Words from friends on COVID-19: Tete Province, Mozambique

From Tete Province, Mozambique 

by Berry Long, Outreach Trustee 

Dear Friends of Tete Province, 

I want to give you an update on our Holistic Evangelism Project in Tete Province, Mozambique. The government of Mozambique has instituted social distancing and mitigation efforts to try and prevent widespread COVID-19 infection. At this point, there are very few reported cases in the country, but there has been very little testing. I am happy to report that Sebber Banda, Outreach missionary to Mozambique, and her family are well. Her children, Adam and Nancy, are with her at her home in Blantyre, Malawi. This is the first time the three have been together for an extended period in quite some time, and Sebber is thrilled to have them at home. We are very grateful for their health and safety. 

Our work started off in 2020 in normal fashion with leadership training classes, health awareness classes, disease prevention education, and preparation for the drilling of wells and construction of churches and teachers’ housing. Thankfully, we were able to drill some wells this year earlier than normal and finished 5 last week. I have included a construction photo of a recently completed well. The local government officials assisted us with the logistics and border crossings of our driller (a Presbyterian elder) and his employees who live in Malawi. They were so appreciative of our efforts - especially in these virus conditions where clean water is so necessary!

At this point, we have paused our work due to the mitigation efforts. Schools are closed. The border between Malawi, where Sebber lives, and Tete Province, Mozambique is now closed except for food and other essential goods. Sebber has been extremely busy working with the congregations and villages in Tete Province to help them understand and implement these new social distancing and mitigation policies. Her public health nursing background has been a tremendous asset! Please pray that these efforts will be successful in preventing the spread of this deadly virus. The resources needed to stem this terrible disease are very lacking in Tete Province, especially the lack of running water. 

Thank you for your concern, support, and prayers for the people of Tete Province. We look forward to the day, hopefully not too distant, when we can resume our many project activities. Stay healthy! 

Blessings, 

Berry Long