I was born down here in Mozambique in 1977 in village that is about 508 kilometres from where I’m living now.
When I was 6 years old my father was a member of the Frelimo party and one of the best soldiers of former president Samora Machel. My daddy had taken all my brothers to Maputo Province but left me with my grandmother at home. This was a time of civil war between Frelimo and Renamo parties. It was a time of weapons, the shooting and killing of many many people. The blood became like water, raining on the land of my village.
In 1986 when president Samora Machel was killed the war was very hot in my village. Many died and the enemy was about to take me captive or maybe kill me just like a hen. My grandmother, she decided to send me to my fathers house in Maputo Province because she was afraid that I would die.
When I got there I found that my father had abandoned my mother and brothers, he had taken another woman and was no longer living with us. We cried a lot because it was so painful, my friends can you imagine that? A father leaving his family and live with someone else, it was deeply difficult for me.
Things were very difficult for us and in 1989 I went to Maputo city, Mozambique’s capital, and became a street kid. I had no one to take care of me and after some time I got a job. I was 11 years old and it was so hard for me because I was still a very young boy then.
This was when I began to take of my mother and brothers, sending money every month so that they may have something to eat. But life in Maputo was so difficult because my salary was too small to take care of myself and also of my family. It was in 1992 that a friend and I decided to leave to South Africa.
1992
The only way that Ernesto and his friend could do this was to walk. A trip of over 500kms they were travelling with little money and less knowledge of the country they were going to. It was also risky as they would be walking through South Africa during a time of great turmoil as it was busy in negotiation towards preparing for the end of apartheid.
“We were chased by the apartheid police one day. I split from my friend and ran, jumping a fence into the tomato plantations. I was fast and getting away from the police so they let go the dog.”
His young legs carried him through the plantation at speed.
“I didn’t run that day, I flew, that the police dog could not catch me.”
The chase continued until he reached an irrigation channel, a real distance, which he clear in one jump. He continued until he had the feeling that it was ok to stop. The problem was now is that he did not know from which direction he came or where his friend had gone.
It was here that he lay down, embracing sleep. When he opened his eyes he saw the sky, heard the birds calling all around him. He rose to his feet but his legs were shaking, he stumbled and sat down again.
Ernesto decided to spend the night in this place, it was comfortable and he had used everything during the chase. It was here that he met a man who was also walking to Johannesburg.
Together they walked, through banana, sugarcane and tomato plantations, eating as they went and being sustained by the land. They passed Witbank, Middleburg, and were finally in Benoni on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
From here the fifteen year-old Ernesto went to Park Station in the CBD, the place where all the long distance trains, buses, and taxis depart to destinations around the country. He slept there for the night under a bridge and the following day managed to get a lift to Doornfontein. This is a place that was a farm until some of the first gold discoveries in the area led to birth of the city. Many men have come from around Southern Africa and the world to seek their fortunes.
Ernesto was heading to one such mine where he hoped to get some work but when he arrived he was unable to get through security, the metal turnstile that was key card access only. Not to be deterred from his goal he made a plan:
“I had a tube of Aquafresh toothpaste in my bag. The was made of metal and so I emptied it and flattened a piece which I swiped through the machine.”
He was inside now and met some security guards who called the police. While this was happening an old man came along and talked to him in his mother tongue Shangana. The man explained that he was also from Mozambique and asked Ernesto’s name. Then he asked the name of his grandfather, something the two shared.
Upon hearing the name the old man stopped the security and told all of the men of the past and important prophecy. Ernesto’s grandfather, also Ernesto, had been one of the senior men on the mine. Before he died he wrote a letter saying that if someone from his family, his clan, should come that they should take over from him.
It was as if Ernesto senior knew that this day would come. The old man found the letter and showed Ernesto to a house, his grandfather’s, which had remained empty since his death. He was given food and stayed there for six months even tough he was not legally allowed to work because of this age.
Eventually though he decided to leave. Ernesto was told that he should then fulfil his grandfather’s wishes and choose a replacement.
“No, someone from my family will one day have that calling, but it is not for me.”
He was given some money and he left for Bekkersdal, Westonaria, an outlying suburb close to Soweto. He did odd jobs, managing to survive, until leaving for the capital, Pretoria. After this move he fell on hard times and was unable to find work.
Ernesto moved to the streets. While living like this he slept on the streets, even in the cold winters, without shelter or blankets. He ate out of dustbins, on food that others had discarded, most of it already spoiled. Without parents and the support of family, Ernesto also became a drunkard, using liquor to dull his pain and reality.
