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4000-658-Schmidt, Rodger and Lynne

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* Coaching Website
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Blogs and Articles on WorldVenture.com:
* Live Tour and Prayer Walk in Mozambique
* Resting Murder Face Series
* Tourism Revives Island of Culture and Confluence
* Easter Sunday: Stories of Redemption

Learn More:
Project: Finish The Task Force

More Information:

Rodger and Lynne Schmidt joined the World Venture Family over 20 years ago. In their many years, they have been afforded the opportunity to build and lead multiple teams of missionaries. They were privileged to plant three churches and serve the African church. The egg farm experience taught them the power of disciple making as way of life and the power of Business for Transformation (B4T, See definition below). 14 years ago, they began working on Mozambique Island and for 10 years living and serving full time among the Macua Nahará people. Business for Transformation on Mozambique Island planted the seed and created context for Global Workers to be successful and establish a growing Makua Nahará church. This transformation is spiritual, physical and deeply rooted in the community. The roots of the gospel grow deep in the hearts of those who are walking with Jesus today. We are deeply grateful for God’s people, His courage, and World Venture’s partnership in making much possible.

They are now looking to the future and asking some really difficult questions. Instead of leaving everything to chance and hoping for the best, we are seeking to think critically, missionally, and creatively. We seek to finish our part of the task with integrity and intention. We are excited about what “could be” as we, together, find a way to expand the vision, ensure sustainability, mobilize others, lead sacrificially, and guided with the Mission of God as our compass.

Mozambique has qualified business and mission leaders who are able and ready to expand the work of disciple making in the marketplace. It is essential that we clear the runway and continue the work of disciple making among the Macua Nahara people of Northern Mozambique and beyond.

Our Core Values

• We are a disciple making mission: The mission of God trumps everything!
• We go where others will not or cannot go. Now we have the privilege to send others to places we (Westerners) cannot go.
• We are creative, innovative and risk takers.
• We care about sustainability, the future and how our work impacts generations to come.
• We vision in advance what it means to finish even before we start. We know when our part of the work is finished.
• We believe in planting seeds and exponential growth over time.
• We value strong innovative leadership, accountability, and transparency.
• We are solely inspired, motivated, and anchored by the current and active biblical Mission of God around the world.
• We are driven by the autonomy of local regions. The WV field leadership know best how to manage resources and implement strategies for disciple making in their respective locations.

Business for Transformation (B4T) focuses on sustainability and the transformative impact of the gospel on all aspects of society. Success is measured by people coming to faith, communities of Jesus followers growing in maturity and service to the Lord and to others. Success is also measured by how the gospel of Jesus impacts business ethics, education, family dynamics, healthy marriages, morality and understanding of truth and integrity and yes the church. Business for Transformation is deeply committed to long term sustainable transformation of the head, heart and soul of individuals and measures the impact of the gospel as it relates to all of society. B4T is not restricted to a geographical location, missionary community or western organizations.

What has been accomplished through Rickshaws and the mission of God on Mozambique island?

• A growing community of Baptized Jesus Followers. 15 years ago there were less than .01% of the population who claimed to not be Muslim, fewer who knew Jesus personally. Rickshaws created a sustainable context for biblical discipleship every day, over time and for years to come.
• Rickshaws employees are taught biblical principles of operations and business and internalized, become part of their character and Worldview.
• After 15 years of disciple making, disciples are making disciples. Reproducible fruit!
• Rickshaws paved the way into a closed community for other Global workers to thrive and build on the reputation of Rickshaws in the community.
• There are employees buying homes, dads and moms educating and caring for children, employees continuing education at the local university: (bachelor’s degrees in finance, tourism, and international relations) and our manager s beginning an MBA specializing in leadership. Rickshaws makes this possible.
• For the first time in known history some of the local business leaders are follower of Jesus.
• Rickshaws makes possible employees to finish high school. In 2024, three employees will be entering University and one will begin an MBA. Rickshaws makes this possible.
• Rickshaws achieved the impossible task of hiring unskilled, unemployable (by worlds standards), unexperienced employees, and transformed many into skilled, qualified, contributing members of society. As Image Bearers of God, they reflect his image as valuable, productive, disciple making lights in the darkness. Only God can do that!
• Society changes as the gospel of Jesus changes people. This is a long-game mission that requires intentionality, sustainability, context and strong leadership.
• Access/influence in the lives of Muslim family members, wives and children, who otherwise would not be allowed to associate with Jesus followers.
• In 15 years, Rickshaws presence is highly respected and valued in the community. Rickshaws presence gives credibility to the words of Jesus, “come to me all you are weary and burdened, and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

How hard fought were/are these accomplishments?

• We arrived as uninvited guests. Our neighbors were suspicious, accused us of human and drug trafficking. We were hauled into the police almost weekly for some infraction or other. We were accused of being unemployed criminals with money hiding from the government in the “bairro”. It has taken 15 years to earn trust and respect in a community that does not trust outsiders for any reason.
• Our neighbor is a “Halifa” (teacher of the Koran to woman) and to this day manipulates relationships to keep women away from Lynne and those who might align themselves with Jesus.
• We have fought corruption and won. We have fought corruption and lost.
• We have been sued more times than we can count. We have had two legal battles with an individual who took us to court to steal the Rickshaws Property. It was expensive and exhausting.
• We have survived Covid; There was no government help to pay salaries or keep the fixed costs paid. We are deeply grateful for faithful supporters who fought with us to keep us solvent during two very difficult years. The Rickshaws Staff had to learn to shift, pivot, be creative, learn new skills, tighten the belt, sacrifice personally, work extra hours, take pay cuts, and fight to keep their livelihoods and ability to care for family viable.
• We survived Hurricane Gombe. She caused $100,000 in damage and shut the business down for 6 months. We still paid salaries, raised the money needed, rebuilt, and opened once again.
• We made difficult business decisions. In 2023 we fired the longest standing employee, friend, and disciple. This decision was necessary for many reasons and generated a good amount of stress and heartbreak. However, the leadership team recognized sometimes hard decisions are required for the good of the company and our ability to continue. Rickshaws survived yet once again and is now making money, has long term savings and reserve funds in the bank. Rickshaws is 100% financially sustainable with a future.
• The Lord has fought for us against the powers of darkness, demon possession, witchcraft, voodoo curses and a generational demonic bondage of trauma, abandonment and self-preservation.
• For 10 plus years, Rickshaws staff, local craftsmen, artisans, clientele, donors, churches and the world venture team have invested years, personal money, blood sweat and tears to achieve what today is a thriving disciple making business in a UPG (unreached people group) community.

Today there are COMMUNITIES of Jesus followers on and off the island and influenced differently by the gospel and in ways never seen before.

Join the Team, lets finish the Task!

Location:
Mozambique, Africa
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