My Visit to Prague and The Christian Reformed Church in Hungary

Dear Friends From the 3-5th March the Rev Dr Setri Nyomi ( WCRC General Secretary) and I had the marvelous opportunity to attend the meeting of the WCRC European Region in Prague. We were deeply impressed by the attendance of THE Leaders from our member churches, the agenda, quality of conversations and fellowship and the spirit in which they were found. We had the opportunity to present our vision and mission direction and strategy for the World Communion of Reformed Churches, which is to be discussed in the Executive meeting in May. However, it was good to sound out our direction for WCRC and to get some valuable insights into what people think about where we are going. There was general consensus that we are heading in the right direction and concerns expressed that we should be really selective about our programmes. There was a good discussion on the future of Reformed Theology in Europe, financial business and elections of office bearers for the next 6 years. From the 5 – 8th March I had the incredible opportunity to visit with the Reformed Church in Hungary. What was marvelous time it was! I met with different groups ranging from congregants, pastors, bishops, church staff , the junior Secretary of State in Parliament and many others. I presented a lecture in the Reformed Theological College in Debrecen and met with Church leaders in the Ecumenical Council in Budapest. I was particularly moved by the ability of the Reformed Church in Hungary with the many impressive properties and facilities. I valued the opportunity to address the congregation in the Great Church and to share in the administration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. I was fascinated by the church’s ability to preserve and maintain the Reformed identity. I think that they have many things to teach us in this department since for many of us across the world are struggling to preserve our Reformed heritage. I was deeply drawn to the country’s experience of communism and how it divided and separated the Hungarian people. This also seriously affected the church, for more than 15 years there was a total separation of these churches that were divided by the imposed borders. But thank God that there is a very warm relationship between the neigbouring Bishops, whom I met altogether over dinner. In 2009 as part of the Calvin Celebration all these churches came together in Debrecen and met in the Great Church for their first General Synod and the signing of a constitution fostering joint work. The stories of suffering and oppression are many and, for me, they reminded me of the imposition of apartheid which divided the people in South Africa into four race groups, dehumanizing and oppressing people of colour. I believe that this aspect of socio-political and economic separations have much to tell us about how we may need to develop communion and justice. We need to request more conversations as we connect people with similar experiences. I wish to thank the Reformed Church in Hungary for their invitation, warm reception, great hospitality and more, especially, for taking the opportunity to share their story with me. May God continue to bless them from strength to strength and may they continue to keep the light of Christ shinning in Hungary and even beyond. Thank you for the experience!

Zimbabwe Feb

Dear Friends Greetings! On 8th and 9th February I had the marvelous privilege to spend some time with the Presbytery of Zimbabwe. The day started with a Workshop with the ministers in which, among other things, we looked at the use of the consensus model that is used by the General Assembly. The Presbytery expressed a real desire to try and use the model in its meetings sensing a very definite need for the values it encourages. The situation in Zimbabwe is very volatile at the moment since Robert Mugabe stated that he wants to pursue with the country’s general elections with or without the approval of the constitution. He has made it clear that his Party is not prepared to continue with the government of national unity after the International agreement on the same expires, sometime soon. Our ministers there have expressed concern that violence as already erupted in many parts in the country between the Political parties. Please keep the people of Zimbabwe in your prayers. It must not return to the situation it faced two years ago now that the economy has started to stabilize again. I was encouraged to learn that the Zimbabwe Council of Churches is now more united and stable in its leadership. Let’s hope and pray that they will provide leadership and support to the people and offer a prophetic voice in its context. I spent some time with the newly appointed CWM Committee based in Zimbabwe acquainting them with their role and functions. I spent time with various ministers on a one-to-one basis addressing various issues and needs. Further time was assigned to the newly elected and inducted Moderator of the Presbytery (Rev Stanslous Chatikobo) and Presbytery Clerk (Mr Kwenje). Please remember them in your prayers as they assume leadership at a very difficult time in the life of the Presbytery and country. The Moderator and Clerk took me to visit with the United Theological College. It was good to meet with the newly elected Principal whom I met a few years ago at a Conference and other members of Staff. It was a special joy to meet our five students for the ministry who have just started or are about to complete their studies. Please keep them in your prayers. In the past two years we were able to support a number of Projects run by our Church in Zimbabwe through funding provided by the Council for World Mission. I had the opportunity to visit at least two of these. The first was a HIV and AIDS Project run by the Highfield Congregation. A group of women make peanut butter, bottle them and sell them to people in the community.

They also make and sell cobra polish and now have aspirations to start a poultry business. The money made from these projects is used to support HIV positive women and pay school fees for children who cannot afford to be at school. This is indeed very moving! The second project was the establishment of a new Clinic situated at the Presbyterian Secondary School in Mubaira. The Clinic cost $11, 000, 00 to build and it services about 100 people from the community per week and the pupils we have at the Secondary School. It provides basic services mainly attending to Diabetes and Blood Pressure control, all serious illness are referred to other medical centers run by the State. They are in dire need of medication and other medical supplies to support their work in caring for the sick and wish to connect with people from within our denomination who are in the medical profession. If you or anyone you know could help, please be in touch with me. Do you know that we have 9 Presbyterian Schools in Zimbabwe with over 3000 pupils ranging from primary to secondary levels? Our Church is playing a very vital role in the educational development of children in Zimbabwe. In fact, the school I visited earned first position in the District. It was a joy to address the 420 pupils at the Presbyterian Secondary School and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Principal and Staff who stopped their normal programme to appreciate the leadership of the Presbytery and denomination.

Presbyterian Secondary School

I was deeply encouraged by the involvement of the Church in the community and with the situation in Zimbabwe, the Church has no choice in the matter. However, this is what the church is suppose to do: make a difference in the lives of people in the name of the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ! Let us continue to keep our Church and the people of Zimbabwe in our prayers. Blessings!