1995
By God’s grace I knew a man from Germany who took me into his house. I stayed there and he taught me building construction. I worked with that man about 6 years. He was a cool guy who taught me a lot of things in life. But the devil was leading inside my heart, I continued drinking. The German guy was also a drunkard master which did not help me. But I became one of the best builders in the region because I trained and learned in this man’s company.
1996
In 1996 he returned to Mozambique to his family who, by now, had forgotten him, not knowing his fate. When Ernesto found his father, he learnt that the former soldier had become a minister. The day he entered his father’s home he was not recognised. When he explained who he was his father cried.
When I arrived at home I found that my father was back home. I thanked God for that. He was a pastor of the Zion church and was invoking the ancestors (spirits) as well as making traditional treatments and ceremonies at home.
I started doing construction for people as they were inviting me to build their houses. But I was not getting paid. I went to the inyangas (traditional healers) trying to get a better sorts, but I things were only getting worse. I discovered that something it was wrong in me and went to consult my father about what is happening in my life. He told me that I have to worship the ancestors and then I will get everything I need. I tried this but nothing came good to me.
By 1998 he was back in South Africa with a friend Alberto where the two would work in construction.
End of 1999
While in South Africa I saw a vision of many children around me and I was so convicted that those children were mine and that I have to take care of them. I did not consider this as a good vision, by the way!
The visions continued.
2000-2002
The year 2000 brought massive floods to Mozambique and Ernesto left South Africa again and returned home. He began smoking ganja and drinking heavily.
“I was a boxer, fighting in the taverns. Every Friday night they (tavern owners) knew they had to give me at least two bottles of beer. Whenever there was trouble they would call me and I would beat those responsible before running away. I was feared.”
In September of that year God called to Ernesto and he gave up these ways.
One day I met a guy coming from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the one I call “uncle” by the influence he had on me. This man told me that he was sent by God from his country to come and meet somebody in Mozambique to preach to him the gospel of the most higher God, and that body it was me says the man, I asked him that how did know my home? He answered that he was lead by the Holy Ghost to me. God had showed him all the ways to meet me, even to find where I was living in my father’s house. I was still a drunkard that time which was in 2002-28-September.
The pastor had traveled to Mozambique after having his own visions, being called to find a man to whom he must preach the gospel. Not knowing the country, Ernesto, or even how to find him, the pastor was guided to the door of the house of Ernesto’s father. He now started to preach me the gospel of the true God, he helped me to know Jesus but still I was drinking beer and smoking many kinds of cigarettes. And one day in 2002-15-November at 7:00h pm seated on my room, drinking and smoking, I saw a blue and green fire in front of me. A spoke voice saying “I am the way and truth, come to me and you shall find rest”. I stood up and jumped to other side of the room asking: “who are you?”
The voice said be not afraid, “don’t fear for I am with you”. I thought that it was those spirits (ancestors) my father had spoken about. But the voice said again: “You are looking for somebody to rest on, I am also looking for you to be my servant”. And I said to Him: “Here I am Lord if you want to use me, please take me out of this life I’m going through.” I dropped down the cigarette and went to bed.
The same night I had a dream of a very big orphanage with so many orphans, underprivileged and vulnerable children, and I saw the Lord Jesus himself calling me and saying: “Those are the young ones I want you to save and to preach the living gospel to their fathers and around this nation of Mozambique and surrounding areas of this nation.”
I said to him: “Yes my Lord I will.”
The next morning I told the pastor because he was not a simple guy. When he heard of my visions he said to me:
“What are you waiting for? Come and gather the local government and tell them about this vision and start this work because God has put this in your hands.”
He also told me that I have to hold this mission like any egg and conserve so that it must not fall, and I promised to hold the vision until I fulfill it. The same day I did as he had told me to, not as man speaking, but as God talking to me through him. And the local government agreed with my vision. And I felt like something very heavy was taken from my shoulder and I found salvation, everlasting salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ the SAVIOR.
VISIONS
Day 1
“I slept for fifteen hours, from 9pm to 11am the next day.”
While asleep, Ernesto says that the Lord sent him the visions that would change his life and put him on his current path.
It began he found himself in the bush, closed to a village. He experienced a feeling of being lost, not know where he was going. Suddenly he was confronted by a warrior and the two did battle. The warrior was too strong for Ernesto:
“When I was about to be defeated I was lifted on high and when I came down I was full of strength and could fight.”
This was the first of the tests. After defeating the warrior he was between a city and village and had to pass through a huge wall to get into the city. There were “many many enemies standing in my way but I had no weapon”. Suddenly a massive sword was placed in his hand and he did battle.
After defeating his enemies a voice spoke:
“After this battle your glory is behind this wall.”
The wall was long, as far as the eye could see, and high. He sensed that inside the city were people living inside, many many children, and it is here that he would work, building houses, clinics, teaching and so on.
