“Whoever is generous to the poor, lends to the Lord and He will repay him.” (Prov. 19:17)
While we are deeply saddened at the loss of lives and the destruction of millions of homes in the last three months with Cyclones Idai and Kenneth in Mozambique, our hearts are overwhelmed with the compassion and unity of God’s people. Your prayers and donations have helped the Mozambican church do far more than it could have imagined in its own strength.
Pastor Patricio says his church (Inhamatunga) has 16 new believers as they reached out into their community with clothing, food and love. Pastor Sande says his church (Inhamizua Posto) has one new believer. Pastor Cufa says after they rebuilt their reed-and-thatch church, the members helped each other rebuild their homes and then went into the community to help others rebuild.
Amelia Jose says, “I have committed to Christ. I was crying from lack of food and in that difficult moment the church reached out to me. I have also seen the church band together to rebuild our sanctuary. I feel so grateful that the memory of Idai is passing.”
Both men and women are volunteering in the reconstruction of churches. We don’t have money for professionals, but we do have a pastor who specializes in construction overseeing the volunteer labor in urban centers where cement blocks are used. Three churches are having their roofs put on this week.
The Beira municipal government has recently closed all relief centers and asked NGOs to focus on helping rebuild the city. They are concerned that people will stop working and just wait for food handouts. Compounding the issue though is that most businesses were destroyed meaning some people lost their homes and their jobs. For our church members who don’t currently have a job and no longer can access food distribution, volunteering on our worksites in exchange for a hot lunch every day is a big benefit.
The Mozambican Wesleyan church continues to assist in two rural weekly clinics through Pastor Dr Ruth. We have bought 117 bottles of medicine for parasites, 67 pounds of fortified baby cereal for malnourished babies, and 48 large bottles of water purification drops in May. Pray for those treated as they see Christ’s love in action and hear His word through a devotional shared with the group.
National Superintendent Graca Nhatelo says four churches were destroyed in the second cyclone (Kenneth). Donations of $28,000 are needed for relief and rebuilding in the northern parts of Mozambique.
GP in Mozambique 