November 2015
a passion for souls
WITCHDOCTOR
Frontline Women Page 7
no more Page 11
BuildinG the Church Page 4
November, 2015 • Afrika Wa Yesu Magazine • Page 1
Afrika Wa Yesu Ministries©2015 EDITOR Ellie Hein DESIGNER Deborah Hein Maas CONTACT US www.afrikawayesu.org info@afrikawayesu.org CHANGES Please notif y us should you have an address change. CONTRIBUTIONS Should you wish to partner financially with Afrika Wa Yesu, please make your check payable to: “Resurrection Fellowship” MEMO: Afrika Wa Yesu (NOT Rod & Ellie Hein) *If specifically designated for person or project, attach a separate note. MAIL TO: Afrika Wa Yesu C/O Resurrection Fellowship 6502 East Crossroads Blvd Loveland CO 80538 Cover: Pastor Lurdes Jo holding baby Noemi Gravata
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another, theredore the men followed them.” Because of this trust, the men had courage to follow and to break through into far forbidden regions of great danger, to open the way for others. Courage to prevail, and courage to gain the prize. Thanks to the endurance of the Afrika wa Yesu Team, the ministry has planted a Bible School first in Inhaminga, then another in Nacala, as well as a Vocational Centre equipping graduates in practical work skills. Leadership Training, conference and seminars continues to spread a growing network of church planting through the nation; Board of Directors: capturing the youth who are the future Rodney Hein (Founder and President) of the nation; ministering to children Armando Nicolao Jo (Vice President) and establishing family values in the Jeffrey Reetz (Member) community. Lino Gravata (Member) While we are one in vision and Aaron Rissler (Member) purpose, the diversity of culture and Mariano Nota (Member) gifting within the Team is our strength. Together we cover the various areas of These men provide the direction and ministry which you can learn about on guidance needed to cover the varied our website, www.afrikawayesu.org aspects of ministry. It was said of Lewis “The Captains and Clark, the great explores of Amertrusted ica who opened the way from the East one another, to the West, “The Captains trusted one frika Wa Yesu (Africa for Jesus), a ministry with a passion for souls, a dedication to make disciples, a vision for planting churches and a determined purpose to equip believers to do the same. ‘The Team’ is made up primarily of dedicated Mozambican leaders raised up in this ministry, combining forces with a small group of International Missionaries who have given themselves over to “impart not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
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therefore the men followed them.”
EDITORIAL Dear Readers,
from Rod and Ellie to you...
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his magazine is our gift to you. A gift you can hold in your hands, keep on your coffee table or pass on to someone else. We hope you enjoy it. It is something tangible that does not disappear off the screen, but a visible reminder that in Africa there is a nation where God is moving in extraordinary ways in the hearts of a people with an extraordinary hunger for Jesus. MOZAMBIQUE – The name is a derivative of the name of the Arab Shiekh ‘Musa bin Ba’ik’, who ruled the area at the time when the Portuguese arrived in the 1400’s. From Islamic slavery to Portuguese colonialism, to communist oppression to the bloodshed of civil war, the land has known little of peace and security. A people of different tribes and languages, varied opinions, cultures and moods, from jubilant to disappointed, from war to peace to skirmishes and battles. Mozambique’s zenith is still to come. Somehow she has never yet ‘gotten there’. It is our privilege as carriers of the Good News to help push her to that zenith; to give hope where there is despair, sow love where there is hatred, peace where there is turmoil, laughter where there are tears. Mozambique will get there… we are going somewhere! In this beautiful nation, rich in natural resources of minerals, precious stones, agriculture and magnificent coastline, the people live as some of the poorest on earth. Yet we are finding genuine deposits of treasure; the kind that will never rust or fade away. We are privileged to dig where many will not dig. From deep within, men, women and children are rising up to discover Jesus; to be washed by His Blood and His Word, to be tried and polished and to shine. We see a great army rising up in the nation, up out of the far away villages and the crowded cities. We see Mozambicans calling forth a generation that is bringing change to the nation. The cry is not only for souls, but for the Lord of the Harvest to raise up harvesters. Souls are everywhere, but it is the harvesters that are needed. Our vision is reaffirmed in soul winning, making disciples, training leaders, planting churches who in turn win souls and send them to Bible School where they are discipled and trained. We in turn send them back to their churches to evangelize, make disciples and plant churches. Gone are the days when we can be satisfied with ‘good’ teaching and ‘good’ preaching. Gone are the days of going to church to hear a ‘good’ message. We are not here just to preach good messages, but we are here to equip and to empower. To train and release harvesters who will do greater works than any of us have ever done. Gone are the days when we as missionaries did most of the preaching and teaching. In this ministry, our most anointed preachers are the Mozambicans themselves. It is our honour to work alongside them; together preaching Christ crucified, resurrected and seated at the right hand of the Father, and to declare His soon return to this earth. Thank you for being part of this move of God through you love, prayers and support.
