The Mutare Connection

One of my hopes in my upcoming Volunteers-in-Mission trip to Zimbabwe is to help build a connection between the Hutchinson District of the Kansas West Conference and the Mutare District of the Zimbabwe East Conference.

Mutare--which is the far eastern part of the country--happens to be the location I visited with the General Commission on Communications in January 2007. We stayed in Mutare, using it as a base from which to visit Africa University, Old Mutare Mission Centre, the Fairfield Childrens Home, and mission centres in the Mutare District and the Marange District.

Since returning from Zimbabwe in January 2007, it has been my privilege to develop a working relationship with several of the leaders in Zimbabwe--including the Rev. Tazvi Nyarota, the Mutare District Superintendent, and the Rev. Lloyd Nyarota, the Director of Communications and Projects for the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area. I have also had the privilege of getting acquainted with the Bishop of Zimbabwe, Eben Nhiwatiwa, with whom I am privileged to serve on the General Commission on Communications this quadrennium.

And there are others in this country from whom I have learned and who have been helpful in guiding this effort. They include Greg Jenks, Executive Director of ZOE Ministry; Drew Harvey, who works with the Nyadire Connection; and Jim Gourley, who is currently in Zimbabwe on behalf of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. In our own Annual Conference, Kennedy Mukwindidza and Aaron Madondo have shared in helpfulful and meaningful ways. Tafadzwa Mudambanuki with the General Commission on Communications has also provided important guidance.

The Hutchinson District program team has approved a covenant called "The Mutare Connection." It states:

"The pastors and people of of the Hutchinson District of The United Methodist Church in the Kansas West Conference--and other Interested Parties--commite themselves to:

• Work together in a supportive and mutual relationship with the pastors, people, congregations, and ministries of the Mutare District of The United Methodist Church in the Zimbabwe East Conference.
• Uplift one another in prayer on a regular basis.
• Support the Mutare District—its pastors, people, congregations, and ministries—with resources (financial and otherwise) in a responsible and helpful manner.
• Engage in Volunteer In Mission activities that build and strengthen healthy relationships and mutual understanding of each other’s blessings and challenges.
• Encourage church-to-church and pastor-to-pastor relationships for mutual learning, support, and growth.
• Advocate for the plight of the voiceless and the poor.
• Cooperate and coordinate with other agencies, programs, or projects that share these or similar goals.

This is one way that we might more fully realize the meaning of Paul's words to the Galatians:

"Bear one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. So that, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the household of faith"(Galatians 6:2, 10).