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Mozambique Newsletter

Current Newsletter: December 2009

But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah,* the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Mozambique Initiative - Pleasant Hill

"Making a Difference" Story of the Month
”I don't think there are words to describe our experience in Tete and Songo.  It was a wonderful and intense spiritual and emotional experience and I will try to give you a short version”… Read full story below of how this small delegation’s visit made a huge difference for the people of Songo UMC in Mozambique.

Thanks in 2009
At the end of each year we share messages of holiday greetings and gratitude between partners in Missouri and Mozambique.  In 2009 we have received many messages of gratitude and we share them here to partners.  May your Christmas be holy and your ministry in the New Year be fruitful. Benções, Makatekwa, blessings!

From DICOM, Rev. João Damião Elias, South Annual Conference: “We have not enough words to express our gratitude for your support for Mozambique. We believe that God is good all the time because at the moment we are worried on what we can do to support it [the church] and that matters. God called you [people of the Missouri Conference] and you say “We're here Sir, tell us we hear.” Thank you for accepting the call. May God pass to you more and more blessings from today up 2010 and forever.”

From DICOM Rev. Jacob Jenhuro, Bishop’s assistant, North Annual Conference: “I would like to express my gratitude for generous of brothers and sisters in Missouri who all the time are helping the church in Mozambique, especially in the North Annual Conference. I know that they do not have enough, but because of their faith they understand that with one fish and one bread Jesus have gave thousands of people something to eat.  Ma y the Lord be with you all.  JJ”
 
From Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala: “Christmas greetings to you and your loved ones.  I am writing on behalf of the two Mozambique conferences to thank you for the continuous support the [Missouri] brothers and sisters are giving.  May He continue to bless all of you. These funds come to alleviate the financial difficulties that the conference is going through.  We thank God that though we often go astray He, through His son, brings us back through faith. Christmas reminds us of His presence; it renews our hope as we approach the coming year. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Blessings. Bishop Nhanala”

From MI and Staff: On behalf of the Mozambique Initiative Team of staff and volunteers, we wish you God’s grace during the holidays and throughout the New Year.  We are grateful for your support.  As we celebrate with joy the coming of the one who brings good news, know that you do indeed make a difference 10,000 miles around the world. You bring the gift of the one who brings peace, if only we listen. Carol Kreamer, coordinator

Make Your Final Mozambique Covenant Contribution Now!
The Mozambique Initiative reminds you to make your final Mozambique Covenant contribution before the end of the year (prior to December preferred)! Be sure that you have this element of covenant partnership fulfilled.  To make your contribution churches use the “Special Giving Form”; groups and individuals use the “Individual Contribution Form”.  Enter your contribution in the Mozambique Initiative (MI) section of the form, 8800 Covenant Partnership ($900 or other amount) and 8850 Mozambique Initiative Coordinator Support ($90 or other amount) to total the full or partial covenant ($990, $660, $495, $330, etc.).  For any questions, e-mail MI  or call 636-271-4455.

Remember to send 8850 in your final 2009 contribution!
When you make your final church/district covenant contribution for Mozambique, please be sure that you have included a portion to support MI staff.  Of your $990/1,320 covenant, $90/120 is designated to fund 8850 for MI coordinator and staff.  If you have been making partial contributions throughout the year to fund 8800, be sure that your final contribution includes that appropriate amount to 8850.  The Mozambique Initiative Team thanks you!

MI Seeks Support for Coordinator for 2009 and in 2010 Budgets
– by Tom Mitchell
At 2009 Annual Conference we sang and saw hands reaching up to God for Mozambique. The hands of MI Coordinator, Carol Kreamer, and MI representative, Ezequiel Nhantumbo, connect across the ocean daily so Missouri people and partners connect. The Mozambique Initiative needs 2009 and 2010 support for its core, connecting ministry by supporting Carol. If you have not done so already, please consider 2009 contributions and 2010 budgeting through the “55” campaign for Carol’s support, so this ministry continues strongly. Go here to learn more. Send checks payable to “Missouri Conference”, marked “#7400 Kreamer missionary support,” to 3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202.

Vision and Priority Projects Named by UMC in Mozambique
Vision of Mozambique Area:

  • A church that is equipped for holistic ministries to the community
  • A church that is renewed spiritually to build the Kingdom of God
  • A church with competent leadership that is committed to Christ
  • A church that is transparent and accountable at all levels
  • A church that is self-sustainable

Priority Projects: You do not have to be a covenant partner to help!  Review the MI's priority projects online as details are posted or contact Carol Kreamer at the Mozambique Initiative to learn more.

