What’s the longest line you’ve ever waited in? Because I GUARANTEE you that I have you beat as I and the rest of X-Squad spent 10+ hours going through immigration the other day to FINALLY enter the (perhaps-not-quite-pearly) gates of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe, everything you would imagine to see in Africa. Short, wide-branching trees spread out over large grassfields with audacious rock formations occasionally piercing through the landscape. Add to that the occasional stream or small lake lined with lotus flowers and WOWZA! It’s no wonder the nations neighboring it nickname it “The Promised Land.”
But there is more to this place.
If you look on beyond those features of which I detailed you would find a country that, in recent times, has suffered much hardship. Though lovely and lush now, the land has only begun to emerge from years of intense drought that drove many farmers (farming is or rather was one of Zimbabwe’s major contributors to their economy) to lay down centuries of work and tradition, uproot, and leave the land they loved and knew for others to find work, often being unsuccessful in that pursuit and left to scavenge the streets as we saw all too often last month in South Africa. Squatters living in shanty towns that stretched long distances attest to this. Add to that an economy that was in such shambles that at one point a loaf of bread could cost you billions (yes, you read that right, BILLIONS) of their now defunct former currency and is now reliant on foreign currency (which, if you happen to be toting $USD is mighty favorable) and begin to feel surrounded by problems. Worthless money (poor billionaires, as one local put it), no jobs, and nowhere to turn, people begin to just look for a way to cope. Enter, alcohol. As per our host’s information, alcoholism is at pandemic levels in Zimbabwe. And also per his insight, children are introduced to it as young as toddlers. Their addiction is started almost from birth. And then there is the issue of AIDS/HIV. Zimbabwe was one of the most heavily devastated countries by the disease and still ranks as one of the highest on the list. There are many other internal issues as well compounding all of these as well. This truly is a nation that has not seen rest nor respite in a long, long time. In researching the country before we entered, I read an article that described the mood here as hopeless on every level— emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
But there IS ALSO HOPE.
This month me and my team, team 153 (One(Juan)-Fiddy-Tree), are working alongside Scripture Union; an organization some of you may have heard of as its roots are in the United States. And what an absolutely INCREDIBLE work they have been accomplishing here. In the first 24 hours on site here we were whisked away to a weekend camp they host where we got to serve as counselors and just as friends for the students. There were about 50-60 kids at the camp. That may seem small, until you find out that they host a camp EVERY WEEKEND YEAR ROUND! Each camp is a new set of students and while there, oh the impact the staff and teachers clearly have on them! The teach the good news and have great, meaningful conversation with them. They aren’t afraid to broach any hot topic, and they approach it with such lovingkindness. They are not just teaching, they are discipling and equipping these students for life back in school and beyond! They’re empowering them as well to not just be hearers but DOERS of the word and to step out boldly, peacefully, and lovingly to reach a world in need of good news, THEE Good News! They are raising up a generation of true, honest-to-goodness leaders here. I daresay, we could learn a lot from their example back in the States! And when they’re not running camp, they’re in the schools, further teaching, leading, ministering, and discipling the future generations, leading and showing as well as empowering them how to lead! In fact they’re going to have a conference in the coming year to bring students from all across the nation together; a conference so large they have to put a limit on how many can attend! And right now we are helping operate a camp over the holidays to provide tutoring, teaching both academically and of the scripture, and preparing them for adulthood. We have the incredible opportunity to help redeem a generation not only from the HIV/AIDS crisis but help set them up for a better path, a journey of seeking after God with passion.
A teammate of mine said that his generation is perhaps the most passionate yet to exist. That generation here in Zimbabwe is no different, and could in fact play a large role in leading that charge, because for the first time in a long time they have the passion and many great, Holy Spirit-led leaders to help point that passion towards the only thing in this world that is truly gain— a life relationship and adventure with Jesus!
Often do we talk of “one last great revival” of the church before the fulfillment of Revelations and the end times. I can see that very such revival happening here!
Zimbabwe, the Promised Land? I would agree.
