PRESBYTERIAN MISSION AGENCY | Fall 2017 pcusa.org/missioncrossroads GOD’SGOD’S MISSIONMISSION ININ AFRICAAFRICA The road to Chasefu | Pastoring in war | Community Health Evangelism | Belhar: Living it out AT THE CROSSROADS | Jose Luis Casal, director of Presbyterian World Mission Mission Crossroads is a Presbyterian Mission Agency publication about God’s mission around the world The faith of Maria Fearing, through the PC(USA) and our church partners. a slave freed to serve EDITOR Kathy Melvin n God’s mission we show our faith by our obedient service. In other words, as Francis of Assisi is believed to have said, “Preach the gospel at all times; when DIRECTOR OF WORLD MISSION necessary, use words.” This is the task and mission of disciples of Jesus — to let Jose Luis Casal Iour lives speak for themselves of the gospel, and if necessary to use words to help enhance and amplify our faith. CONTENT MANAGER Presbyterian mission personnel face challenges around the world where Debbie Braaksma actions are more needed than words. Special Africa Issue In this issue of Mission Crossroads, you’ll find stories and examples of the actions and work of our mission co-workers and partners in Africa. They are PROJECT MANAGER making an incredible difference for the future and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and Tammy Warren deed on that continent. Speaking about stories of faith and witness — where actions speak louder than words — I am ART DIRECTOR reminded of the story of Maria Fearing, born into slavery near Gainesville, Alabama, in 1838. Her Mark Thomson biography, The Maria Fearing Story, written by Darius L. and Vera Poe Swann, begins with Maria, a black slave girl, listening to her white owner tell of little African children who had never heard of COPY EDITORS Jesus. “I will go to Africa someday if I can,” Maria said. Karen Bosc At 28 years old in 1865, Maria became a free woman. She learned to read and write at age 33, Jennifer Cash and went on to become a very successful teacher in Anniston, Alabama, after graduating from the Freedmen’s Bureau school in Talladega. Despite her “old age of 56,” she sold her home and traveled STAY CONNECTED with the Rev. Dr. William Henry Sheppard to Africa in 1894 as a Presbyterian missionary. She worked in the Congo as a teacher and Bible translator for 20 years, and also bought many people To subscribe or change your out of slavery in the Congo. Her most famous achievement was the establishment of the Pantops mailing address, contact Home for Girls in Luebo, Congo. She was known as mama wa Mputu, which means “Mother from [email protected] far away.” Despite the church’s skepticism, Maria outlasted many of her colleagues in Africa and only or call 800-728-7228. To request retired from missionary service in 1915, due to age restrictions. She taught school in Selma, Alabama, additional free copies of until her death in 1937 at the age of 99. Her story was introduced in Alabama history textbooks Mission Crossroads, email during the turbulent days of the 1960s. She was inducted into the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame in [email protected] or call 2000. 800-728-7228, ext. 5611. When we talk about the mission movement in Africa, we typically mention the name of the Rev. SUPPORT WORLD MISSION Dr. William Henry Sheppard first, and sometimes mention the name of Maria Fearing as another great African-American mission worker. Maybe it’s time to correct the order and put her name in first place. Give online/phone: Maria had to overcome pcusa.org/supportwm Presbyterian Historical Society Presbyterian the racism of a white society, 800-728-7228 the discriminatory treatment Mail checks, payable to PC(USA): of the church for her age and Presbyterian World Mission society’s bias against women. P.O. Box 643700 She had an “uphill” path to Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700 proclaim the gospel to the African children she felt called On the cover: to serve when she was a little A midwife at the Dzemeni maternity slave girl. But she finally did clinic in Ghana, supported by First it, and did it well. Presbyterian Church of Fairfield, Reading her story I was Connecticut, weighs an infant to check deeply moved in my heart to on healthy growth and development. Maria Fearing at the first Congo mission station in the city of Luebo sing, “We shall overcome.” Photo by Josh Heikkila Mission Crossroads 1 STEWARDSHIP MATTERS | Rosemary Mitchell Helping Africa’s children Mission co-workers and African partners strive to open doors of opportunity resbyterian mission co-workers • “The church has been able to the forgiveness of perpetrators. Jeff and Christi Boyd developed a build new classrooms.” In a recent letter to U.S. supporters, floor and board