"The much publicised SADC summit in South Africa failed to produce the desired results. At least, the opposition leader has rejected the SADC decision and we do not know what is going to happen next. I do not think there is more room for further negotiation. Chances are that RGM will go ahead and form his own government. He now has the full backing of all the Regional leaders. Our future is bleak!"

Political violence continues, as the government has responded violently to peaceful protests. For example, on 20^th October, leaders of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), were arrested on Thursday in Bulawayo after leading a peaceful protest of about 200 activists demanding immediate access to food aid in Zimbabwe. Police used excessive force to break up the protest and its leaders were beaten.

Zimbabwe’s infrastructure close to total collapse

"There is no way we can talk our young people out of leaving the country. There is no way they can live on a teacher's paltry salary, which is just enough to buy five loaves of bread today. I cannot feed our son on my stipend, which cannot buy one loaf of bread today. The most we are doing now is to ask God to guide, protect and be gracious to our children as they are exposed to all sorts of dangers in the world...

    Thank you once more for phoning. Each time I talk to you I really feel refreshed and spirited. Despite the challenges we are facing it is evident there are people who love, care and are concerned about our plight."

The drought and the economic collapse have led to severe food shortages. The World Food Programme is looking for £91 million to feed up to 10 million people at risk of starvation by the next harvest. However, it has had no response (as at 11^th Nov) to its appeal, and has had to start cutting rations to 4m people in Zimbabwe because of a lack of funds. It says that food could run out entirely by January unless fresh support is provided as it takes six weeks for supplies to reach rural areas. Many families are surviving on 1 meal a day.

St Patrick’s High School keeps going – with our help

While many schools have had to close in the current economic climate, we are pleased to report that St Patrick’s High School is able to continue functioning thanks to our help in sourcing and funding regular supplies of maize. The maize grinder provided last year is also in production and keeping supplies going.

New Bishop for Matabeleland

It seems the wheels of the Anglican establishment can sometimes turn somewhat faster in Zimbabwe. After an election on 8 November, the Rev Cleopas Lunga was announced as the new Bishop of Matabeleland. Please pray for him and his colleagues in the diocese there.

Flying visit to Harare for Bishop Nick

Nick Baines, Bishop of Croydon will be flying to Harare for a brief visit to meet with the Zimbabwean Bishops and others concerned with the re-establishment of Bishop Gaul theological college. It is hoped that the college will soon be back in the urgent and essential business of training priests for the Anglican ministry. Please pray for Nick as he travels and for all involved in this enterprise – still somewhat tricky in the light of the continuing unsettled leadership situation in the dioceses of Harare and Manicaland.

NB: Bishop Nick has agreed to carry any Christmas cards and messages that you would like to send to your link parish or other personal contacts in Central Zimbabwe to be passed on via Bishop Ishmael. They need to get to St Matthews House, 100 George St, CR0 1PJ by Friday 5^th December at the latest. Please note – cards or letters only, no other items!!

HOW  TO KEEP HELPING

Fantastic news – funding for diocesan car almost all in!

In our September e-news and at our event in October we publicised the urgent need for a new diocesan car to enable Bishop Ishmael to visit his far-flung parishes. We are delighted to report that almost the full total for this has now been received. Especial thanks are due to an anonymous Trust that has donated a large amount and to Archbishop Tenison’s High School that put on a marvellous fund-raising concert especially for this need. If your parish is already planning a giving campaign for this need, then please continue, as the full amount is not quite in yet. Any extra received above the cost of the car will be put towards supply of fuel coupons.

Give a food hamper for Christmas

We would like to make Christmas a little brighter for our Christian friends in Zimbabwe by supplying food hampers to all clergy and diocesan workers including teachers and clinic staff. If possible we would also like to provide food supplies for extended families caring for orphans and children in special need.

Each hamper costs around £50, and  £20 will buy a supply of staple foods for a family in need. If you  would like to give for this, then send donations earmarked ‘hampers’ (cheques to ‘Croydon Zimbabwe Link’) to Pat Rose at St Matthews House, 100 George St, CR0 1PJ. Any funds over and above what we can spend at Christmas will be used to continue to supply hampers and basic food supplies during 2009. 

Christmas alternative gift cards

We are not doing a big push on alternative gift cards this year, but some cards and stickers are still available, if you would like some for yourself or to sell in your church. For more info, contact Hilary Brand as above.

Fundraising Event

A Christmas Celebration in aid of Zimbabwe will be held on Tues. Dec 2nd at 2.30 pm at St Francis Church Hall, Ravenswood Ave, West Wickham, with tea and seasonal entertainment. Tickets £5 each from Joyce Taylor  0208 777 7105 or at the door.

HOW TO KEEP AWARENESS ALIVE

Posters

Coming in the post to every parish in the Croydon area in the next few days will be a set of three A4 posters to use as a reminder to keep praying for Zimbabwe. They will be addressed to your vicar, so please chase them up if necessary and ensure they are displayed. If you need more copies, then please contact Hilary Brand on 01737 821900 or brand@btinternet.com.

Map & Leaflet

Also in production is a map of the Diocese of Central Zimbabwe, showing all parishes and listing all clergy. This should be coming in a December mailing.

          Also coming in the December mailing will be copies of a leaflet on the Croydon Zimbabwe Link that can be used to distribute to members of your congregation.

          Please let Hilary  Brand know (as above)  us know if you would like bulk copies of these to distribute or have available and we will then send direct to your parish.

HOW TO KEEP PRAYING

A Morning of Prayer for Zimbabwe

Thursday 27 November 7am – 1pm

All Saints, Sanderstead,

Come and go as and when you can. Prayer will be in St Catherine’s aisle of the church, which is in Onslow Gardens, CR2 9AB. For more information contact Beryl Oakley on  0208 657 7485

Weekly Prayer Pointers

23^rd November

Pray for funding to provide emergency food. There are significant shortfalls in funding both with the UN World Food Program and the situation is now so serious for people across the country. Please pray for all agencies and churches who are working to get food out to people who need it.  

30^th November

Pray for a miracle in the political situation. Please pray that someone will find a way to break the deadlock and pave the way for an agreement. Please pray for peace to continue.

7^th December

14^th December

Pray for all the parishes in the Diocese of Central Zimbabwe. You might like to use the map as a focus for your prayer, naming before God the churches and their leaders. Pray for protection and strength for our brothers and sisters during these times.