  • Gondola Training Center in Manica Province will be the home base for training in evangelization and church growth.  Needed for training laity and local pastors, the center now has one building completed.  Another needs windows and doors.  Bathroom facilities and a home for the director also need to be built.  Further facilities will be added as funds are available.
  • Completion of Unfinished Chapel Buildings – the priority of MI in 2009 was to raise funds to complete church buildings started in years past.  Check out the MI website at www.moumethodist.org/mi/buildings to learn more.  Some churches are huge, some small and everything in-between.  Consider this as a means to stretch your own capital campaign into a mission outside the walls. 
  • Got special talent!  Consider participating in a capacity-building VIM – put your computer knowledge to work teaching the basics of Excel, Word, Outlook and SKYPE!  Contact Evelyn Rogers or MI coordinator, Carol Kreamer.

Missouri Conference Digital Newsbook Prototype
The New York Times, The Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nieman Reports and now the Missouri Conference Review have all worked with the Reynolds Journalism Institute to publish a Digital Newsbook. Digital Newsbooks are substantive, visually rich eBooks on newsworthy topics. Digital Newsbooks produced at RJI require no special software for viewing other than a simple PDF viewer. They are especially designed for downloading quickly and reading comfortably on e-readers and most other mobile display devices including tablet PCs and notebook computers. The Missouri Conference Review’s Digital Newsbook prototype uses content from this summer’s leadership delegation’s mission to Mozambique.

2010-2011 VIM Teams Listed on Website
The 2010 and 2011 mission teams and delegations, along with leader contact information, are now listed on the MI website. The Mozambique Initiative has now trained more than 60 Mozambique mission team leaders.  We express our gratitude to those who are called to lead others to become ambassadors for Christ in Mozambique and ambassadors for Mozambique when they return home. Contact Carol Kreamer at MI or Evelyn Rogers for information about leader training.  Register online for the next training (TBA).

Prayer request: Michaque Marcos Nhantumbo
Mozambique Initiative representative Ezequiel Nhantumbo's older brother remains in and out of Maputo Central hospital, for the past several months.  A surgical wound on his jaw and upper cheek never healed since June and he experiences swelling and pain. According to the medical team at the Hospital, a second surgery will be performed. Michaque remains in pain.  Please pray for Michaque and his wife, Ernestina, along with their three children, as well as for Ezequiel.  Pray also for Michaque’s twin, Ruth, who has never been found since her disappearance 5 months ago.  Send messages of caring to enhantumbo@tvcabo.co.mz.

Story of the Month – Partner visits in October!
by Denise Ingels, Pleasant Hill UMC

But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. Ephesians 4:14-16

I don't think there are words to describe our experience in Tete and Songo.  It was a wonderful and intense spiritual and emotional experience and I will try to give you a short version.
It began with a tour of the Cahora Bassa Dam which is very difficult to arrange.  People from the church were able to go along on the tour and many of them said they had lived in the area all of their lives and had never been allowed this opportunity.  Our donation set off a series of events that I think were truly a miracle for the people of Songo UMC. 
 
On Saturday we were shown a piece of ground where the church was hoping to build if they could get the money for the permits from the Cahora Bassa Elect. Co.  The DS requested that the money be presented on Saturday evening so that people could spread the word before church on Sunday.  He said our money would be enough for the permits and to allow some construction to begin this week.  The service where the money was presented is another whole story in itself--too long to tell here.  At first the people looked like they were in shock unable to respond.  You must understand that the level of poverty of some of the church members was staggering.
 
On Sunday morning we noticed a man in the congregation that was well dressed and well fed.  I noticed that he kept wiping his eyes during the service.  After the service he asked for permission to speak.  The best we can understand is that he is the owner of the land where the church had built before.  The building collapsed because of lack of funds for proper materials.  The land had never been legally turned over to the church and for whatever reason he was not making it available for the church to use anymore.  He told the congregation that he was giving the land officially to the church - that this location was better for everyone in town and they would not have to pay the permit fees to the electric company.  Then he looked directly at us and said if we would return in two years he promised there would be a completed building ready to dedicate.
 
We don't know the whole story about this situation but when we arrived back to Tete the DS told us that the congregation we left in Songo that afternoon was not the same congregation as when we arrived.  They now have hope and assurance that God is with them.

But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. 1 Corinthians 12:24-26

Shared to the glory of God for the people of God at Christmas,

Denise Ingels – Mozambique ministry leader, Pleasant Hill UMC and Carol Kreamer – coordinator, The Mozambique Initiative

The Mozambique Initiative provides Mozambique team leader training to those who wish to take delegations to visit partners in Mozambique.  As is clear in the story from Denise, the purpose is not a building or to “help them”.  The purpose is the relationship, and with the relationship comes HOPE! E-mail Carol Kreamer, or call her at 636-271-4455.  Please pray for all those who spread the Good News throughout the world.