Mozambique Initiative Team

Mozambique Initiative

Heavy Rains and Flooding in Mozambique

Cyclone Funso has caused heavy rains and flooding in Mozambique that has claimed lives and destroyed homes and churches. To help with relief and recovery, send check payable to Missouri Conference, marked “8800 Mozambique Disaster Relief” and mail to the treasurer’s office at 3601 Amron Court, Columbia, MO 65202 or click here to donate. For this special designation add memo “Disaster Relief” on the final screen of your payment when contributing online.

According to Mozambique Initiative representative, Ezequiel Nhantumbo, here is what is happening:

Sunday, January 22: Heavy rains in Mozambique, South Africa and other neighboring countries, are causing serious destruction of crops and houses and have claimed the lives of about 9 people so far. The Limpopo, the Incomati and Umbeluzi Rivers are completely flooded. The bridge between Maputo and Massaca, and the one between Manhica and Xinavane on highway N1 were completely washed away. The road to Chokwe and to Chibuto was washed away by the Limpopo River waters. People were caught by surprise to realize this early 2 days ago. All these valleys are completely filled with water at high speed like what was witnessed in year 2000 floods. Thousands of people are hopelessly trying to reach their destinations in vain. The Army, the Red Cross and the Institute for Natural Disasters have their boats in these places ferrying people against the strong, fast waters. Pray for Mozambique!

Thursday, January 26 and February 1* : Reports from our churches and communities affected are as follows:

Morrumbene DS Andre Arnaldo Mudungaze Reports:

Arnaldo Guibunda UMC - chapel roof is near to collapse as it was blown by winds. *

Furuvela UMC - chapel roof collapsed.*

Zambezia North DS Miguel dos Santos Reports:

Milange UMC - Cyclone “Fuso” destroyed the Milange chapel which had been built on local material, and in the neighborhood where I live named June 01, 40 houses in the communities were knocked down and 6 people died and 12 injured and still at the hospital. The government of this district issued a request for aid to churches. DS reports, “We would have the Milange chapel rebuilt if we had $6,000 on hand using local materials, to minimize the problems with the houses and chapel.”

Mocuba UMC - a thatched parsonage and guesthouse collapsed and two restooms. Two families lost their houses and a traditional storage facility. Two traditional storage facilities were destroyed and all corn stored was lost and it is germinating now and nothing can be of use. It is still raining here!

Mongue UMC - In Mongue they are besieged by water from rivers that are flooded and mobility is impossible as small bridges were destroyed. Their crops were destroyed - there will be hunger!

Namarroi UMC - church member’s crops (especially rice) destroyed.*

Zambezia South DS Octavio Simoes Jone Reports:
Nicoadala UMC– Hundreds of church members homes made of local materials (thatch for roof and mud for walls and floor) were destroyed, and there are reports of some people who were injured. The parsonage and chapel did not sustain damages at all.There are 4 local church chapels made of local materials that were completely destroyed, and 160 houses of church members. Members of 2 major local churches flooded and moved to higher areas and living in tents. *

Fitimela UMC - there are 149 houses of church people destroyed, and 2 local church thatched chapels destroyed.*

Inhassunge UMC - the thatched parsonage collapsed and 189 other community houses destroyed.*

Quelimane UMC – The parsonage was flooded and the roof affected. The pastor is presently found refuge in a church member’s house with his family.

Tete DS Elias Pfungo Reports:
Mutarara UMC - There are reports of 172 houses that collapsed (built on local materials) and 4 people died due to heavy rains and strong winds. There is still no news on our church property, because communication system was jeopardized.

Chitima UMC - The mud parsonage was completely destroyed and the pastor was accommodated in a member’s home. There are a considerable number of houses in the community that were destroyed.

Nhandoa UMC –The mud chapel collapsed. Some houses of church members and the surrounding communities were destroyed.

Sofala DS Telma Arminda:
Muxungue UMC - The secondary school classrooms - one of which is used for worship services had its roof destroyed. Some zinc sheets of the parsonage were blown out, but have since been replaced.

Chemba and Buzi UMC’s - There is still no possibility to communicate, but there are chances of destructions of some sort.

MI Representative, Ezequiel Nhantumbo Reports:
Manhica UMC – this is the area where highway N-1 was washed away. People are stranded.

Boane UMC - Muvene river is flooding cutting off area from Maputo.

Let the Spirit of God act for the edification of 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.

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.

Ricatla Seminary - Holy Ground bears fruits for ministry in Mozambique!

United Methodist graduate from Ricatla Ecumenical Seminary, Baptista Raimundo dos Santos, could not hide his satisfaction and approached with tears rolling down his face in an expression of joy and said: “Ezy, please let the Missouri conference, and Grace UMC in Jamestown, know that I am thankful for supporting my studies. It has been a wonderful time being here…

Christmas comes early – safe water and a chapel

The people of Macunhe in Mozambique received joy before Christmas! In Mozambican tradition, receiving guests is considered a blessing from God, so when MI representative Ezequiel Nhantumbo visited in October it was a blessing. Far from the city of Vilanculos, 4-1/2 hours driving on dirt paths (roads often roads “made” by the MI truck), and walking the final distance through the bush, Ezequiel arrived at Macunhe. Little did the people of Macunhe know what would be in store for them next…

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 Conference. During the December 2010 South Annual Conference an announcement was made for certain churches to send their members to the Mozambique Initiative table! Imagine their surprise when they found Bibles and hymnals for their congregations!

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