Mozambique Initiative

December 2011 Newsletter

Now to [God] who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish far more than we can ask or imagine, to him be glory. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NRSV)

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

Sustainability projects top priority for 2012

Following Bishop Nhanala’s lead toward self-sufficiency in her conference, local churches are developing sustainability projects. It is not easy and so workshops are planned for 2012. Please continue to support your partner with a focus on sustainability! More thank 30 sustainability project proposals have been submitted to the partnership committee (Missouri and Mozambique) and three have been approved for funding. Especially in areas where currency is not the primary means of survival, it is difficult to develop a sustainable project that will help to make churches self-sufficient. Yet there is a cry to be independent from outside help.

And so the Missouri Mozambique Initiative is focused on those areas of support that will help the entire community to be stronger, healthier and self-sufficient. Missouri MI funded more than 15 safe water projects, seven permanent chapels and five permanent parsonages in 2011. Such projects strengthen local churches and their communities. Hundreds of Bibles and hymnals were funded and delivered through MI, helping the church continue to renew spiritually to build the Kingdom of God.

MI urges you to continue your covenant into the New Year to help strengthen the United Methodist Churches in Mozambique!

Give Online to the Mozambique Initiative www.moumethodist.org/mi

You can help the Mozambique Initiative by making a tax-deductible contribution before the year end. As MI moves forward into a New Year, your help is needed to continue the bridge that makes possible the partnership of our two Conferences in Missouri and Mozambique. Just go to www.moumethodist.org/mi and click to Donate!

Church Covenant Partners Available for January www.moumethodist.org/mi/partnership

The following churches are available for covenant partnership in January 2012.

$495/year Tessouro Navesse UMC

$485/year Namaacha UMC

$990/year Inharrime UMC

$990/year Malonguele UMC

$990/year Matsuquetele UMC

$990/year Mocuba UMC

$990/year Nacala UMC

$990/year Nazareta UMC

$990/year Ressano Garcia UMC

$990/year Chokwe UMC

The covenant, a solemn commitment made with a partner in Mozambique, is a five-part covenant. With your 3-year commitment you covenant to:

1) Appoint a layperson as Mozambique Ministry Leader and send the name of that person to The Initiative (if you are a church congregation or group),

2) Place the name of your covenant partner on your prayer list so that our sisters and brothers in Mozambique are remembered in prayer daily,

3) Support your covenant financially (full covenant is $990/year; partial covenants also available),

4) Write one letter per year to your covenant partner (email to MI representative, Ezequiel Nhantumbo at enhantumbo@tvcabo.co.mz, and

5) Send 5 email addresses to The Initiative to receive first-hand information from and about Mozambique (if you are a church congregation or group - the number of addresses submitted has no limit. MI sends periodic e-newsletter in addition to the specific news of your partner).

Just visit http://www.moumethodist.org/mi/partnership to make commitment online or download covenant commitment card!

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Seminary Student Covenants Needed for 2012 enrollees! www.moumethodist.org/mi/leaderdev

Each year new students enroll for seminary in January and arrive in February. MI will need covenant partners for each new enrollee. These covenants are very personal and are great for small groups, Sunday school classes or individuals. The seminary student covenant has four elements:
Mutual       support in prayer. Each partner places       the name of his/her partner on their prayer list and they commit to       praying for each other daily.
Financial       support. Support financially       in the name of Christ ($660/year or $55/month for three years).        The three year term ensures support throughout the seminary studies.       (Make checks payable to Missouri Annual Conference, marked       “Mozambique Seminary Student” and mail to 3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202 marked Cambine/Ricatla       Seminary Student).
Write at       least one letter a year to your partner.        Guide available online. Download from www.moumethodist.org/mi/leaderdev.       Correspondence is translates each direction.
Photo       exchange. Send a digital       photograph (email preferred, but hard copy also accepted) of yourself       for your covenant partner. This photo makes your covenant very real       to your student.

These supportive, prayerful and corresponding partnerships mean a great deal to the students in Mozambique. Not only do they put food on the table, but they are a symbol of the value that you have placed on their education in order to strengthen the United MethodistChurch in Mozambique. We were proud to graduate 11 seminarians in December 2011 and see them now in the candidacy process for 2012 ordination.

“I planted the seed; Apollo watered it; but God made it grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6

Safe Water Projects Continue

If you wish to donate to safe water projects in Mozambique, visit www.moumethodist.org/mi/wells or send your contributions payable to Missouri Conference, marked 8820 Mozambique safe water project fund, and mail to the treasurer’s office at 3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202. Contact Tony Blevins 417-581-6853) or Carol Kreamer 636-271-4455 for more information. [Macunhe photo December 2011]

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Story of the Month – Let the Spirit of God Act For the Edification of a Self-Sustainable Church and Society

Blessings came to the Cambine Methodist Mission in various ways. Under the shady trees and from the freshness of the Mukambe river - this place had seen nine seminarians swearing to serve the people of God in a colorful graduation ceremony. A few days later, the 56th conference session of the Mozambique South Conference found its roots there. It was a gathering for yearly activity reporting, evaluation and setting plans for the future. Hundreds attended from many corners of the conference, including guests of honor from other denominations, from the local government and the provisional conference of South Africa and the South Congo conference.

