Anniversaries and Birthdays

I've been a bit negligent in writing this week. Our daughter Sarah and her husband, David, arrived mid-week for a short visit on their way home from a Summer Project in Beruit Lebanon with Campus Crusade for Christ. What a blessing for us as we miss our daughters so very much. We've had a blessed time although we fear that too many more days like today and we'll have our youngsters completely worn out! But, we've been so busy sharing, talking, and showing them what we do that I've not had much time to write! (and as it is, it's midnight now!)

Earlier in the week, we took an old but well-functioning computer to Khongolote where they had exceeded the capability of their model-T computer they use at the pre-school and for church. In the photos, we'd taken apart the two computers and did some switching around of things and got the information all transfered and everthing working. We do this work during nap-time at the pre-school but sometimes a few wake up a little early and so we get some extra help! So, we upgraded their Model-T to a little bit more modern computer but still an antique!

We have really enjoyed showing David and Sarah around and trying to give them a glimpse of our life here. They have gone to meetings with us, meet with people at their homes, David has played some soccer with local youth and met with others in the roads and pathways. He's such a lovely young man and I enjoy very much how he looks at things and have learned much from him in his short time here. For example, he has left us a DVD set they used in Lebanon to train their team on witnessing to Muslim people. Today, when we met with our Christian Micro-Enterprise Guys, we talked about some of the techniques and they stated that they really don't run into too many in their day-to-day life because they tend to be more upper class here (business owners). That was a surprising comment that I have to think about more. Ann and I have had many opportunities to talk with them through some of our car problems and business dealings and are always seeking out good techniques for sharing our faith in an effective way with our Muslim neighbors and friends.

In Intaka, we got David, our son-in-law, busy helping prepare Shema (see photo of him pounding corn). We were visiting with a dear family that Ann likes to check on as they have some significant health issues. We enjoyed just sitting under the tree at their house talking about life. The dear lady of the house is shown below.

We have enjoyed our morning devotions together with David and Sarah and are absolutely relishing each day. But sometimes those days are quite unpredictable. The last two days have been special - yesterday was our 34th wedding anniversary and we enjoyed spending the day with David and Sarah and that was a wonderful present for us. Today was Ann's birthday and it started with some meetings at our seminary but when we arrived, the lock to the door had failed, and no one could get in the building. So, we tried to find keys to the other door, traveling back to our school to search there, then to the Weils house, where we found our Seminary Director's old keys, which we used to then open the seminary (other doors). Then we dismantled and repaired the lock and so went the morning! Expect the unexpected! I worked with our building custodian on the lock hoping that maybe next time, he can do this himself!

We met with our seminary folks to discuss the last week's progress, the new class in progress, and the plan for the next two weeks. Then, we met with our CMED guys to get updated on the village savings and loan groups and share that ministry with David and Sarah. We then met with some other missionaries, dropping Sarah and Ann off at her ladies bible study group while the two David's did some birthday preparations (nothing like the last minute!). Eventually, we all found our way home to finally have birthday cake. Ann has been smiling alot more lately - so happy to have a daughter with her.

What is especially a joy is how David and Sarah have jumped into ministry here - they are so very easy to have here with us.

Today, we were discussing about how special all of our dear supporters are. We were reviewing some of those special stories of how God used people to so encourage us and meet a need at just that exact moment when we needed it. I don't think a day goes by that we don't offer thanks for the tremendous group of people and churches that we represent here in Mozambique. Thank all of you so very much. I pray that God will richly bless you for your faithfulness to the gospel here. I am working on our quarterly report of church multiplication statistics and when I read all the names of the people across the country who are leading people to Christ, teaching about a Hope that transends all cultures, needs and peoples, I cannot help but be overwhelmed at God's faithfulness. It is such a priviledge to be a part of this program. Clearly, God is moving and will complete the work that He has started. Thank you for being a part of the Great Commission.

