CHANGING OUR WORLD...one wheelbarrow at a time

Mozambique. For many affluent South Africans the new hotspot for vacations. A country where you Rands can actually buy something. A country of immense beauty.

But this was not to be the Mozambique we would be paying a visit. On Saturday morning, a group of 12 white South Africans, started their voyage to the village of Panda, via Swaziland. The Mozambique we would see, would be reminiscent of a country impoverished by civil wars. A place where the average daily wage is about R15 (about $2). A country plagued by poverty and HIV.

The reason for our trip was to help a local church with their building project. Kruik Gemeente (congregation), Secunda is linked with a local church in Panda through Mozaic Upliftment Trust (www.mozaic-ut.co.za) . Mozaic, with Gerhard Erasmus as its leader, is a network that assists Mozambican church leaders in discipling their communities, and equip congregations to raise the standard of of living in their social environment.
The leader of the local church, Eduardo, has lost the use of both his legs - but this hasn't stopped him from planting over 6 congregations in the last few months! The facility that we would help build, would serve as a community centre where other church leaders would be trained, and agricultural and health programs be launched.

As part of the trip, i had the privilege to have a conversation with some of the medical staff in the village. One of the nurses explained that many Mozambican men work in South Africa, and it is common for them to attract HIV here. Back home it is not unusual for the wife to have a boyfriend - more as a way of getting food than anything else. Of course, this all leads to the rapid spread of the disease. It goes without saying that Mozambique and South Africa is linked in more ways that we can imagine.

It is rare to find men in Mozambican churches. They either work away from home in bigger towns or South African. When they are home, they usually fall victim to alcohol abuse. During our time in Mozambique, the few men that helped us with the project - really made a big difference (you can just imagine how equipped a guy from South Africa,used to spend behind blaring laptop screens, can be with a shovel!) Through a local translator, I spoke with one of the Mozambican men - Carlos. Now you should see this guy in action! No job was too hard for him. I thanked him for his valuable contribution. He told me that he enjoys helping other people. He added that would unfortunately have to leave about 4pm, to get 3 hours sleep so that he could be in time for his work at the local bakery for a shift of 12hours!

The next morning Carlos came back from work and gave me two Portugese rolls - to show what he makes, and a token of his friendship. I was struck by his generosity - here was a guy who has so little, but did not find it too big a things to give away. I told Gerhard that I would like to give Carlos and his family something - not as a reward for his hard work, but as a token of my friendship. Gerhard discussed this with the local pastor, and agreed to it. I told Carlos that I would love to give him something that I have made with my own hands - but that I am not very handy. What happened next will stay with me forever....

On receiving the gift, Carlos started to run towards his chickens - picking up anything he can to try and strike one. Eventually, with the help of Gerhard, a chicken was caught and given to me as a gift (which I couldn't refuse.)

There is so many things I can tell you about our time in Mozambique - of women singing all the time while working on the hardest job in the world - mixing cement; about playing soccer with local schoolboys; about worshiping together as one - as brother and sister.

I am still processing through all I have experienced. One things I do realize is that I have received so much - and that with it comes a responsibility ! As a follower of Jesus, I am invited to live in the Kingdom of God - bringing GOOD NEWS.....