Bethel United Methodist Church in Wildwood
Making disciples of Jesus * Leaving no one behind * Inviting you for the journey
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Bethel United Methodist Church in Wildwood Making disciples of Jesus * Leaving no one behind * Inviting you for the journey
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This is a beautiful letter written by Ezequiel Marcos Nhantumbo (Ezy) after attending "The Source of Life" project dedication at Chongoene. Ezy is the person that translates letters that we receive and send to our covenant partner, "Chonguene UMC". Plus, he has many, many other responsibilities! We have now received lots of photos that he took during his visit which will be shared with Bethel members on our bulletin board. “The Source of Life” Project saves lives in Bungane I would have to drive as it has been usual in my work and leave behind the office and my family. The office would be half closed, because I would carry part of my working materials with me: my laptop, my DC camera, my notebook, battery recharger, writing pen, etc. This year my traveling began earlier that I had thought- DS of Gaza district Rev. Eduardo Angelo and Rev. Vicente Alberto Mauaie of Chongoene UMC had sent a notice on my cell phone on the dedication of a humanitarian project. I immediately communicated my Missouri counterpart and I had to leave January 12. It was a bright warm morning. It had rained the night before in Maputo. I packed and off on the road in an early drive. It was a peaceful drive and by 10am I found myself in Bungane, 45kms from the city of Xai-Xai, the site of the project. A crowd of close to 100 people (women and children in majority) was there reciting words of welcome and singing beautiful songs of praise. We all did not resist to be contaminated with the African dancing and Christian love sharing with the Chongoene and Bungane community. Rev Mauaie could not hide his happiness and immediately invited the whole delegation: the DS of Gaza district, The Mozambique Initiative representative, local leadership, the Director of Information Mr. Antonio Wilson, the Youth Executive secretary Mr. Armindo Mapoissa, the Women district President Mrs. Catarina, the STV and provincial station radio crew, Rev Nhantsave of Nataniel Bahule, Rev Amelia Cumbane, the new Chongoene UMC pastor, to gather with the community and with a prayer he launched the dedication of this project. “When we plant a tree, we nurture a living specie to bear fruits of life, and it is like a small seed that bears a big tree with tasty fruits”- Rev Mauiaie used this paradigm to say that the ultimate objective is to have a prosperous and sustainable project. They pray that these initiatives can continuously be supported in many other areas, especially in Bangue and Nhacutse areas where thousands of children are suffering of HIV/AIDS. Violeta Ricardo Tivane is the little orphan child that was selected among others including (the Gaza DS, Local traditional Leader, the Women president, and the MI representative) to plant 5 breeds of orange trees. The congregation did not stop singing while planting trees and the trees in turn also danced as the wind blue them. We convened in a room of the Bungane Women Training and we were all explained of the purposes of the project. In this initial phase 40 children ranging between 0-10years old, orphans, vulnerable, infected and affected by HIV/AIDS are already benefiting from fruit tree distribution to plant at their own homes, food distribution, health care, clothing, school materials, counseling, etc. We saw this happening in Bungane to children that otherwise lived with the stigma of HIV/AIDS, malnourished, hopeless, without access to education and basic health care, abandoned by own families, and in some cases to single child families. This for sure is bringing hope to these children and their families. There will also be home visits to supervise the ongoing project activities. In 2005 Rev Mauaie designed this project that could not begin because of lack of funds. Initially it was only directed towards public health awareness. With the blessing that came through Bishop Robert Schnase, Carol Kreamer, Ezequiel and the team who visited the area, the dream began to be realized. “Our mutual communication strengthened our covenant relationship with the Bethel UMC in Missouri”- Rev Mauaie always put more strength on the covenant that came as a blessing to save many lives through “The Source of Life” Project. After the Local Authority’s words of thanks, the DS of Gaza preached. He mentioned that the project translates biblical words that are being transformed into acts of servant hood and faith where the Church as part of society and living voice of life is to be involved. He supported his preaching from the words of St Luke 14:12-14 and from John10:10. “We are all seeking for abundant life…we are united to educate, and help those in need, with especial reference to the children of Chongoene…we have moral obligation to work for the eradication of absolute poverty, and we know we will be even more blessed and rewarded as we help the poor, the invalids, and the blind ”- the DS Eduardo mentioned these words in his speech warning the community to live in the spirit of piety and fidelity, and he closed with sincere words of gratitude to the Missouri conference through The Mozambique Initiative and the Bethel UMC covenant with Chongoene UMC who has made this possible. The representative spoke of the importance of this covenant relationship, the need to strengthen communication, pray to one another, and then read the letter that Carol Kreamer e-mailed a day before on behalf of Bethel UMC, to congratulate their covenant partner and wish them success in this project to become a blessing to others. The MI rep encouraged the beneficiaries to care and love the children, for the trees, and sustainably manage these resources- this one-time $10,000.00 gift donated by a faithful individual as medical fund for their partner pastor and the community. Near the closing of the ceremony we all witnessed food distribution to children. We could easily see signs of hope in their eyes! We also took this opportunity to hear stories told first hand by these suffering children. Violeta’s interview did not come to an end, because after responding to many other questions, she burst into tears when we needed to know about her parents- we learnt that they died of HIV/AIDS and she stays with her grand-mother. I took her immediately and entertained with photos I had taken her with friends and narrated some tales so she could forget her sadness. Messy Miguel and Edson Miguel also are two children living alone in desperate conditions. We also heard stories of another child who is a single mother and father to herself and living alone. Sad true stories that through the project will experience a renewal of their lives. We all gathered in the same table with the children to fellowship together and eating some delicious food they had prepared. It was the closing of the dedication of a project that will from now be led by Rev Amelia Cumbane as the president, and Antonio, Marcelina, Cristina and Albertina as committee members. This travel would be complete with church visits in Chongoene UMC, Nataniel Bahule UMC, Xai-Xai UMC and John Wesley UMC, as I drove safe back to Maputo late in the evening of same day. I was back again home and a voice from my kids came: “welcome home Dad! This is the beginning of our costume; we will miss you again in the days to come!” January, 2007 Written by: Ezequiel Marcos Nhantumbo (Ezy) The Mozambique Initiative Representative Ao c/ Igreja Metodista Unida Em Moçambique C.P. 2640 Rua D. Francisco Barreto, 229 Maputo, Mozambique Tel: 258-21-485742 E-mail: mozinitiative@teledata.mz Website: www.mozambiqueinitiative.org |
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