Chico Mapenda facts for kids
Chico Tomo Antonio Mapenda, born in 1969, was a very important person for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mozambique. He was the first person from Mozambique to join the Church. He helped the Church grow a lot in Mozambique during the 1990s.
Contents
Chico Mapenda's Life Story
Early Life and Studies
In 1982, when Chico was about 13, he left his hometown of Beira to study in East Germany. At that time, Mozambique had a government that was friends with countries like East Germany.
Joining the Church
In 1989, Chico met missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They shared a book called the Book of Mormon with him, which was in Portuguese. On January 14, 1990, he was baptized (joined the Church) in East Germany. He also became a priest, which is a leadership role in the Church, while he was still there.
Returning to Mozambique
After Germany became one united country again, Chico had to go back to Mozambique. He had married another Mozambican person while in Germany. When they returned, Chico shared the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with his father-in-law, Francisco Dique Sousa.
Chico's brother, Gimo Mapenda, was a Protestant minister. He also learned about the Church's teachings, believed them, and helped share them with others in Mozambique.
In 2003, a new Church area called the Beira Mozambique District was created. Chico Mapenda became the first counselor (a leader) in the presidency of this district.
