BULAWAYO-More than six thousand people from all over the world have assembled at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds here to commemorate the 14th Mennonite World Conference that is being held for the first time in Africa.
Interviewed by The Standard, Dr Larry Miller, the church's world general secretary, said the decision to hold this year's meeting in Zimbabwe was made four years ago following an invitation by the local branch.
"This year's theme was perfectly chosen," said Miller. "It is a prophetic choice and Zimbabweans and other nations, through this difficult time, are finding joy in the midst of their suffering. We are overwhelmed and are here in peaceful solidarity with our branches from all over the world."
The Mennonite World Conference is held every six or seven years and draws delegates of the Brethren in Christ Church from all over the world, and a few other special guests from other denominations.
Roman Catholic, Archbishop Pius Ncube, a major critic of President Robert Mugabe's policies, was one of the special guests. He gave the welcome speech.
The Bulawayo conference has drawn Christians from five regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America, and 54 countries are represented at the conference.
When asked why they had to conduct the conference in Bulawayo, Danisa Ndlovu, the national advisory committee chairperson, said in Zimbabwe the church was more prominent in Matabeleland.
"Bulawayo is the central place to host this conference because BICC is saturated in the Matabeleland region as it started in the areas of Matopo in 1988, and has more branches in the city," said Ndlovu.
Hotels and lodges in Zimbabwe's second largest city were this week fully booked with some tourists having to put up in local colleges and schools as the city played host to thousands of tourists that arrived in the country for the conference.
Many Bulawayo businessmen said foreign currency shortages were eased and business was brisker as the religious tourists swamped hotels and city lodges, while changing their money on both the official and parallel markets.