One of the lessons that I have learned so far this year, is the importance of long-term sustainability to effective ministry in any community. From what I have experienced these last 4 months, I’ve discovered that while people may have differing ideas about what is the most urgent need or about the best way to go about meeting the need, most can agree that the key to an effective ministry is long-term sustainability. By this, I mean conducting ministry in a way that invokes change that can be sustained over time by the community itself. I am pleased to share that this is what I have found in Xai Xai, Mozambique.
My team is working alongside an amazing missionary couple, Jason & Rachel Helm, this month in Xai Xai. They have been living and serving in this community for the past 7 years and are part of several active ministries. What impresses me most about their ministry is the logical and sustainable methods by which they are furthering the Kingdom and the development of the community. They are not simply “meeting a need,” but are empowering a community to rise up and meet the needs . . . both today and in the future. There are two ministries in particular that we have been exposed to during this past week that offer a great example of what I am talking about.
First, there is the Bible school and the farm project, which is part of the school. The students at the Bible School are there on scholarship and will be trained for 3 years in theology, English, and other valuable topics to then go back to their home communities, in other areas of Mozambique, to serve in the ministry there. The farm project is a way for the school to produce much of the food needed to feed the students and any excess is sold to raise money for the school. Also, the students are able to learn farming & gardening skills that they can take back to their communities to supplement income for their families and others in the community. This is a model that extends the gospel & fundamental skills throughout Mozambique in an effective way through education and example.
Secondly, Rachel is working on a 3 year project to coordinate & monitor the “Reach 4 Life” program in Mozambique. A primary goal of this 40 week youth discipleship program, with a focus on making the “right” choices, is HIV/AIDS prevention. This is a pertinent topic in this community as a reported 26% of the people in Gaza Province of Mozambique test positive for HIV. The project model is for Rachel to train youth from various communities in Mozambique to implement the program in their own communities and then for her to oversee, monitor, and report on the activities. The program is currently being implemented in 13 communities. This model allows for the project to spread more efficiently and more effectively across this country, and by rising up youth to affect their own communities the model empowers these youth to have a tangible effect on the change that they want to see.
It is very encouraging to be able to be exposed to and serve in support of ministries that are “doing it right” and having an impact here in Xai Xai and elsewhere in Mozambique. Please pray for my team as we continue to partner with Jason & Rachel Helm this month in these and the other ministries that they are involved in.
