Personal Stories

	Virginie Sonan, Surviving Spouse Cote d'Ivoire The monthly pension payments that Virginie Sonan receives from her conference as a surviving spouse don’t go very far. She says, “The monthly rent and one month’s 50-kilo bag of rice absorb slightly more than my entire monthly pension… It is only God who helps us.” Read full profile

	Albertine Djedjro, Surviving Spouse Cote d'Ivoire Albertine Djedjro has many children to support on a small pension she receives as a result of the death of her husband, a United Methodist pastor. “Some of our kids are very young,” says Djedjro. “There is not enough for them.” Read full profile

	Edwige Dadie, Surviving Spouse Cote d'Ivoire Edwige Dadie’s husband was still an active pastor when he passed away in 2004, leaving behind Edwige and their 5-year-old daughter. It took five years for Dadie to receive her first pension payment as a surviving spouse. Read full profile

	Rev. Ishaku Vobeyere Retiree Nigeria After serving as the pastor of 30 different congregations over his 44-year career, the Reverend Ishaku Vobeyere struggles to clothe himself, put food on the table and pay medical bills. Read full profile

	Rev. Samuila Ali Retiree Nigeria The Reverend Samuila Ali spent 30 years as a pastor. For many years, he ministered to multiple congregations at the same time—serving 35 different congregations over his career in the Church. He also supported other pastors through his role as a district superintendent for three years. Read full profile

	Rev. Bitrus Nwowin Retiree Nigeria With seven mouths to feed and a minimal pension from his conference, the Reverend Bitrus Nwowin has been forced to grow his food at home instead of enjoying a well-deserved break after his 40-year career in the Church. Read full profile

	Rev. Markus Wina Retiree Nigeria The Reverend Markus Wina has been a loyal servant of the Church in multiple ways—as a teacher in a Methodist school and in a seminary, a church pastor and a district superintendent. He lives with his wife and six adult children. Read full profile

	Hajara Barnabas Surviving Spouse Nigeria Two years ago, Hajara Barnabas lost her husband, a pastor who served in Nigeria. Before his death, she worked "hand-in-hand" with him, preaching the Gospel, advising parishioners and encouraging women and children in the church. Read full profile Watch Hajara Barnabas' personal story

	Saratu Daniel Surviving Spouse Nigeria Saratu Daniel was widowed in 2004. When her husband was alive, she worked with him to encourage parishioners and preach the Gospel. Daniel is grateful for the support she has received as a result of the Central Conference Pension Initiative. Read full profile Watch Saratu Daniel's personal story

	Rev. Henry Wheh Retiree Liberia Rev. Wheh lives with his children and grandchildren. Although the pension Rev. Wheh receives allows him to feed his family, the family lives hand-to-mouth, barely scraping by. And there is no money available for education or health care. Read full profile Watch Rev. Henry Wheh's personal story Rev. Henry Wheh's story appears as the 2nd of 3 stories on this video.

	Legina Mabunda Surviving Spouse Mozambique Legina Mabunda's husband served as a pastor for 40 years; he died in 1989. The income she receives as a surviving spouse pays for food and clothing for Mabunda and two nieces who live with her. However, it is not enough for health care. Read full profile Watch Legina Mabunda's personal story

	Rev. Kenneth Shamu Retiree Zimbabwe The Reverend Kenneth Shamu served nearly a dozen churches before retiring in 1995. Since his retirement, Rev. Shamu has received a pension, but the payments are unreliable. Some months he receives nothing at all, so he gardens to supplement his income. Read full profile Watch Rev. Kenneth Shamu's personal story

	Rev. David Paye Retiree Liberia The Reverend David Paye spent his career serving congregations in Liberia, despite the country's challenging and unstable political environment. His home was destroyed during the long civil war, and he has been unable to afford the necessary repairs. Read full profile Watch Rev. David Paye's personal story Rev. David Paye's story appears as the second of two stories on this video.

	Martha Matongo Surviving Spouse Zimbabwe Martha Matongo is a widow who lives with her grandchildren in Zimbabwe. She spent much of her life supporting her husband's ministry while raising seven children. Read full profile Watch Martha Matongo's personal story Martha Matongo's story appears as the third of three stories on this video.

	Rev. Willas Makunike Retiree Zimbabwe The Reverend Willas Makunike retired from the Church at age 60, after 34 years of service in Zimbabwe. Although he and his wife try to sustain themselves by farming, water shortages make this difficult. Read full profile Watch Rev. Willas Makunike's personal story Rev. Willas Makunike's story appears as the first of three stories on this video.

	Rosemary Chidzikwe Surviving Spouse Zimbabwe Rosemary Chidzikwe, the surviving spouse of a Zimbabwean pastor, is in poor health and has only a small garden to sustain herself. Her husband, Josiah, a retired minister, died in 1990. The elderly widow does not receive a pension, after years of supporting her husband's ministry. Read full profile Watch Rosemary Chidzikwe's personal story Rosemary Chidzikwe's story appears as the second of three stories on this video.

	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