MABALANE IS ONE OF THE NORTHERN DISCIPLING HUBS
(fourth from the top of the map – tap map to see.)
BOAVIDA BALOI AND HIS WIFE BRIZDA ARE THE SUPERINTEDANTS
Apart from his mother tongue, Shangaan, and the local official language, Portuguese, Boavida is fluent in English. His ministry benefits thereby in that he can study the Word by means of commentaries in that language as he is seen doing in the photo.
Boavida has been married to Brizda for 21 years (as at 2023). They have 3 sons, all of which are still living with them.
He’s ministry includes translating the Mission’s study guides and other documents from English into Shangaan. Much of his time is invested in this important task.
His main task is the establishing, overseeing and running of discipleship classes in and around this hub. He is running 3 classes himself.
- At Mabalane Centre; Class, General, Course, Old Testament, Students, 10.
- At Chipswane; Class, God’s Original Church; Class, TPCL Studies; Students, 10.
- At Mabalane Centre; Class, Ofra Christian Church; Course, TPCL Studies; Students, 5.
Nesta Mulima, a parttime teacher, is running the following 2 classes:
- At Combomune; Class, Jesus is the Master; Course, Epistles and Revelation, Students, 6.
- At Combomune; Class, Jesus is the Master; Course, Gospels and Acts, Students, 14.
TOGETHER THEY RUN 5 CLASSES WEEKLY, TOTALLING 45 STUDENTS.
Brizda supplements their income by growing vegetables. In the photo she is seen doing a course in gardening to improve her skills.
BOAVIDA AND BRIZDA’S LIFE STORIES
Boavida was born at Matitse in Mozambique on 1965-12-20 and grew up tending his father’s flock. At age 23 he fled to SA to escape the raging civil war. There, in 1990, he accepted the Lord Jesus as Saviour at a tent campaign, then became a member of the Presbyterian- and later of the Assemblies of God church. In 1998 he passed matric (grade 12) at the Giyane High School (SA) and in 2001 completed a three year theological course at Harvesters Theological Seminary. Then, in 2001 he returned to his “roots” his hometown in Mozambique.
In the meantime, Brizda, who also was born at Matitse, had fled to the village of Barragem. There she attended school, made grade 5, also got born again and then returned to Matitse. She met up with Baloi and they got married in 2002. (They now have three sons).
In 2006 they joined Rivoni Ministries and did the first year course, then became class teachers. Baloi also translated the Mission’s study guides from English to Shangaan. He was later appointed as Director of Rivoni Ministries Mozambique and is now serving as District Superintendent at Mabalane. He is actively supported by Brizda who continued her school studies and got her grade 10 certificate in 2014.
Apart from teaching at discipling classes, Br Boavida also preaches wherever there is an opportunity. Here he is bringing the Word of God ……….. meeting.
MORE PICTURES OF MABALANE
