Herminia

Herminia is a young woman we met shortly after we arrived in Mozambique four years ago. She was one of the 10 young people who took our microenterprise course and then taught it directly in Shangaan to different groups. Shortly after that she was asked to live in Chinhangane and lead Bible clubs with children and youth. This week I had the privilege to be with her and she shared her story with us.

Herminia was born into a family that worships the ancestors. When she was young she started going to the children's clubs close to her home and became a Christian. At that point she told her father that she didn't want to continue with ancestor worship. He became very angry and was threatening her. But her grandmother said not to worry - she would get sick or die if she didn't worship them. Herminia told them that even if she died she would not give up her faith because she knew where she would go. She told them, "This is not a stage I will grow out of. I will live this way for life."

As a teenager she became a volunteer helping with other kid's clubs in Chokwe. She worked with us for about six months and was then asked to start clubs in Chinhangane. At first it was an uphill battle because the pastors thought she had come to start another church and did not accept her. She eventually convinced them that she wanted to support their ministries by the kid's clubs. She works with 107 children and youth in Chinhangane and 34 in another village where she has started working. It is a challenge and she is praying for more Christian volunteers to help her run the clubs. Please pray for her.

Here she is with a shawl that she knit. She is one of the fastest knitters and crocheters I know and does beautiful work.