Northern Synod in Mozambique - Postscript

As John has put on the web site, we arrived back safe and sound in Newcastle, at lunch time on Saturday 4^th September.

The journey back was exciting but in reality uneventful. The streets of Maputo were very quiet and clear with very little transport and few people on the move. The Colonel and team who escorted us made sure that we got across the border into South Africa when the relief in the group was tangible and grins were very apparent. As we drove to Johannesburg the views including a spectacular sunset were great. We were disappointed not to see any safari kinds of animals.

We booked in at the airport with no problem and had most people’s usual food - cheeseburger and chips. This was enjoyed before catching the night flight. On this people slept or watched films. In the morning a quick hop up to Newcastle, the finding of bags and the gathering of folk’s souvenirs from whichever cases they had been stashed in took place before we went out.

There it was great to be greeted by families, John from the Synod, Jane Rowell (URC International Secretary) and Richard Mortimer (URC Deputy General Secretary) who had worked so hard to ensure our safety, keep our families informed and to get us home. We will never know how much energy this took but we are very grateful.

Although the trip ended unexpectedly it was still amazing. Here are one or two comments from participants arising out of their immediate reflections – more will be added as we prepare to share the trip with folk at the Synod meeting on Saturday October 16^th.

• From Matthew: ‘Mozambique is a beautiful country with wonderful people who show their feelings for their church and their spirituality in a more open way than we do.’
  
• From Lucy and Emma: ‘We are grateful to see the different culture and what others experience in their daily lives. God is love in its greatest form and this visit certainly proved this to us. An absolutely beautifully and hospitable country, memories and people we will never forget.’
  
• From Rowena: The love and warmth of friendship from the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique is an inspiration and witness to the unity Christ has already given us. I hope and pray this partnership will continue to grow and enrich us.’