Personal Stories

	Rev. Francisco Macitela Macie Retiree Mozambique Rev. Macie taught preaching techniques to many of the current pastors in the Mozambique Annual Conference. Although he is now retired after 37 years in ministry, Rev. Macie continues to work under an active pastor at one of the local churches, teaching and conducting various worship services in addition to those that are regularly scheduled. Read full profile

	Rev. Amina Isaias Retiree Mozambique Rev. Isaias, an itinerant elder, receives two pension payments from the Church—one as a surviving spouse and another for her years of service—yet it is still not enough. "I have a daughter who has had a permanent disease since she was a little child. She now has a daughter of her own, and I support both of them," she says. Read full profile

	Rev. Titus Panzela Nhancale Retiree Mozambique The limited pension Rev. Nhancale, a retired itinerant elder, receives makes it difficult for him and his wife to afford medicine. "Our pension is what it is, but now it does not stretch as far as we need," he says. "At our age, it is difficult to stay healthy, and our drugs are very expensive." Read full profile

	Rev. Laas Helde Retiree Estonia The Rev. Laas Helde, 86, stands up straight in the hallway to welcome visitors to the small house he shares with his wife, Maimu, 83. "This is such a great blessing, a help," he says of the church pension of US$86 he receives each month. Helde and his wife, Maimu, 83, combine it with the pensions both receive from the state for their secular work. Read full profile

	Rev. Peeter Piirisild Retiree Estonia At 80 and retired, Piirisild continues to serve a small group of Estonians who gather each week for Sunday worship and midweek prayers at the United Methodist church in Narva on the Estonia-Russia border. The voice he combined with those of others to sing for church groups during the Soviet years is still strong. Read full profile

	Liis Oengo and Erna Kunstimees Surviving Spouses Estonia Liis Oengo and Erna Kunstimees, both in their 80s, are examples of "the wives of our pastors, the wives who for years and years and years have faithfully stood with their husbands," says the Rev. Olav Parnamets. Read full profile

	Tabitha Katsande Surviving Spouse Zimbabwe Tabitha Katsande is still a faithful member of the last church where her husband was pastor before he died in 1998. The Rev. Alfred Katsande was a pastor for 40 years. He retired from Revelation United Methodist Church in 1997 at the age of 72. Read full profile Watch Tabitha Katsande's personal story

	Elijah Kabungaidze District Superintendent Zimbabwe The United Methodist pastors in the Rev. Elijah Kabungaidze's district are always on his mind. He knows retired pastors and widows are suffering the most. Read full profile

	Willie Marare Retiree Zimbabwe The Rev. Willie Babopotongerenyi Marare has suffered imprisonment, attacks on his home and the deaths of his two sons. The setback that finally made him stop preaching was the loss of his eyesight in 2001. Read full profile Watch Willie Marare's personal story

	Rev. Joseph Sunday Retiree Liberia After serving rural Liberia for 33 years, Rev. Sunday's small pension income is hardly enough to live by, but he carries on in retirement. Read full profile Watch Joseph Sunday's personal story

	Rev. James Mazdeh Retiree Liberia Mazdeh relies on a quarterly pension of US$60 from the United Methodist Liberia Annual Conference, and his wife sells goods in a small market to generate some money. Sometimes they have to rely on help from their children. Read full profile Watch Rev. James Mazdeh's personal story

	Rev. Karma Early Retiree Liberia The Rev. Karmah Early isn't sure how old she is or how many years she served as a United Methodist pastor in a rural area outside of Monrovia. Read full profile Watch Karmah Early's personal story

	Agnes Toe Surviving Spouse Liberia Agnes Toe lives in the home she shared with her husband and four children, but it is falling apart around her. She has no money for repairs and often can’t afford the medication she needs. Read full profile Watch Agnes Toe's personal story

	Ana Simeone Chuquele Surviving Spouse Mozambique, Africa Ana Simeone Elija Chuquele attends the church named in her husband's honor, Elija Together United Methodist Church. She receives about $20 a month in pension and is surviving with her children's help. Read full profile Watch Ana Simeone's personal story

	Serafina Ngal Surviving Spouse Mozambique, Africa Serafina Ngal has struggled with her health since the death of her husband, the Rev. João Tove Ngal, in 2003. He was a pastor for 23 years before he retired. Read full profile Watch Serafina Ngal's personal story

	Rev. Daniel Islalm Retiree Liberia, Africa Rev. Islalm is grateful for his retirement income—not only for basic needs, but for continually increasing medical care costs. Read full profile

	Minerva Kekeh Surviving Spouse Liberia, Africa Kekeh and her children hardly subsist on the income from her late husband's pension benefits. Read full profile

	Beatrice Kekeh Surviving Spouse Liberia, Africa Even rice is difficult to afford. "Twenty Liberian dollars for one cup," laments Beatrice, who relies on her pension for food. Read full profile

	Rev. Sarah Fisk Retiree Liberia, Africa Rev. Fisk has suffered the past 20 years—war in her country, losing her home, and the death of her husband in 2004. Read full profile