In her Episcopal message, Bishop Nhanala presented an overview of the four years of her leadership, the challenges faced with the clergy and the laity, with problems of inadequate learning and worshiping conditions, and the lack of potable water. She also presented the opportunities of producing true disciples in the conference through evangelization campaigns at all levels of ministry, the need for equipping pastors with tools to work for Christ, and to renew their intellect through continuous training, and the good working conditions with partners in mission abroad. Bishop Nhanala made special note of the Missouri covenant relationship, which has yielded fruits of our mutual ministries that has greatly helped address most problems stated above.

Bishop Nhanala referred to the new Church structure with the creation of new areas of Superintendency [reducing from 16 DS’s to 6], which will required more attention and strength for its development. She reminded congregations to be alert for accomplishing the Church vision for a spiritually renewed congregation - faithful and committed to Christ - with financial accountability and transparency, and above all for a self-sustainable Church. Nhanala reminded all that in spite of positive progress over the past few years, there are still challenges to be faced where prayer and commitment will be the important weapon for success.

Rev. Zaqueu Ranchaze Malambane who was the chaplain of the conference sessions, prayerfully asked each one to repent, to commit to God, to reconcile with neighbor, to call on Christ all the times, to respect others, to be faithful, and to be spiritually guided for a self-sustainable Church. As the chairman of the Partnership Committee, he took this opportunity to tell participants ways to move toward a sustainable church, through project development. Ranchaze emphasized the need to strengthen church commitments with partners through correspondence and through prayers. He awakened the Mozambique conference that it is time the church must learn to appreciate this relationship, and it is time to realize each one has hands and thoughts to use our own resources to produce richness.

One by one, reports from various church programs, departments and district superintendents were presented highlighting successful stories of transformation, and commitment, despite the constraints faced on ground. They brought in stories of improvements of worshiping and clergy living conditions- with the construction of decent chapels and parsonages; of provision of mean of transportation - where walking hundreds of kilometers was the only way to get the word of God across; of provision of safe water- where people walked for a day to fetch water, and children missed classes; and among many other things they shared words of appreciation for the good life and ministry relationship with Missouri conference.

Bibles ministries are still impacting most church member’s lives and ministry as they received Bibles and hymnals from covenant partners. These tools are helping very much in the understanding of living in Christ and on making disciples for Christ. Bibles are helping strengthen Bible-study classes in many churches in Mozambique, announcing the good news for people, revealing God’s will and providing responses to all issues of a human being; the Bible that means a word of wisdom which specifically propels each Christian through the Holy Spirit, as a powerful and living word which transforms lives and is vehicle for healing, for liberation, and for powerful God ( Hebrews 4:12/ Psalm 107:20); the Bible as the truth and the way (John 6:63/John 8:31,32).

Singing hymns provides church members with an opportunity to become actively involved and creates a sense of harmony and unity among congregations. They are our reminder of God’s teachings and teach us walking the correct path that God wants us to tread. This act was witnessed during the annual conference session, with the distribution of Bibles and hymnals to churches through their representatives who attended the conference. Pastors and clergy could not hide their satisfaction for these fruits of our covenant relationship, acknowledging and said “hi bongile” –we thank you so much!

José Mateus Mapswanganhe, former District Superintendent of Gaza, upon receiving the Bibles with a representative of the Matsuquetele UMC, said that with the adult education classes going on in most of our churches, this will be beneficial for our members to realize spiritual growth, and it is through the inspiration that people get from reading the Bible that we trust more in Jesus, believing in His power that changes lives. God has already sent Jesus to die for our sins and He is waiting for our response. He closed his comments with reflections from John 8:31-31: “Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” And Joshua 1:8 “ Don’t stop reading this book of the Law, but day and night think of it says, so you can be careful to do everything written in it; then you will prosper and succeed.”

Bishop Joaquina Nhanala, invited the Bishop Katembo Kayinda of the Congo Annual Conference and the Retired Bishop João Somane Machado, for the ordination of eleven pastors as Deacons, after a probationary year of their field activity. This was followed by the ordination of seven Elders, those who have accumulated hands-on work experience over the years and have come to a new stage of ministry.

