Africa Area Director Bryce Whiting and Rev. Chris Barton are currently in Mozambique touching base with our churches there.
Bryce and Chris spent the first two days interacting with our conference leaders and now they are trying to visit as many churches as possible. So far, each visit brings what Bryce describes as a “Palm Sunday crowd” out to meet them. Villagers have been greeting them with singing, dancing and big smiles, ushering them into their churches and giving them the privilege of sharing a message.
For many in these remote communities, Bryce and Chris are the only white faces they’ve ever seen. The toddlers seem especially curious, peering from behind their mothers’ legs or from the safety of their arms as they try to make sense of these unfamiliar visitors.
Getting to these churches is no easy task. Bryce and Chris have rented a large flat-bed diesel truck to carry them over otherwise impassable mountain trails that are little more than washed-out riverbeds. Much of the journey has been bone-jarring and teeth-gritting, but praise God, they have made the long journey (sometimes in five-hour blocks of time) without any noticeable damage to the truck.
On Sunday they hosted a soccer match between two local clubs. More than a thousand spectators gathered to watch what turned out to be a great game, ending in a tie. At halftime, Chris was given the opportunity to deliver a powerful 10-minute gospel exhortation to the crowd.
After the match, the team captains came forward and received a small gift, courtesy of Chris, to purchase a new soccer ball for each of their clubs.
God is using Bryce and Chris to bring encouragement not only to our churches in Mozambique, but to entire villages! The days are long, the roads are rough and bedtime comes quickly. But through every smile and song, they are witnessing the joy of Christ’s people and the faithfulness of God at work.
More stories will be shared as Bryce and Chris continue their journey.