PS - we checked today on the insurance claim on the wreck we were in (earlier blog) and they assure us that everything is 'in progress' and we can expect to be called to come get a check soon. Thank you Lord - that if we have to have an accident, the other party has insurance! Wow!

Dave & Ann

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful!" Col. 3:15

Baptism Service 'Near' Mocuba

I have promised a bit more about our most recent trip north. It was a good trip in that we learned much, spent precious time with our church trainers and church planters, and came back with a little bit more understanding of culture and challenges in this rapidly growing work.

On Sunday, we were asked to attend a special baptism service in a 'nearby' church. It was a church that we had tried to visit with a Men for Missions Team back in January but we had to turn back because it had been raining and the road was too treacherous, even though the church was "just a little bit further" which we found was another good hour on very poor roads that would be impassable in the rain.

We picked up Juka (our church multiplication Country coordinator) and his family early Sunday morning, passing by to get Antonio and his wife, and headed out towards the church. An hour later we picked up Jorge Manuel, the responsible Trainer, and a couple of other fellows - and the car is absolutely packed. Two hours after we left Mocuba, we're at the point where we had turned around in January. I haven't seen a single vehicle since leaving Mocuba. Soon the road is little more than a walking path that I stradle to keep the grass seeds from clogging the radiator. One hour later, we finally arrive at the church. We are welcomed with much singing and celebration and after greetings, the service begins and people begin appearing and soon the church is filled with 10 people deep all around the grass covered open structure.


Eleven people are presented for baptism, having attended training classes and who publically testify to their faith in Christ. We're presented as visitors and requested to bring a message of encouragement to the people. We are past Portuguese and deep into Lomwe only and there is no one with English, so no crutch to lean on today. We had expected this and have a message we have prayed about that Antonio translates to Lomwe for us. We enjoy a time of singing, praise and worship and soon the crowd begins the 'short walk' to the river.

Half-way to the river, I remember that we have Ann's medical kit and supplies, car parts, and a few other things on the top rack. Too late - if this were the city, those things would already have disappeared so no point in going back now. However, this is not the city and different morals apply - there was no problem at all. As I have said before, we feel much safer deep in rural Mozambique than we do in the cities or areas around the cities on any given day.

At the river, the singing begins afresh and the Trainer works with the Church Planter to train and help him through his first baptism process. It starts with prayer and many people align the bank to watch and encourage the new believers. Afterwards we return on the 30 minute walk back to the church through beautiful land full of bananas, casava, corn, and sugar cane - individual plots but it is clear it has been a good year for rain and crops. The grass, dry now, is high.

When we return to the church, almost three hours have passed and a second service begins to have communion for the newly baptised. There are a ton of kids around and I enjoy a time of teaching them a couple of songs in Portuguese but our language barrier is huge but a fellow steps out of the crowd and helps me as he has my accent figured out and the Lomwe begins to flow again. Elina takes over the kids as we are called back into the church and the second service begins and the crowd has really grown, with several of the people saying we are the first 'Brancas" they have seen. I pray that we can simply represent Christ.

Communion is served, again something new for the student Pastor/Church planter and so it is bumpy but precious. The service goes on and on and on as if they just don't know how to end it. We are asked to speak again, and so we do a very short lesson. There is more singing and dancing and then afterwards, there is a meal of Shema, rice, and a little chicken to put over the rice. Delicious but we are starting to sweat getting back into Mocuba before it is way dark.

Ann does some health work with a few of the ladies and we visit with many, and then head back to Mocuba. Three hours later, having again not seen a single vehicle, we find ourselves back in Mocuba, exhausted but thankful for the opportunity to participate, encouarge, teach, and present the Gospel. But, at the same time, we wonder if it would have been better if we had not been there - as the National Church is well equipped to do this although the travel would have been quite difficult. Sometimes we worry that our presence with our car can build false expectations. Several pulled us aside to present their story on how they needed us to give them money. We know of one case where a Trainer gathered his students by promising material gain from us (OMS) if they would attend training and we spent some energy this trip working on trying to fix that expectation. If people come to training and church only because they are expecting money, a new house, or whatever, it can only lead to problems. We must look to our God as our provider, not the man with the car.

