Addressing the Mozambique Initiative Consultation III in Maputo, Mozambique, the Mozambique Minister of Education, Dr. Alcido Eduardo Nguenha, described how the church, as an institution for moral development, actively contributed to the liberty of the country. Ten years of peace is celebrated this year. He helped 200 delegates from the U.S., Mozambique and Germany, understand the progress and the challenges that education in Mozambique presents. Dr. Nguenha expressed his gratitude for the United Methodist Church's role in the development of education, particularly recognizing the schools at the Cambine mission station in the Inhambane Province of Mozambique. Cambine is a 100+ year old mission station that includes several schools for all ages.

Dr. Nguenha stated that the development of the nation was connected to the health of the people. He discussed the effects of cholera, malaria and HIV/AIDS -- all of which are expanded by malnutrition. He said it is everyone's responsibility to reduce the infection rates and that centers for education of youth and young adults are needed. The church plays a crucial role in stopping the spread of disease.

Over 200 persons from the United States, Germany and Mozambique attended the third Mozambique Initiative Consultation which was held in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, August 8 - 11th, 2002. About ninety persons from Mozambique (including 22 district superintendents), eighty five persons from the United Methodist Churches in the Missouri Area (including four District Superintendents), thirteen from United Methodist Churches of the Virginia Annual Conference (including one District Superintendent), and one from the United Methodist Church of Germany were among the participants. Persons from the General Board of Global Ministries and UMCOR, and Habitat for Humanity International were also among the participants.

Bishop Ann B. Sherer (Missouri Area), assisted by Larry Williams, Bev Boehmer, and Steve Williams, brought the Bishop's Ambassadorial Youth Choir, which included twenty-three youth, two children and five adults, to sing in events on tour in southern Africa and at the Consultation. Other Missouri Area groups in mission and study tours included two Volunteers In Mission (VIM) teams building a communications center in Massinga (leaders Laura Marconette, Mike Button, Doug Kraus and Liz Steeby), a VIM team led by Joe Bartelsmeyer working on the Liberdade United Methodist Church building in the Maputo area, and a VIM team lead by Barbara Stone to Chicuque Hospital. Two teams, led by Ken McGrail and Steve Cox, visited churches in Mozambique - one in the northern district of Sofala and one in the southern Conference districts of Inhambane and Gaza Provinces. One group was a mission study touring South Africa, Mozambique, and Africa University. A VIM team from Virginia, lead by Ted Smith and Rhonda Van Dyke, worked on a project at Tinga Tinga near the city of Xai-Xai. Mission teams from the New York and North Texas Conferences were in the country at the same time, but unable to participate fully in the consultation due to scheduling constraints.

The Consultation opened on Thursday evening with worship at Malanga, the largest United Methodist Church in the city of Maputo. The Youth Choirs from Missouri and from Malanga sang at this opening. Bishop Joao Somane Machado (Mozambique Area) welcomed participants and introduced the delegates and special guests from every district in Mozambique. Carol Kreamer, Coordinator of The Mozambique Initiative, introduced the balance of the delegates from the United States and Germany.

Bishop Sherer addressed the Consultation celebrating the twenty-five years of independence and the accomplishments of the last ten years. She asked delegates to know that Norway and Sweden give more money than the United States to Mozambique. She challenged those from the United States 1) to write to their senators to tell them about Mozambique, and 2) to be ambassadors. She asked each delegate to tell ten people how they have helped the people of the United Methodist Church in Mozambique to a) dig a well, b) plant a church, c) build a school, and 2) be a part of economic development.

The summary address was followed by workshops on various locations in the Maputo Area. Workshops included: Justapax (Justice/Peace) led by Dr. Alfiada Zunguza; Men's Projects and the Trades Schools, led by Conference Men's Society president, Estranho Adolfo; Women's Projects (literacy project, training center, micro credit) led by Women's Project Coordinator, Joaquina Nhanala; Youth Activities, led by Naftal Zunquza; Education and Theological Education, led by Armando Marapuxane Macamo; Healthcare in Mozambique led by Roger LeCompte; Evangelization and Church Growth, led by Fernando Matsimbe; Emergency Services and the Living Water Society (UMCOR & wells project), led by Moraias Quissico and James Humbane; and Communication, led by Antonio Wilson.

Bishops Machado and Sherer hosted a banquet at the Rovuma Carlton Hotel on Friday evening. The banquet was attended by about 200 persons, including the Second Secretary from the United States Embassy, James B. Story. The delegates had been challenged to sit at tables with persons they did not know, mixing Mozambican and non-Mozambican delegates, so that they could share their experiences with mission and ministry in Mozambique. Gifts were presented to those hosting the event from Mozambique.

Saturday morning presented two options for participation. One was an opportunity to actually work on projects at the Maputo Area churches of Chamanculo and Mahangalene. Chamanculo is the oldest church in Maputo (over 75 years) and has special programs to teach sewing and computer skills. Mahangalene is in the process of finishing their new church building. The other option on Saturday morning was to participate in a dialogue session, discussing issues that arose from the workshops and the experience.

The Working Group for Mozambique, a small group of leaders from the various Annual Conferences involved in mission and ministry in Mozambique, also met on Saturday morning. These leaders shared information and experiences regarding how we build the ministry next in Mozambique and the next generation of leadership. Reports were given from the various annual conferences regarding their activities in Mozambique. Bishop Machado raised concern regarding the reduction of funds to support the staff of the Annual Conferences in Mozambique. This reduction allows the Bishop's cabinet to meet only once a year. Bishop Sherer raised concern about how to get everyone to the table in the Working Group.

Youth Choirs from the entire Maputo area came together for a closing and concert late Saturday afternoon. Many singing groups led a spirited worship in music. The final number, which came from the Missouri and Malanga choirs in a joint number, touched the hearts of all those present. This was followed by a presentation of gifts from Bishop Machado to each of the Annual Conferences represented at the event, and then the sending forth to close the event.

On Sunday morning the delegates were ushered to fifteen area churches to worship on the special Thanksgiving Sunday. Thanksgiving, a kind of combination of harvest celebration and consecration of gifts Sunday, is usually celebrated on the first Sunday in August. However, Maputo area churches postponed their celebrations to coincide with the Consultation. Delegates worshiped at the churches of Betania, Bento Navesse, James Humbane, Malhazine and Zimpeto in the Maputo North District; to Chamanculo, Malanga, Malhangalene and Xinhambanine in the Maputo East District; and to Liberdade, Machava, Matola, Zacarias Manhica, T-3 and Macedonia in the Maputo West District. Worshippers were amazed at the spirit of giving which is characterized by joy and singing, recitations, dancing, and presentations. Gifts to the church included not only monetary gifts, but also harvest gifts such as corn, banana, oranges, potatoes, cassava; tangible gifts like chairs, buckets, tubs, household items; live animals like chickens, ducks and goats; and just about anything imaginable that had some value to the giver and the church. Following worship each church hosted their guests with a luncheon at the church or a parishioner's home.

The historic nature of this event lies in the fact that it was held in Mozambique, one of the poorest countries of the world. While previous consultations for the purpose of sharing and networking mission and ministries, had been held in the United States, this was the first to be held in Mozambique. A committee, led by Joaquina Nhanala, planned the event with the help of The Mozambique Initiative. The Initiative works out of the Missouri Area, which has over 400 covenants with the 150+ churches and 23 districts of Mozambique.

The Mozambique Initiative A Mutual Ministry of The United Methodist Church Coordinator: Carol Kreamer P O Box 754, Eureka, Missouri 63025 Phone: 636-271-4455 E-mail: Carol Kreamer Web Editor: Laura Marconette