Mozambique Initiative Team

Mozambique Initiative

Rev. Olga Choto

click here for schedule in Missouri, May 9 - 21, 2012

Annual Conference Offering

The overlap of coordinators in this complicated position is a necessity for uninterrupted Missouri partnership mission and ministry with Mozambique. You can help the work continue by taking a special offering in your church and bringing it to Sunday morning worship on June 10th during the 2012 Annual Conference session. For further details visit online at www.moumethodist.org/mi or contact Kreamer cpkreamer@hughes.net 636-271-4455 or Bollinger sbollinger@moumethodist.org 314-623-0401.

Mozambique Initiative at 2012 Missouri Annual Conference

Plans have been under way since February for the presence of the Mozambique Initiative at the 2012 Missouri Annual Conference session. Here are some highlights:

MI Annual Conference Offering in Sunday morning worship to fund transition of coordinators (see story below)
Saturday morning MI breakfast – chat with both coordinators, Carol Kreamer & Sarah Bollinger, and new MI ambassadors
Introduction of new MI Mission Ambassadors Program
Walk-through “hut” modernized with video displays of the primary ministries of MI
Games from Mozambique for kids and youth (of any age)
Contact coordinators for details!

MI Transition Continues
Kreamer and Bollinger in Mozambique Together

On March 14th, current Missouri Mozambique Initiative (MI) coordinator, Carol Kreamer, and MI coordinator-in-training, Sarah Bollinger, traveled to Mozambique together. The itineration was to 1) introduce Sarah to staff and leaders in north and south conferences, 2) orient Sarah to the historic missions of the church and put into context how they interact with Missouri MI’s primary missions - holistic church partnerships, seminary partnerships, 3) learn the progress of each of the six new Superintendency areas of the south, 4) visit as many Missouri-funded projects (such as building and safe water projects) as time would permit, 5) learn further plans for Gondola Training Center (UMC priority project), and 6) help Sarah understand the context in which the United Methodist Church exists in Mozambique. Kreamer says, “With Sarah and a new team of MI leaders coming on to serve, we hope to see the Missouri Mozambique Initiative taken to whole new level of ministry, continuing to support the vision of the United Methodist Church in Mozambique – a vision of holistic ministry with the community, competent leadership, spiritual renewal, transparency and accountability, and self-sustainablity.”

Retirement/Birthday Recognition

Upon their arrival on March 16th a gathering of church leaders recognized Kreamer for her thirteen years of service and at the same time welcomed Bollinger with a birthday celebration. During that time Kreamer presented a token check of $12,190 to pastor and leaders of Matola UMC from Missouri partner, Webster Hills UMC, to complete the fellowship hall connected to the Matola sanctuary building.


(L-R) Carol Kreamer, Sarah Bollinger, and Bishop Nhanala cut celebration cake	Carol Kreamer presents Webster Hills check copy to Matola delegation – (L-R) Kreamer, José Chissico, Lay-leader Pechisso, Pastor Inacio Jossias Chitata Ngovene

Retracing 1999 Steps

Kreamer and Bollinger followed closely the tour of Mozambique that Kreamer experienced upon her first itineration in August 1999. Beginning out of Maputo, the pair, along with MI representative, Ezequiel Nhantumbo, made a 400-mile journey to Inhassoro in the MI truck, pointing out important sites on the way and stopping to visit with retired Bishop João Somane Machado at Inharrime. Inhassoro, located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, was the first church visited during Kreamer’s 1999 itineration. In Sunday worship she told the story of that visit, when the chapel was just a small structure made of local materials (reeds and thatch) and what it took, working with church leaders, mission teams and special donors over the years, to build the beautiful permanent chapel where they currently worship. From there the three traveled back down the country, visiting each of the six Superintendency areas at Massinga, Morrumbene, Inhambane, Gaza and Maputo.

Orientation by Immersion

After morning worship at Inhassoro, Kreamer, who was feeling sick, quickly debriefed Bollinger on the projects and questions for Superintendant José Mapswanganhe and area pastors. She got a quick lesson in who the pastors and DS were and what MI needed to learn from them. Bollinger presented a painting by Missouri pastor, Bob Payne, to Macunye pastor Daniel Notico Cossa. The painting was a gift for the new chapel being built at Macunye, funded by Irondale, Leadwood and St. Andrews (Desoto) UMC’s

From there the three, along with partnership committee president, Rev. Zaqueu Ranchaze, traveled down the country visiting Hanhane Women’s Shelter in Massinga, historic United Methodist Cambine Mission Station, including Cambine Seminary and Carolyn Belshe Orphanage, historic Chicuque Rural Hospital, and finally Gaza district area and Maputo. They met with the six superintendents in each area.

Church Dedication and Youth Concert in Maputo

Finally in Maputo, Bollinger and Kreamer attended the seven-hour dedication service at Macedonia UMC. There they met Mark and Chris Dumas along with the small delegation from First UMC in Jefferson City, who had made a major contribution to complete the new chapel building for Macedonia. A highlight of the weekend was Bollinger’s participation in a youth concert that Sunday afternoon at Malhangalene UMC in Maputo. Having heard that Sarah was a band leader, she was invited to sing. With a 10-minute “rehearsal” Sarah sang “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” to a standing crowd cheering her on. Also singing were former Kuzwanana choir members who had toured Missouri in 2003. It was a memorable event!


Bollinger sings in youth concert at Malhangalene UMC

Treasurer’s office visits were interspersed in their time in Maputo so Bollinger could meet staff and learn financial processes in handling Missouri funds. This was followed by a meeting with south conference leaders related to MI programs and a final lunch with Bishop Nhanala and her husband Rev. Eugenio Tomas, along with son, David.

Beira – Chimoio – Gondola

Having completed the southern part of the itineration, Kreamer and Bollinger flew up to Beira to visit with the north conference council director and treasurer. There they reviewed the processes for Missouri funds in the north conference before going on to Gondola Training Center (GTC), the priority project where MI directs many mission teams. Upon arrival at Gondola Kreamer and Bollinger, along with GTC director Rev. Hilario Torres Machuane, took part in the planting of ten fruit trees which will provide sustenance for future students. They met the builder of the structures that Missouri mission teams and partners have funded and heard plans for the future.

Finally, on March 30th, the two headed home out of Beira on a journey that was not without its delays (on the overseas flight and then in the US). Tired but worthy – that probably describes the two at the end of a long itineration.


Kreamer and Bollinger take turns planting fruit trees at Gondola Training Center

News

Read more about the Mozambique Initiative in the news archive, and don't forget to check out the MI Blog as well.

About the Mozambique Initiative

The Mozambique Initiative partners churches, groups and individuals with congregations and districts of the UMC in Mozambique. These partnerships strengthen the church in Mozambique and are the backbone of Missouri's mission and ministry. The covenants have literally saved lives by putting food on the table and building shelter for pastor families.

We provide many other opportunities for ministry such as leadership development, assisting retired pastors, safe water projects and supporting humanitarian projects. Click on the links below to learn about what we do and services we offer.

To learn more about the Mozambique Initiative and how you can help, sign up for our electronic newsletter.

To donate to the Mozambique Initiative click below. In order to get church credit please write your church name and number where specified.

Contact information

Carol Kreamer
Coordinator
Phone 636-271-4455
Email: Carol Kreamer