Hot

Today was the hottest day yet and the hottest one we remember here. Perhaps it is more noticeable where we live now because we are more inland. However, the 'in-the-shade' temperatures were really something today. We went to our Mavalene church this morning, which is an out-side church adjacent to a home and the temperature really escalated through the service. The chickens and ducks joined us this morning because it was cooler in the shade of the cover. We returned home at mid-day and there was just no getting away from the heat.

Of course, this is Africa (TIA) and you expect it to be hot, so that's ok, but we're thinking this stretch of hot will bring some rain to cool things off a bit - or at least that is what we experienced in the past. However, one thing I have learned is that the past is certainly not a good predictor of the future, although many talk as if it is!

In the midst of this heat, a friend called who lives near here speaking in rapid Portuguese. I grasp the meaning that his baby is really sick and he needs a ride to the hospital or a ride from the hospital, I'm not really sure which. From the tone, I think it must be bad and he knows we're very attached to his baby (Carol is her name). So, we jump in our oven of a car and quickly drive to his house where everyone is sitting under the trees with baby Carol in a small bucket of water, mom splashing her with water to cool her off. Ok, so Ernesto comes to the car wondering why we raced to his house, and so now in face-to-face conversation I learn that he tried to come see us this morning to help him take Carol to the hospital because she was very sick. But, we were at church and they took her anyway and brought her home. She has malaria (the second time in this 13-month old's little life) and had been given re-hydration solution to drink and the malaria medication. Ok, I got most of the words, but not in the right order and I certainly missed the difference between past tense and present tense.

Remember yesterday when I was thankful for a small victory in language. Drat, I knew I shouldn't have said that!

We visited a while and returned to our little oven, I mean our home. There was no one out and about today - it was just too hot. As we drove through the narrow dirt streets to our house, we could see the people laying on their grass matts in the shade of the trees. That is how you deal with this heat and what a great idea for a Sunday afternoon. Nap-time.....

Blessings,

Dave & Ann

"And you think it's hot here!......"

(A sign we saw on a church as we drove into Las Vegas when we were in our 20's.)

Baptisms

This photograph is the 10 people who were baptized at our T-3 church today along with their family and friends. If nothing else, this photo shows the numbers of people one person can influence!

It was a wonderful service and we were thrilled to be a part of it. It was a big celebration that started at 0900 and we left at 1230. There was much dancing, preaching, celebration, and prayer. I was asked to close the service and was able to stumble through in Portuguese and I praise God for that small victory today in language. The service was amplified today, which causes quite an echo in the church and that makes understanding doubly difficult for us but we were able to follow. It wasn't that long ago that we'd completely miss the cues when we were asked to participate in some fashion so maybe we are making a little progress after all!

Afterwards, we agreed to take the sound equipment back to our Khongolote church, getting home a few minutes ago. It is unbelievably hot today. Whew! Yesterday I got so hot doing a little outside with the car that I started to have heat stroke and my nurse had to take action. That was a first for me - nauseated from the heat! This 'in the shade' thermometer is only about 95 degrees today - it was over a hundred yesterday.

What a great celebration today was!

I'll try to load a small video to help give you a small flavor.

Blessings to you!

Dave & Ann

"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters." Psalm 18:16

Seminary Graduation - the First Class

Shortly after we arrived, the first class of our Biblical and Theological Seminary of Maputo began using instructors from a nearby Nazarene Bible College and a program we have made the core of our seminary program. The normal three-year course was completed by our students in a little less than two years as they were able to move quickly through the initial material because of the excellent training they had already received from various OMS missionaries. The course work is well accepted by numerous denominations in southern Africa as providing sufficient knowledge for ordination, provided the candidate is accepted by his or her church and that the candidate meets other Biblical requirements for ordination. What we especially like about the material is that it is contextualized for Africa.

From the picture - back row left to right - Lucas, Juka, Jorge, Daniel, Carlos; front row - three three Nazarene professors, then Ricardo, Abel.

This was a very special day as is any graduation day but the first class is always special. We have a second class in progress we began in January using our own instructor and we are hoping to begin the third class early next year. Our new seminary director, Mike Thiessen has been doing a wonderful job tying everything together and setting a course for the future.

We had a nice ceremony and time of celebration with the families of the graduates and we really look forward to seeing the lives of these precious people unfold. All are currently involved in some level of leadership in their local churches or our new denomination.