In this remote area, it had been a good year and people had sufficient food through hard work on their small farm plots. But there remain tremendous opportunities for clean water and health related training and assistance. Educational needs are huge and the opportunities for ministry to children and women almost endless. God, give us wisdom to represent you well in these remote areas where both the spiritual and the physical needs are so great.

It was a great opportunity; 11 baptisms and the opportunity to share the gospel with several hundred people. And we have a church where training and Bible Study is taking place. Thank you Lord.

"Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." 1 Co 4:1

Sermons

Sometimes we just get lonely for a good sermon or church service in English. One of the blessings we receive are sermon CDs from supporting churches. On our last trip north for example, we listened to a series on "Building Strong Foundations" - 8 weeks worth. We would listen to one after the other, singing along, watching the Mozambique country side pass by, and enjoying and talking about each message. Often we would go back and play the songs two or three times, recognizing the voices of our friends, singing along often with tears streaming down our faces. We did 5 services in a row at one point, thoroughly enjoying each one and being challenged in our work here with accountable relationships, radical generousity, worship, leadership - so any topics with such direct applicability to any church in any place. And just the predicable order of the service was comforting as compared to the chaos we experience here. It was just plain encouraging and we felt recharged as a result.

Today, we were still hungry for some English teaching and listened to the first four of a series on marriage and relationships that was a special blessing as the key to successful ministry often comes down to relationships. The series was based on the "Fireproof" movie that we've seen. We took notes and after each CD we took turns talking about our own marriage and relationships. Some of the points we would say "no problem with that one" but then on others we'd have to admit that after 30 plus years of marriage, we still struggle with "that one". Or, in relationships - we do ok on "that point" but boy we really need to work on "this point". Before we knew it, six hours had passed and darkness had come, two pots of coffee had passed (oops - sorry), and we'd had a special time of prayer and lots of good conversation. Thank you Lord for your presence and help this day.

It made for a good and special Sabbath day. Thank you Lord for all those wonderful individuals, families, and churches who make it possible for us to serve you here; may we be always proven faithful.

One church we know always ends their services with the words "now let's go be the church". I just love that and can only say:

Amen.

Blessings all - lets go be the church this week.

Dave & Ann

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ...." Ephesians 5:21

Timing is Everything

Not a very spiritual entry today! This is mainly for my guy friends!

A few days ago we wrote about all the theft problems this week. Just went from one thing to the next to the next. One of those items was our car jack and tools, removed from a compartment in back of our car. So, we had a one flat, discovering the loss but fortunately it was right in front of the house. So, when we headed to South Africa, we had this discussion about driving to South Africa to get our car worked on (or finish some old work because the parts were in!) without a way to change a flat. In the end, we decided to just go and try to get a good jack in South Africa.

We left our car at the Toyota dealer, picking up a car that belongs to our school which was also in for some body work and service. We then used that car (rented it) to drive to Nelspruit to check the mail (we had some!) and do a couple of needed medical appointments (nothing serious). We went to a couple of places trying to find a replacement jack but didn't have alot of luck. Toyota needed to order one from Japan, and I didn't want to wait for the slow boat, so I bought a scissor jack and tire wrench and we headed back.

We picked up our car in Mavalane and then headed back across the border with Ann following me. Everything is working good and we're about 45 minutes outside of Maputo running about 70 mph and BOOM - the right rear tire literally explodes (see photos). Really impressive blow-out. I didn't hit anything, it was a good road, air pressure was good - but BOOM. I don't know if any of you have experienced this kind of failure but it is the kind that makes your car go instantly squirrelly. There is nothing to do but try to keep it straight and immediately pull over. BUT, we had the new jack and so, changed it and headed on our way.

