On Saturday March 29, Zimbabwe will be holding it's next set of Presidential Elections. This country is in desperate need of change. For those of you who pray, here is something to help guide you. This was sent to me through a contact at Forgotten Voices, our friend Ryan's organization who does amazing work in Southern Africa.
Background Information:
Election date: March 29th
Candidates: Current President Robert Mugabe (Party: Zanu PF)
Former Finance Minister Simba Makoni (Party: Independent)
Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai (Party: Movement for Democratic Change)
Suggested Prayer Requests
1) Pray for peace and justice at all levels and in all situations during this election process.
2) Pray for wisdom and discernment for government, church and community leaders.
3) Pray for a fair electoral process.
4) Pray for safety amidst high tensions and potential for violence.
5) Pray that regardless of the election outcomes, God would be glorified by the actions of His people in Zimbabwe.
6) Pray that regardless of the election outcomes, God would guide the elected leadership.
7) Pray for those who won’t have a voice with which to vote – children, those with illness, people without transportation to go to the polls, those too afraid to cast their vote.
8) Pray for pastors as they lead their communities during this critical time.
9) Pray for home-based care workers as they carry on their work and travel about the community during these tense times.
10) Pray for children who have been orphaned – they’ve already experienced the personal upheaval of a broken family, and are now facing the upheaval of a nation about to go through a historic election.
11) Pray for a protected living environment for the children of Zimbabwe.
12) Pray for increased stability leading up to and following the elections, as a stable government allows greater opportunity for the church and community to care for a child.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
March Break has begun and Joel and I are heading on a vacation to Santa Clara, Cuba. We've talked about doing a trip like this since we got married and have always put it off... sometimes for good reasons like moving to Africa for a year! But now we are more than ready to have a week away together, to unplug from life and relax. I look forward to swimming, playing a little tennis (we just finished the City of Mississauga's Intermediate Tennis course... look out!), reading, all-you-can-eat buffets, wearing my flip-flops again and especially lots of time with my favourite person in the world! See you in a week :)
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Back to Life
I got home from school today before 4pm, did a quick quiz for my course and then thought to myself "What am I going to do now?" It's been weeks since I've had that thought. For the past several weeks I've been on the go, madly trying to whiz through units, mark my student's work, finish course assignments and write report cards. Today is the day I get to catch my breath as report cards have finally been handed in. I have one day to go before March Break and I can't wait.
Joel and I were talking last night about our lives have taken a complete flip from a year ago. Last year, we would wake up, go spend several hours at the AIDS office which was slow on a good day, and then come home. The evening might involve some volleyball with the Bible school students, cooking dinner, maybe a walk or playing with the kids outside and then several hours on the couch reading... or if we felt like doing something, walking over the the table and playing a game. And of course there was the continual task of boiling water. But overall life was pretty relaxed. Neither of us thrive on being busy like some people. We don't bore easily and can handle having nothing to do.... we just haven't had the option lately.
It's nice to have that option back, to have a night of no work and take it easy. There is always lots to do as a teacher, but I enjoy these little pockets of time where I can decide whether or not I want to do it. I think ultimately, being busy is a choice we make for ourselves, whether good or bad. I look forward to the next ten days of choosing time for Joel and for myself. Call me selfish, but I think we deserve it!
Joel and I were talking last night about our lives have taken a complete flip from a year ago. Last year, we would wake up, go spend several hours at the AIDS office which was slow on a good day, and then come home. The evening might involve some volleyball with the Bible school students, cooking dinner, maybe a walk or playing with the kids outside and then several hours on the couch reading... or if we felt like doing something, walking over the the table and playing a game. And of course there was the continual task of boiling water. But overall life was pretty relaxed. Neither of us thrive on being busy like some people. We don't bore easily and can handle having nothing to do.... we just haven't had the option lately.
It's nice to have that option back, to have a night of no work and take it easy. There is always lots to do as a teacher, but I enjoy these little pockets of time where I can decide whether or not I want to do it. I think ultimately, being busy is a choice we make for ourselves, whether good or bad. I look forward to the next ten days of choosing time for Joel and for myself. Call me selfish, but I think we deserve it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
