I was recently in the city of Angonia, Mozambique training 90 pastors and church leaders on our Management For Church Leaders training course. While there, I was invited by the Mayor of the city, Hermando Julio, to come to his office for a visit one morning. I was not sure what the purpose was of this meeting, other than to meet him. When I arrived with our host pastor in Angonia and my Malawi training partner, we were shown to his office where I was “officially” welcomed to both Angonia and Mozambique. Not only was he aware of my coming he was also very supportive of the reason why I was there – to train pastors and church leaders about leadership and management of the church. He told me that he also canceled several important meetings to just to meet with me. Our meeting also began with prayer!!
Mayor Julio began his comments by telling me that I was free to go anywhere in his city and feel safe and welcomed. You see, Mozambique had gone through 30 years of civil war that ended in the mid-1990’s, and he wanted to assure me that their city and nation were fine now. He also encouraged me to see the various sites of his city. He then quoted Scripture to me – 2 Timothy 2:2 – which says that we should train others the things that we have been trained, and thanked me for the very thing I was there to do! He went on to say that in order for Mozambique to develop properly they need a foundation based on the Bible and Christian values. Wow! How refreshing to hear that! Not only do they need to grow economically, but they also recognize their need to have the peace and love of Jesus Christ in their nation, and to work with the church to develop properly. How I wish our nation would do the same!
So I will pray for Angonia and Mozambique, and that the Lord will honor their turning to Him for their future. It reminds me of 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn away from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” I know if they continue to honor and seek God, He will answer their prayer and heal and restore their nation.
Below is a photo of me with Mayor Julio (left), Pastor Stephano (my Malawi partner), Pastor Laos (our Angonia host), Martin (Stephano’s assistant) and the Director of Development for Angonia.