In a colorful celebration, with a mixture of tears of joy and songs of praise, and strong prayers as hands of Bishops and of all district superintendents were laid on the heads of the ordained ministry, with the commitment, fidelity and faithfulness in the ministry – a ministry which was the combination of the inner stirring echoed through words of encouragement, self-awareness and self acceptance, personal maturity, integrity, and the ability to manage change and support others and continue to grow and let the church grow.

All ordained pastors had earned leadership skills to the task of harnessing, serving and following the example of the life of Jesus. They had ground work in communication in word and action and had brought together faith to life relationships, including issues of the Word. Above all, they now understand God’s mission to the world and signaled through prayers, and thinking and action.

All Deacons had been blessed by clerical shirts - another ministry of Missouri partners. The MI representative presented the clerical shirts to the Board of Ordained Ministry led by Rev. Alfiado Camela Zunguze, before a group of pastors. They expressed deep words of thanks to partners of the Missouri conference, for helping in this ministry with the most important of all clerical apparel that will equip them to spend time with God, conveying the spirit of authority and affection through their presence and dressing.

The memorial worship service remembered all pastors who lived and served the church in Mozambique. With songs of solitude, prayers for the bereaved families, names of the late Rev. DS Benedito Faduco Mapswanganhe, Rev. Filomena Samuel, Rev. Adriano Penicela Nhamahango, Quiteria Adriano Macedo, Avenia Mbanze, and Drofina Amone Ngale Ngovene, were announced followed by respective stories of their ministries. “We will all remember their acts of service, their evangelistic activities, their contributions for church development, and we will learn from their footsteps and continue ministering for the poor, the children and for people in need.” said Bishop Nhanala, in her closing prayer. She added that there are people dying at an earlier age when life expectancy is about 40 years in Mozambique, but also there are those dying at old age up until 90 years old. What brings comfort to us is the fact that God reminds us that we have Christ with us and hence we are called to be strong in spirit and faith.

Rev. Kassongo Rukadzi of the South Congo annual conference was invited to share successful experiences of self-sustainability in his conference. He compared the past and present situations, with moments of total dependency from the outside donors, an unintended condition caused by foreign missionary who brought the Gospel of Jesus Christ and monetary aid that helped correct some problems - where the joy and benefits of giving were never learned, and where God’s blessings to a cheerful giver were never experienced by the majority of people of Congo. Today, successful stories of progress in project development can be seen on ground. The South Congo is now on time of quickly moving away from the “darkness” and said that it is high time we abandon laziness and utilize available resources to produce income; finally he presented willingness to share this experience with conferences going through similar situations.

Appointments: The conference ended with the traditional cabinet assignments where all renewed the commitment to serve in various areas of church development. [Watch for publication of appointments in January.]

Note from MissouriMozambique Initiative: A few church to church covenants remain available, in amounts ranging from $495/year to $990/year. Contact MI coordinator, Carol Kreamer cpkreamer@hughes.net636-271-4455 or visit www.moumethodist.org/mi/partnership.

To donate to the work of The Mozambique Initiative go to www.moumethodist.org/mi and click the donate button!

Shared with the people of God to the glory of God by MI representative Ezequiel Nhantumbo and MI coordinator Carol Kreamer. Graced to serve, C

It is true! Carol Kreamer, coordinator of the Mozambique Initiative will be retiring in June 2012. A successor has been chosen and will be announced in January 2012. Carol will work with the new coordinator to provide training in all of the ministries of MI. Please pray for the Missouri Mozambique Initiative during the transitional months ahead!

Romans 1:11-12 (NJB

For I am longing to see you so that …we may be strengthened together through our mutual faith, yours and mine.

"Leading Congregations to Lead People to Actively Follow Jesus Christ"

Little Children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18

Carol - peace and hope for the journey!

Carol P. Kreamer - Coordinator

The Mozambique Initiative

Missouri Conference Missionary Fund #7400

The United MethodistChurch

P O Box 754

Eureka, MO 63025

Phone: 636-271-4455

Email: cpkreamer@hughes.net

Website: www.moumethodist.org/mi

Interested In Supporting the Ministry?

The Mozambique Initiative must raise funds to support staff. We trust daily that God will provide for our needs as we respond to the calling God has made on our lives. God's provision comes through churches and individuals like each of you who have also heard from God that you are part of that plan.

The Mozambique Initiative makes monthly transfers to the Missouri Conference to cover staff compensation. Your giving methods are below. Be an ‘investor’ in the ministry of the Church as God provides.

Donate Online

PDF Missionary Brochure

Ezequiel Marcos Nhantumbo - Representative

The Mozambique Initiative

Ao c/ Igreja Metodista Unida Em Moçambique

C.P. 2640

Rua Kibiriti Duwane (D. Francisco Barreto)*, 229

Maputo, Mozambique

Tel: 258-1-485742

E-mail: enhantumbo@tvcabo.co.mz