URGENT UPDATE ON ZIMBABWE
All United Methodist missionary personnel in Zimbabwe are safe, well, and out of harm’s way, reported Bishop Christopher Jokomo of the Zimbabwe Annual Conference on April 20 in a telephone conference with Dr. Randolph Nugent, General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM), and Laurence Brophleh, the Board’s executive for Sub-Saharan Africa in Mission Personnel.
Bishop Jokomo gave assurances that he and his staff are in touch with all mission personnel assigned to the Zimbabwe Annual Conference and that, at the moment, there is no need to relocate GBGM personnel outside of Zimbabwe. However, a decision has been made to move personnel located on mission farms to the capital, Harare. This relocation affects the two US missionary couples stationed by the GBGM on mission farms--Drs. Sylvia and Marvin Reimer, at Mutumbara Farm, and Larry and Jane Kies and family, at Nyadire Mission Farm--along with missionaries sent from United Methodist churches in Europe. In addition, missionaries serving in the GBGM’s Missioners of Hope program--a major new mission program in Zimbabwe--will also be moved to Harare.
On April 17, intruders visited the Nyadire United Methodist Mission Farm, and local police were called. The assistant farm manager, a Zimbabwean, was injured but is reported to be much improved. No damage was done to the farm property.
The situation in Zimbabwe is unusual, Bishop Jokomo pointed out, and it is not being reported accurately by the mass media. The bishop told Dr. Nugent and Mr. Brophleh that there is an overreaction on all sides but that, in his judgment, the overall situation does not point to “anti-white” sentiment. Rather, he says, the situation has to do with electoral concerns and other political processes and is being played out around legitimate land needs of all the peoples of Zimbabwe. In such situations, he says, the legitimate aspirations of the people are often usurped by people with other agendas--some of whom do not have the best interests of the community or the nation in mind.
On April 19, Bishop Jokomo reported, President Mugabe of Zimbabwe met for five hours with the executive committees of the Farmers Union and the War Veterans. After the meeting, all three sides reported that significant progress had been made toward a solution.
“We are hopeful, “ says Dr. Nugent, “that the situation in Zimbabwe will find a way to resolution in which the aspirations of the people may be met. It is my understanding that there have been some important conversations on the part of all parties involved, and it is my hope and prayer that these conversations will help in establishing the necessary conditions for a peaceful solution.”
Care for the safety of mission personnel has always been a high priority for the General Board of Global Ministries. Because of this concern, Mr. Brophleh is preparing to leave for Harare to be in solidarity with Zimbabwean churches and with church and missionary personnel on behalf of the GBGM. He will be present with all personnel to be relocated from the farm areas and will be available for ongoing counsel and assistance.