Reflections on the Week

Another week has rapidly passed and I've been reflecting on what has all happened this week. So, maybe just a quick summary to help catch you up to date.

We did make a quick trip to South Africa to get the car fixed. I told the Toyota folks about the bad seals, and they did some more inspections and found several other seal problems with the suspension and parts had to be ordered. In addition, they are fixing the damage where I had a close encounter with a tree stump for what seemed like a very reasonable price to me. So, we had to leave our car and can't pick it up until the 10th of March. That's a bit touchy for us as we need the car then for a trip north on the 11th. In addition, we run into visa problems and car export / import problems if the date is extended, which means fines and problems for us. The car folks understand all this and assure us they will be ready on the 10th. I have quite a bit of faith in that garage from our past experiences and am glad we had the work done there vice here in Maputo as it expanded quite a bit and it is much more difficult to get parts here than in South Africa.

We were surprised to be shaken down by the South African police right outside of the town where we were taking the car. They pulled us over (we had two cars - Ann in one and me in the other) and they didn't like our drivers licenses and were determined to find something wrong; they checked every bulb and everything about both vehicles and then finally let us go. We were well under the speed limit so it had nothing to do with that. It was probably my Mozambican plates - they've probably seen their share of Mozambican cars without lights, without windshields, without a door, etc.

In Nelspruit, we stocked up with things we have trouble finding in Mozambique, attended to some minor medical issues, and then headed back across the border. We also got our mail, which is always a blessing and something we look forward to; receiving several notes and letters and even a package!

Then it was back to Mozambique to work on the administration of the field as it was end of the month. There are reports to do, ECC payroll to complete, and just the normal administration that we need to stay on top of.

We were blessed to meet with our Christian Micro-Enterprise Development coordinators for a special performance review and they were really excited about it. We had them work on some forms and then we sat down individually and talked about last year, the coming year (we work by budget year - April to March), objectives, and how they thought they were doing. It was a great time of sharing and insightful for both of us with regard to things we can work on together to improve for next year. Ann took the lead on this and did an absolute masterful job and we all felt really good about it afterwards and look forward to the new year. One challenge for us is keeping the program going after the end of the next fiscal year - we will need to figure out how to raise funds to keep this wonderful program moving forward. If we do it right, eventually we can make it self-sufficient right here in Mozambique. One of our guys is moving to the north for a few months to expand the CMED work in our northern churches and we applaud his dedication and passion for this work that truly does help people.

The water well at Picoco - what a story. Still no well top - next week. (This is the third 'next week'). I'm still sitting on 30% of the price, so I think they will eventually finish it to collect payment. We are looking forward to attending church ther

Yesterday, we sat with the church leadership at our Khongolote church to discuss and strategize with the leadership over some moral failures of a couple of our training personnel. It was a difficult meeting, but a good one, as we explored the issues and strategized for the future. There was great openess and we were able to share our hearts in both directions and came away bonded together in a new and stronger way. It also was good to know that we really did 'understand the story' and weren't lost in language and cultural nuances. It also identified a need that Ann and I need to periodically share the vision and direction of the Church Multiplication Program with the local church leaders. We have done this with our denominational leaders but the local church folks don't really understand at the level they need to as we seek out young men and women to step out to spread the gospel in Mozambique. So, we will continue to share the story. The picture is of us using the chalkboard at the meeting. It was a hot day and the coolest place to meet was outside in the shade (on the veranda of the church).

The pre-school was in session and it was encouraging to see the kids, hear them, and know that this one pre-school is continuing to operate and bless the community. The other one at T-3 is getting closer; the meeting earlier in the week I wrote about previously was delayed (surprise!) but the church continues to move forward and has started a small temporary kitchen that they believe will be accepted and allow them to re-open the school. We inspected the temporary kitchen and what they are doing seems reasonable and verbally the government regulators have said it would be ok, so we will see! One day at a time!

The one picture is of the kids doing physical exercises to a drum beat. It was something to watch - they can move in ways I can only dream of moving! So very cute. In the other picture, their teacher is leading them towards a bathroom break!


After the meeting, we did motorcycle maintenance - changing oil, tightening the chain, inspecting the air filter, etc. Our evangelism coordinator is using the motorcycle to visit our church planting teams and I am trying to train him on how to care for it. So, the photo is of what became a group activity to do maintenance on the motorcycle. It is an inexpensive Chinese bike that is quite simple and I hope holds up for us ok. It's a great mode of transportation here outside of the city. Part of the maintenance was bending some parts back into position from the minor accident on the way to the church where a car cut him off; forced him off the road. Thank you for your prayers for Pastor Abel for he was not hurt!

Yesterday was also an interesting day because there was another threat of riots in the city over the price of diesel fuel by the people who drive the transportation vans (Chappas). It was heating up Thursday and a general strike was planned for Friday, that fortunately didn't materialize but will continue to hang over us next week. The same thing happened last year and we remember well racing through the city on back streets trying to stay ahead of the mobs that were burning tires, breaking windows, flipping cars, and throwing rocks. Things seem calm but as is always the case, it is calm on the surface. That is one of the unseen stressors in our lives that is always perculating right under the surface. Things are never what they seem....

Enough for today; we need to run to a 'coming out party' for the two-year old child of one of our pastors. Monday will mark our two-year anniversary for arrival in Mozambique. Shortly after we arrived, we attended the 'birth party' for the same child and somehow it seems appropriate to be attending a party at the same place two years later - I will have to reflect on that some! For one thing, we aren't hurrying to be there on time as we know it won't start for an hour or two after the stated starting time!

Blessings to you from Mozambique. Thank you for standing with us.

Dave & Ann

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God." I Cor. 5