As we focus our thoughts this Lent on the theme of home and homelessness, in Week 1 of the Lent Call we look particularly at the situation in Zimbabwe. People across the country are struggling to find safe, secure accommodation. Many have been made homeless by Cyclone Idai; others have lost their livelihoods through crop failures brought on by drought. COVID-19, too, has been very hard on Zimbabwe, both in economic and human terms.

 

 

Our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe are working hard to help those who do not have secure places to live: running soup kitchens; training local communities to grow crops and raise livestock to feed themselves; and providing accommodation for volunteers. But it is not easy. Below, the Revd Friar Fungayi Nyandoro, Vicar General of the Diocese of Masvingo, reveals more about the scale of the problem.

The Revd Friar Fungayi Nyandoro writes…

At times it is not easy to talk of home (safe place) knowing that there are many people nationwide who roam the streets homeless against their will. Some, among other reasons, are divorced, widowed and orphaned and relatives abandon them after grabbing the property of the deceased. Some are homeless because of cyclones we have experienced in Zimbabwe. COVID -19 has taken many parents’ lives leaving homeless children alone. Imagine a home that has no parents, headed by a child who is supposed to be taken care of and yet s/he is taking responsibility of her/his siblings.

I wonder every time when I have my plate of Sadza (our staple food in Zimbabwe) in my safe place (home), I usually think of homeless people and the plight they are in when they rest the whole night under bridges, in the streets and along corridors when it is raining and mosquitoes are all over.

Homelessness is not a curse; it’s a misfortune that befalls someone because of circumstances, natural or man-made circumstances. When we care, we would make sure we share our abodes with the homeless. Where the righteousness of God reigns, its effect will be peace and quietness. God’s vision is to see his people abiding in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, in quiet places of rest.

Homelessness leads to inhuman treatment of other humans and I want to appeal to those who have homes (safe place) to give a thought on what others who don’t have one are going through. Jesus is our role model here as we get into Lent. He left the comfort zone of his home and entered into the combat zone of the wilderness. If we could all get out of our comfort zones and enter into combat zones for the homelessness, life will be much bearable for all.  The creation of safe places (home) starts with me, it starts with you, it starts with us. Together we can!

 

How to help

During this coming week, please think and pray about the people of Zimbabwe, both those who are homeless or living in insecure accommodation and those who are working to help them. Download this week’s Project Sheet to find out more about the projects we are supporting and please consider giving to the Lent Call to help fund their work. You can find details of how to donate at: southwark.anglican.org/news-events/events/lent-call/how-to-give

We have created a series of Lenten Reflections based around the readings for each week. You can download these, and Worship Sheets aimed at those working with children and young people, from our Resources page: southwark.anglican.org/news-events/events/lent-call/resources

Whatever you feel you can do, please pray for God’s justice and equality for all, and remember all those who will be helped by the Bishop’s Lent Call projects this year, that they might find shelter, security and a place to call home. Thank you.

 

A prayer for use with the Lent Call material

Loving and saving God,
we thank you that you have given us a home with you in heaven,
help us work to enable others to feel at home in our communities.
Give us your generosity of spirit that we might work with our neighbours to bring hope and peace to those around us. Amen.