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After a seventeen-hour flight and seven hours in a van we arrived at Cambine, Mozambique. As we stepped out of the van we were greeted by African singing and were adorned with the beautiful flower leis filled with the blooms of the Mozambique countryside. Even though there were a good number of the local residents present we were also welcomed by eighteen friendly smiling faces from a variety of churches across North Alabama. They were singing and dancing along with everyone else. We never knew whether they were glad to see us or the van that would in a few days take them back to Maputo and on their way home.
Bishop Joao Somane Machado, the Episcopal leader of the area, was there to sing, dance and welcome us to his beautiful country. We were taken immediately to the site of the school that you are making possible for the children of Africa. Rising out of a rolling hillside was concrete, block, and steel. They formed the walls to the first five classrooms and the administration building, the foundation for the next wing which will have another five classrooms and at the end of the courtyard a science building. It is and will be truly beautiful and very functional.
Faye and I, along with Rick Owen, our “Servants Like Jesus” staff member, were impressed with several manifestations that emerged from those involved in this special project of love. First was the deep commitment of the Volunteers in Mission teams from North Alabama. Their living facilities were adequate but the very minimum; every day great sacrifices were made by every team member. When we arrived — even in the midst of heat, numerous bug (mainly spider) bites, electricity only three hours a day and regular bumps and scratches — their spirits were very high and their commitment to the work was filled with vision and enthusiasm. It had been for them a spiritual experience.
Second, we were called to the new understanding of mission work, for the people of Cambine were just as involved and excited about the work as we were, in fact everyone worked side by side taking great pride in the results. It is truly an experience of partnership in ministry. Third, we were moved by the strong fellowship that had developed between the VIM teams and the local church members, workers and pastors. One began to understand the boundlessness of the church and Christian community when one of our North Alabama participants would introduce you to one of the workers from Cambine whom they had only known for two weeks and tell you about their life, family and faith.
I am not used to having someone follow me around during a dedication service and tour of the campus holding an umbrella over me to shield the sun. It was a great day on February 1 when the community gathered in the courtyard of the new school and held a special service of dedication and a commitment to see the project completed. Bishop Machado; Faye and I; Mr. Charlie Hayes and Ron Jones, representing the teams and the North Alabama Conference; along with the community of Cambine dedicated the school with these words,
“To the spiritual enrichment of all who shall come here seeking knowledge. To the loyal service of those whose training and devotion has prepared them to lead students toward the truth. We dedicate this building; and we dedicate ourselves anew to [the service] of humanity in which we perform the true service of God. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”We ended the service with the Lord’s Prayer.
Once again we thank the teams that left their homes and families to build a place of love and learning for their brothers and sisters in Africa. A team from Birmingham-Southern College led the way under the supervision of Dr. Stewart Jackson and was followed by a representative team from churches around this area. We are extremely grateful to Rick Connelly, our Church and Community Worker and Director of Kingdom Builders, who was our onsite project manager preparing the way and assisting our teams. As we were leaving, 2000 students were streaming onto the campus, most walking from a great distance. Next year there will be 2400 students because of your love providing the resources to build a new place of care and love.
Even though we enjoyed the taste of Impala, Antelope, and Crocodile, we are glad that we are back in the land of barbecue, greens and cornbread. We will treasure along with each of you the opportunity that God gave us all to make a difference by “taking risks and changing lives."
Robert E. Fannin
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