Letters from Overseas

December 2008

• Conselho Cristao de Mocambique
  Zambezia, Sector de Comunicacoes
  Ave Julius Nyerere 948, CP 400
  Quelimane MOCAMBIQUE

For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.

Matthew 2:2

The magi had the wisdom to perceive and understand a signal from God, and the courage to act upon it. In this new year we could ask for no more for each of us. Though we may not be called. as those wise men were, to a dangerous long winter journey by camel to Bethlehem from somewhere in Iran, via Herod’s Jerusalem with its violence and intrigue, this year will call each of us on its various journeys, and we will need God to illuminate our way.

Here in Mozambique, most days bring moments of inspiring and guiding brightness, often in the example of the people that we work with in the projects of the Christian Council. On December 30, to close the year and open the new one, the CCM Youth went to the homes of five particularly afflicted children that they had met during their volunteer missions this year in the poorest barrios of Quelimane. Travelling by bicycle taxi, not by camels, they brought to each a sack of foods—pasta, milk, cooking oil, juice powder, rice—foods the like of which none of these families could have afforded throughout the year.

Jordito Manuel has the telltale orange hair of malnourishment, tiny legs, and though he’s two years old hasn’t had the strength yet to walk. His mother lives alone in a shanty without a roof—the Christmas manger in any painting looks better.

Latifo Luis is nine. Both his feet are eroding and misshapen from leprosy. He can’t walk anymore, can’t go to school.

Pasquinha Baptista is seven. Both her parents died of AIDS. She lives with her grandmother, who can’t afford to support her.

Alfredo Pinto is hydrocephalic, profoundly handicapped, unable to talk, walk, crawl, or even give convincing signs that he is conscious of his environment. There are no institutions for Mozambique’s Alfredos. Even if there were, his family, despite their minimal resources, wants to care for him at home, and they have been for all his 10 years.
Juma Amusse is 30—not a child but included in this mission because he must walk with two sticks, mostly by using his upper body to drag his useless legs from behind him. He lives alone, also in a house without a roof, and has no job.

The plans of the CCM Youth for this year include school fees and school supplies for Pasquinha, medical treatment for Jordita and Latifo, a wheelchair for Juma, house repair for the families of Juma and Jordita, and whatever support they can give to encourage the loving family of otherwise helpless Alfredo.

Unlike the magi, these CCM Youth aren’t wealthy. They haven’t gold or incense to bring Mozambican children, as the magi did to the Christmas Child. But beyond all doubt their mission is guided by God’s light. It’s that kind of example that inspires us, that has kept us here so long among such appalling suffering and limitation. May your year’s work be as clearly lighted by the Spirit, and may it as clearly light up the lives of others.

In mission and service,
Karen and Bill Butt

Karen and Bill Butt are United Church of Canada Overseas Personnel serving with Conselho Cristao de Mocambique in Mozambique. The work of this ecumenical partner and the work of overseas personnel are made possible through your gifts to the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada.