A United Nations pronouncement claimed Cyclone Idai as the worst natural disaster in the Southern Hemisphere in living memory. Five Mozambique provinces were drowned. Approximately 600 People died in Mozambique and a further 400 in Zimbabwe (Al Jazeera News.) At least 1,5 million people in Moz were affected translating into a minimum of 306,000 families. 15,784 Homes were flooded. 93 Medical Health facilities and 3,504 school classrooms were destroyed. 715,378 hectares of crops were washed away. The impact of lost lives, on physical health and family stability has been incalculable.
Within a few days of the devastation between 10 and 23 March Pro-Vision Mozambique – led by our veteran leaders Mark and Lesley Harper – got to work reinstating and leading the Mozambique Relief Coalition. Six mission agencies and seven local church leaders got to work. Much experience had been gained in the catastrophic floods of 2000. I well recall flying with Mark over the flood plain. Stunned into silence. It was impossible to tell the difference between the land and the Indian ocean. Water, water… everywhere! That was then. Now…
An enormous task was immediately undertaken. Bandua, South of the Buzi River, became the focus of the compassionate relief ministry honouring Jesus’ name. At the time Bandua was cut off. Impossible to reach by road. Beira had become the centre point of activity. It took Mark and team two days armed with chain saws, axes, shovels and machetes to carve a route accessible by four wheel drive vehicles. An 80 kilometre stretch of track remains a three hour journey today.
Numbers are important. The fourth book in our Bible is named Numbers for good reason.. Numbers treated honourably do not lie. Here are the numbers: recorded to quantify at least some of the chaos addressed by Pro-Vision International in healing service. Then to acknowledge the unstinting labours of our servant leaders and serving volunteers. Finally to reflect on our accountability to our partners – Church mission committees, friends and many anonymous cheerful givers.
Our Cyclone Idai Service by Numbers
- Care Parcels packed in Maize bags containing 12 essential house hold items. Providing care to 720 families estimated as assisting 2,880 persons.
- Clothing between 6 and 7 tons provided in relational care to sharing families. About 995 people benefited through distribution at local churches. 400 Children were handed T shirts.
- Blankets totalling over 1000 were placed into welcoming arms.
- Bulk food calculated at 22 tons of essential mixed products caring for 680 families providing an estimated 133,280 meals.
- Water filters for 500 families were provided including training in the essential care of the filters.
- Water filtration and purification equipment was installed. 150,000 Litres of potable water was provided for 28,000 residents of Bandua.
- Agricultural essentials were provided for 680 families. Hoes and seed were delivered with food, to ensure that hungry people did not eat the seed. A further 98 people were provided with seed.
- Missionary volunteers on the ground totalling 10 including the Harpers. A staggering collective 340 nights up to the present spent in tents, on the ground, or in vehicles on the road during lengthy transportation journeys.
- Home building teams comprising 66 local paid workers were indentured, building 100 homes. Window, doors and roof stays manufactured on site. 4,000 three metre length bamboo stays cut for housing sides. The next home building phase has commenced. We have 20 unfinished homes in process of construction. Our target is 150 African bush homes.
- Collective distance covered in sourcing the resources a minimum of 85,000 kilometres. Most of the work done was by four of 13 privately owned four wheel drive vehicles and 4 trailers. A huge toll and cost on vehicles. Most of the essential transport, building equipment, tools and tents, etc., were provided by the volunteers and missionaries at their own cost.
- Bible distribution is a privilege and 300 were available for careful placement into grateful hands. Additionally 50 audio Bibles in the vernacular were passed on in training sessions. Multiply 50 by scores of excited and hungry gospel listeners. Many more ears will hear. Kids ministry, music and soccer was a regular feature through visiting ministry teams.
- Participating churches and pastors numbering 7 were enabled to build 4 homes for the destitute and aged grandmothers.
- Starter building kits each containing 12 roofing sheets and beams were provided for the rebuilding of destroyed churches which also serve as community facilities.
- The Jesus film was screened 5 times and on an unknown number of ministry opportunities fulfilled in other refugee camps. The Lord knows which good seed resulting in confessions of faith has fallen on good fruit bearing soil. The pastors follow through accordingly.
The leadership/management required to enable this entire operation is of singular significance. We acknowledge our Pro-Vision Mozambique (PVM) colleagues and the Executive back-up team of Damon and Sandra Greville in South Africa who have fielded many late night and early morning ‘drop everything – get up and go’ urgencies in serving the hard pressed team on the ground. We honour the Lord of the harvest for our interceding partnering and supporting churches and friends who have participated in making this outreach possible.
Importantly… PVI’s commitment to undertake the work by inviting and receiving the physical and spiritual partnering involvement of the seven pastors representing different branches of the church of which Jesus Christ is Lord, will continue to yield kingdom fruit in Bandua. When Pro-Vision’s work is completed the Church remains to gain the benefit of the people’s gratitude and devotion. Should our team return in months ahead, the doors will open wide for the continuing ministry of the Word and the multi-faceted services which PVM provides.
The Pro-Vision International Mission Statement is telling: Strategically influencing the growth of the Kingdom of God through the mentoring and equipping of exceptional servant leaders who pursue visionary goals in obedience to the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Together – act justly, love mercy, walk humbly,
