I realize that I have been guilty of overlooking "conversations of faith" with friends and family -- conversations that reflect the spirit of faith similar to that of the heroes and heroines recorded in Hebrews chapter 11. This is a familiar chapter recording the exploits of women and men who against all odds chose to place their faith and trust in God and experienced God's gracious intervention. Some, however, did not experience any miraculous intervention and yet continued to hold on to their faith.
It takes the testimonies of so many to remind us that ours is a living faith that is practiced in concrete experiences of life. A faith that has no easy answers or shortcuts but that sustains believers and enables them to live with their fears and hopes. I hope that church historians a century from now will record the stamina of faith that saw many Christians in Zimbabwe live through and survive a context of multiple crises. The survival of vibrant faith and exuberant worship is a testimony to faith in a God who inspires such devotion. I wanted to pay tribute to so many who have lived and those who have died. There is a phrase that I keep hearing over and over in conversations with people in my life: "We don't know how we survived, but God took care of us."
May this faith continue to take root in Zimbabwe. Please remember us in your prayers.
Nontando Hadebe, a former Sojourners intern, is originally from Zimbabwe and is now pursuing graduate studies in theology in South Africa.
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