Zimbabwe/Xlonginisu

On to Xlonginisu. I'm sure I'm not spelling that correctly... But where to begin? He is a minister from Zimbabwe who works with the schools sponsored by St. Columbas and Trinity Presbyterian Churches, among others. The school system has about 3,000 students, which is really impressive in Zim. Xlonginisu is chaplain to two of these schools, where religion can be and is taught openly, and he also oversees two congregations while working heavily with the Presbytery. He is a truly remarkable man.

Now, he also takes masters courses in Pretoria, which is just North of Jo-Burg and is one of the capitals of South Africa (they have three). He was riding the bus to Pretoria from Zim about three months ago when the bus driver fell asleep and the bus plunged into a ravine. At least 4 died, Xlonginisu had glass shatter into his eyes and lost his left arm just above the elbow. Writing that caused me to take a deep pause...

So this man who was the provider for a family, two schools, and two churches, among other roles, now has to wrestle with the physical disability as well as the psychological challenges that come with losing an arm. He has really struggled with shame and adjusting his role. He refused to go before his congregations for a while because he did not feel whole. I simply cannot imagine. His second child was born while he was still in the hospital.

BUT he has adjusted. This afternoon we were speaking and I asked about the adjustments. I heard the last time he was here he was dejected and solemn. But this time he seems to be adjusting. He spoke about grace, that he still has life, that he has been able to maintain his roles as pastor and to some extent provider, and that God has forced him to remember who the real provider is. He is really a bright personality and a true joy to have met.

I met Xlonginisu just Monday night (7 July) when he, George and I went to dinner at a very nice steak house. I cannot tell you how humbling it was for me to cut Xlonginisu's steak, especially as he is such an engaging, positive conversationalist. I've never been one quick to accept help, and I can tell he was also a very proud person who has learned humility quickly, and still is quite strong in other ways.

He shed quite a bit of light on the situation in Zim as well. He said most of the election violence was perpetrated by hired youths because the police and army largely refused to obey Mugabe's orders.

He also described the food crisis, and added in later conversation that people don't starve, even though a loaf of bread costs 30 Billion dollars (that's no misprint or exaggeration), and maize meal (corn flour for something like porridge) isn't available for purchase in stores.

Here's a one armed man working in one of the poorest economies and under one of the most oppressive governments in the world, and he is making a huge difference. Imagine what the world might look like if we could all offer a quarter of the effort he has put in... we who have so much, including our health. What an amazing man.