On August 8, 2007, the Africa Evangelical Church - SIM’s partner in Malawi - sent out its first missionaries. Henry and Ethel Sumbulero, with their children Gracious (8), Omega (4), and Christine (2) settled across the Malawi border in Mutarara, Mozambique.

A year into their ministry to the Sena tribe, the Sumbuleros have established themselves as a safe presence in their community. Through door-to-door introductions and village meetings, Henry and Ethel have built up a church of 23, and neighbours often seek them out late into the night for wisdom and advice.

But in an area that practices predominantly traditional African religions, witnessing can be difficult.

“So many people are polygamists. You share the Word, but they have three wives and say they can’t be Christians because they can’t leave their wives,” Henry says. “It’s a big challenge we’re facing - how can Christianity relate to their lives?”

Yet, they persevere. Ethel teaches Sunday school and runs a sports ministry for local youth. She has also started visiting people living with HIV and AIDS, bringing God’s hope in the face of one of Mozambique’s biggest challenges. The Sumbuleros also visit the forgotten in prisons and hospitals, and Henry is joining with two others from Mozambique to begin training lay pastors.

The Sumbuleros face many cultural, financial and logistical challenges as they establish and grow their ministry. Still, they recently opened a second preaching point 25 kilometers from the first, and have a long-term vision to open more in neighbouring provinces.