Mozambique Blog 3

Gordon and Elaine Brown reflect on another sabbatical week in Maputo

Things hotting up, no not weather, but activities. Weather reached peak of 38 degrees Saturday, only to be broken by a cracker of a storm. Fortunately we returned to hotel just as first large drops were falling as there was then three hours of torrential rain, thunder & lightning which cooled things for Sunday when we were off to worship in Liberdade, a town around 15km from Maputo, after our 7am English service locally.

So to our activities. English classes making progress. Walking around the compound gives opportunities for brief conversations, greetings and questions. We give the occasional 'lesson' in local cake shop. As Theological School for lay people opened new session this week, the compound is being spruced up and the grass cut. We are guest speakers, sharing our pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Mt Sinai and the seven churches of Asia. Students very keen to learn more of their faith and the bible so to increase their confidence in helping to lead their churches. Classes run every evening after work, 5:30-7:30.

Schools open too, bright new yellow buses increasing traffic on roads. We've had to negotiate some very haphazard parking as we wandered around visiting museums, parks and Post Office.

We also had a very interesting meeting with members of the Bible Society office and saw their depot and shop, and this weekend we're off to Xai-Xai. We will worship with two local congregations there and have the invitation to preach.

Afterwards hoping to get to the beach!

Mozambique Blog 2

Worship in Mozambique

Gordon and Elaine Brown reflect on the second week of their sabbatical journey

Our first Mozambican worship experience, the introduction and welcome of Pastor Ernesto Langa and family to his new congregation, was a mix of formal statements, a serious charge and the friendly banter of greetings to which we were invited to contribute.

Instructed to join the processing Presbytery dignitaries, we were led to the dais and seated on either side of our interpreter. Singing seemed to start unannounced from different parts of the church and was taken up all round, unaccompanied and without two people starting different songs. It was tantalising to hear a familiar tune yet find our familiar words deserted us as words in the local Ronga language or Portuguese were sung. Hymn books were solfa style and even though many people had no book, they were singing in harmony, the women often ululating to express joy. The men showed their joy in exuberant dancing. 

More dancing as members were called out by zone or elder's group to bring their tithes, it being first Sunday of month. Visitors were also invited to participate with offerings, and dance, but we had no local currency at the time. I'd have had two opportunities as all who'd had a January birthday were congratulated, on giving another donation!

Various choirs performed. The Women's group, dressed in their uniform for this special service, pulled Argentina, Ernesto's wife into their midst in welcome.

Worship over, we processed out and lined up to shake hands with congregation.

Worship at the retreat felt more intimate as the common purpose was the focus, but there was still singing with gusto, led by one Presbytery President thumping the beat on a leather-covered Bible.  

Attending Saturday's wedding was a different worship experience. Once more placed up front, we had only photographers between us and the proceedings. Bride and groom, very solemn, were from two different denominations, so choir and congregation were vying to sing, and seeking to find a hymn known to all. Pastor Marcus smoothed things by engaging everyone in repartee as he gave his sermon, then led the dancing as he signed the register.

Smiles all round however once the certificate and couple were photographed. Two elderly elders took over and directed presentation of gifts to the bride, efficiently whisked from her and displayed while the giver made a speech dispensing advice. A length of traditional cloth, symbolically wrapped the two together before gift-wrapped boxes, pans, and crockery appeared. Then, through a side door was carried a double bed, mattress and bed linen. Both sides swarmed to dress the bed and the couple were seated on it for more photographs. Pastor Marcus played the Wedding March on a portable keyboard and we slipped out, leaving the party to their wedding breakfast.

Sunday's services were no less musical. We walked to the Synod compound for 7am worship in English, led by a young woman elder reading the set liturgy, each part followed by a relevant hymn. People were invited to contribute news, prayer or song, one child took the offering and said the prayer of dedication, another played a saxophone then we were invited to give greetings before Gordon preached. After-worship breakfast arrangements had fallen through but gave opportunity to chat with those present.

Elaine preaching, with her interpreter, Estrela

Later we were driven to a church in the suburbs where it was my turn to preach, a translator by my side. The Sunday school came to remind families of the new session commencing and to bring their children. They gave an enthusiastic example of their songs, and dancing of course, and welcomed the new Youth Worker. Later one young girl stole the show by marching confidently to stand before the congregation to thank everyone for "being like Father and Mother to me, teaching me about God". She was a hard act to follow but the choirs gave it their best.

We were instructed in moving to the rhythm of the hymns and had the chance to show what we'd learned as the offerings were taken up. And there was more dancing as we lined up to shake hands. Altogether a joy-filled time of worship.

Office prayers again was an intimate time of sharing both the synod's vision and personal needs. What will next Sunday bring? 

Mozambique Blog 1

Gateshead ministers Gordon and Elaine Brown are spending the second leg of their sabbatical in Mozambique, as guests of our partner church, the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique.
This is the first of their reports back, written at the end of their first week.

Monday, 3rd February.            

Arrived Saturday Night, day and half late after delayed flight. Sunday went to special service to welcome Pastor Ernesto Langa into a new parish. Lots of visitors, Synod dignitaries, family and people from his previous parish swelled the congregation. And swelled the singing! A wonderful, rousing beginning to our visit.

Today is a Public Holiday so we rest, then some sight-seeing...

Friday, 6th February.            

Returned last night from taking part in opening sessions of an annual Ministers'  Retreat; a 5-day period of reunion, rest and reflection at the start of the year, held in a village, Magude, some two hours drive from Maputo. This year, the new President of Synod, Revd  Obede Baloi, elected in November 2014, has chosen to focus on formulating a 5-year plan, seeking to discern the new things God wants of the Church.

The outward journey gave an opportunity to see some of the countryside, crops and way of life. We are reminded of our previous years in West Africa; so much familiar though different; Mozambique is not Nigeria and there are definite Southern European touches from past colonial influence. One similarity is African time, for which much patience and good humour is required.

Arriving under the awning to shield everyone from the fierce sun, we experienced a baptism of fire as having met and memorised names of a small number of synod staff, we were suddenly surrounded by pastors, spouses, youth workers and evangelists from parishes around the country. Sadly, many were unable to travel as a result of severe flooding in the centre and north of Mozambique. After lunch, introductions, and some hesitant conversation as our Portuguese took a steep learning curve, we proceeded to opening worship in the church. It was led by Revd Rosa Zavala who had visited Northern Synod On a ministerial exchange with Meg Robb.

We were introduced and invited to speak of our ministry and of the challenges to the church in our URC Northern Synod.  Then everyone moved outside, gathering round under the shade of large trees and fired questions at us - the pastor interpreting had a busy time - but it was a relaxed and friendly time of sharing. Later, after dinner, we travelled along an unlit road to our accommodation, looking up at stars of the Southern Hemisphere. Our night's sleep was only a little disturbed by a violent but mercifully short thunderstorm.

Next day we were immersed in lively group debate after bible study on the passage selected for the theme, Revelation 21:1-5. Groups of 15-20 discussed set questions before a time of feedback then it was time for lunch and for us to return to the capital. 

The homeward journey took somewhat longer as we were accompanied by the treasurer who had some shopping to do for the next days' s meals, which meant we had a tour of the many markets around Maputo and a demonstration of her bargaining skills.