ZIMBABWE

COLONISED BY BRITAIN (1890-1965) Dating as far back as the 11th Century, historians and archaeologists have found that Zimbabwe was a major trade route. Before colonialism, the Shona people had long been subjected to slave raids. COLONIALISM - In 1890, the country became a British colony. In 1965, the white minority declared independence from Britain. Racism in Zimbabwe began during the colonial era, when white colonisers began racially discriminating against the indigenous Africans. They imposed racist policies in all spheres of public life. Zimbabweans were frustrated by their continued subjugation and so in July 1964, a civil war broke out between Ian Smith’s white minority government, Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and Joshua Nkomo’s Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU). In 1980, the country gained independence after 15 years of Civil War. Robert Mugabe became the first president of the newly independent Zimbabwe. In 1997, he started a land redistribution campaign which caused an exodus of white farmers. In many cases, the farms were given to party loyalists and their families. This led to a sharp decline in production and caused the collapse of the agriculture-based economy. Zimbabwe faced years of seemingly unending national emergencies. It had once exported food but was no longer able to feed its own people. Hyperinflation was so bad that Zimbabwe’s own currency was rendered worthless. Mugabe ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years; it is said of him that he traded the mantle of liberator for the armour of a tyrant and presided over the decline of one of Africa’s most prosperous lands. TODAY - Zimbabwe remains in severe humanitarian crisis. Poverty grips millions, and they have one of the world’s worst AIDS crises.

HOW DID CHRISTIANITY GET THERE? Roman Catholic missionaries were the first to arrive in Zimbabwe. The first attempts to introduce Christianity to the Shona were made by a Portuguese Jesuit missionary, during the Monomotapa dynasty, until he was murdered as a result of court intrigues in 1561.

CHURCH TODAY: 86% Christian, 11% no religious affiliation. As in most countries in Africa, many people mix Christianity with traditional beliefs.

PRAYER POINTS

• Pray for deep healing, repentance, restitution and restoration for the wounds caused by slavery and colonialism.
• Pray for God to restore this once-prosperous land and to use His people to bring relief from the decades of suffering.
• Pray for increased health care and preventative education for this HIV/AIDS-ravaged nation. Thank God that the rate of infection has begun to slow in recent years. Pray for wisdom to help the nation cope with this great loss of life. Pray for churches to engage with the moral, spiritual, and economic effects of AIDS.
• Pray for a moral, visionary government to rebuild this impoverished nation. Ask the Lord to raise up righteous leaders.
• Pray that the church of Zimbabwe will fulfil Jesus’ prayer from John 17: to be one with Him, the Father and the Holy Spirit.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

WEEKLY WORLDWIDE MORAVIAN WATCHWORD

I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8

PRAYER
We want to thank You, Lord, for the opportunity to enter Your Home of Prayer. Teach us, to always take Your Word to heart as to allow us to grow in our faith in You. May goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives. Amen.