The city was like “a country inside a country” (like the centre is now).
Before getting inside Ernesto was attacked by the enemy. This time though he took the fight to them, defeating all but the commander. This man fell to his knees in surrender. But Ernesto chose not to let him go in case he were to regroup and return. He cut the man into pieces.
(Was this battle the final one inside himself? Was the slaying of the commander the defeating of his own FEAR towards him walking his truth and living his mission in the world?)
Then a light shone down on the scene of the battle. Inside it he was lifted off of the ground. He tried to walk, run, but was unable to move. When he was put down it was on the path that took him to the gate of the city. Walking along the wall towards the gate he heard the cries of many many people inside the city.
Arriving at the gate, Ernesto woke.
DAY 2
The following night the vision continued.
Ernesto found himself among thousands of children. He was working for them in schools, clinics, building homes, etc., his energy going into developing them.
He felt that his main objective was to support this children and them to know the Word of God.
“When I woke up I felt confused. I had no money, no car, nothing. How was I supposed to do this work?”
Ernesto explained his visions to a pastor from the DRC. The pastor’s message was direct and simple:
“You have no time. You must start. Whatever comes into your mind, you must do it!”
The advice was to take pen and paper and record any ideas – this is something that continues today as Ernesto carries pen and paper day and night, recording any ideas that come to him.
Ernesto thought hard. He decided to gather the community and explain his vision. He visited the local chief in Marracuene, Pappa Sithole. The elder knew Ernesto’s father and siblings even though he had never met Ernesto.
After listening he was happy and advised Ernesto to go house to house in the small town, to explain his vision and ask about orphans. He did so and gathered many names.
In the mean time, Pappa Sithole assembled all of the chiefs and advisors that fall under him. About three hundred men, women and children gathered to listen to Ernesto’s presentation.
He began by asking them to pray but he did so by inviting each to follow their own beliefs and religious practice, to do it in their own way. Some called on their God while others spoke to their ancestors, calling them to be a part of what was happening here. Unity in prayer and purpose was important here, not any particular religious leaning.
Ernesto continued, explaining his vision and telling them community that he did not have a place where he could do this. The presentation was greeted by clapping and cheering, he was told that the people had been waiting a long time for something such as this. Many organisations claiming to represent and benefit children had come to take photographs and stories which were used for some selfish end and these organisations were never seen again. Here was a local man wanting to pursue a local solution.
So from then 2002 up to today I became a very powerful man of God and I tell you there is nothing that shall separate me from the love of Christ because He saved my life gave me a very beautiful wife, family and supportive friends. And He also gave us His peace and that’ why we will be fitting together until we build this orphanage.
TIME OF CONSOLIDATING: 2003-present
The first day there were 180 children. There was no food or a place to stay. Ernesto turned to prayer. One month later he was invited by an NGO that had brought some potential donors to Mozambique to look at various projects. Ernesto was asked to translate but on arriving saw that interpreters had already been arranged.
Everyone attending was asked to introduce themselves and their work. Ernesto’s turn came and he spoke. After hearing his story the donors said they had not heard such in their time in Mozambique. They stopped the meeting and asked him to show them the project.
When they arrived there were many questions: “How do you feed all of these children?”
“I really don’t know,” was the honest reply.
The donors bought food which was a major support for Ernesto, the children and his mission.
But from 2003 to 2008 there was no external support. Ernesto and his family tried by any means to raise what was needed to continue. By walking long distances into the bush to cut trees to make coal, Ernesto was able to make some money. He also did any and all piece job he could find. The family taught the children day and night, guiding them as time passed.
It was then that God called Ernesto again, telling him to go and work in another village. He did this, supporting the children there and their community until other organisations picked up from him.
It was then that he moved to Possulane, to the site of CCSR today. This was after God told him that there was a fixed place where the work must continue. At the time Ernesto was in Marracuene and he walked from the small town just north of Maputo, headed into the bush. The area was not familiar to him but he was being guided.
Arriving there he met the local chief. The leader told him to write a letter to the local authorities explaining his vision. This was delivered by the chief and soon thereafter the government agreed to sell Ernesto a piece of land for 30,000 MT (about $1000).
Once this was done the support came. Some money was donated from a group in the US, donors, as well as Ernesto’s piece job work. They were able to buy the material and start the construction on the dormitory. This was done by Ernesto and some boys that he had trained using his knowledge in construction.
When the dormitory was nearly done Ernesto took time, fasting and praying for guidance as to what would come next as the money and materials were nearly finished.
Soon after he went to Inhambane, a province further north, where he worked for a company digging boreholes. The six-month contract earned him enough to start with the outside toilets, the wastewater septic system, and kitchen.
