Writing to your Student Partner

A covenant with a seminary student at Ricatla Ecumenical Seminary or United Methodist Cambine Seminary, is the beginning of a new and exciting relationship. Communication is very important within these covenants, please keep in mind these tips when writing to your partner:

First write a letter of introduction, share some things about who you are: a Sunday School Class, UMW group, Youth group, or an individual.
Talk about your church and the ministries there.
If you correspond by e-mail, you can send digital photos, but not too many! Be sure there are explanations of the photos in the letter.
Invite your partner to share about himself/herself, their family, church or school.
What NOT to say or ask - questions like “What do you need?” or “What can I send you?” might be a put down early on. Your friendship and caring communication are a gift in themselves, and you will be blessed by the growing relationship as well. (Remember: all funds go into a fund at the school and are given to the students for their expenses, so they don’t receive “your money” directly. Asking about “the check” or “the money” is not appropriate.)
E-mail is much more reliable than snail-mail to reach Mozambique. After your letter arrives it must be translated and transported to the school, this will take some time. Be patient because their school terms, breaks, and holidays are different.

The school year starts in Feb., with a break between semesters during our summer (their winter). The second semester ends in early Dec. (which is also graduation time). They have a long holiday break (their summer) until Feb. Hearing back from your partner will take time too.
Be sensitive to cultural differences. Things we take for granted such as electricity, water, phones, cars, TV, etc., are not always readily available to them or dependable for them. They may be available at school, but not when the student goes home. Please don’t assume. Currently e-mail at Cambine means going to Maxixe, 30 miles away to an internet site.
Building relationships takes intentionality, but brothers and sisters in Christ have a common ground and can always share the goodness of the Lord. Let your student know you are praying for them and invite them to share in a prayer concern of yours.

For more information please e-mail: Ezequiel Nhantumbo or Dieudonne Karihano.