One of the great blessings of working with the poor is to stand alongside real ‘widows’, elderly people with nothing to do, no family, physically and mentally weak, and truly pour out love on them. That is why the bible says it is pure religion. This is not true only here in Mozambique.
Salimina is a widow we have been taking care of for many years. We are trying hard to find family, as Salimina is lonely and wants company. We are considering moving her to a home for the elderly, a quality facility in the same area she is in now, where she will have company.
Salimina is still loving her new house. During the hot summer months she greatly enjoys the large tree outside in her garden that gives her mangos and shade to sit under. She loves to meet visitors from all over the world and have them pray with her. Pictured here is a visitor praying with Salimina, underneath her favorite tree.
One day whilst chatting to Vovo (grandmother) Salimina, she took a liking to my necklace and asked me to buy one for her. I asked her when her birthday was (thinking I would give her one on her special day), and her response was “I don't know.” Then she realised why I was asking and suddenly said, “It's tomorrow!”
It is actually quite common here that older people especially, have no idea of even what year they were born, and have no documents to help them. Since Vovo was definitely worth celebrating, we chose a date and gave her a birthday party!
Vovo Salimina often reminisces about when she lived in Bilene, which is where she came from originally. Bilene is a beautiful coastal town about 2 hours drive from Maputo. Vovo lived there with her husband and children who have all died. She later moved to Maputo (which is how we met her), but she does miss Bilene.
Recently, with the loan of a friend’s car for some weeks, we had the idea to take Vovo for a day visit to Bilene. Dulcilia (Vovo’s caregiver) came with us, along with her 3 girls.
When I first met Vovo Salimina she talked about God, but I wasn’t sure if she really knew Jesus. She would still want remedies from the witchdoctor if she was sick. But as I spent time with her and with some of our Bible School students living with her, she more and more asked for prayer for Jesus to heal her. She always spoke about pain in her legs and how she wanted to dance again.
Vovo Rosalina is keeping well. Though she has Virginia taking care of her during the week, she is very independent and still likes to do her own cleaning and washing (though Virginia then goes in and cleans again afterwards to do it properly!) Vovo Rosalina has a mango tree, and often invites the children from the Zimpeto Centre to come and pick the fruit; she she loves to have them visit.
Vovo Salimina has a new helped named Flora, who lives very close by. Flora comes to work with her young children, and Vovo enjoys their company. With IMC’s extra funding, we were able to put a back door in her house, which gives Vovo easier access to her outside bathroom. Vovo is pleased that she does not have far to go now, as walking is painful and difficult for her. We also gave her a solar lamp – a real blessing, as she was using an oil lamp that was difficult for her to light. We had been talking with a friend about buying a solar lamp, but did not know where to get one from.
Vovo Salima was delighted to join us at the Centre this year for Christmas lunch. She loved the singing and dancing and enjoyed the meal so much she did not want to go home. Just as she was leaving, one of our young boys (about 11 years old) appeared and said he wanted to give her some money. He has a gardening job and had just received his weekly amount. Although he did not know Vovo, when he saw her at the meal the Lord touched his heart and he wanted to bless her.
Anabel, the Mother who we moved into the Widows House temporarily, was given funding and training in how to set up and run a small business; she moved out last month. Anabel still attends our church and when we saw her last week she said she has moved out of our house but not out of our hearts.
One of our pastors reported to us that there was a young mother of twins, abandoned by her husband, that been thrown out of her family home. One of the twins had just died. While she is not an elderly widow, she is a mother and woman desperately in need.
We brought her and her baby into the widows' house for 3 months. She has been wonderful company for the elderly widow living in the house and has had time to rest, receive ministry and get stronger by having good nutrition available to her and her child.
Vovo Salima was delighted to join us at the Centre this year for Christmas lunch. She loved the singing and dancing and enjoyed the meal so much she did not want to go home. Just as she was leaving, one of our young boys (about 11 years old) appeared and said he wanted to give her some money. He has a gardening job and had just received his weekly amount. Although he did not know Vovo, when he saw her at the meal the Lord touched his heart and he wanted to bless her.