I have never been to any part of Africa but I hope perhaps my recent travelling experiences in South America will stand me in good stead. Ann and I attended a service at St. Mary’s Sunbury followed by a meeting with a representative from Niassa in Mozambique who talked to us about the situation there and ways that we can help. Rose also joined us at St. Paul’s on 14th May for a service in ‘Celebration of ALMA’ where the Bishop of London acknowledged our Partnership in Mission by conferring upon Bishop Dinis of Lebombo an Honorary Canonry of St. Paul’s Cathedral Church. It was such an uplifting experience with some wonderful singing by the Angolan Seraph choir.

ALMA, was launched at a service in St. Paul’s in July 1998 forming a link between the dioceses of London, Angola and Mozambique with the aim of working and praying together for peace and justice. Anglican congregations are growing rapidly in these spiritually rich countries and the people look to the church as a responsible body to help them build new lives. Two things particularly caught my eye when reading about the association. Following years of war and natural disasters Mozambique is probably the poorest country in the world with a staggeringly high world debt and we look to the Jubilee 2000 campaign to help them here. Secondly, Bishop Dinis of Lobombo writes that more than six years after the end of the war ".... about 1,000 bridges are still with land mines. The reason is that it is too expensive to de-mine bridges. The danger is there with us.” This leads to death and terrible injuries and there are not enough hospitals or supplies to treat the amputees. Many hospitals, schools, railways and churches were destroyed during the war and with no money to rebuild them a vicious circle arises. The war in Angola continues to drag on. Your supporting the campaign for a worldwide ban on land mines and/or the Jaipur Limb Campaign would help. I will put some leaflets and further information in the church for you all to take a look at. They need money of course but they also need our prayers so everyone can help!

A Partnership Prayer by The Rev Dinis Salomao Sengulane;
God our Father
The source of all gifts, Give us humility to receive, honesty to ask and generosity to give, in order to bring each other up to your honour and glory.
We ask this through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen"

Source: Elizabeth Wilmot, The Spire Magazine - 2000 July