CHILDREN’S RELIEF INTERNATIONAL
Anita Frederick
Taking Christ to the poor.
This mud church...
No wonder the vehicles are always in need of
repair, I thought as we bounced down the
treacherous pothole-road leading to the
village of Mutondo in rural Mozambique.
We arrived and met the stick-figure villagers.
Poverty etched their faces. Rains and heat
conspire to destroy their mud church and
homes, yet they stubbornly fight back –
rebuilding with care and creativity. Even the
dirt along the paths had been swept with reeds
in rainbow-like patterns.
After introductions the women stood back –
eyes diverted in respect. Mairosse, the village
and church leader, cleared his throat to tell the
story he wished me to convey to the church in
the far-away country of America:
I used to drink, smoke marijuana and beat my
wife. Then a friend told me about Jesus. I
started going to church. I repented and changed
my ways. I read the Bible and the pastor and
missionaries taught me.
I moved to Mutondo to the family farm, but
there were no churches here—only witchcraft.
We started a church with four people. We
preached and sang, I love telling people about
the God who saves. Soon the number increased
to 60, 80 and then 100. God helped us build
this mud church.
I wish for the church in America to pray for us:
When the rains come, the mud washes away
and we have to always make repairs to our
CHILDREN’S RELIEF INTERNATIONAL • PO BOX 2470, ROCKWALL, TX 75087 • (800) 570 2217 • CHILDRENSRELIEF.ORG
church. My dream is to have one made
of cement block.
We walk very far for water and
struggle with farming because it is dry
here. We need a well.
We have many widows and orphans.
We grow vegetables to help them, but
sometimes our food runs out.
Our dream is to have a pre-school to
teach children about Jesus and how to
read and write.
Many people cannot read. Some read,
but few have Bibles.
Please pray that God will help us.
In the middle of nowhere God’s love
turned a “sinner” around. Mairosse is
a relentless light in his harsh world of
hunger and poverty. Let’s pray for
Mairosse and the church in Mutondo.
Let’s set ourselves with thankful
hearts to also be the answer to their
prayers as God enables us.
-Anita
April 2010
Silent Auction Option
On May 22nd I am hosting a Silent
Auction. If you are able to contribute
items valued $50-$500, it would be
very much appreciated!
Here are some ideas: Gift cards, gift
baskets, vacations/ getaways, dining /
entertainment, jewelry, art, food, wine,
experiences, services, etc.
A business donation, will appear in a
donor directory. And of course, all
donations are tax deductible.
If you or someone you know could make
a contribution, please contact me.
Donated items need to be delivered or
arranged to be picked-up by May 15th.
HOW TO GIVE!
• Send and make checks payable to
Children’s Relief International.
Write Anita in the memo.
• Go to ChildrensRelief.org and click
Donate. Look for my name under
Missionaries.
HOW TO REACH ME!
Anita@childrensrelief.org
(708) 288 0055