Visit Report 2004
[Source: Email circular sent to ALMA Reps on 5 July 2004]
Mark and Helen Van Koevering’s recent visit to London was a wonderful opportunity to hear about their first hectic few months in the Diocese of Niassa, following Mark’s enthronement last October. Mark spoke to a gathering of ALMA Parish Representatives on 21 June and to the annual meeting of MANNA on 22 June. Helen was present on both occasions, part of a wonderful double act that is already having a profound impact on Niassa.
Mark and Helen do not like to talk about themselves, but they did quite rightly mention the huge transition they and their children have had to go through. Helen has been teaching the children herself, very much wanting the family to all be together during their first months. But in July their oldest child Jake will be going off to boarding school in South Africa.
The challenge for the family was compounded by the spiritual and financial state of the diocese, which was even worse than anticipated. The first few months were an opportunity to share the problems, to heal wounds, to prayer together and to build a hunger and spirit to start again. It has been a long winding road, with more than a few bumps, but through prayer has come healing and new life in Christ Jesus.
Mark reminded people that in Mozambique about 24-28% of the population are Muslim and about 35% are Christian. In northern Mozambique, he says that 40% of the population have never heard about Jesus Christ and he believes the church can and will grow – with special mention of Zambezia Province where Fr Bonafacio cannot keep up with the conversions. In Lichinga, where the family live, there are about 3000 Anglicans and not enough church seats for them all to sit on! Mark would like to form a parish of Lichinga as the mother church, with several smaller community churches.
Mark emphasised the importance of having a church building, both for worship and much more. The building can be used as a community centre for meetings, adult literacy classes, crèche facilities and health provision – to name just some of the many uses. The good news is that a dozen churches have been built during Mark’s first six months. And we all need to remember that £1500 can build a church for 150 people.
Today in Niassa there are about 40,000 Anglicans in 300 congregations and only 20 priests, who at 40 US dollars a month are being paid the equivalent of the country’s minimum wage. With so few priests, the majority of worship is non-eucharistic and led by about 300 volunteer lay ministers or catechists. Mark made special mention of the vibrancy of Sunday morning worship wherever he goes.
The vital importance of lay leadership is obvious. Many of the lay leaders have never had any training, but a distance-learning programme will start in the autumn. Mark is also looking at the possibility of catechist training in teacher training colleges, in Lichinga and elsewhere. ALMA’s Catechists project for individuals and/or parishes to fund the training of a catechist deserves our widespread support. Please ask for a leaflet if you have not yet received one.
Given the size of the Diocese of Niassa, Mark explained that shared ministry with Archdeacons in regional hubs is essential, each having a small budget. There are now four Archdeaconries: Lichinga, The Lakeshore (Lago), Zambezia and Nampula, with Nampula being the largest geographical area. Mark has already visited all the parishes in Lichinga and The Lakeshore and will soon be doing a six-week tour of Zambezia and Nampula.
The Lakeshore, with its Anglo-Catholic tradition, accounts for over half the number of Anglicans in the diocese. When Mark visited this region in Nov-Dec 2003, all his family traveled with him. Helen told of how the experience had been quite a shock due to very poor conditions and quality of life. There has been great neglect and the women who lived through 12 years of war up to 1992 have seen barely any change in the next 12 years. Women have been providing the pastoral care and yet are hardly recognised for what they do, so Helen is looking for ways to promote what the women are doing. In Messumba, the cathedral church of St Bartholomew displays a big white cross on an outside wall, clearly visible from the lake – a sign of hope amidst the derelict state of the town. Those of you who get the MANNA magazine will have seen the article Snapshots of the Lakeshore in the Spring 2004 edition.
As for other achievements, Mark read out an amazing ‘shopping’ list that conveys the energy that is flowing in Niassa.
Quite a list!
Mark also gave the heartening news that the government supports what the church is doing, which is a great change. At last there is recognition that the church has been hugely instrumental in health and education in Africa. This is a great help, as agencies will often match funds given by the church. Mark mentioned that an application had been made to USAID for HIV/AIDS testing and treatment centres in Nampula.
Malaria also deserves much attention. Helen and two of her children have already suffered from it and she says it affects every family, often on a regular basis. Helen feels sure the situation is worse than when she and Mark were first in Mozambique in 1990. Then there had been no need for nets, but now they want to make mosquito nets part of the culture in the diocese. They will start by issuing a bible and mosquito net to every attendee at meetings (including Synod) to be held in Lichinga in September. This will cost about £7 per person. A good project for fund raising?
This summary of the Van Koeverings’ talks makes no claim to complete accuracy, but hopefully it conveys the essential message. It is fitting to conclude with a very important observation from Helen. She reminded us that the link between our dioceses is all about what friends can do in mission together. No matter how much money is raised and sent, our ultimate aim must be friendship and two-way sharing. Helen would love people from London to go to learn from the people of Niassa, who have been through so much over so many years. The response is up to us.