Inchope

In central Mozambique there is a more-or-less level corridor that runs from the town of Beira on the coast to Zimbabwe. The town of Beira was controlled for years by the English, who used the corridor for shipments in and out of what is now Zimbabwe. Beira is a smaller version of Maputo and even the folks who work at Gorongosa Park are bused from Beira to Gorongosa because of their education and English skills that many in Beira possess, which helps in dealing with tourist trade Mozambique is trying to develop in this once incredible wildlife park. The east-west road in this corridor is in horrible shape and the National Road (EN-1) bisects this road roughly in the middle. The small town at this intersection of these two 'major' roads is known as Inchope.

Inchope is about 1/2 way between Maputo and Nampula in the North. Depending on road conditions (and that really means something here!), you can drive to Inchope in something like 16 or so hours if you stay with it. It has developed into somewhat of a weigh-station stop for people making the grueling trip on EN-1.

In the olden days of the ferry across the Zambeze River (bridge just recently opened), stopping at Inchope on the way north for the night allows an early start and assurance of getting across the Zambeze river on the ferry (which had incredibly limited hours) without having to stay around the ferry, which was a sketchy area at best; dangerous at its worst. There was a saying, "If you don't make it to the Beira Corridor by 2PM, then you won't make the ferry. Stop in Inchope, or go west to stay in Chimoio." In fact, the entire north-south run or vice versa was always keyed to "can I make it across the ferry?" and we've often seen semi-trucks lined up for literally miles trying to cross - it could take days for them as only a few trucks at a time can make the 20-minute crossing. I'm not sure what impact this new bridge across the Zambeze is having on Inchope, as the traffic can now keep rolling - so maybe we've just experienced a glipse of God's timing - one of many many things He can see in the future that we cannot even fathom.

But, I'm getting off track - my point is that Inchope has always been a place where busses and cars stopped on the journey both north/south and east/west. There are many vendors who sell things along the side of the road in rickety lean-to structures or under trees. There are also small structures where you can rent a cot to sleep for a bit before the bus takes off in a few hours (I hestitate to call them motels - they really don't quite meet that standard). So, when the bus stops or our car stops, the vendors come running with fruit, snacks, bread, trinkets, drinks, you name it and you can buy almost anything through your window. The bus drivers catch a little shut-eye and while they snooze, the passengers mingle with the vendors and people around this area.

During these trips north, Juka, our country ECC coordinator, struck up a friendship with one of the vendors along the side of the road. He started by witnessing to him in 2005 on a trip, leaving him some tracts and a Bible. He maintained contact with this young man (named Antonio) mentoring him by phone, continuing the contact, and always stopping to see him when he passed through. We met Antonio on a couple of our trips, dropping off a box of Bibles and study guides for a Bible study he was leading. The first time we were driving this route and Juka said "stop here," I would be thinking something like, "why are we stopping in this busseling area? Everything on top of the car will be stripped off within minutes! We have a ferry to catch.... We're supposed to be in______ (town) by dark." He would say something like "I have some things to give to a brother I know here and I'll be back in just a few minutes. You really should not go into this area where I'm going - just wait here" and so we'd wait and talk to the vendors, buying some pineapples, cashews, and the like. When I would ask about where he'd been, he would really not say too much more about it, saying "it's just someone I've gotten to know and I like to check in with him when I pass by."

So every trip, Juka would spend a few minutes with Antonio, leave a few more things for him to read, and one thing led to another and eventually Antonio's began a Bible Study with others. So, here we are five years later, and we just learned that Antonio has begun a church in Inchope that he is now leading. Maybe not the exact ECC multiplication model, but a little side work that happened because someone took the time (and not a lot of time) to witness to someone who was open, to disciple him a little (even by phone!), to hold him accountabile, and to simply love him. Way to go Juka. Thank you for the wonderful example you set for all of us.

(actually this is just one story - as there is the guy at the gas station in Xai-Xai, the lady who sells pineapples in Muxunge, the fellow in an un-named place on the old detour in Sofola Province,....)

Thank you Lord for the way you work through the love of your people. Guard and grow this work in Inchope so that others may experience the peace and joy that comes from knowing You, for eternity truly hangs in the balance. May this work grow and grow for your names' sake.

Dave & Ann

"But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts." 1 Th 2:4