The failed tire is our one with the best tred but was the one hit in our accident (earlier blog) and we drove to Mocuba and back on it over terrible roads - no problems with it (another tire went flat, not this one!). Thank you Lord, that it failed after we replaced the jack and that we discovered it was even stolen rather than finding out on the road! So, timing is everthing....

I think the tire just absolutely failed - never have I seen anything like it. All that rusty metal is the metal cords from the tire.

So today, because I've used up all my 'old set' tires with the other flats and blow-outs and all the other tires are pretty well shot, we purchased four new tires and tomorrow's task is to arrange a place to install them on the rims - hopefully tomorrow. It was a big gulp on top of our run north, an accident, rebuilding the 4-wheel drive, etc. What a month it has been and I will look forward to the note from headquarters telling me that we are on the financial black list again. We are praying for a couple of months where things are a bit calmer!

Today, a guy approached us on the street and pointed to the stolen side indicator lights and tried to sell us replacements. I laughed and said "do you know how many times we've replaced them in the past - we don't bother anymore as they will just get stolen." He was puzzled at that - and then said, "but, I'll just rivet metal strips over everything and it will only cost you....." Yes, can't wait - drill holes all over the car and put metal strips that can be cut with metal snips. What a place! Driving a beater definitely has its advantages!

The environment is hard on these vehicles we depend on so heavily. The literal environment (sand, salt, and potholes) as well as the cultural environment (the car is stripped on the street or the good parts are replaced with bad parts in the shop), etc.

Anyway, I thought my guy friends might enjoy the photographs! (Yes, that is a Michelin - bought Goodyear Wranglers today). We're so thankful for the prayer coverage and protection that it provides!

It's all good!

Blessings!

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:....a time to pluck...a time to laugh.....a time to lose....a time to love..." Ec 3:1 - 3.8

Women's Ministry

While in Mocuba, Ann was asked to teach at a women's meeting. These meetings are something Juka's wife started when they moved to Mocuba. She is sitting on the mat next to Ann, who was put in a chair because she was the teacher.

The topics, which had been pre-selected by Elina were community health topics. They (Ann and Elina) worked together and did training on HIV, Malaria, cholera, flu, and sexually transmitted diseases. Because they had a guest speaker, the men joined initially for the devotional time but were thrown out when they got to the sexually transmitted disease part. The topics were of great interest here as everyone knows someone impacted by these diseases.

The ladies meeting lasted about three hours and during this time, Juka, Antonio, and I were preparing a lunch meal for the ladies. It consisted of a local squash plant that had a very very hard skin. After removing the skin, quartering, and removing seeds, the squash was cut into small squares. We then boiled the squash in a little water and a fair amount of salt, and then pounded some peanuts up into a powder and mixed that in, along with two small packets of chicken flavoring. It was scooped out as a gruel and it was very tasty! We have seen this squash along the road for sale but hadn't tried it before - now we know the trick and I just loved it.

We all ate together and had a wonderful time of fellowship working together.

I really see the tremendous value of life in community here where everyone works together to accomplish something. Everyone brought a little today and everyone was satisfied. There was good bible teaching, good health teachings, ending with a good meal. Ann took alot of notes as well as she is picking up quite a bit of knowledge about local remedies for malaria, intestinal upset, parasites, and other things that truly work in the absence of doctors and pharmacies.

Antonio is doing a tremendous work in Mocuba, drawing the churches together in unity, encouraging both men and women to study God's word and encouraging the church as a family.

I especially enjoyed spending time with some of the older men. They related to me because here I am old also (well my kids would probably say, 'Dad your old here too!'). They were giving me pointers all along the way although it was in Lowme and we did quite a bit of pointing, grunting, demonstrating, laughing, and smiling.

The process pretty much used most of the day, although afterwards we did spend some time in meetings with both Antonio and Juka, reviewing the health of the church multiplication work in Zambezia province.

I did hear a couple of the older men scolding Antonio later in the day about why they don't have men meetings like the ladies with the same good teachings the ladies get. That made me smile.

Little by little for the Kingdom.