Congratulations to the Class of 2008, BTSM.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,..." Proverbs 1:7

Village Church - More on the Conference

We wanted to share a couple of photos from the church planting conference that I wrote about in our last blog entry. What has impressed me so much is how the program being administered from OMS South Africa is in 19 countries where there are no missionaries. They work through a definitive 'chain of command' to country supervisors in each country who administer the program through established churches in those countries. The work is growing rapidly and it just makes sense to engage National leaders in each country to do the work independently. They know the culture, they know the people, they know the language, they know the governmental 'hoops,' and they know when to push and when not to.

Here in Mozambique, we function somewhat as the country supervisors for the village church planting program, relying on Juka, Xavier, and Abel to administer the program. The conference has given us alot of ideas on how we might do a better job in the future and possibly a better direction to go relative to administering the work. So, the conference was inspiring yet extremely challenging as it did show us how very far we have to go to implement the program here as it is designed. It seems that the more we learn, the more we understand how much more we need to learn! (but isn't that always the case?).

The stories we heard were so sobering. Two young men started each presentation with "hello, I'm from Rwanda and we've had a genocide in our country; another man spoke of how he was dodging bullets to get to the airport; another spoke of the intense suffering / starvation in his country; another spoke of rebel uprisings resulting in killings near his home. Yet, each testified with great joy about the great things the "Lord of the Harvest" was accomplishing in their country.

I have re-read the book of Acts in the Bible since returning from the conference and what we see happening here in Africa is so much like what we see in that book. And the recipe has not changed after all these years....train others to train others; God will bring the increase.

The one photo of Ann and I is with Jeremias, the country supervisor for Angola, also a Portuguese-speaking country. We had some joint friends from the OMS Extreme Walk program that spent time with Jeremias in Angola. Jeremias has much experience with the ECC program and was able to provide very good counsel to us. He was quite gifted language-wise, being fluent in French, English, Portuguese, plus a whole host of dialects.

So, a few photos to share this morning as I thank God for how you are standing so faithfully with us. Thank you.

"For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.'" Acts 13:47,48

Village Church Planting Conference

We're at the annual Africa Village Church Planting (VCP) Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa.  The first day was a combination of inspiring and yet totally humbling presentations as we learned about what God is doing in Africa.  We have about 40 people from 18 African countries successfully using the VCP church planting model and it has been an amazing experience to be with these wonderful people from places like Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Togo, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Liberia, to mention a few.

The model is very simple and so simple that it works.  Yet, it is not without resistance because it truly challenges my Western bias about how we think things should be because that is how we do it in ________(fill in the blank).  I think I've explained the model before but it is always good to refresh on it.

First, potential target areas are researched.  We are especially interested in planting churches in un-reached people groups and places where we are not competing with other church groups.  Second, we find the right partners (such as a church denomination) interested in spreading the Gospel through church multiplication.  Third, using a trained individual, we establish a training center in the targeted area, which may be a home, building, or an area under a tree.  Next we look for a 'person of peace' to help us establish the work, find potential students, and find people interested in Bible study.  These person's of peace are simply interested people who are able to assist within that community and who God has already prepared for this work.

The trainer then starts a Bible study group and from that group, recruits people who are interested in sharing their faith and starting worship groups in their home areas.  The idea is that people within a two-hour walk of the trainer's location are recruited so they can attend training each week that is in-turn shared with a group they are meeting with back at their home area.  This discipleship process extends over a three-year period using structure training materials.  The discipleship process emphasizes "the call" to start new groups and churches, and for one trainer, the ideal class size is a group of about 15 people who are planting churches, who are training others to plant churches.

Each week the trainer visits a different church planter student to encourage him and assist with the church service.  At the end of three years, that trainer may have 15, 30, or more churches.  We have personally seen fifty churches planted in less than a year from one trainer's work and we hear of even larger numbers in some of the other African countries.  Yes, some are lower as well, but is isn't all about the numbers but rather about establishing Christ-centered, reproducing, self-sufficient churches.

At the end of three years, the trainer moves to more of a mentoring role and moves to another un-reached groups to start the process again.

This model is strongly scriptural and requires that we 'put our trust in God' truly for it is His church and we are merely His instruments.  Paul is the ideal example - starting many of the early churches discussed in the Book of Acts.  He also spent a little time with the church, appointed leaders, and then moved on, following the churches' progress from a distance.