Honoured to serve in Mozambique.
Rod & Ellie Hein
on behalf of all at Afrika wa Yesu.
Dynamic Duo
Turning the nation the right side up physically and spiritually. ~ Lino & Etelvina Gravata
BUILDING THE CHURCH The church building is like a school, where we can all meet together to learn the will and the Word of God as a family. It is also like a hospital, where people can come and receive healing, encouragement and find the solution to their worries. What really makes a difference in a community is our lifestyle. But I have also seen that these buildings make a great impact in the communities because a rundown house in the midst of a flourishing community, y calling is to the church. I have picked up the does not attract the people who live there. As we begin mantle of Afrika Wa Yesu, and am commit- to build the house, with grace and beauty, people see the ted to completing the vision of the ministry. beauty of building, and they also see the beauty of those When it comes to building the church, physically, it living inside the building. completes exactly what I feel inside me. You can con- In Gorongosa, we did not leave the tract someone to do the physical work, but many times church the same way in which we found it. Yes, the they lack faithfulness or are unable to complete the church was growing. It had gone from a grass structure, work in an adequate way. I feel life into a slightly bigger mud hut, and was mak“The church side me when I connect the two visions ing a difference in the community. But as – the church within with the church building is like a we were building, people became more without. These building projects give interested, and even as soon as it was me an opportunity to complete the pil- school, where we finished, it was already full! All manner lars that support Afrika Wa Yesu. Pasof people go there. Policemen, teachers, can all meet sion is what completes a vision. It’s the civil servants, businessmen, many differwork of your hands. I love to work. I together to learn ent level of people are committed to the can see that I am completing a neces- the will and the church, because they saw how it started, sary work – providing shade from the as a small church, that has grown. And Word of God sun and shelter from the rain for the the members who have been there since people who come to hear the Word of the beginning are so encouraged. These as a family.” God. I am completing the work which projects are important because they bring was begun in the area through evangelism and church new vision and understanding to the people. plants, to a finished work of a building that can house I have a team of workers who travel with me, and all that continues within it. The physical, external work, people often ask how I have trained them and what our completes the internal work. Page 4 • Afrika Wa Yesu Magazine • November, 2015 Pastor Lino Gravata is the regional pastor over the Afrika Wa Yesu churches in the centre of Mozambique. He came to Bible School at Inhaminga in 2001 and continued working with Afrika Wa Yesu. He and his wife, Etelvina, make a powerful team as they minister not only to the church body, but specifically to the pastors and leaders of the churches. They are a fine example of a family committed to bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth in all they say and do. As well as a pastoral ministry, Pastor Lino has a passion to work with his hands, and is the head of the church construction projects taking place in cities throughout the nation of Mozambique.
