Newsletter Archive

April 2003 Zimbabwe Report

Dear praying friends and supporters,

After many months of planning and preparation, the meetings with African leaders from IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) took place April 4-12 in Banket, Zimbabwe.  We convened at a lovely retreat area about two hours drive from Harare.  Thank you for praying!  We believe that these meetings - co-sponsored by Development Associates International and IFES in English and Portuguese Speaking Africa (EPSA) - accomplished much in terms of strategic investment in some very influential leaders from across Africa.

Femi and Affy Adeleye, who coordinate the entire ministry of IFES-EPSA, along with administrative assistant Vongai Chimbambo, did an excellent job of assembling this gathering.  IFES-EPSA leadership came from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, and Uganda.  We had eleven men and four women (FYI: IFES is quite progressive in giving women opportunities in leadership; Kuzipa Nalwamba of Zambia, for example, serves as associate regional secretary for all of southern Africa).

In addition to these, Brian Edwards, our Development Associates International Ministry Center Director from South Africa, joined the meetings.  Brian had to depart early because of the sudden death of his brother-in-law, but he was still able to give the group direction and training in areas like "Knowing Your Leadership Style" and "Servant Leadership."

In spite of a few delays because of mile-long "cues" at the gas station, our meetings were problem-free.  The leaders came together for time to reflect on leadership, gain some personal, spiritual refreshment, and share some resources related to developing the character and integrity of young leaders.  The intent of these meetings was to facilitate mentoring and leadership development that can ripple out across Africa through the multiplicative impact of these leaders.  Initial responses indicate that this goal was well achieved, but we're still compiling the evaluation forms - so more detailed and specific impact statements should be available in the next month.

HOPE AGAINST HOPE

The phrase in the book of Romans, "against all hope, Abraham believed God" resonated through the week.  Abraham believed God against all the odds. When external circumstances could have led Abraham to doubt, he never wavered in his God-centered hope. This Abraham-like "hope against the odds" was personified in the lives of these leaders.

LIVING WITH HARDSHIP: spending a week with and listening to these men and women offers tremendous inspiration. They routinely live with hardships that would knock many of us out of the race.  The long wait for petrol only scratches the surface.  Across southern Africa, the threats of drought and famine loom large.  In East Africa, one new government promises the end of corruption, but Christian leaders must brace themselves for disappointment if this government cannot deliver.  And everywhere there's inflation (Femi wrote to say that fuel prices have jumped 30% since our meetings concluded), grinding poverty, and many challenges. 

AND YET, in the midst of these hardships, these leaders invest in students because they believe that the Gospel of hope through Jesus Christ means positive changes ahead for Africa.  The students they invest in will become the leaders for Africa - politically, economically, medically, and spiritually.    These leaders represent Inter-Varsity-like ministries on over 500 campuses and involving over 80,000 students - a vast potential of influence for the Gospel!

LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF HIV/AIDS.  Perhaps the greatest physical/social challenges in sub-Saharan Africa is the scourge of HIV-AIDS.  Every participant at our consultation knew someone who had died of AIDS.  In personal conversations, leaders would tell the story of a brother, a sister, a niece, or some other family member who had died of AIDS.    One newlywed couple already has a niece and a nephew for whom they care as their own children - because of AIDS-related deaths in their extended family.  The Director of IFES in Malawi said that the life expectancy in Malawi has now dropped to 33 years!

AND YET, from under this shadow, these leaders emerge to invest in students because they believe that the Gospel of hope through Jesus Christ means positive changes ahead for Africa.  In November 2002, IFES-EPSA sponsored an Africa-wide consultation on HIV-AIDS designed to equip leaders for positive change.  The leaders of IFES South Africa have designed a Bible Study guide to help Christians get God's perspective on how to respond to AIDS.  And IFES-Uganda has been a key influence in making Uganda one of the first African nations who is winning the battle against AIDS - so that the number of new cases is actually decreasing!

LIVING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF ISLAM.  Recent USA news media reporting has been so focused on Iraq that we've heard nothing on a story that African leaders were watching closely - general elections in Nigeria, the most populous African nation.  If certain parties are victorious, the Islamic influence on this nation could increase dramatically and affect the entire continent. The elections in this nation - where several states are already under Shari'a (fundamentalist Muslim) Law - symbolizes the spiritual conflict going on for the hearts of the people of Africa.  Political leaders in countries like Tanzania and Malawi have already embraced Islam. Moammer Qaddafi of Libya aggressively targets Islamic expansion through Africa, using his great oil-based wealth to do so.  The students affected by the leaders at this consultation face the challenge of Islam on their campuses.

AND YET, in the face of this challenge, these leaders emerge to invest in students because they believe that the Gospel of hope through Jesus Christ means the advance of the Gospel - for Africa and the world - in spite of the challenge of Islam.  A Nigerian leader reported on a Student Mission Conference in Nigeria that featured 6000 students coming together to consider missionary service.  Another leader from East Africa described work with students in Muslim strongholds like Somalia and the Sudan.  These leaders are not naïve about the challenge of Islam, but they instead see it as a challenge to the Church to prepare leaders who are equipped to respond.

All of these reports and stories are simply designed to connect us all to our brothers and sisters serving in other parts of the world. 

Thank you for your prayers and support in equipping leaders like these for more effective ministry!

Report submitted April 21, 2003.