Last trip of 2018

L->R  Nigel, Dario, Paul, Chris, Erin

Our first trip to Sam ministries in 2014 seems a long time ago. Since then we have traveled 6 times to partner with the mission team who work there. It is always a privilege and a learning experience.

Pastor Dwight and the team run two intensive training weeks for pastors in Mozambique seeking to complete a course of training. The group includes Monitors, who oversee the work in their local areas and churches. There is no specific church denomination represented but a broad spectrum of God’s people.

Pastors accommodation

With cafe area under cover on the right

Water heater on for washing!

In total there were 66 pastors, of whom many had traveled over 500 km on poor public transport to be together for the week. For some the journey took three days. Their passion to learn and grow as disciples of Jesus was humbling. Many spent the week in a tent during some very heavy rain downpours. During the week others were concerned about families, fields and crops, as a lot of them depended on what was growing in their fields to provide food for their families for the season to come. I heard that one pastor discovered the roof of his house had blown off in the storm and his wife and children were sleeping on the floor of a neighbour’s house until it was repaired on his return. 

I was personally involved in a number of  sessions during a demanding week for all involved. I worked closely with Shannon Weiss putting together a series of sessions on counselling and the role of the pastor.

Reading books being given out 

My responsibility was to teach a number of sessions on the work and gifts of The Holy Spirit to a class of 8 pastors. I invited Chris Barnsley, a friend visiting from the UK, and who traveled with us, to assist in the class. She is someone with whom I shared the running of my parish back in the UK very closely, and it was a privilege to be working together again in this situation.
  
There was also a session on the role of working with youth in church, and the launch of a new book to guide churches. When it comes to young people in church it seems we have the same challenges and opportunities all over the world. Through all of this I had the privilege once again of Prosper Fernando, a mechanic serving at the mission, being my interpreter.

Activity teaching time led by Paul 

Prayers and worship are often loud and enthusiastic and start at 6:30 in the morning. Over the years this has been an enriching experience for me. During morning prayer in the bush, I have often reflected on Morning Prayer in Salisbury Cathedral and how different the context and contrast are between the two. But we have a shared identity of unity in Christ, empowered by the same Holy Spirit and coming before the same heavenly Father. It was in the light of this experience Dwight asked us to share something of prayer and silence. For this Chris was able to talk of what it means to go on retreat, following Christ’s pattern and withdrawing from responsibilities to be with his Father.                                                                                                                                                                  

Chris leading 7am morning devotions with the farm staff

As I prayed during my time of preparation before going to Mozambique, it seemed right to teach on Genesis 37. To see what Joseph went through in his life and the perseverance it took to see God’s plan succeed in his life, the life of his family and the land he was taken to.

During our final morning prayer, we invited four pastors to come to the front to be prayed for. They were returning to very poor situations; places where the rains had failed for three years in a row. Theses pastors were unsure how they and their communities would eat in the coming months.

As always life on the farm continues during the Intensive Training week. And as happened in the previous year, the lychees were ready for harvesting; a task which cannot be postponed!  Dario our other team member, a Mercy Air volunteer from Switzerland, worked alongside the ASAM agricultural lead Andy (from the 'same tribe' - Switzerland) and the farm team to enable the picking and sorting of over 5 tonnes ready for export (again in a very small time window). Meanwhile Erin worked alongside Lynn in the sewing room, thinking about future projects which will be made by the Simuki ladies.






Once again, I took more home with me than I left: I learnt more than I taught; I received more than I gave; and in all of this Gods Kingdom came very close to me.