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

Hazards of Fire

One of the things we see frequently here are people who have been badly burned. We live in a society where much of the cooking is done on charcoal fires or small wood fires and often inside the home. In the Mocuba area, most of the houses have grass thatch roofs. They are inexpensive, provide wonderful insulation to the heat, provide shade, and keep the rain out in the worst of storms. However, sometimes things can get out of control. You can see the houses in the background in this first picture but the house to the right, which is right next to one of our churches, is absent a roof. You guessed it, it burned down with a total loss of everything inside the house. It was accidentally caused by the kids, but fortunately in this case, no one was injured. The family is still living in the house, cleaning the smoke off the walls and eventually will rebuilt the roof. The second picture more clearly shows the state of the house after the fire and much cleaning out. The church has been helping out and the family sleeps in the church when it is raining.

To further illustrate, you can see Ann inside another house cooking dinner over two charcoal fires. It was a great dinner and we spent alot of time with this family. They were hacking and coughing much of the time and I wonder if some of the lung problems we see here are related to living in houses all the time that are full of smoke. A wood fire will clearly smoke but the charcoal fires are a bit less obvious and I would note after several hours, I would start to have a headache that I thought was due to smoke or maybe even carbon monoxide - not sure. But, like all things you get used to it.

But, when the fire is ready, you cook the dinner and when it is ready, you stop, because there is no keeping it warm if the fire has gone out. Mmmmmm, I think there is a spiritual analogy there to the fire within us!

PS, the dinner Ann prepared was excellent - Rice and chicken and our friends laughed at us because she did bring some food in a can. (One of the cultural assumptions about Americans is that they eat food from cans, which is seen as very strange here!).

Blessings.

"Be pleased to save me O Lord, come quickly to help me." Ps 40:13

Cultural Limitations

Today was a long and fustrating day as underlying it all was the clash of Mozambique culture with Western culture - and it's all about the subject of money.

We had a series of meetings at our seminary today that started early and ended late. Without exception, the topic of every meeting ended up with us being asked for money with the expectation that we should give or loan money to each person. These are people we know well and who we've worked with a long time and today, it just all hit at once. In the first case, a young man wants money for a his wedding in November so he can start preparing. He has no idea of how much he needs, has no job and isn't motivated to find one and yet wants to get married. The second case (same man) has a scheme that right away (it's urgent we should act - TODAY!) we should buy a small house in Xipamanine for a church (so he can use it for his November wedding and not the one adjacent to his house). Ahhhh, but the catch is that we don't buy the house but rather build a house, drill a well, and build a bathroom for the owner of the house on some other land in Intaka as a trade. AND, to clench the deal, the land in Intaka is some land that his Mother owns that she wants to be part of the trade. All of this is going on at a time when he needs to build a house in Intaka also for his bride. Is this a scheme to get materials for his house too? And, of course, then we will have land in Xipamanine for a church, which he knows is a desire of us as a mission.....and money, well we don't want to tell the government because that involves taxes so it is just a trade. Give me a break.....It's a crazy scheme, nothing more.

So next we move to discovery of how our CMED project in T-3 has gone belly-up for the second time. The group includes church leaders who took loans but didn't pay them back and the entire group had to cover the cost and so all lost money, and now they want to start a third group - it's a good deal - borrow money from your friends in the church and never pay it back. An somehow they have suckered new people into a new group. Our CMED guys have said "NO" and this group is completely without our blessing and we will have to take it up with denominational leadership, which will be tough because one of them is involved. Sigh.......But, we have many many groups operating quite succesfully - just this one that has been dodging and hiding for months and months - no wonder. It is a great program, make no mistake and we stand strongly behind it - this is one bad example among many many successes - many have been blessed by CMED but it must be monitored and accountability is very important.

From there, one of our seminary workers is upset because one of the other workers is pressing and pressing him for money and in the culture, they feel obligated to not say 'no'. So, he asks us for help as the story (there is always a story) is that it is for medical expenses, which our work contract covers so we're confused. Where are your receipts (tomorrow, always tomorrow!)?

