The People
The country of Mozambique is among some of the poorest countries in Africa. Its 17 million people struggle with poverty and the aftereffects of a 15-year civil war that left over 1 million fatalities. Among this population are the 2.8 million Lomwe-speaking people of western Mozambique who practice Islam.

The Need
These people have endured much hardship. Situations during the civil war made it impossible for missionaries to enter and bring the Gospel to the Lomwe people.
In the aftermath of the civil war, the people were forced to accept any religion from the local leadership. The Lomwe people need messages of peace and reconciliation. Most of all, they need to hear of hope, renewal and restoration that only comes through Jesus Christ.

The Ministry
In response to these difficulties, TWR partnered with Words of Hope in 1989 to create the daily broadcast, "Weherya Mwa Yesu" or "Words of Hope" (WoH). This program brought the Gospel to the relatively unreached Lomwe-speaking people. The producer, Reverend Avelino Mutilima, serves with the goal to reach unbelievers with the Gospel in addition to teaching and encouraging existing Christians in their walk with the Lord. The programs are geared to reaching out to non-believers, believers, and church leaders to bring messages of hope and encouragement amidst struggle.

The Results
Well over 300 churches have been started through the "Words of Hope" broadcasts. Beginning with a small nucleus of new converts, the membership of many listener churches now numbers in the hundreds. In 2008 alone, an additional 60 new congregations were formed as a result of the program! Many Muslim families today are turning their lives to follow Jesus Christ.

"I am an old leader of 50 congregations as a result of WoH. It's wonderful. As soon as the gospel reached my village, it also reached the rural areas where it wasn't possible for somebody to go. It also reached the Muslim dominated areas. The radio is there, reaching those unbelieving people. We thank the Lord for reaching them through radio. My prayer is to continue preaching humbly and faithfully. Also I would like ask you (Pastor Avelino) to visit this area despite of the transportation situation you are facing. Your coming will encourage the listeners and new congregations. Also I would like to have the Lomwe Bible, evangelical hymn books, pamphlets and free radios." - from a Pastor

"We had a lot of problems with attitude toward sins like polygamy, adultery, alcoholism, and theft. There is also Satanism and witchcraft. Thank you for your preaching through meetings, tours, and through the radio. Without that, people and leaders don't know enough to tell the difference between what's true and what is false. Pray for us to not turn back to the old life." A Muslim Family

"We used to practice witchcraft and through the programs from TWR we received the truth of our Lord. We are now free of our sinful lives. We will continue praising the Lord until the end of our lives." A listener from Zambezia

"We are grateful for the preaching of the Word of God from TWR, Pastor Mutilima. The Reverend has an important mission with our believers. He teaches and counsels and calls for the lost to come and join us. We ask you to send us booklets and Bibles. Our prayer is that you continue preaching through radio this good news." A listener from Zambézia

Get Involved

• Pray for Rev. Avelino who often travels on extended preaching tours. Pray that God will continue to give him strength and wisdom as he offers counsel and encouragement to many.
• TWR missionaries still face severe transportation challenges in Mozambique. Pray that God will provide the safe transportation and people who can visit and encourage the church leaders of each village
• Pray for the three pastors preaching different Lomwe programs:
  • Weherya Mwa Yest (WMY) - Words of Hope Ministry
  • Ohusiha Mitchaka Yaphama (OMY) - teaches the Good News for church leaders who are leading the congregations that are the result of WMY's ministry
  • Emusi yanlakano (EY) - helps Christian families in their faith walk
• Pray for someone to help in acquiring the much needed Bibles, hymn books and free play radios for the far away areas so that they can continue listening to the radio
• Pray for the successful completion of the new studio in Mocuba that will facilitates the local transmission of programs to many listeners