game several years • “You have earned a place at the Christi wrote: “It has been well- Pago to help U.S. Presbyterians appreciate university.” established that unhealed childhood the joint efforts of students, parents, The game not only depicts the trauma increases the risk of developing communities and churches to improve common pitfalls that African children personal problems and a tendency education in Africa. The game also encounter, but the players also toward violent behavior in later life. … prompts players to ponder the plight of experience the unfair gender gap that Healing children’s wounds of trauma African children. is built into portrayed events. Through is therefore a way to break the cycle Players of “The Africa Game” roll the the Africa Game, we can get a glimpse of violence, trauma and behavioral dice in hopes of advancing around the of some struggles that African children disorders, a first and necessary step for board from elementary school to high confront. While a game is an interesting peacebuilding in conflict zones such as school graduation and post-secondary way to understand issues, life is not a the volatile region of East Congo.” training opportunities. Players may land game. That reality is front and center By supporting our mission co- on squares that move them toward the to the Boyds and other mission workers, you can help them and our finish line or squares that impede or end co-workers. partners address the issues children their progress. The object of the game is Jeff, a former math teacher, is the face and make opportunities, like those not to finish first, but simply to finish. PC(USA)’s regional liaison for Central portrayed in the Africa Game’s positive On the negative squares, players may Africa and brings to his work a special squares, possible for more children. learn that: devotion to education. He facilitates To learn how to access a copy of the • “Your parents can’t afford school programs that increase access to Africa Game, contact World Mission’s fees.” quality education in Cameroon, the Africa Office at 800-728-7228, • “Your teacher did not come to Democratic Republic of Congo and ext. 5031. A copy may be available in class today. He must work in the Equatorial Guinea. Through these your presbytery resource center. The field to feed his family.” initiatives, thousands of students are game is suitable for ages 8 and up and • “Classes are canceled because rain receiving a significantly improved takes about 45 minutes to play. is pouring into your classroom quality of education. through holes in the grass roof.” Christi is the PC(USA)’s facilitator Rosemary Mitchell is senior director of • “Despite your great effort, of women’s and children’s interests in Mission Engagement and Support at the you’ve failed the entrance test for five countries: Congo, Madagascar, Presbyterian Mission Agency. Contact her secondary school.” Niger, Rwanda and South Sudan. In at [email protected]. On the positive squares, players war-torn East Congo, Christi works receive messages such as: with a trauma-healing ministry for • “Your mother had a good day children that is provided by the selling vegetables in the market. Women’s Department of the Church MAKE A GIFT She can buy you some notebooks.” of Christ in Congo. Children in the Support Jeff and Christi Boyd’s work in • “Good grades have earned you program begin the process of healing by Africa. a place in a technical secondary dealing with issues such as grief, pcusa.org/donate/E200314 school.” self-worth, the desire for revenge and Mission Crossroads 1 Pastoring in war A testimony of resilience and reconciliation in South Sudan Shelvis Smith-Mather Nancy Smith-Mather econciliation is a sacred space where weary bodies are refreshed and troubled souls are soothed, Rwhere the roar of oppression is silenced and the calm of compassion resounds. The pathway to her gates is long and grueling with setbacks, detours and delays; stationed beyond the boundaries of fear, hurt and bitterness; and far past the edges of contempt, anger and hatred. Along the journey to reconciliation lie ambushes of criticism and alienation, yet those on the journey press on like flocks of birds surging through cold winds for warmer homes. They press on like herds tracking through wilderness, thirsting for cool streams. They press on like young sprouts stretching upward through the cracks of concrete toward the sun. Their success is our inspiration and their failure The Rev. Jacob Karaba (left), vice chair of RECONCILE Peace Institute’s Alumni Chapter, with is our loss; our lives are intertwined. Shelvis Smith-Mather, RPI principal and PC(USA) mission co-worker, as they reunite after a year of Reconciliation is a distant place — far unrest in South Sudan.