Ten days with dear friends

Snow was streaking across the QEW as we navigated our way to the Hamilton airport where we would pick up Silas and Djane Costa e Silva. As they stepped into the blustery cold air, the 30+ C heat of Brazil was only a frozen memory. But they were enthused to establish relationships with local MB churches in a global missionary partnership that links the Portuguese-speaking countries of Brazil and Angola with Canada.

Clockwise from top left: Silas, Djane, Debra and Rachel Costa e Silva

Silas and Djane are MBMS International missionaries from Curitiba, Brazil preparing for ministry in Luanda, the capital of Angola. They are the first missionaries being sent into the global cross-cultural context by the Brazilian Mennonite Brethren Church.

Djane felt the call of God to mission at the age of seven and Silas made a commitment to follow Jesus and be involved in His mission at 14. Silas commented that he could never distinguish between deciding to follow Jesus and being a missionary.

The call to Angola has grown in their hearts for over 13 years. Djane recalls an experience before they were married when they visited some Angolan friends. As they held their friends’ children on their laps they wondered out loud, “Perhaps one day we will be in Angola and hold many more Angolan children on our laps.”

Silas and Djane and their children (Debra, 7 and Rachel, 4) are going to a country ravaged by 40 years of war. The last two years have seen relative peace, but evidence of civil and political unrest is everywhere. A 70% illiteracy rate has prompted the six MB churches of Luanda, a city of 4.5 million, to become involved in establishing schools for over 900 children. Djane, a teacher, will be involved in literacy training, and Silas, pastor and teacher at the MB seminary in Curitiba (ISBIM), will train leaders in the MB Bible school in Luanda.

The Angola Mennonite Brethren Church was started by the Congo MB Church. To escape their warring country, many Angolans fled to Congo, where they encountered Christians from Mennonite Brethren churches. Many have returned to Angola, bringing their Christian faith back and establishing 49 MB churches across the country. Congolese missionaries (Masolo and Isaiko Mununga) continue to be involved by training church leaders.

One year ago, Silas spent seven weeks teaching in Angola. One day he was invited to share God’s word with a group of women. He was then invited to participate in an Angolan tradition – a “renaming” ceremony. Silas was renamed “Luzolo” which means “the love of God.”

The women said, “your coming to us is proof that God still loves us. Only the love of God could inspire you to accept our invitation and commit yourselves to work with us. No one wants to come to Angola, but God has given you a love to join us in this ministry.” This prophetic word further strengthened the conviction of their calling in Silas’s soul.

Silas and Djane have committed themselves for a three-year term with the hopes of ministering for at least ten years. My ten days visiting our Mennonite Brethren churches in southern Ontario with them drove these dear people deeply into my heart.

What a privilege it is to learn from, and minister with, those God has chosen to build His kingdom! Their affection for the Angolan people and their passion for this ministry warmed the hearts of those of us privileged to encounter them. I commend them to you for your prayers and support.

Gerald Hildebrand is the MBMS International area director for Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.