Missouri churches reach out to those suffering in Mozambique

A UMNS Report By Carol Kreamer*

Food arrives at Central United Methodist Church in Vilanculos for distribution to victims of Cyclone Favio, which struck the Mozambique coast Feb. 23. UMNS Web-only photos by Antonio Wilson.

It was still dark on the morning of Feb. 23 when Cyclone Favio slammed into the coast of Mozambique and ripped through the country.

At least nine United Methodist parsonages and church buildings were destroyed. The rains that followed the cyclone ruined every bit of food that was in storage. Even if one had money to purchase food, there was none to be bought.

A church-to-church relationship between United Methodist churches in Missouri and churches in Mozambique since 1998 has helped ease some of the suffering with an outpouring of money that has supplied food to thousands in the devastated area.

The Rev. Vitoria Mabote of remote Chibo United Methodist Church suffered two broken legs during the cyclone, but few lives were lost.

A Missouri Annual (regional) Conference meeting was under way when news about the storm arrived, and an offering of more than $1,300 was collected on the spot. The Rev. Carl Schenck, pastor of Manchester United Methodist Church, was in the meeting and promised to do a special offering that Sunday. Other pastors did likewise.

By the following Tuesday, officials with the Missouri Mozambique Initiative knew they would have more than $27,000 for immediate relief, including food. A convoy departed that week, buying food in the town of Massinga, just south of the devastated area.

Providing relief
The Rev. Zefanias "Zef" Chihulume, council on ministries director of the South Mozambique Conference, led the convoy, which made three trips to the Vilanculos area and four to the Inhassoro area. The convoy used church locations as distribution centers.

Those distribution centers on the first day were Central United Methodist Church, Aeroporto United Methodist Church, Chiruala United Methodist Church, Maxanisse United Methodist Church, and Mapinhane United Methodist Church in Vilanculos, according to Chihulume.

The Rev. Xavier Julio Murure, pastor of Mapinhane United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Zefanias Chihulume inspect the church's destroyed parsonage.

Up the coast in Inhassoro, the convoy distributed food at Inhassoro United Methodist Church, Pande United Methodist Church, Chibu United Methodist Church, Maimelane United Methodist Church and Nova Mambone United Methodist Church. While the churches were used as distribution centers, food was given to all people in the neighborhood, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Chihulume, who had just begun the third month of his job, said he was blessed to be able to do relief work in Vilanculos and Inhassoro. This was a time that he could visit with pastors and church members in the affected areas.

He met people who had gone four days without food and were living in tents donated by nongovernmental organizations. In total, Chihulume reported that he had $10,320 from the Missouri Conference for cyclone relief and 4,870 euros from the Germany Annual Conference for flood relief in the north along the Zambezi River.

Another convoy is planned for March 18, he said. It will take gifts collected from United Methodist churches in the three Maputo districts. Plans also call for purchasing more food and mosquito nets for Machuuquele, Nova Mambone, Aeroporto and Central United Methodist churches in Vilanculos.

In all of these churches, people are suffering, homeless and have no protection from mosquitoes, he said.

Visible signs of love
"We do not have enough words to express our gratitude for all the support that the United Methodist Church of Missouri is doing," said the Rev. Alberto Mutuque, Vilanculos District superintendent, after the distribution of food. "They give us all the support we needed even without knowing us physically. … These gifts are the visible sign of God's love to us through the people of Missouri."

"What kind of relationship is this that we have with the people of Missouri?" asked Amelina Vilanculos, widow of a United Methodist pastor. "I have noticed that even when our own government ignores us in this time of suffering, the Missouri people are there for us."

"The relationship between the conferences of the United Methodist churches in Missouri and the United Methodist Church in Mozambique dates back more than 20 years," said Chihulume.

"These words show that the relationship between Mozambique and Missouri conferences is bringing visible fruits that are making a difference in many people's lives. May God continue to empower us and strengthen this relationship."

*Kreamer is coordinator of the Mozambique Initiative of the United Methodist Missouri Annual (regional) conference.