We have returned from Africa visiting two countries, Malawi and Mozambique. We left Edmonton on Nov 5th and returned Nov 28th.
The first country we visited was MALAWI. Bro. Dixon Kandoji - Pastor of Bride Preview Tabernacle in Blantyre, had arranged a convention in Blantyre. They estimated that there were over 3000 in attendance at the climax of the meetings.
Bro. Don Bablitz from Whitehorse, Yukon and myself had teamed up for this trip and we took turns ministering to the people.
Pictures of the Convention in Malawi
I always enjoy ministering in Malawi. The people there have such a sweet spirit, and as always, Bro. Dixon did a tremendous job of interpreting for us. The Lord gave us a tremendous time in His presence around the Word.
On Nov 11th we left for Mozambique. Bro. Dixon had arranged for us to go to seven different places. We loaded up a truck box full of books at the Voice of God office in Blantyre, and we were on our way.
Because of the civil war that Mozambique experienced for many years, the conditions in the country are very primitive and the road conditions are very poor.
Our first meeting in Mozambique was a place called NAMARROI. Just a little country place high up on the mountain side, but people gathered from miles around and we had two services there.
The language of Mozambique is Portugese, although many of them understand Chechewa, which is the language spoken in Malawi. So in every service we had to go through two interpreters, from English to Chechewa to Portugese.
Here are a few pictures of the church and the people, and also where we slept for the night.
Pictures in Namarroi
The people in the remote parts of the country have no bathroom facilities. Bro. Dixon had instructed them to build an outhouse (toilet) for us before we got there.
From NAMARROI we went to MOCUBA, where we had one service in a village in a little mud church. The church seats about 35 people. There are no seats in this church, the people just sit on the floor. But we had a great time in the Presence of the Lord.
The church in Mocuba
The next morning, Nov 14th, we travelled to a place called LICUALE approximately 80km away. Because of the road conditions it took us about 3 hours to get there. We only had one service there but it was a long service because Bro. Don and I both preached.
Outside preparing for the service
Inside the church
Pastor Mateus Mavula and his family by his house
Our next scheduled meeting was in MILANGE, close to the Malawi border. We arrived there late that night, very tired. Because it was the weekend, they had scheduled 4 meetings. People came from many miles away. Some walking, some by bicycle - up to 150km away. Many little groups had come together for these meetings. The little church could not hold all the people that came - some sat outside under a makeshift canopy. There were probably 350 people or more by the end of the services. Bro. Don and myself took turns expounding the Word of God while the people sat on the floor listening to the Word.
The meetings in Milange
Ministers gathered from many areas to come to the Milange meetings
We had a ministers meeting after the Saturday afternoon service. Approximately 50 ministers and deacons were in attendance. The meeting lasted about 3 hours. One of the needs that came up during the meeting was the need for tape recorders for the ministers to use for their congregations. We were able to leave some money to help them buy about 15 tape recorders.
The next place we visited was MUTARARA. We arrive there late because we had trouble at the border. It was almost 10:00 P.M. before the meeting started. We were tired, but the people wanted a meeting. Some of them had arrived 4 days before we got there, and they were hungry waiting for the Word of God. We had 2 services in MUTARARA. This congregation was building a church, they had the walls up, but they needed a roof. We left some funds for them to buy iron sheets to roof their church building. We also helped buy a used motorcycle for this pastor and another minister who travel to different villages to minister.
In Mutarara
After the service that afternoon we travelled to CAIA which was about 50km away. Many people had gathered there from as far as 150km away.
We had 2 services there - one that night and another one the next morning. This assembly was also building a church. They were using it, but it had no roof. We were able to leave funds to help them put a roof on the church. A little bit of money goes a long way to help the saints in Mozambique.
The church in Caia
Bro. Don Bablitz ministering in Caia
From CAIA we travelled to DONDO, a town not far from BEIRA which is quite a large city. CAIA to BEIRA is approximately 400km. Altogether we travelled about 3000km during our trip in Mozambique. DONDO was our last stop. They had arranged a weekend of meetings in which several churches were cooperating in this meetings. Even some denominational pastors were in attendance.
Bro. Harold Hildebrandt ministering in Dondo
Churches from Beira and Dondo had gathered
Everywhere we went we could see the hand of God and God meeting the needs of His people, fulfilling the scripture in
Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Pray for the churches in Mozambique. Some of them are quite new in the Message - they need teaching, but they are hungry for God.
Matthew 9:37 "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Pray ye therefor the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest".
May God bless you,
Your Brother in His Service
HAROLD HILDEBRANDT
SOURCE:
http://www.inthedaysofthevoice.com/africa_Mozam_02.htm
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