Mozambique is located on the Lusophone Field of the Africa Region. Mozambique’s history is one of Portuguese colonalization. Mozambique gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. The Church of the Nazarene established its work in Mozambique in 1922, and one of its sons, Dr. Fili Chambo, was elected during the 2017 General Assembly as the 42nd general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Chambo grew up in a Nazarene pastor’s home in Mozambique, with both his parents pastoring in the Church of the Nazarene. The country has suffered a large-scale exodus of its working and younger population in search of a better future. Severe droughts, prolonged civil wars, political and military upheaval, and economic instability, as well as natural disasters, have hindered development and contributed to this exodus. However, all such challenges open doors of opportunity for the grace of God, through the people of God, to bring restoration and hope. In February and March of 2023, Severe Tropical Cyclone Freddy decimated the coast of Africa and Madagascar in the South Indian Ocean, lasting five weeks. It was the longest-lasting and highest-ACE-producing (Accumulated Cyclone Energy) tropical cyclone to strike in recorded history. As you will read in the story that follows, Nazarene Missions International and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries have been busy ministering to the many thousands impacted by Cyclone Freddy. These services rendered have had a profound impact on many communities, and lives have been changed as a result. The impact of grace can be greater than the impact of the storm.
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| 967 Fully Organized Churches; 995 Not Yet Organized Churches
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| 332 District Licensed and 297 Ordained Ministers on 30 Districts
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- Pray for lasting peace to overcome all threats to the nation's fragile stability.
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Pray for true freedom for those in bondage to poverty, disease, witchcraft, and animism.
- Pray for the Church and its leaders to grow in spiritual maturity and biblical understanding.
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- Praise God that the government of Mozambique works to advance democracy and economic and religious freedom.
- Praise God that many years of suffering have led to spiritual responsiveness, and after harsh persecution, the Christian faith has spread rapidly.
- Praise God for those who minister faithfully across the country and for the fruit of those ministries.
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Praise God that though Mozambique is religiously diverse and widely unevangelized, now many people from all faiths and regions have begun to follow Christ!
- Praise God for His providence and protection of many who could have been lost during Cyclone Freddy and for new and renewed faith in God.
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Click here to access Kids Kaleidoscope, a monthly addition to NMI Central to awaken and nurture a spirit of missions in everyone.
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Cyclone Freddy Hits Mozambique, Madagascar, and Malawi
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In February and March 2023, Severe Tropical Cyclone Freddy pummeled the African coastline for five weeks. Following this historic event, assessments of damages and impact on life were staggering:
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- 1,354,839 people were affected, equating to 305,566 families.
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306 people lost their lives, and 807 suffered injuries.
- 236,039 houses suffered significant destruction with 136,237 totally destroyed.
- 3,262 classrooms, 143 health units, and 557 churches and places of worship were destroyed.
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Agricultural: 418,694 farmers were impacted by the devastation of 711,791 hectares of crops (nearly 1.76 million acres of agricultural land). Fisheries: destruction of over 370 vessels and thousands of associated fishing implements and processing units.
- Power was crippled with over 670 power poles brought down.
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13,886 kilometers (nearly 8,630 miles) of roads were significantly affected with 5,447 kilometers (nearly 3,385 miles) totally destroyed and associated infrastructures like bridges (47) and aqueducts (282) were demolished.
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When catastrophic events like Cyclone Freddy do their worst, God, by his grace, brings out the best in his people. In the Milange area, many children lost their parents, becoming orphans. The church came to assist through NMI & NCM with resources, the Word of God, and a tangible presence to give comfort and a sense of family to many who had lost everything.
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A Nazarene center in Milange was opened to those who had suffered so traumatically because of the cyclone, offering support and assistance with a heart driven by missions. NMI and NCM responded to the challenge of the Great Commission (Acts 1:8) to mobilize the church into meaningful action that has had a great impact.
The Church of the Nazarene, in partnership with the local authorities, sought to mitigate the aftereffects of the indescribable damage of Cyclone Freddy, especially in the area around Milange. It has not been easy, but it has been blessed.
NMI, through local churches, pastors, missionaries, and regional leaders, sought to inspire and challenge everyone (children, youth, and adults) to reach out with the Good News of Jesus to all who might not have heard its hopeful message.
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NMI, the global missions advocate in every local church, found ways to nurture a spirit of missions, mobilizing into action and impacting the situation in positive and lasting ways. Churches have dedicated time, talent, and financial resources through NMI and NCM to support many communities in Mozambique.
The Church of the Nazarene around the world prayed for Mozambique, and those prayers are being answered. The aftermath of Cyclone Freddy provided opportunities for the churches to walk side by side with those they have been ministering to on the journey of faith: teaching, encouraging, supporting, and loving everyone. More than physical bread has been offered to those in need; God’s Word has been shared often, drawing hearts closer to God. NMI is committed to making this event a story of God’s faithfulness!
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Is God calling you to serve on the Africa Region? For more information, click here.
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NMI Central is available in a curated PDF archive.
To read previous editions, click here.
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