Kubatsirana, Mozambique CONNECTED CHURCH Kubatsirana, Mozambique

THE WIDOWS OF MACATE September 2015

When was the last time you helped someone? What did you do? Notes to leader: Ask the congregation this question, and tell them to talk about it with the person sitting next to them first. This could be an especially good question for children, if you have any in your service.

The pastor of the church in Macate wanted to help the vulnerable widows in his village, but he didn’t know how. He waited for the government or a charity to come and help but no one did. Widows in rural Mozambique often struggle, as they have to support their children with one income instead of two.

Then the church went through the UMOJA process with Kubatsirana Then the church went through the UMOJA process with Kubatsirana. They were trained to use their own resources more effectively. They pooled their money and bought 2 pigs. These pigs would be looked after by each widow in turn. Notes to leader: The UMOJA process is also called Church and Community Mobilisation. It begins with a series of Bible Studies, led by Kubatsirana, which help church members to see how they can use what God has put in their hands to bring about change in their communities. They also learn about His heart for the poor and vulnerable.

When the pigs bred, they could then give away the piglets to the widows. Alice was given 10 piglets and sold two. She used the money to pay for her son’s school fees and now she wants to start a business. Notes to leader: Alice Chenguinai is a widow and a mother, but unfortunately after her husband’s death she was not able to cover her children’s school fees, or provide food for them in the way she wished to. Alice is hoping to start a small shop selling fruit so she can continue to support her children.

‘My life was miserable until the church decided to help me ‘My life was miserable until the church decided to help me. Now I want to encourage other widows in Macate.’ Notes to leader: the picture at the top shows Alice. The photo below is of her piglets! It is so exciting to see the ‘domino effect’ of the UMOJA process. One widow is helped, she helps another vulnerable person, and the cycle continues! Alice Chenguinai

PRAYER Thank God for the Umoja process, which He uses to transform lives Pray for Alice, that her business would succeed Pray blessing for the church in Mozambique