Next, another worker comes to us with a desperate need for a loan to secure his house because of robbery problems. He wants to borrow a mere 10,000 mtn, which is about 360 dollars USD, which would take a very long time to pay back. Now this particular person probably is good for the money based unlike the other examples, but still... OMS has a policy to not loan money, which we have made clear previously, so he said that he wants a personal loan, not from OMS. Sigh.......

Plus, waiting in the wings is another person wanting to talk about his upcoming wedding, another who is about to lose his job, plus the hands out at every street corner, everytime you get out of the car.

One of the challenges in building the church here is to sort out when people are simply using the church, the mission, the charity of missionaries, visitors, etc., to advance themselves. It is a constant tension in this culture where entitlement thinking and not telling the truth is a cultural norm. And yet, to be too far the other way to the point of hedonism, materialism, and the self-focus of Western culture is the other extreme. Oh that I could have the wisdom to walk this road! I desire so intensely that people would look to God for provision and allow Him to work. I desire intensely to be a conduit of God's compassion and love but not at the expense of building dependancy and a false Christianity built on material expectation or gain (I'll try to write more about this in a few days relative to our recent trip). I have learned that it makes you feel really good to give away food, clothing, medical care, water - to have lots of people dependent upon you - what an ego trip (and we've seen people all puffed up about it). But, creating dependency will not make Mozambique successful for the future. Without cultural change through transforming power of Christ, the dependency or entitlement-thinking seems like it will just continue. May we become truly unified as brothers and sisters through Him, who loves all of us from all cultures...And who of us can really cast the first stone at any other culture?... (John 8:7)

In Christ there is no east or west.....

Reminds me of a great old hymn:

In Christ there is no East or West,
in him no South or North,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.

In him shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find,
his service is the golden cord
close-binding all mankind.

Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate'er your race may be!
Who serves my Father as a son
is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West,
in him meet South and North,
all Christly souls are one in him,
throughout the whole wide earth.

Written by John Oxenham, 1908

Day-to-Day Challenges

Today was a day of taking people to the airport. Our colleagues left this morning for the states and we picked them up and got them to the airport. Afterwards, we returned to their house to pick up a short term missionary who had been working at our Christian School and living with them. She was on the afternoon flight.

I parked on the street in front of the house, we went in and talked for a few minutes with Nancy and in the short time we were there, someone stole one of our front lights off the car. Our car has only been vandalized twice in Maputo (we’re lucky) and both were in front of the Weil's house around noon! Last time we lost our mirrors – today a light.

So, on our way to the airport, we cruised through the nearby Thieves market as we knew that someone knew we’d be around. Soon a young man named Antonio flags us over, pointing to our front missing light. I talk with him a few minutes and he sends a runner off. A few minutes later, someone else shows up with my light. I ask them how they are going to put it back since it was wedged out and the bracket broken, but it’s old hat – they use nylon wire ties and everything is all back in place. All of this is going on with a truck full of policemen behind me – this is all a normal thing in Maputo!

So we start negotiating price – they start at 3500 mtn, which is about 150 US dollars – to buy back my light (oh yeah, the broken bracket fits perfectly, so we know it is our light). I’m at a disadvantage because I’m negotiating with one guy in a group of about 12 young guys in the middle of Thieves Market, not the best bargaining situation. We settle on 1800 mtn and I’m just sick about it but this is our life here. They wanted to rivet metal strips over all our lights and acid etch our mirrors and windows with our license number – but I slowly drive through the crowd and leave – glad to have my light back but frustrated at all of this.

In our two trips to the airport today, we spent enough time there to be accosted by the same people for money and actually to see three guys working together to scam people as they wait for their plane. It is how things are here, seems like everything is going ok around you, but is it really! I think it is probably similar to how the spiritual world and our temporal worlds run along together – things are never quite what they seem.

