Zimbabwe (MNN) — Zimbabwe is
awaiting a change that is likely to bring with it, hope. While the Opposition Party is declaring a win,
President Robert Mugabe's party says that claim is not based on official
results.
Four days after the polls closed,
election officials have yet to declare a president-elect. The delay is producing rumbles of election
fraud. The potential for violence is
being acknowledged by heavily-armed police forces patrolling the streets, empty
streets in a bustling market, and an 8 p.m. curfew.
We spoke with a young woman who
works with Voice of the Martyrs. Because she has family still living in
Zimbabwe, we've changed her name to "Mary Sue" to protect them. "A new government would at least
provide some opportunities. Of course,
we have to remember that 28 years of the same type of rule cannot be overturned
overnight. It will be a long process, but it helps ministries like VOM. I think a new government would be willing to
accept help from anybody."
As the country awaits the
returns, the silence from the government has been deafening. However, Mary Sue does not feel that Zimbabwe
will become engulfed in political violence, as Kenya did following December's
elections.
Southern African church leaders have urged Zimbabweans
and their leaders to exercise restraint. That is key. Mary Sue says it's important to remember there is a
vibrant body of believers in Zimbabwe.
"The church has been
rallying. The church has been praying and standing and believing God for
change. I think it's important for the rest of the world to pray along with
Zimbabweans. They haven't lost their faith, even though they've had trouble
with the economy. They haven't had food to eat or clothes to put on their back. They have believed that through everything, God is going to take them through.
I believe this is a beginning."
Pray for strength for Zimbabwe's
believers as they face the changes coming to the country.
