Pray for Mozambique on Sunday, June 21, 2015

Lectionary Selection: Mark 4:35-41

Prayers for Mozambique:
God of peace and grace, hear us now as we join our prayers for peace with those of our brothers and sisters in Mozambique. As they continue to traverse the cultural expanse between the war-torn past and a peaceful, hope-filled, future may your presence be a solace to them and an inspiration as it was to the early Disciples.

The path to peace in all it forms is often rocked and challenged by the storms of continued violence and anger. Hear their voices crying out to you and answer them with a calming, reassuring voice, O God. Help them to know that they do not travel this expanse alone and that you are with them. Help us work together to seek ways to provide sustenance, both physical and spiritual to those in need.

May this offering of prayer and resources, remembering your beloved in Mozambique, be put toward that effort of building lives of peace; that their hope might be increased and they might know that their efforts to spread your Gospel of peace are not in vain and that they do not attempt this work alone. May the voices of the faithful of Mozambique continue to rise up with yours, O God, echoing over the land, saying, “Peace! Be Still!” Amen.

Mission Stewardship Moment from Mozambique:
This is Pastor Edmore Sibanda. He is the pastor of the church in Machaze in rural Mozambique. He is also the pastor overseeing an entire region of the church, the president of the national agriculture committee of the United Church of Christ in Mozambique, the secretary of the College of Pastors of the UCCM, among other things. With many churches to visit, projects to oversee, and meetings/conferences to attend you can imagine that his travel schedule is quite full and strenuous. What makes it more strenuous is the fact that Pastor Edmore does not possess his own transportation.

Traveling mostly throughout the rural areas of Western Mozambique, Pastor Edmore often finds rides with whatever vehicle is going his direction. Public transportation in rural Mozambique is something of an ad-hoc affair. There are somewhat official buses, but these are rare. Many times Pastor Edmore has had to wait hours for a ride to the next town in what is often a multi-stage journey from church visit to church visit.

One of the projects Global Ministries supports in Mozambique is providing transportation for local pastors in the form of motorcycles. As so many of these pastors are itinerate I have come to think of them like the circuit riders of the past, except now their horses have two wheels and require helmets.

Pastor Edmore is a recent recipient of one of these motorcycles. His ability to minister will be significantly improved by this simple addition of reliable transportation. He will now be able to serve the church more effectively and travel more safely.

(Prayer and Mission Moment written by Erik & Kim Free)

Mission Partners in Mozambique:

More about Mozambique: http://www.globalministries.org/mozambique

Global Ministries Missionaries in Mozambique:
Kim and Erik Free, members of Portland First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Portland, Oregon, serve with the United Church of Christ in Mozambique (UCCM). Kim trains the church community on health care and preventative medical care. She also works with women and girls on empowerment projects. Erik trains youth and elders in the community in agricultural skills and also serves as a local church pastor as needed by the UCCM. Their appointments are supported by One Great Hour of Sharing, Our Churches Wider Mission, Disciples Mission Fund and your special gifts.