MWINKA PEOPLE SEEK HELP FROM NTM MISSIONARIES
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| Francois and his wife are building relationships with the Mwinkas so they can communicate God`s message of hope. |
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September 5, 2008
by Dena McMaster
Missionaries Francois and Nadia Hattingh are learning the culture and language of the Mwinka people and are thankful for opportunities to minister to the people and develop relationships. But the culture and language differences can make developing relationships difficult.
In Mozambique it is springtime and the people are burning off their fields in preparation for planting. The temperature is above 100 degrees. It is also the beginning of a time of fasting for the local religion.
Many become ill due to the combination of extreme heat and not eating all day. The nearest clinic is about six miles away and is out of medicine so even basic needs cannot be met. Mwinkas are going to missionaries Francois and Nadia Hattingh for help.
"Many people come to us for help," wrote Nadia, "and we find ourselves at times stretched nearly beyond our ability."
Also, Francois discovered a problem which was causing an even greater difficulty in learning the language. He has a serious hearing problem.
Returning to his home in South Africa he was fitted with a hearing aid. Now that he is back in Mozambique, he has resumed culture and language study and his Mwinka friends are amazed at the "powerful medicine" he received.
He is finding many mistakes in language that his hearing problem caused. One of the most common greetings when you meet a friend on the trail is "Where are you going?" Francois discovered that he had been asking "Where do you relieve your bowels?" Now, the confused looks are explained.
Pray for the Hattinghs as they study the Mwinka culture and language, and pray that they will soon be able to teach God's Word to the people. Praise God that Francois has corrected his hearing problem and that learning the language will become a little easier.
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