I have a friend who is a carpenter (she doesn’t really usually call herself a missionary) in Zimbabwe, and who has been there for over 15 years. I asked her how things were there right now, since it’s so difficult to figure out from the news reports what day-to-day life is like. She said the following:
The current Zim environment is very confusing and besides strength and wisdom we all need to pray for a higher IQ to deal with hyperinflation in the trillions and Quadrillions, and since last friday the first of August as the reserve Bank decided to slash 10 Zeros of all currency it is even worse.
Prices have scyrocketed and what little is available in the shops is unaffordable for most people. NGO’s are still not able to deliver food aid, and the tension in the rural areas is still high. The worst is that people no longer trust each other and are not sure of who is who, and even within families some support this side and others the other side. There are a lot of internally displaced people and how they cope with the stresses and trauma I can’t begin to comprehend. churches are literally inundated with requests by people in need for everything starting with assistance for funerals, food, counselling and you name it.
), how unhindered in pursuing my ministry. Things could have been very different! It makes me wonder whether I would have stayed if Mozambique were it in a similiar state to Zim – would I have joyfully persevered in seeking the Lord, or been driven to doubt and exasperation by the daily inconveniences and continual uncertainty? I conclude that I still need to trust my Lord so much more in every situation, grow much closer to Christ to be able to endure whatever sacrifice He may ask of me in future, and, certainly, pray more for Zimbabwe.
