News and Stories

Christmas comes early for church in need of well

The people of Macunhe (pronounced mã-coon-yã) in Mozambique received joy before Christmas! During October Macunhe received the first ever visit from Missouri Mozambique Initiative (MI) representative Ezequiel Nhantumbo. This was important as in Mozambican tradition, receiving guests is considered a blessing from God. Far from the city of Vilanculos, 4-1/2 hours driving on dirt “roads” (often roads made by the MI vehicle itself), and walking the final distance through...

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 from December 8-11, 2011. 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...

Nine Seminary Students Graduate from United Methodist Cambine Seminary

Parents, friends and guests of honor joined the United Methodist Cambine Seminary teachers around 2.00pm December 3, 2011, to witness the conferment of diplomas to seminary students. Female clergy continue to outweigh the males in the latest class for ministry training. In colorful procession, all nine graduates marched towards Cambine UMC chapel and were welcomed inside with joyful noise through songs of praise. Merit was rendered to Olívia da Quitéria Simão Sitoe and...

Ricatla Seminary - Holy Ground Bears Fruits for Ministry in Mozambique!

On Sunday, December 4th, the sun was seen rising up from east through the Ricatla hilltop, announcing a brilliant day that would witness a glorious moment in the life of that institution. Under the refreshing shade of the old tree at Ricatla Ecumenical Seminary - students from various denominations who had gone through years of academic exposure would finally graduate. Among this group two young United Methodists, Orlando Moniz and Baptista Raimundo dos Santos, had their black gowns ready for...

Spread the Word! Bibles and hymnals for partners " Continue Practicing the Grace of Giving

Spread the Word! Bibles and hymnals for partners – Continue Practicing the Grace of Giving Bibles and hymnals are valuable tools, not only in worship, but also in learning to read and reducing illiteracy. Click here to download bulletin insert. The people of Mukhambe-Feha UMC hold Bibles donated by Central UMC in Kansas City, Missouri! MI coordinator, Carol Kreamer says, “I have never seen photos of happier faces than when Bibles and hymnals are distributed at Annual ...

South Conference in Mozambique goes from 16 to six districts

The South Annual Conference session of the United Methodist Church in Mozambique brought delegates from many parts of the country to historic Chicuque mission station – an old mission with a refreshing spirit and warm hospitality in the “land of the good people” – Inhambane Province.   Toward Self-determination Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala addressed the 55th session of the annual conference, “We are called to struggle against poverty for salvation of the...

Mapinhane UMC and well in Mozambique

On October 17th I had an opportunity to visit covenant partner, Mapinhane United Methodist Church. We had driven down from Inhassoro where we stayed on Saturday night and knew when we were coming upon Mapinhane there along N1 – the national highway. We immediately saw the well near the road, and then the gathering of huts, including the parsonage and chapel made of local materials, the foundation of the permanent chapel behind the current chapel. A pile of blocks are gathered for...

Mabote UMC in Mozambique on behalf of Kimberling City UMC

On Saturday, October 16th, during my recent itineration in Mozambique, MI chair, Tom Mitchell and I (Carol Kreamer) had an opportunity to visit you covenant partner, Mabote United Methodist Church in the Vilanculos district. The Journey At 7:15 am we departed from Maxixe and traveled up the highway on our journey. MI chair, Tom Mitchell and I were in the Toyota truck with president of the partnership committee, Rev. Zaqueu Ranchaze. Zaqueu was always whistling or singing with his deep bass...

Chiphongo Well dedication

Chiphongo Well – dedicated on October 15, 2010, this well was a long time coming. Located at the Chiphongo United Methodist Church, 20 km off the highway north of Massinga, there were difficulties in getting this well drilled. After almost five years a driller was found and successful. The well serves more than 700 families in the area – about 2,450 beneficiaries – who previously had to walk to the Chibukeni River where people also bathed, watered their livestock and...

Chongoene Well Repair at Tinga Tinga

Chongoene Well Repair at Tinga Tinga – home to the “Source of Life” orphan project, the well at Tinga Tinga had a broken pump.  Lack of safe water put on hold a self-sufficiency project of raising chickens to sell for meat and eventually purchase layer hens to provide eggs for the children.  With the pump repaired the project is up and running again.  Students who pass the well on the way to school fill their buckets and then carry them on their return home. MI...