What comfort to know that we are in the hands of a God who cares for His people and who has a plan for each of our lives. All of those people today who crossed our paths need to be in the arms of the living God. Who is going to tell them if we don’t in action, word and deed?

Blessings this Sunday.

Dave & Ann

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14

Starting off with a Bang

We are back from our trip north to check on our church planting work in Zambezia and there is so much to write about; I'll have to think about the topics and try to consolidate a little. So, I'll start at the beginning.

This was a very quick trip as we had time pressures on both sides of the trip and actually needed several more days to accomplish our total agenda, but as it was, we still were able to do mostly what we set out to do. More about that later - But setting out - we left at daylight on Monday, June 1 loaded with materials, Bibles, supplies, and got about six km from the house - cutting across a road I just hate to drive (through T-3) because of the intense congestion that grows with each passing day. We're pretty much going against the traffic because we're leaving town - on a narrow two-lane road that curves through the suburb town of T-3.

I wind through a narrow business area and through a deep drainage dip hugging my side of the road. There are a bunch of chappa mini-buses in the other lane making two lanes out of one and there is about 4 feet of clear space between me and the nearest chappa going the other direction. A small truck ahead swerves around the mini-busses at a high rate of speed with all sorts of people standing and swaying in the back of the truck as he barrels to try and fit between me and the nearest chappa - I try to go left but a wall, a small kiosk, and pedestrians limit how far I can go and I think he'll stop - but no - he closes his eyes and tries to make a five foot car fit a four foot space - Wham - he drives right into my rear quarter panel, hitting right at the door and the rear wheel.

He's a little dazed and everyone is yelling at him about his foolishness. He admits fault (shock of all shocks - that has not been my experience here) and we trade information. It is his first day with his driver's license! AND!, he actually has insurance, although whether that will help us remains to be seen. I try to talk to a few bystanders but 'no one saw nothing, nada!'.

He wants me to drive into down to visit the insurance agent and we say 'no way' because the way that works here is it will take ALL DAY and some of the next several days. We get the information and decide to deal with it when we get back. The damage looks horrible but is cosmetic although the rear tire did take a big hit. We decide to simply continue on, thankful that one of the crowd in the back of his truck didn't get flung under us - thump thump!

The fellow works for the Ministry of Health and seemed like a nice enough fellow. I tried to be nice and encourage him to be more careful - that someone in the back of his vehicle could have been killed, etc. I keep wondering if this might develop into a contact that could be helpful with Ann's community health licensing and plans in the future - you never know. That will be next week's work - to try and arrange to meet with the insurance people.

Driving here is incredibly agressive. The Mozambicans are very courteous and gentle people until you put them behind the wheel of a car - then it is full speed ahead and 'take no prisoners'. We were literally run off the road on this trip more than once. Some missionary friends of our rolled their car a few weeks ago, being run off the road by a large truck (not hurt, PTL!).

But, in the end, no one was hurt, both vehicles remained drive-able, and it was nice to have enough language to deal with it - in fact, the last few weeks have been absolute immersion in language, that is for sure. I'm sick about the damage - the door lock is acting up now and that is a security issue for us. It knocked our alignment out a little (just had it aligned) so we have some adjusting to do as well. I went ahead and did the run north because I knew I'd need new tires when we got back anyway - so the pull to the left is just an irritant - so back to the shop! I pray that his insurance will really come through - that would be a pleasant surprise and our depleting account would sigh in relief. (Note on top of the car, we have two spares plus the one on the back door).

I thought you might enjoy this photo of some of the more entertaining pot holes on our travels - we swerve all over the place trying to avoid potholes as we drive - and then these kind jump up on you. Mile after mile - road workers had cut them out in preparation (some day) of filling them - miles and miles of these. Imagine hitting one of these babies at 60 mph - that's why we carry three spares! This is the major north-south road you are looking at!

In the end, like our dear Rev. Mike always says, "it's all good". It's so true.

Dave

"A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Pr 16:9

PS - On our way back, I took the sand roads home - missing the T-3 road altogether!