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August 2001
Dear Praying Friends,
Domingos Phelembe moved to Boane, Mozambique, in 1962. At that
time there were no Presbyterian churches due to government persecution
of Protestants. Domingos said, "If I don’t worship,
my children will be lost." His family and some others began
to worship under a tree in his yard or in his house when it rained.
Today, 39 years later, a church is being built. Domingos said,
"I did what I had to do. I taught the people how to worship,
how to lead…and now there are eight other local congregations
in this area." One of the leaders who grew out of that fellowship
is the Rev. Amos Zitah, now Moderator of the Church in Mozambique.
Domingos’ story was repeated in almost every church we visited
on our recent trip to Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique.
This multifaceted trip was filled with adventure and intrigue,
intensified by difficult communication using a variety of translators,
punctuated by discussions as to the proper translation of certain
words or phrases. The national language is Portuguese and the
mother tongue is Shangana, and none of the four of us from Harare
spoke either language. The purpose of our trip was:
- To visit the evangelism work of the Presbyterian Church of
Mozambique (IPM) in the capital city province of Maputo and
north into Gaza province.
- To see the work and workers we, the PC(USA), have supported
and will support in the future.
- To solidify our relationships with the leadership of the IPM.
- To share in the dedication of the Liberdade Church.
One of the most impressive events we experienced was the dedication
of the church at Liberdade, Maputo. It was a six-hour marathon
beginning at 8:00 a.m. with a procession of church members from
the home where the first five members met in 1975. They now have
350 members and a new building, 26 years later. Now that’s
patience and persistence personified. We marched and sang triumphantly
behind a large banner prepared for that great day. The service
lasted until 2:00 p.m. Now that’s a lot of sitting. The adult
choir of 100
and the youth choir of 50 sang about six songs each. The singing
was fantastic, in beautiful harmony and without the benefit of
music or instruments. Bill and Nancy Warlick were honored for
all the PC(USA) had done in helping build the church, and there
was a time to welcome us. Nearly a thousand people came to worship
that day. The ladies cooked outside over fires and fed everyone.
It was amazing!
During one three-day trip we visited 15 churches, a seminary,
several schools, two former mission stations and traveled more
than 1000 kilometers, half of those on rough dirt roads. We witnessed
a people in recovery. Twelve years of struggle for independence
followed by 17 years of civil war together with recent famines
and floods have taken their toll. Infrastructures are terribly
inadequate or they don’t work at all. Most people are extremely
poor, but the People of God are full of hope.
In each case where the PC(USA) has helped train leaders or build
churches, we have sought to be a catalyst, being careful not to
do what the people can do for themselves. We often share the African
proverb, "If you want me to help you, don’t ask me to
carry your load for you. You must first lift it to your knees,
then I can help you get it to your head." You do your part
in building your church and training your people, and we will
help you get it to the place where you can carry it yourself.
It is your church.
Thank you for your partnership in this ministry. We claim the
same promise for you and ourselves as we do for the Church in
Mozambique, "…that the One who has begun His good work
in you will go on developing it until the day of Jesus Christ"
Phil.1: 6 (Phillips translation). Please know that your prayers
are vital to us.
Your partners in Christ,
Bob and Bobbi Snyder
P.S. For individuals (or non-Presbyterian churches) who would
like to help African churches "lift the load" you can
do so by having your church send your gift(s) to Central Receiving
Service, Section 300, Louisville, KY 40289. (Presbyterian churches
can also contribute, but should send contributions through their
usual receiving site, probably the presbytery.) Write the ECO
number (ECO #404902) and the name of the project ("Evangelism
and Church Growth in Southern Africa" on the subject line
of the check and put it on your cover letter, too. Send a copy
of the cover letter to International Evangelism Office, 100 Witherspoon
St., Louisville, KY 40202-1396
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