Mozambique (MNN) — Violence in northeast Mozambique poses an increasing threat to regional stability. More about that here. The French energy giant Total stopped work on a multi-billion-dollar project earlier this week, citing security concerns. An April 20 attack on Palma put some 400,000 people in urgent need of food and shelter.
Terrorist attacks are on the rise in Mozambique; more than 600,000 people were internally displaced by the end of 2020. See our full coverage here.
Paul Njatha, Deaf Evangelism and Church Planting Ministry Director for DOOR International, is still waiting to learn if Deaf communities are safe. “One of the main issues he’s having is getting information in and out of Mozambique,” DOOR President Rob Myers explains.
Many Deaf believers use smartphone video call apps to communicate in sign language. However, using these apps requires Wi-Fi, a utility often restricted in conflict zones.
A Mozambican 2-by-2 team member takes a selfie during a recent home visitation.
(Photo courtesy DOOR International)
“With limited internet access, limited communication options, plus COVID, you now have an even greater pressure on people who can’t make an audio phone call to someone to let them know they’re okay.”
Preparations are underway as DOOR’s Deaf leaders wait for more information and access to communities in need.
“I know our leaders are trying to figure out how they can provide God’s love amid the violence that’s taking place,” Myers says.
“There will be [a] need for showing the love of Jesus tangibly through sharing God’s Word and helping to meet physical needs.”
Ask the Lord to sustain and encourage Deaf communities until they can receive tangible aid. Pray that as Deaf church planting teams in Mozambique access affected communities, they can communicate needs to DOOR’s leaders.
“I am not aware of any of our leaders who are specifically stuck in some of these high-violence areas, but I know that in this brutality, and following it, there’s going to be a wave of need,” Myers says.
Header image shows a Deaf believer sharing the Gospel in Mozambique. (Photo courtesy of DOOR International)