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Gorongosa Wa Yesu From grass shelter to mud hut to cement block construction in 18 months ~ a living miracle.
this does not in any way diminish their respect for me, rather, they can see that I am a decisive man who knows the right way to do things and get the job done. Even secrets to working well together are. I tell them, “A child if I have a weak person in the group, they are strengthdoes what he sees his father do.” The nature of a work- ened because I don’t stop working, and they think, “If er is within me, but I look at my leader, Rodney Hein. he doesn’t stop working, how can I stop working?” So noHe never gets tired of working. He never says, “I’m the body is left behind, and we all work together to achieve boss, I’m going to sit here with my arms crossed and the goal. I don’t only do physical work, but we also go to watch what you do.” He has inspired me, he has been church together every Sunday, since we are right where my influence. Watching him, I see him as a hero that I the church meets. I am often given the opportunity to want to follow, not wanting to wait until he speaks, but minister, and they can hear the Word. We also have deto move before he speaks, and so, this is the same way votions together before work. They can hear the Word, in which I work with my team. There are many men and see my life, the way I live with my family, and I hope on my team who were rejected by society. that they are inspired and want to follow “It is important Other people did not want to give them the example of my life. I have many good a chance. But what I often remember, is to train people men, who have become my disciples. Ofthat I was also like that once. If somebody ten, when you train people, they grow out to be more had not opened their hands to receive me, of the position where they were, and they I would have continued being like that. than you are.” grow into a new position. This can hurt, But because someone opened their hands because you lose good workers. But I unto me, and showed me something I had never seen be- derstand that I train people not only for myself, because fore, I know that these men can also see it. They can also people don’t only serve me, but I train them for the change their lives. work of the ministry. It is important to train people to I do not only tell my team what to do, but I work be more than you are. Sometimes men who work well with them. They can see my life, how I live with them, with you and respond well to you, are called to serve in how I apply myself and what my desire is, to see the a different area of the ministry. If the people I train are work completed. I do things together with them. And good, trustworthy people, and can leave building houses to go on to something else, that’s great. My calling... Quelimane Wa Yesu ~ construction to completion.
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Chimoio Wa Yesu and Nampula Wa Yesu welcome you! Although there are more than 120 national cchurches thoughout Mozambique, these are our ‘flasgship’ city churches, where leaders from surrounding areas can gather for training, youth and women’s conferences.
...is to train people to serve in the ministry. plete my work. Telvina supports me a lot and I am so At times, having a team of workers can turn proud of her. She is often invited to minister the Word into a ministry or restoration. There are several men at meetings and to minister, and I never feel worried who are working with me now whom I’ve had run-ins about what she is going to say, because I know that the with in the past. They have sinned against me or against Word that comes out of her mouth is the Word of God. the ministry. After some time, they have approached She is a frontline woman who has my vision. This is my me and requested work. When that has greatest victory, and my desire is that my “Passion happened, the word, “forgiveness”, really children can grow in this, too. comes strong upon my heart, and I think to brings success Passion brings success in your work. A myself, I have also been in that place. How in your work. work without passion, in truth, is not procan I not forgive them. Others can look at ductive. But when you love what you do, A work me and say, “What? You’re crazy! How can you will have good results, and we can see you work with that person!” But my leadthis is all areas of ministry within Afrika without ers really believe in me, and I believe that Wa Yesu; passionate people are working to passion, in a high standard when you give someone a second chance, they can turn out better than ever, and you truth, is not so that the name are also giving God a chance to work in of the Lord our productive.” that person’s life, not only on a practical, God can be glojob-oriented level, but also in a way of minrified throughistry. It’s not easy, but I praise God for what He has done out the land. in all these men’s lives. The Gravata Family: Etelvina, My family completes my ministry. They comNaomi and Lino, Caleb & Josué
www.afrikawayesu.org
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Frontline Women A
ll over the world it is not uncommon to see twothirds of the church congregation made up of women. Many of these women have a desire to serve God and to be fully active in the great commission of Jesus. “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;” (Mark 16:15 – 17) Jesus was not speaking only to men. If this two- thirds of the church was to arise and function fully as disciples and not only as female members, there would be a great explosion of souls being saved, healed and set free across the entire globe. Cultural and religious bondages have kept women enslaved for too long. Afrika wa Yesu has declared war on this slavery and all over Mozambique, chains are breaking as women are cutting loose to set others free also. We are incredibly proud of the leading women within this ministry who have broken religious and cultural barriers to step into the frontline. They have been through Bible School and some of them are ordained as pastors, not a normal
...the Key to Transformation in the Nation. ~ Ellie Hein
occurrence in this nation. This has released a spirit of courage and boldness throughout the congregations, resulting in men, women and children rising up to be active and to make a difference in their communities. The men are challenged by the enthusiasm and dedication of the women. Not wanting to be left behind, they are for the most part eagerly accepting the help and participation of the women in church. There is a certain sound rising up. It’s a sound of praise, a sound of war, a sound of victory that is breaking through the oppressive sound barrier that has for too long been hanging over the church. Mozambique is one of the poorest nations in the world. With the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality, women’s empowerment is not only a gender issue but also socio-economic. Mozambican women are more economically excluded and worse educated than their male counterparts. They carry the added burden of looking after children, house work and working in the fields. Educational levels are poor all round, but dramatically more so for girls. It is the women who care about the family, but they lack the know how in the business field. Women must be educated, trained and equipped to bring the change in the family, community, church and nation. Only 1 in 5 girls completes secondary school and many do not even complete primary school. An increasing number of households are headed by women, and as women are much worse off than men economically, the burden is beyond bearing. This adds to the problem of early and forced marriage as well as the...
