Last week we asked for prayer for GCI members in Mozambique who have been devastated by the flooding there. Here is additional information from GCI South Africa leader and mission developer Tim Maguire.
About 800 GCI members in Northern Mozambique have been directly affected by the terrible flooding. Most of them are located near the southern tip of Malawi, especially on the plain between the Zambezi and Chiri rivers. The area is quite flat.
Manuel Vasco (secretary) and Mariano Binzi (national leader) are travelling to various congregations to assess the damage. Some churches are inaccessible, even at good times. They are travelling by a motorbike purchased for them by GCI’s Indianapolis congregation about a year ago.
Though the flooding is receding, some rivers are still flowing strongly, which restricts movement in the area. I received this message from Manuel:
Much thanks for your continued assistance. I am trying by all means to get to all of our churches, traveling with the bike. There are some areas where it’s hard to pass through on a motorcycle because of mud. Yesterday I went to Pinda, Mponha and Gera. Today we travel to Mopeia and will worship there tomorrow. On Monday we travel to other affected areas and will only return home after finishing the process. The main use of the relief funds that we have been given is to buy rice and maize that have been brought in from other places. We ask for your prayers as we travel to different zones, crossing rivers in canoes.
I just received news from Manuel that one of our members named Domingos, who was travelling with them by motorbike on their relief efforts, fell and broke his leg. He has been taken to a clinic for treatment.
In response to the needs described above, GCI Australia sent A$10,000, GCI Canada sent C$5,000 and the GCI home office in Glendora, California sent US$10,000 from the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. Donations to the GCI Disaster Relief Fund make it possible for GCI to respond quickly to disasters like this. If your congregation would like to donate to the fund, have your church treasurer make a one time or recurring donation using the online donation system. If preferred, you may donate by a check made payable to Grace Communion International, noting on the memo line that the donation is for the GCI Disaster Relief Fund. Mail the check to:
GCI Disaster Relief FundGrace Communion International
P.O Box 5005
Glendora, California 91740
Praying for all the churches in Mozambique and that the pastors will have the strength and stamina to visit and encourage our brethren there.
Stay strong in the Lord and the power of His might…