I've learned a lot about Mozambique while researching this lesson and most of it is heart-breaking. Hundreds of years ago Mozambique became a Portuguese colony. In the 1960's a liberation group called Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frelimo) was formed and fought with the Portuguese government until the independence of Mozambique was finally gained in 1974. Frelimo became the country's governing power but had no experience in self government. In just a few years a rebel group called Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo) formed. Renamo launched a gruesome civil war that targeted civilians and resulted in such horrors as child soldiers, raids on villages in which all of the villagers were killed, the destruction of schools, railroads, government buildings and at the end of 16 years, tens of thousands of people dead. In 1992 the war ended with a peace agreement being signed. However, between 16 years of civil war and a devastating flood in February of 2000 economic reconstruction has been difficult. Mozambique is still one of the poorest countries in the world.
According to the estimates of one of the most recent editions of
Operation World 42% of those who live in Mozambique are Christians. This is a great thing! Of the remaining 58%, 13% are Muslim and the rest participate in traditional African religions.
I will be sharing an overview of what I've learned about the civil war in Mozambique with the kids I teach. I won't be including all of the details unless they ask but I think it will help them understand some of the struggles the people who live there face.
Bible: The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (New International Version)
These words were a comfort to the Israelites who were waiting for the Messiah and are a comfort to us today as well. And for the people of Mozambique who have been through so many years of difficulty and are still trying to heal and recover, these are the promises I cling to and pray for them.
Social Studies:
Mozambique shutterfold mapMozambique flag and map color pageKids Around the World info on Mozambique This page has a link you can click for more than a dozen other links full of information on Mozambique. Please don't miss it!
Science:Check out
Tales of Life in Mozambique by Lynn Lagore to learn lots about life in Mozambique from the perspective of a missionary. I include her blog under the science category because she typically reserves the last paragraph of her posts for pictures of creepy crawly insects, snakes and arachnids.
I usually do cooking and food in the science category so if you'd like to go that route I'll share a recipe I found in the book
Cultures of the World, Mozambique.
Fresh Pineapple DessertMakes 8 servings.
1 large ripe pineapple
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup Concord grape juice
Peel and core the pineapple, and cut it into slices. Sprinkle sugar on both sides. Place the pineapple slices in a 2 quart bowl (glass or chinaware). Add grape juice. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 hours. Turn the pineapple slices every 20 or 30 minutes. Turn one more time before serving on dessert dishes. Serve with both forks and spoons.
Art:
This link shares a bit about the history of the toe puppet in Mozambique and teaches you how to make one using a cardboard tube and a few other common household items.
Games: At this Kulture Kids link you can find directions on how to make a board game commonly played in Mozambique called Unmake. It's very simple to put together.
Prayer Focus:
A huge evangelistic outreach event is scheduled for mid January in Mozambique and you can read about it here on Ann Dunagan's blog. In the comments section she has also listed some very specific ways we can pray for Mozambique and for the outreach event.
Missionaries:
In addition to the other projects and people I've mentioned you may want to consider praying for and learning more about Orai and Linda Lehman.
Books to Read:
In addition to the books I've mentioned above I would recommend Secrets in the Fire by Henning Mankell to children who are ok with PG-13 movies and have a parent willing to either read it first or read it aloud to them and then discuss it with them. It is based on the true story of a girl living in Mozambique in the midst of civil war. Sophia survives a brutal rebel attack on her village that leaves her father and most every one else she knows dead. Later she loses both of her legs and her sister loses her life when Sophia accidentally sets off a land mine. You really get a sense of what life was like for the victims of the civil war that terrorized Mozambique for almost 20 years.
I'll be reading the kids at church the following excerpt only:
"Have you ever been to school before?"They shook their heads."Then you should go to Filomena's class. I'll follow you there."They went to the furthest classroom. The class had just begun. Filomena was young. And she was black."Two more students," Jose-Maria said. "Sophia and Maria. How many have you got now?""The last time I counted there were ninety-two students," Filomena said. "It'll work if they sit four to a bench."Jose-Maria shook his head."We need to build a larger school," he said. "But where will we get the money?"Then he left. Sophia and Maria stood with downcast eyes. All of the children in classroom stared at them. They all seem so much younger than us, thought Sophia."Are you twins?" Filomena asked and smiled at them.Sophia shook her head. Her mouth was so dry that she couldn't say a word.Filomena pointed towards a bench where two girls were sitting."You can sit there," she said. "We have no books, no paper, and no pens. We don't even have chalk for the blackboard. Therefore, you'll have to remember everything. Sit down now."And so they started school.I've also been reading about David Livingstone who was missionary and explorer in Africa in the 1800's. It would be a great idea to check out a book about him from the library. Livingstone was one of the first Europeans to explore Southern Africa and shared what he was learning with those in Europe. He believed that the best way for him to spread the good news of Jesus Christ was to continue traveling and meeting people and he also worked to end the slave trade in Africa. There are quite a few books about him in my local library so hopefully you will be successful in finding them as well.
I recently retired from teaching missions at church but still want to incorporate it into our lives here at home. So I came up with an idea that I thought I'd share here with you so that those who are interested can join in the fun!
learning to whistle with a piece of grass
