Every year in Africa people are devoured by crocodiles. In the rural areas this is a sad fact of life. Often an attack comes when a person is alone, with little warning or notice by others. But in Zimbabwe, a once rich and prosperous southern African country, an entire nation is being devoured by its own government. Unlike the lonely attacks along the waterways of Africa, this onslaught is being acted out on the passive world stage. If changes do not come soon, there will be nothing left, and the world will be asking, "Who lost Zimbabwe?"

Since 1980 Robert Mugabe has presided over the nation known in colonial times as Rhodesia. The legacy of a self-sustaining nation has been squandered to the point that today inflation runs rampant and food must be imported. For more than a year a government-induced famine has created one of the world's lowest life expectancies. There is war in Zimbabwe; the government is waging it against its own people.

Since an election on March 29, the country has been in a stalemate. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's party, Movement for Democratic Change, won the most seats in the parliamentary election. But the Mugabe government will not release results of the presidential election. In late April they began "recounting" votes in 23 districts, 21 of which had been won by the MDC, in what many fear to be a blatant attempt to skew election results.

There have been calls for Great Britain to invade the country and oust the government, something not likely to happen. The general populace is immobilized by fear. They don't have the weapons in hand to mount any sizable uprising. It was reported that a boatload of guns and rockets shipped from China had been turned back at South African ports. It is hoped that no other African port will allow this shipment to be offloaded. The weapons would likely be used to suppress the last elements of passion for freedom.

The lack of leadership from surrounding African nations has been disappointing. South Africa, the largest, has not taken a tough stance to effect any change. The sad truth is that in recent years no one, either within Zimbabwe or externally, has been able to curb the wildly erratic and mercurial government. What has happened in Zimbabwe is a shame to the modern world.

I have visited Zimbabwe, and I know the creative energies of its people. The land has vast potential for development for the benefit of its own and neighboring peoples. There is no excuse for the suffering the citizens must now endure.

What hope is there for Zimbabwe? In the short term, hopes hinge on the current government stepping down under pressure. Many believe the March 29 election represents a democratic change. New leadership could bring the opportunity to reverse years of oppression and tyranny that has reduced this once prosperous nation to pauper status. Armed intervention would only lead to more bloodletting and savagery. There has been enough killing. Let it stop now.

I believe there is hope in the gospel message that God desires to offer the people of Zimbabwe and this entire world. Paul, himself, prayed that the gospel be granted "free course" (2 Thessalonians 3:1, King James Version) to spread the good news of Christ's return and the peace He will bring to this world.

Pray for the peace and welfare of Zimbabwe. May God be merciful to its people as they endure the dark years of terror, perhaps until the King of Kings brings them into the light. WNP