTLA director in Chinhoyi, reported that it was a peaceful campaigning season where the ruling party did not force people to attend political rallies as in past years. So there was hope building for needed change. Two weeks before election day Arthur did notice more tension as people were nervous not knowing what would be the election result.
Election day was peaceful with large voter turnout. However, two LTLA team members reported challenges in their attempt to vote. Simba was not able to vote because he was mysteriously registered to vote in a rural area one hour away where he has no family ties. Shelton, another team member, returned to Harare, the capital, where his family lives. While in line to vote, the polling station was closed and he had to find another polling station where he did cast his vote.
These two examples are the types of indiscretions that led international observers to report on August 1 that there is not a "level playing field" for all the political parties. The ruling party used intimidation in rural areas along with state funds for campaigning and they installed the electoral commissioners. The day this report was made public the opposition supporters began to protest at the electoral commission and unfortunately the army was called upon to break up the protest, resulting in six deaths.
The official results were released late night on August 2 giving the ruling party candidate, Emmerson Mnangagwa, 50.8% of the vote while the main opposition candidate received 44.3%. A candidate must receive over 50% of the vote to be declared a winner. The main opposition candidate appealed to the constitutional court, comprised of judges installed over the years by the ruling party. They heard their case but ruled against them, upholding the election results.
So Zimbabwe is divided and most people are discouraged, feeling that needed changes will not materialize. They could certainly use our prayer support in asking the Lord to move the hearts of those wielding power to be transformed to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8) That prayer can be said for every acting president/ruler in this world.
Refreshment
On August 15, the LTLA Discipleship Team took a needed day of refreshment in the Lord in the midst of the political turmoil and as they concluded second term ministry activities. They spent the day at picturesque Sanganayi Creek Camp, a short drive from Chinhoyi. In the morning they spent individual time with the Lord, then came together in the afternoon for fun games and team affirmation where they shared what they appreciate about one another. They specifically focused on Prestege whom they sent forth in prayer as she will be returning to college. She spent the past year fulfilling her internship requirement in Development Studies by serving LTLA, the ministry that has cared for her after she lost both parents by her teenage years.
Please pray for the LTLA team as they place their hope in Christ in the midst of concerns for the future of their country. Pray for Prestege that she would go and make disciples of Christ as she returns to her university in the southern part of Zimbabwe.
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| LTLA Disciplesip Team at Sanganayi Creek Camp. |
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| LTLA Disipleship Team meeting at Sanganayi Creek Camp. |
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| LTLA Discipleshp Team Praying for Prestege. |
Grief
On the day following the retreat, LTLA team member Shelton received word that his father was critically ill. He rushed home to witness his father die from the effects of high blood pressure that made his blood clot and block his aorta. This is the second young man in our ministry to lose his father within the last two months. Zviko lost his father at the end of June. The stress of life in Zimbabwe is taking its toll.
Shelton asks that we pray for him and his siblings (older brother and younger sister) as they comfort and care for their mother. His father worked in a gold mine and invested in a furniture making business which his mother has been managing. As the only college-educated child, Shelton's parents looked to him to take care of them in their older age. Please pray for Shelton as he grieves and considers the challenges that lie ahead for him.
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| Shelton with Mark Chidister at his family's furniture making business in Nov 2017. |
Thank you for letting me share with you about the discouragement, refreshment and grief that the LTLA family has experienced this month. Holding onto Jesus, in whom lies our hope.
Mike Sulc
Life to Life Africa