Mennonite Central Committee

Of Cow Tails and Crossing Bridges

Press Release, June 2000
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
by Fremont Regier

Ron Lizwe Moyo, or "R.L." as everybody here affectionately calls him, grew up herding cattle in the Filabusi area about 100 km from Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe.

At times frightening thunder storms came and rain pounded the boys and their cattle. Rivers flooded, cutting them off from home. The boys knew how to cross the wild rivers. They would sort out the younger, weaker cattle that were unable to cross. Then they would drive the stronger cattle into the water, each boy grabbing hold of a cow's tail and hanging on for dear life as the animals swam across the river, bringing them to safety on the opposite side.

Moyo's primary school education was interrupted by liberation struggles that overwhelmed the country, then called Rhodesia. Moyo and his friends sometimes supplied intelligence to the freedom fighters.

Dissension flooded post-independent Zimbabwe, and many suspected of being in opposition to the new government were killed. His family scattered and fled for safety. Eventually Moyo reunited with his parents in Bulawayo.

The family could not then afford to send both Moyo and his younger sister to school, so Moyo opted to let her go instead of himself. He took up studies at an informal institute. Often there were no tutors, so the students had to help each other learn.

It was at Bulawayo's Pumula Brethren In Christ congregation that R.L. was introduced to the International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP) of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). He heard that one objective of the program was crossing bridges; he wondered what sort of bridge volunteers would have to cross. Little did he know what an incredible bridge lay ahead of him.

Moyo had grown up an insecure and fearful boy. If someone stepped on his toe, Moyo apologized. Though he had become a Christian, he did not yet sense God's protection. Somehow Moyo managed enough courage to apply for IVEP, and he was accepted. Participating with other volunteers in 1990-91, he began to realize that he could contribute something to their discussions and meetings. He says that is when he began to cross the great bridge.

His IVEP experiences working with disabled persons at ADEC in Bristol, Ind. and retired people at Menno Haven in Chambersburg, Pa. helped Moyo reverse what he had internalized as a child when a teacher told him "You'll never amount to anything!"

"During IVEP," Moyo says, "I learned to be me. I learned that God has a plan for me - Jeremiah 29:11."

Now, nine years later, Moyo is still in contact with some of his fellow IVEPers from Germany and South Africa, and with some of the Indiana and Pennsylvania folks with whom he worked.

"IVEP influenced my life and work in a very big way," says Moyo, now National Youth Department director for Brethren In Christ Church Zimbabwe. In his mild and engaging manner he says, "I'm so thankful to God for the way IVEP helped me feel connected and brought me confidence and courage."

Like the cow tails that brought him to safety across swollen, flooded rivers, MCC's IVEP experience began the process of propelling Moyo across the bridge from youthful fear and insecurity to maturing faith, confidence and courage. And the most beautiful aspect of it all is the way he shares these blessings with others, instilling confidence and courage in church youth.