Gondola Training Center Well

Gondola Training Center – located in Manica Province, just off the N-4 highway, this training center for both laity and clergy will serve the UMC across the country. Safe water on the property makes it possible for caretakers to live there, maintenance of a sustainable farm, and is available for each building project. Pastor Veronica reports, “We were crying to receive a blessing from God. Here we have a blessings from God. For this community a big thing is safe water. We have...

Magumbane celebrates construction of new chapel

September 26 marked a joyful moment for the people of Magumbane UMC: a new 200+ people facility was dedicated in the honor of God, on a bright Sunday morning! Driving off the main road through coconut and cashew nut trees was a little bit tough – a safari-like drive in a convoy of two vehicles (one driven by the MI representative, the other with Bishop Nhanala, respectively) and one motorbike (Rev. DS Andre Arnaldo Vilanculos-Mudungazi), through tight turns on the sandy pot-holed road,...

Contributions needed to replace Mozambique Initiative vehicle

Contribute to Mozambique Vehicle Replacement to take advantage of matching funds A Missouri Conference donor has notified the Mozambique Initiative they will match contributions to replace the MI vehicle. The 4-wheel drive vehicle is critical to gathering information and photos where internet is available outside of the major cities in Mozambique. The 1993 Toyota Surf began to deteriorate rapidly in April. It has been broken down more than on the road. The breakdown cuts the MI...

2010 Mozambique North Conference Session: "Work Miracles", proclaims Bishop Nhanala

Missouri-Mozambique Transformation to Self-Sufficiency Projects During a time of spiritual retreat prior to the 9th North Annual Conference session of the United Methodist Church Mozambique (IMUM-Norte), Mozambique Initiative representative, Ezequiel Nhantumbo, had an opportunity to present the work of the Mozambique-Missouri covenant committee on church transformation to members. On Tuesday, July 13, Mr. Nhantumbo shared the story of the covenant relationship and the past more than ten years...

New UMC seminary students available for covenant in Mozambique

Ten new United Methodist students have entered Cambine and Ricatla seminaries in Mozambique and seven are available for three-year covenants. These personal covenants can be made by churches, groups and individuals who will commit to the elements of covenant. Elements of covenant include daily prayer exchange, annual correspondence, photo and brief bio exchange, and financial support of $660 per year. One 2009 graduate wrote to their sponsor, “I can not forget the challenges I went...

Pleasant Hill UMC Members Visit Covenant partner

God still makes miracles! By Denise Ingels On October 15 a four-person delegation from Pleasant Hill UMC arrived in Tete, Mozambique, prepared to travel north to their partner, Songo UMC.  This is their story. The air was hot as we climbed down the rock steps to the abandoned orphanage that was being used as a church.  After three years of planning and four days of traveling, we were about to meet the people we had been partnering with since 2001.   When we...

South Annual Conference story

“Bringing back God’s Spirit to Continue Edifying the Church and the Society” By Ezequiel Marcos Nhantumbo Cambine Mission once again remained the center of attention as hundreds of delegates from North and South conference gathered at this holy place. Special guests of honor from the Mozambique Christian Council of Churches, from the district and provincial government, from the United States, South Africa and Zimbabwe mingled for the occasion. The session could not...

Mozambique Annual Conference Ordination - Dec. 2009

 During the 2009 Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in Mozambique… The following were ordained Itinerant Deacons: Alexandrina Nassone Chume Nelia Pedro Chicavele Adelina Rafael Chilundo Antonio Xavier Chissico Ernesto João Luís Tenasse Marengula Vasco Alberto Matío Micas Alfredo Munguambe Mersina Arnaldo Novele The following were ordained Itinerant Elders: Filomena Samuel Basquete Benjamim A. Chivale Antonio Xavier Chissico Marta...

They were all gathered together in one place

“At the time of Pentecost, they were all gathered together in one place." Acts 2:1 We don't know anything more about what this "place" was, but we do know that the gathering together of the people of God in one place (and that there was this place available) was a key element in the possibility of the marvels of Pentecost. I remember my visit to the Sofala District Conference in 2004 with Ken McGrail's Volunteer in Mission Team to Dondo UMC.  We were assembled in...

Liberdade UMC witness in the world

"but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8 Liberdade United Methodist Church, is located in the outskirts of the city of Maputo, at close to 1hr drive from city center. “It became a charge in 1986 when services were held at member’s homes. The dream to have an improved chapel started in 1990 when our membership...