We’ve just received some news from Steve & Katuska Davies, giving more details of the work they have been doing in Maputo, Mozambique for the past three years. They are currently on home assignment in Glasgow (with visits to Katuska’s family in Ecuador happening at the moment.)
Maputo Bible & Theological Seminary, where they have worked, trains pastors and church leaders, with numbers currently about 60. Six students completed their course last year and graduated this March:
Rev. André Malombe is now serving as Seminary Director in Steve’s absence; please pray for him (second from left) and for Alberto Guambe, the Academic Director:
The churches they work closely with are part of a denomination called Palavra Viva – the Living Word. This year it will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Many churches have buildings of wood and cane; some just meet in the sand under a tree. The greatest challenge to faith is that many people don’t fully give up their traditional beliefs and practices when they become Christians. “Traditional healers” still have a strong grip on society.
Bible teaching often has to be done with the help of interpreters. At his church Steve has sometimes preached in English, and Belarmino translates directly into Shangaan for the congregation. On other occasions, Steve has to teach in Portuguese!
Katuska is heavily involved in home schooling their three sons and has also been busy forging relationships with missionaries of different organisations. These four ladies are from Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Mozambique, meeting on board the MV Logos Hope. Many missionaries feel isolated and lonely, so it’s good when they can meet together:
Prayer requests:
- For the team at the Seminary, as they work hard to prepare young men & women for service and leadership.
- For peace and security in Mozambique where there is still political tension.
- For the boys’ educational needs now and in the future.
- For Samuel (first on left) as he is suffering badly with skin trouble at the moment and the dermatologist in Ecuador has said he may need to be hospitalised.