The Gospel only requires that people be willing to share and teach 'what they have learned' and continue to teach what they have learned.  If you know one thing, teach that one thing faithfully next week.  But with this model comes mentorship on studying the Bible, understanding the Gospel story, developing a vibrant prayer life, and being obedient to that which you have learned.

We have become quite passionate about this work as we see lives changed for eternity and hope instilled where there was no hope.  The opportunities to come behind the expanding work with compassionate ministries are unlimited, only requiring those who are willing service.  

Sitting in this room of experienced church planters and hearing their amazing stories is something I wish I could relay to you better.  I wish you could have heard the glorious singing and prayer of these young men, many who have risked their very lives routinely for the cause of Christ.  In Hebrews, Chapter 11, we learn of the many heroes of the faith and the costs that many paid to further the Gospel.  Today is was our privilege to meet with men from all kinds of tribes and nations who are truly heroes of the faith, having forsaken all for the cause of Christ.

 It is a privilege to be here and it was daunting to be challenged today with the faith of Abraham and the faith of Joshua, knowing that God is pleased to replicate that kind of faith. We fall so short when measured against the ultimate standard, Chris himself.  But we know that Paul said to "follow me as I follow Christ" and one slide today really resonated with that thought.  It was a picture of a momma duck leading her little ducklings single file behind here.  None of the baby ducks knew where they were going, they were only following the mother duck.  They were no all grown up and mature, they were following the little duck in front of them.  You only need to stay one-step ahead of the one behind you and one step behind the one ahead of you.   

None of us ever attains the high standard Jesus himself laid out before us - no one ever will and so in a sense, no one will EVER be 'good enough' or 'smart enough' or 'theological enough' to start a Bible study, a prayer group, or a church, if that is what we are waiting for.  God only wants us to follow him, and teach what we know, be it a lot or a little....  But in reality, the message is so simple that a small child can grasp it and accept it, and yet so deep and profound that an intellectual can wrestle with its richness for a lifetime.

But the job is to make disciples, teaching them to obey God's work, so that we can reach the Nations for Christ.  

Lord, forgive us where we fall short.  Purify us and cleanse our hearts so that we can be worth to teach others about you.  May we only bring honor to Your name.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me."  John 14:1

  

Rat Patrol

It's the middle of the night here in the country of South Africa as I sit on 'rat patrol'.  We are in South Africa to have our car repaired from the ravages of the trip to Nampula and back.  I've been generally satisfied with the Toyota dealer in Maputo with the exception of air conditioning repair, so we decided to run it to South Africa as we've had very good luck with a Toyota dealer there and we will be driving to Johannesburg next week for a world-wide church planting conference that we are participating in.  So, while we wait on the car (it's a couple of day job because we are waiting on a brake master cylinder from Durban), we are in Nelspruit to check the OMS mailbox and to run many errands to obtain things we can't get in Mozambique.  One example is motorcycle parts for our church planters in Gurue; those parts are on order now also but due in tomorrow.  

We're staying at Mercy Air, a missionary aviation ministry which has a number of nice places (guest houses) that they rent out to visiting people, mostly missionaries, who are in the area.  We have stayed here in the past as it is so very peaceful, the facilities nice, the people wonderful, and the cost is very inexpensive. 

Tonight I fell asleep while Ann was taking a shower, only to awaken when something bit my finger - I tossed it off and it was a rat!  It scurried under the door to the back.  Debate - tell Ann or not - the skin is not broken, fortunately, but the teeth marks are plain.  Ann comes out and there is a toad hopping along the edge of the floor and then she goes into the front room and there is a huge millipede.  I definitely don't want to tell her about the rat now or she won't sleep!  I do tell her to snuggle in under the sheets and make sure her hands are covered (she assumes it is about mosquitoes!).

So, about an hour ago (it is 244 in the morning here), she starts awake in her sleep (and I'm sleeping a little light also, with my hands definitely under the sheets) - something was nibbling her ear - the rat is back and it runs across her head, across the bed  - and I see it out of the corner of my eye and it scurries under the door again, leaving a little black calling card on the sheets.  She is really not happy and there is no way to make this funny now, so, I admit my bit finger and my dear wife is not too happy that I didn't tell her!  So, I find some metal baking sheets in the little kitchen area and block the bottom of the door - building a small metal barricade.  

It's a little disheartening to have rats trying to nibble our tired bodies a piece at a time!  In my old life we used to talk about big jobs and refer to them as elephants and how we would eat the elephant one bite at a time.  I guess rats know that expression also.

