Mama John Mozambique Update
February 28, 2008
Dear friends and family,
Last week I traveled to the community of Jangamo with Craig and Nina. T
hey asked if I would like to teach the morning devotions for the Samaritan's Purse team. Since I have been teaching in the book of Mark on Saturdays, I began the devotion by asking the question, "Is God healing today?" Then I shared of how God uses us today. The picture I am sending is of Fenias, the supervisor for this team who was also my translator for the morning.
Later that morning I went to a small Methodist church where 25 young people sat on the ground and a Samaritan's Purse trainer was teaching about HIV. God is using this team in a real way to prevent HIV.This week Charles, the financial director, who is from Nairobi, Kenya came to Maxixe. We invited him to join us for supper. He spoke of the Baptist Church in Nairobi and told me of the enormous church they were building that would seat 6,000. (I don't know about that – it seems so big). I listened carefully as he shared his story and then I told him that Davis and I arrived in Nairobi in 1956. We found a group of English-speaking people who were Baptist and we invited them to our home for tea. They were meeting once a month for fellowship but on that day, Davis challenged them to spend some time in worship. We began meeting once a month for worship…then it was once a week….then prayer meeting…and the Nairobi Baptist Church was born. Charles was amazed to think that the church he knew in Nairobi had started in my living room and that Davis was an honorary deacon. I'd love to tell the whole story when I come home…Several weeks ago we had a Ugandan who works with Samaritan's Purse, Sam, come for dinner. Today Nina had to speak with him on the telephone and he began by asking how his partner was (he was the one I sat by during our Phase 10 game). Nina responded that she was fine. Sam said, "That's good, but I was talking about Mama John!"
The Bible studies at the church and the hospital, as well as playing with the children in the hospital, are very rewarding. Believe it or not, the mama's of the children like the coloring books as much as the children. It is a fun time and a teaching time. This week I had two women at the hospital waiting area win the prize (some cookies) for memorizing John 3:16.
Three men are now coming to the Saturday "women's'" Bible study. They challenged the six women that were there that next week they will add another man to their group. Last Sunday Nina brought the message in the worship hour from I Thessalonians 2:13. The church is growing and the music is wonderful. This past week the pastor prayed and thanked God for sending the church their very own missionary, Mama John!
Well, I think I have probably said enough about the weather…But, believe or not, it has been even hotter this week. Angelina and I used an umbrella to shade ourselves as we walked to the market today to buy some onions and tomatoes. I'm sure we looked just like a couple of Southern belles!
This morning I lead the team devotions. I have been learning Portuguese and I have learned "Deus a bençoa". I closed the devotions with this and my translator smiled and said, "God bless you!
With the flooding in the north Nina and Craig's work-load has more than doubled since my arrival so I don't get to see much of them. I had no idea the volume of work they would be doing. My part has been wonderful. Nina gave me the names of the more than 100 Mozambican team members that they work with in our province. Nina, Craig and I are the only Americans with Samaritan's Purse in this province. I spend an hour a day in prayer for this team. I want to tell you what I have learned about the programs that these people are involved in as Samaritan's Purse networks with local churches: HIV education and prevention in teenagers and young adults;Education on developing and maintaining healthy marriages; Home base care training so that community volunteers can care for those with HIV; HIV testing; Networking with church members to care for orphans and vulnerable children; Drought relief with feeding projects ( in one area of the province where we live); Flood relief – this includes helping set up temporary schools for the schools that have been flooded; providing nutrition and health for children, food distribution, water distribution, sanitation and hygiene; Training and support of local pastors....
More than ever I want to know Him, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him….I sincerely love each one of you.
Mama John/Mary
Dear friends and family,
Last week I traveled to the community of Jangamo with Craig and Nina. T
hey asked if I would like to teach the morning devotions for the Samaritan's Purse team. Since I have been teaching in the book of Mark on Saturdays, I began the devotion by asking the question, "Is God healing today?" Then I shared of how God uses us today. The picture I am sending is of Fenias, the supervisor for this team who was also my translator for the morning.Later that morning I went to a small Methodist church where 25 young people sat on the ground and a Samaritan's Purse trainer was teaching about HIV. God is using this team in a real way to prevent HIV.This week Charles, the financial director, who is from Nairobi, Kenya came to Maxixe. We invited him to join us for supper. He spoke of the Baptist Church in Nairobi and told me of the enormous church they were building that would seat 6,000. (I don't know about that – it seems so big). I listened carefully as he shared his story and then I told him that Davis and I arrived in Nairobi in 1956. We found a group of English-speaking people who were Baptist and we invited them to our home for tea. They were meeting once a month for fellowship but on that day, Davis challenged them to spend some time in worship. We began meeting once a month for worship…then it was once a week….then prayer meeting…and the Nairobi Baptist Church was born. Charles was amazed to think that the church he knew in Nairobi had started in my living room and that Davis was an honorary deacon. I'd love to tell the whole story when I come home…Several weeks ago we had a Ugandan who works with Samaritan's Purse, Sam, come for dinner. Today Nina had to speak with him on the telephone and he began by asking how his partner was (he was the one I sat by during our Phase 10 game). Nina responded that she was fine. Sam said, "That's good, but I was talking about Mama John!"
The Bible studies at the church and the hospital, as well as playing with the children in the hospital, are very rewarding. Believe it or not, the mama's of the children like the coloring books as much as the children. It is a fun time and a teaching time. This week I had two women at the hospital waiting area win the prize (some cookies) for memorizing John 3:16.
Three men are now coming to the Saturday "women's'" Bible study. They challenged the six women that were there that next week they will add another man to their group. Last Sunday Nina brought the message in the worship hour from I Thessalonians 2:13. The church is growing and the music is wonderful. This past week the pastor prayed and thanked God for sending the church their very own missionary, Mama John!
Well, I think I have probably said enough about the weather…But, believe or not, it has been even hotter this week. Angelina and I used an umbrella to shade ourselves as we walked to the market today to buy some onions and tomatoes. I'm sure we looked just like a couple of Southern belles!
This morning I lead the team devotions. I have been learning Portuguese and I have learned "Deus a bençoa". I closed the devotions with this and my translator smiled and said, "God bless you!
With the flooding in the north Nina and Craig's work-load has more than doubled since my arrival so I don't get to see much of them. I had no idea the volume of work they would be doing. My part has been wonderful. Nina gave me the names of the more than 100 Mozambican team members that they work with in our province. Nina, Craig and I are the only Americans with Samaritan's Purse in this province. I spend an hour a day in prayer for this team. I want to tell you what I have learned about the programs that these people are involved in as Samaritan's Purse networks with local churches: HIV education and prevention in teenagers and young adults;Education on developing and maintaining healthy marriages; Home base care training so that community volunteers can care for those with HIV; HIV testing; Networking with church members to care for orphans and vulnerable children; Drought relief with feeding projects ( in one area of the province where we live); Flood relief – this includes helping set up temporary schools for the schools that have been flooded; providing nutrition and health for children, food distribution, water distribution, sanitation and hygiene; Training and support of local pastors....
More than ever I want to know Him, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him….I sincerely love each one of you.
Mama John/Mary
posted by Pastor Tony at
10:19 AM
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