Finally we
could walk late on Monday afternoon to the venue where the Theological
Education by Extension – TEE – was held. Usually we have to walk a long
distance from where we stay to the venue. Sometimes I got a lift on Jambo’s
motorcycle. Early in the morning we took part in the devotion at Kawangisana’s
chapel.
The venue
this year was at the Library Hall of one of the schools of the Project:
Academia Sete Montanhas.
It’s a nice place, well cared for, but without running water and
electricity for now. It was dark from 5:30pm and we had to finish the classes
earlier than we used to.
I gave a course “Interpreting the Old Testament”, and Pastor André gave
four more courses. (N.B.: I stayed only
for a week and Pastor André stayed for three weeks. I’m planning to prepare a second Blog about
Pastor André’s activities after my departure. Pictures from this Blog are from me
and from Pastor André). It was nice to see how they discovered Law and
Gospel in the Old Testament texts!
After finishing these courses, the eight students received the
Certificate of Deacons of the Lutheran Church Mozambique - LCM. Next year,
after an intensive course in July/August, they will be ordained as Pastor of
the LCM.
Remarkable was when we studied the text of Leviticus 20:1-7, where God
prohibited the worship of the false god Molech, which included the sacrifice of
children, and to consult mediums and spiritists (spirits of the forefathers).
The students became very anxious when they told us that their forefathers used
to sacrifice a child when water well was bored so that it never fails water;
and even nowadays, when someone wants to become rich, he had to offer a human
sacrifice of an adult or of a child. One of the students, who has nine (9)
children and lives a very simple and hard life with his big family, received
the suggestion from a neighbor to sacrifice one of the children to have a better life… We were so shocked…
But at the
same time they were happy that they are free from the old practices and
superstitions, and that they are no longer afraid of the spirit of their forefathers according to
the traditional religions. They have now faith in Jesus and they have a God who
loves us! – Praise the LORD!
Two ladies
were in charge of preparing our food…
...
very simple,
but good.
Washing hands
is a ritual before and after the meals.
Chima (ugali
in Kenya, pap in South Africa), is the main food, prepared from corn flour.
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