Written by Jessica Richardson
August 22, 2023
The World Health Organization has now officially declared the end of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic but its effects are still being felt in families, communities, economies, and ministries worldwide. Two of our missionary families had to leave the village work for several years and due to the pandemic could not return except for short visits. They are now ready to go back. This is something they’ve been looking forward to since they left!
The Lord is doing incredible work among minority people groups in Mozambique. When these two missionary families from South Africa and the U.S. first arrived years ago, this people group had no gospel witness and were primarily practicing another major religion that many along the Eastern Coast of Africa follow. These two families jumped right into culture and language study for the first number of years and then translated scripture, developed Bible lessons, a literacy program, taught Bible lessons, and discipled new believers and future leaders.
As these families return, their role will change from that of church planters to supporting the local communities of faith. They will be mentoring future church leaders, moms and married couples, as well as introducing a Portuguese literacy program that was developed during the interim years so students will experience greater success in learning as they attend local schools.
This will also open up more materials, books, and resources for the local believers. Pray that the Lord will lay it on the new believer’s hearts to serve Him by serving their local church as teachers and leaders. Pray for the returning missionaries as the Lord leads them and grows them in their new roles of supporting the existing local body of believers.