NATHAN GUMA
PREPARATIONS for the Love Zimbabwe Festival, led by renowned US Evangelists Andrew and Wendy Palau, are now at an advanced stage, with organisers saying the build-up activities have set the tone for the main event.
The festival is a collaboration with leading ecumenical groups – the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Union for Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe (UDACIZA) and the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC).
The pre-festival campaign has already kicked off free eye clinics now rolling in the country’s high density suburbs, vocational training workshops and multi-denominational prayer services.
This week, Palau and his wife Wendy toured eye clinics in Mbare and other suburbs, where free services are being offered.
Organisers aim to reach 200,000 people through medical clinics, prison visits and school programmes before the main event in September.
“During the festival, we come together with different denominational groups, gatherings and alliances. We go all around the world and have festivals,” Palau said. “Many of the reverends, pastors, bishops and other spiritual leaders of the nation have come for several years to Zambia, Malawi and Kenya to observe the model, understand what it entails, and personalise it for Zimbabwe.
“So, a lot of work and investment has gone on by your faithful spiritual leaders. And you can pray for us. We’ve been in Germany, Albania and the Dominican Republic this year, and will go from here to Argentina, Cairo and other places before year-end.”
Festival organisers say the response so far has exceeded expectations and believe the Love Zimbabwe Festival will leave a lasting impact, both spiritually and socially.
“The activities are already underway. We are running soccer tournaments and seeing millions of people having fun and coming to Jesus. In schools, just on the first day, over 14,000 children and students gave their lives to Christ,” said Bishop David Chigamba, Africa Festivals Director.
“We were in Seke and other areas. As for the eye clinics, we started today with four centres – including Chitungwiza and Mbare.”
Chigamba said the clinics are targeting between 10,000 and 12,000 people.
“That’s where Wendy was in Mbare. I went to St. Andrews and saw the church full of people patiently waiting to have their eyes tested. Some received reading glasses, while others with more serious conditions were attended to by Zimbabwean doctors,” he said.
“Eye doctors are present at each clinic to help those needing more than glasses. Even if treatment isn’t immediate, they provide advice and guidance. These four eye clinics will continue throughout the festival.”
Father Maseko of the ZCBC said the festival is coming at a time when the country needs hope.
“Well, Zimbabwe needs hope like any other country. The hope we speak of is renewal – for individuals, for captains of industry, for grassroots communities, for everyone,” he said.
“We must believe in ourselves, so that we can build not just a nation, but a God-fearing nation. This festival brings hope – to remind us we are God’s beloved. There is a tomorrow, but it depends on building today in Jesus. Renewal in Jesus. Restoration in Jesus. And reconciliation in Jesus.”
The campaign will be a hive of activity, featuring various artists, including Nigerian artist, Ada Ehi and local gospel greats like Thembalami.