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Frontline Women
...continued from page 7
...other challenges facing adolescent girls in Mozam- people, passionate about Christ. bique. Passion goes beyond the nominal understand Mozambique has the eleventh highest rate of ing of love. Passion is a love bigger than yourself, it goes child, early and forced marriage in the world. Also the beyond yourself. Beyond the borders of your own cahighest level of sexual abuse of children. Approximately pacity, your own ability. Beyond your own limits, your 1 in 3 girls is married before she is 18 years old; 12% are own desires, into the limitless love of God. married before they are 15. Many of these are polyga- “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay mous marriages to much older men. There is also the down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus demonhorrific practices of female circumcision and initiation strated this love on the cross. The cross is the most pasrites of little girls aged eight. It is not easy sionate demonstration of love of all time. It “Love will is the power of love that is the greatest ofto bring all these inhumane practices to the end; especially when they are considered bring down fensive weapon against the tyranny of this acceptable by the people and not opposed world. There is no weapon like it. Nothevery wall, ing can stand against love. Love will bring by government. Social and economic transformation through well-meaning NGO’s break through down every wall, break through every barcannot do this on their own. Even intervenrier. Love scatters the enemy! tion from foreign governments and human every barrier. It is this passion and love for people rights organizations cannot do it alone. It Love scatters that will push you to the frontline and put needs a spiritual transformation, a renewyourself in the firing line. A passion for the enemy!” ing of the mind of the people. “And do not souls will make you a pioneer in breaking be conformed to this world, but be transthrough the enemy lines of all these things formed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove that hold people captive. It is time to make yourself vulwhat is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” nerable, time for great risk, because you have a passion (Romans 12:2) Only when light falls upon the darkness for people. can change come. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have Woman! the light of life.” (John 8:12) You are not a side-liner nor a be-hinder. Thus the call goes out – Women Arise! It is time You are a FRONTLINER! to be passionate about your nation, passionate about
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Etelvina Gravata ~ Leader of Women’s MinisYesu for women. Some of these churches are far try in the central provinces, dynamic teacher at away and we are not able to spend much time with all of them, so it was good to have them come toInhaminga Bible School. am excited to be a Mozambican Woman. I am gether. We are raising up women with passion for very happy to be part of the Frontline Women’s God who will not fear to move as women of God Conferences. In Inhaminga we started with train- in their nation. We were 200 women together. The opening 50 women who are the frontline leaders of dif- ferent zones. They travelled from various Afrika ing meeting was powerful and all the teaching wa Yesu churches in the central provinces. It was was so excellent. Best of all was ‘small group’ time a time of not only good teaching, but training, in the afternoons. They could speak of what the Word had achieved in them. What direction and instruction. After “They realised they enjoyed the most was the each session we had time for questions and discussion. This was so that God can use cutting edge teaching on faith, the character of a Christian woman valuable to secure what they were them in their own and prayer. learning and to clarify anything During this time, some of the they did not understand. villages and women were delivered of demons. The objective of training communities.” Some were baptized in water and these women for a few days ahead of all the other women coming, was to equip them others were baptized in the Holy Spirit and speakto be able to minister to and help train those com- ing in tongues. The women not only received ing three days later. Each woman had three other something from the primary speakers, but also women to disciple during the conference. This from those who had been trained to minister to meant nobody was left feeling alone or without them. They realised that God can use them also understanding. Our goal was to show the wom- in their own villages and communities. I believe en by example and practical experience how they each one of us is at another level and I say thank can teach women in their own churches. We also you to our leaders who have confidence in us, beneeded to clarify to them the vision of Afrika wa lieving that we can do this work for God.
