blog entry

Sleep Without Fear

That’s what Francie Markham wishes for her friends in Zimbabwe. Francie, a retired Dreher High English teacher, has been making mission trips to Zimbabwe for the past few years. 

She says recent events make her “heartsick and angry,” and adds, “I  pray that Mugabe will soften his heart to his own people and will let democracy rule.

We’re featuring Francie in the May issue of skirt!  Since talking to her, I pay extra attention to the news. 

A couple of days ago, I emailed to find out what she’s hearing from friends there.

She writes:
One man, whom I know, was falsely arrested on voter fraud and spent time in a deplorable jail before he was released, after two trials and pending another. He has to report to the police every Friday until trial. Many have been murdered, others have been maimed; property has been destroyed without regard for possessions, and the police do not come because they are involved.

Often ambulances and hospital care aren't allowed for the injured; nurses have even been threatened if they dare to care for the violence victims. Food aid entities are being told they are not welcome, though many people are starving. Journalists are being arrested, accused of "committing journalism.” 

Graphic pictures of the beaten and maimed arrive by e-mail in an effort to let the world know, in hope that we will notice and take action.

Francie was planning a mission trip to Zimbabwe in May.  Now that’s on hold:
I cannot return to Zimbabwe until this unrest settles. I will have to await the election results and I pray that the violence will end. I had two people, one from Zimbabwe and one from here, call me in the same afternoon asking me to wait to travel until at least June.

So Francie is waiting, and continuing her work here to help.  Read more about her and how you can support her work in Zimbabwe here.