After completing this he received blankets, mosquito nets, pots and pans, plates, cutlery, and so on. Construction at the centre has and is continuing as and when the resources are there to continue. At present most of the children are staying with local families as there is not enough resources to provide for them all at present.
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
While Ernesto has a vision he knows that this cannot be achieved by him alone.
Materials to finish buildings: Tiles, cement, doors & windows, gas cookers for the kitchen, and a number of other things.
When this is done he also wants to build a simple, open-air structure that will be used for eating.
Things such as pots & pans, cutlery, blankets, clothing for the children, school stationary (books, pens & pencils, etc.). Anything that can be used to the benefit of the children.
Then comes the bigger project of building a school for the children who are currently travelling 8kms (5miles) one way to attend school having to cross a busy road.
Any skills that can be learned around sustainable building techniques will also be useful as it will also limit the reliance on costly building materials while also teaching the skills that can benefit many going into the future.
He also hopes to finds some funds to purchase a 3-ton truck which can be used to transport materials and other things which are currently very costly in the way that to move anything to the centre, vehicles must be rented. If the centre is able to get a truck it can also be hired out to the local community which will provide some income to the centre.
They have been given a large piece of land on which to grow food for the centre but they need help with skills and training to ensure that they can take over food production towards becoming less reliant on money.
Help with planting and managing resources such as hemp, eucalyptus and bamboo will also be beneficial as it will ensure useable building resources moving forward.
Energy is also a challenge as there is no electricity in the area. A generator is currently being used at night but this is costly and reliant on money. If an individual or organisation is will to partner with CCSR in setting up and training people around renewable energy sources this will limit the need for and reliance on costly, unsustainable energy sources. Lighting, cooking, and so on, are things that, if generated sustainably, will greatly help us.
Whatever skills are learned here will be passed on to others, the children in particular, which will ensure that people are given tools for life that will make them independent individuals going into the future. This is not about having people put large sums of money into an account but rather people feeling how they can partner with us and then act on it.
Sustainability is the key here. The CCSR is not looking for charity as this will create dependency. A hand up is more valuable to us than a handout. The calling is there, the passion and energy is in abundance within those linked to the centre, what is needed now is help in areas where there is no knowledge or limited skills.
Our vision has been realised thus far through hard work and true partnerships and it is hoped that CCSR will continue to grow in this way. Anyone and any contribution is welcome if it will work towards providing the best for the centre and the children.
“These kids are my heart. When I hear one of them cry it touches me deep inside,” says Ernesto.
“Where I have come from is a long way and where I am going is still a long way. I am not a holy one among people, I am not the good one among people. I have weakness in me, I can commit wrong things.”
Ernesto is running the centre together with his wife and some young men from the local community who he is training in construction. He has four children of his own children. For his own children he is wanting to give them a simple but important gift:
“I pray to God that they must not have a different things to the others. They must have the same heart that is in me so that if I am called to God tomorrow, they can continue this work.”
This is a lesson in equality, in valuing each and every human life as sacred.
Ernesto’s personal faith statement
I believe the bible is the eternal true word of God that was written by man who was spared by God.
He is the final authority for the Christian life and conduct and Christ being the criteria, which interpret scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:19-20-21).
I believe only in God. He is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. He is merciful, just, loving and patient. He reviews himself to me as a father, son and Holy Spirit.
I believe in the unity of God in three persons, the father, son and Holy Spirit with three distinct personal attributes but without divisions of nature of essence of being.
I believe in the direct creation and fall of man as opposed to evolution.
The deity, vision birth sinless vicarious death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I believe in the depravity man, his absolute need of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
I believe in the all sufficiency of Christ’s death for my salvation, which is Gods free gift for me, and his received by faith alone.
I believe in eternal security and permanent in dwelling of the Holy Spirit in every believer today.
ERNESTO SAMUEL CHAUQUE & THE SEEDS OF THE CCSR
I believe in the true church as Christ’s body and bride.
I believe the local church as Christ’s agency for evangelism and spiritual edification.
I believe Jesus Christ alone is the head of the church.
I believe in the bodily resurrection from the death for the believer to everlasting life and blessedness and the joy with the Lord in heaven and of non-believer to everlasting punishment and separation from God in hell.
I believe in the personal imminent pre-millennial pre-tribulation rapture of the church and return of Jesus Christ in glory and power and a literal eternal heaven and hell.
So with this, I’m giving any understanding of the vision that was brought to me by God to succor those who are lost and to bring them in the presence of almighty God.
With this vision I want to fulfill or to carry out the go of the Lord Jesus Christ, (Matthew 28:19-20).