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Re-Fire-ment instead of Retirement! ~ Jeff & Nicky Reetz
NACALA
BIBLE SCHOOL “An old woman who did not walk started walking when we prayed for her. We give thanks to our God who opened these opportunities. It built faith in my life.” “One girl was inflamed in her whole body because she was sick and also plagued with demons. One of the brothers came for us to go pray for his sister. When we saw this situation the girl repented and received Jesus Christ. Tormenting spirits left her. We declared cure for frika wa Yesu Nacala Bible School is located her life and health. The next day she came to our camp to on the northern coast of Mozambique within attend worship. She was completely healed.” the city limits of Nacala-Porto, reported to be From the Bible School teachers: the deepest natural port on the east Agostinho Lisboa: (School Adminis“The Word coast of Africa. Large industrial projtrator/Teacher) “Afrika Wa Yesu Minects and infrastructure development istries is known amongst Muslims as promises that, related to mining has resulted in rapid the most persevering group. We reprethrough the power economic growth in the area. Nacasent the character of Christ in this area la now features a new international of the Holy Spirit, through joy, unity and teamwork.” airport that serves as a hub for flights Lucas Francisco Moisés: (Evangelism signs and wonders entering and departing the central east Coordinator/Teacher) “We are the coast of Africa. will follow us when hope for people to hear the voice of God, In this midst of economic prosand make a difference in the Mozambiperity, the ministry in Nacala is grow- we obey and go.” can families.” ing as men and women from come from Afrika wa Yesu Valentim Ernesto: (Teacher) “A big mark of Afrika Wa churches for intensive Bible training, to be built up and Yesu is the restoration of families through the gospel of Nacala Bible School teachers: established in the Word of God. These students come Christ.” Jeosafá, Valentim, Agostingho and Lucas. from the northern provinces and are trained through student outreaches under the guidance of the Bible School teachers, providing opportunity to individually disciple each student. The Word promises us that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, signs and wonders will follow us when we obey and go. The students returned testifying to the fulfillment of this promise: Jeff and Nicky Reetz came to Afrika wa Yesu in 2000. While their peers were preparing for retirement, this courageous couple prepared for refirement. They spent four years at wild and undeveloped Inhaminga which at the time was void of civilization, emails, internet or electric power. Their faithfulness and fortitude released them into the North of Mozambique to start Nacala Bible School. With the help of Team back-up, they pioneered the Nacala work and built a beautiful Bible School which today is a source of pride to the entire ministry. Thank you Jeff and Nicky, you are loved by all!
