As a Diocese, we are blessed to have strong links with a number of overseas companion dioceses, including Kondoa and Mpwapwa in Tanzania, and Harare in Zimbabwe.
As the coronavirus continues its impact across the world, we have received a message for continued prayer and support from Bishop Given in Kondoa.
We are asked to pray for our friends in Kondoa, who are facing the Coronavirus with great fear:
We are thinking of you deeply at this difficulty moment where our world have been stopped/stacking because of Covid19 corona virus. Perhaps to make you understand our situation here.
Although currently we have only 14 cases however the effects is very huge; All schools, colleges, universities have been closed! Ihewa, Ilumbo and Amani are with us! Travels are restricted, gathering are not permitted, trading has now stopped, hand sanitizers price is very high and people who are advised to use them they cannot afford! Because of this inflation has gone up! Including food price!
People now here in Kondoa town are forced to eat one meal a day because they are not allowed to go to find jobs to get their daily meal. If travels are restricted how will people get their daily food! People are now suffering starvation! Apart from community effects for the daily life, the country economy which 70 percent rely on tourist have been affected hugely some suggest this month our economy will fall 17 percent. Life has changed!
Giving at the Cathedral have fallen as no people come to church. Even we don’t know how the bills, stipend for four workers will be paid this month, life is uncertain! Different world! This is the most current story everywhere!
My main concern: This diocese relies on its survival on our mission partners who are our supporters our friends in UK, USA, and NZ! You are facing this terrible disease which has shocked all of us! I am worried that you will be dealing with your own Coronavirus challenge than thinking of us who are far away in Africa, Tanzania, Kondoa!
There is danger rather than thinking supporting us you will be thinking about your own life! Of which I purely understand, that is where our mission work will be deeply affected! Because we live in a poor country Coronavirus has affected us deeply.
We are only stacking and people are shocked! I think the steps which have been taken by the government have shocked many people.
I am aware the government have been encouraging people not to panic but take the necessary steps to prevent the virus! Please pray for us at this difficulty moment in history!
Please pray for us, and continue supporting us in anyway!
God's peace
+Given
With the importance placed on such links in this Diocese, churches may also be interested in materials that are being shared at this time by the Office of the Anglican Communion.
As well as regular news and messages about the impact of COVID-19 in provinces around the world, a weekly service from one of the provinces, is being shared each Saturday at 7pm, which can be found on its YouTube channel.
The Lambeth Conference, which would have brought together bishops and primates from across the Communion in July, has now been postponed until July 2021