No, it was not a mouse - definitely not - it was a Sophie-sized rodent (Sophie is our precious dachshund - chihuahua dog now living with our oldest daughter).

So, a new experience for us.  I've seen rats many times in and around the city, but never inside.   I'd also never given it much mind thinking about small children sleeping on grass mats in reed houses.  I've heard stories of such things - people losing fingers in the night - but have always been a bit skeptical - not anymore!

Blessings to all of you this night.  I think I can retire my 'rat watch' as he hasn't come back through the door and I think my barrier will work for the night.  We hope to be heading back to Maputo tomorrow as the car is supposed to be ready then.  Ann is sleeping peacefully now - I know her breathing patterns so well after all these years.  I think I can sleep now - hands under the covers.  Ann has a towel over her head - I wonder if I can sleep that way?

"His eye is on the sparrow, so I know He watches me..."  

Cultural Accountability

Yesterday we attended an all-day party at Juka's house. It was an interesting party with interesting cultural meaning that I would like to try and relay.

When a couple gets married here, the couple has a sponsoring 'God-Father' and 'God-Mother' (usually a couple) who coordinates the wedding activities and the parties that follow. It results in a significant cash out-lay and much responsibility for the days around the wedding. They almost function like a wedding planner to a degree. But, in addition, it is also a life-long accountability commitment with very real cultural responsibility. For example, one couple we knew was having significant marital problems and they were summoned by the God-Father to come live with them for a week to work out the difficulties. When a marriage fails, the God-parents feel very responsible for the failure.

Another piece of this is to understand it is a great honor to be asked to be a 'God-Father' or 'God-Mother' no matter what the sacrifice. So to say 'no' is again something that is very very difficult to do.

Juka's "God-Father" and "God-Mother" made a commitment to have an annual party with all of the people they have sponsored. It provides a time of fellowship, accountability, and celebration. Each year, it is held at a different couple's house. In this case, Juka and his wife have sponsored seven couples themselves and they are responsible for them. So, the party consisted of Juka's God-parents, and all of the couples they have sponsored, plus the seven couples that Juka and his wife are God-parents for, plus all of Juka's friends (of which we are honored to be considered).

These are a lot of words but it shows the circles of influence that go from the first God Parents to Juka, to those they are ministering to. It was a joyous time of prayer, singing, and celebration. Juka lavished presents on each of the couples he sponsored but in this case, he presented gifts to each couple he sponsored and to his God Parents, and each couple gave gifts to Juka and Elina and all the guests brought host presents also. There was a Mozambican lunch and much ceremony and with all the gift presenting and then the accountability questions before all of us 'witnesses' where each couple was quizzed on how they were doing as a couple and they were publicly encouraged and in some cases admonished. It was an amazing thing to witness but also illustrates the tight community at the village level. This is a common practice here but the blessing is that all the families were Christian and so you see this wonderful Cultural practice in a Christian context. Juka had to have much support from all he knew to pull this off and many were up all night preparing. It wasn't extravagent, the gifts were not 'high dollar' items, the food simple (rice with a topping) but delicious, and something like 20 people were assisting in some way. Seeming like chaos to the new observer but running smoothly all day to those engaged in the culture.

Juka sent us an invitation and reminded us the day before to 'be there at 1000". We asked if this was Mozambican 10 (could be 11, could be 12), but he was adamant that he was starting at 1015 with the program. Juka is normally very prompt (maybe we have corrupted him!) and so we thought we would be there on-time, and were the first to arrive. The party started at around noon because that is when his God-parents arrived and it ended just before dark. Our friend Melvin uses this expression to explain this phenomena, "we have watches, Mozambicans have time." It think it is a great saying.

In the photo, you see tarps above to shield the hot sun (yes it was very hot) with many tables and chairs. The community pooled their dishes and chairs to support this part which included something like two or three hundred people at the peak.

It was a great time and I was able to catch up with and talk to a number of folks I haven't seen for some time and so we really enjoyed it. It is also always a joy to see how much influence one person can have, for good or for bad and it always causes one pause when reflecting on their own life. It also shows a model of how the Gospel can spread - from one Godly couple to another and all those that they touch, similar to the model we use in our Evangelism program. We all have a roll to play.

Next year the party will be at another of the original God-parent's couples that are accountable to them. Juka's turn should come back around for a decade or so, but by then, his circles will have grown quite a bit.

May Christ's light brighten all our circles as we hold others accountable in love, as we witnessed in this grand celebration.

"No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light." Luke 11:33