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From Jehovah’s Witness to Witchcraft to Jesus ~
Bible School students minister to the President of the Witchdoctors on outreach. ~ Deborah Hein Maas
Witchdoctor
No More
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hawato. A little village at the end of a little road. destroying my life. I needed to turn to Jesus.” Pastor Branco and his wife had started a work Hearing the gospel from the students shook him for Jesus there, and Afrika Wa Yesu Bible School up. Worry and doubt caused him to ponder what they students were out on evangelism in the area, giving sup- had said and the way they had said it, and he saw that port. They came across an old man and his wife in one of the truth was very different from what he had heard the huts. They ministered the Word of God to the cou- before as a Jehovah’s Witness. He could feel the powple and the old man debated many things with them. He er of God. No one had preached to him like that beknew about prayer and about power. After all, he was fore. Mabuleza had been very preoccupied with making the chief of all the witchdoctors in the area. Whenev- money, and as chief of the witchdoctors he made a lot of er a problem affected the community, everyone turned money. He had been worried about what would happen to him to solve it. Even the local government wouldn’t after he stopped. “But,” he shares, “I would rather lose make any decisions without his direction, which he money and gain salvation than earn money through gave after consulting with the spirits of the witchcraft.” “I would village ancestors. The effects of his testimony have rattled In fact, he had been a Jehovah’s Witrather lose the whole village. Pastor Branco reports, ness before turning to witchcraft. He had “The people in the village are so amazed money and not found what he was looking for there. that this man is now coming to church, The group of Bible school students persistsome of them are also coming to church ed, explaining salvation, and after a while gain salvation now. The whole village is talking about this they returned to camp. man and his wife now serving Jesus.” than earn The next afternoon, Mabuleza came As someone who had opened doors to into the camp. The words the students had money through the occult, sickness and bad dreams and spoken were strong and had been working demonic attacks became a part of his life. in his heart. He said, “I heard what you said witchcraft...” He was told by the other witchdoctors at my house, and my heart was stirred, and I understand that there were spirits who wanted to live in him, they that I am lost. But now I need to leave everything and seek wanted him to be dependant on them, so they could Jesus as my Saviour.” The group prayed with Mabuleza work in other people through him. The man who made and his wife and rejoiced with him as he started his new a living by healing others, couldn’t heal himself. But life in Jesus. Pastor Branco went with him to his home total deliverance followed salvation. He was healed and together they burned all his witchcraft artefacts and from the stabbing pain he often felt in his stomach and traditional medicine. has peace at night. Abandoning the traditional practic “I did a lot of things in witchcraft,” Mabuleza re- es, Mabuleza is attending church with Pastor Branco lates, “for luck. People came and asked me to do things and tending his fields to generate an income through for them. But then those spirits also started affecting me. subsistence farming. I started to suffer. I realised that what I was doing was November, 2015 • Afrika Wa Yesu Magazine • Page 11
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Nationals receive the New Testament in their Heart Language
ue to failing vision, Pastor Branco cannot read the Bible on his own any more. In spite of this, he has remained firm in the faith and true to his calling, visiting churches, evangelising and ministering to the people in his area. His wife accompanies him, reading the Word for him and to him, and they have been tremendously faithful. Now, Pastor Branco can hear the scriptures at any time! MegaVoice solar-powered MP3 players are making it possible for all tribes and nations to hear and understand the gospel in their native tongue, regardless of their ability to read. These durable, easy to use machines charge in the sunlight and clearly announce the Good News from the cities to the remotest of regions. What a privilege to empower both Pastor Branco and Mabuleza, the ex-witchdoctor (see page 11), with a solar-powered MP3 player each that reads the New Testament in their local dialect, Sena. Pastor Branco was overcome with emotion, declaring, “Thank you very much. You have blessed me. I have been crying a lot, in my heart, because of these things, but God has heard my cry. Yesterday I was talking to Pai Rodney
and he told me that I was to be given a Bible. I thought to myself, how can I read it, being blind? But this morning, I am thanking God, because I can be full of the Word of God. I will hear, and I will do what I hear.” Mabuleza was also greatly encouraged. “God is great, to bring me to this place. It’s God’s will that I am here and able to know my brothers. They have helped me in my difficulties, I was carrying heavy burdens but they showed me how to get rid of them and now I am free and happy. When I go home, I know that I have a good testimony. I was burdened but now I am free. I will encourage others to do the same thing. Thank you very much.”
Much of Mozambique cannot read. This means they cannot discover the Good News for themselves. MegaVoice MP3 players bring the Word to life in their Native Dialect. To sponsor
an Audio Bible, visit our webpage and donate $35 online, specifiying “MegaVoice MP3 players”
Afrika Wa Yesu Ministries www.afrikawayesu.org
THANK YOU for your continued prayer and support toward the work in Mozambique.