Diary Entry

Our Village Church Planting coordinator (Abel) just returned from a week in Gaza and Inhambane provinces where he was working with the fledgling young churches in that area. He visited each church planter/pastor to encourage them and the church, conduct training, and do baptisms. It was a challenge because there were a series of deaths that diverted a couple of the churches he needed to meet with; a sad comment on what is reality here. He came back encouraged and we continue to pray about who we might send from our National church to further the work in this area. Pastor Abel is so faithful to travel back and forth each month to train and encourage the churches in that area.

Late last night we received a text from one of our Pastor/Trainers, Nelio, that he was a proud papa of a baby girl. Mom and daughter are doing very well for which we are thankful. We look forward to seeing this precious new life in a very few days.

Today, Ann took Aimee out to the Khongolote women's meeting and that gave Aimee an opportunity to explain her passion for minstry and her plans to eventually relocate into a community in the northern provinces. In the interim, she is hoping to live with a family from one of the churches to accelerate her language learning (she already speaks excellent Portuguese) and accelerate her cultural learning. Our plan is to take her north on a survey trip in early October to introduce her to the work and church leaders in the northern provinces as well as introduce her to the various contacts and "how to's" of travel into that area. We really look forward to it as it will have been quite a few months since our last trip north and we feel strongly that it is our job to help her get where God has called her to work. I've actually lost track but this will be our fifth or sixth trip north.

I stayed home while Ann and Aimee went to Khongolote to work on the mountain of admin that has been accumulating, making some progress. I was also working on a report I need to complete and that is always an encouraging process because it causes me to look back and to look forward and through that process we cannot help but be reminded that it is God's work, not ours, and that he has been faithful in so many things. As they traveled, Ann was giving directions on the twists and turns on the sand roads and apparently missed one. (She forgot the right turn past the big tree with the big knobby growth on the trunk). She took what we call "kentucky windage" and found her way to the church a new way. Way to go girl! She's acclimated. The only difference is that she did ask for directions at one point, something a guy would never do! But that is also probably why I've been lost for longer periods of time than her! ;-)

Two nights ago, we were surprised by a call from a young missionary couple we know from the Xai-Xai area who were passing through and needed a place to stay. We absolutely love this young couple and their two-year old son and they are always so encouraging for us to be around - you know, the kind of friends where you can let your guard down and relax. We have alot in common relative to our love for Mozambique, interests, and what strategies make sense to us - we just have fun when we are together. We have also watched how God has so blessed the things they are doing in Xai Xai and we love their common sense approach to life. I'm also just crazy about their little guy - he calls us Grandma and Grandpa. We were actually feeling a little discouraged about some things and it was as if God said, "not to worry, I'm sending the Helms to you" and after one evening and morning with them we were back on track. Because of some road construction near us, we are having to use alternate routes and so we guided them from our house across the sand track roads to the national highway, waving goodbye as they headed north and we headed south to the city. We feel very connected to this couple because of being able to see them in the hospital in South Africa literally hours after their baby was born, but that is a "whole other story". I write all this to just thank God for the blessings He provides at those times when we most need it. But, you would have to have heard our heart-felt prayers that morning to truly understand...He does answer.

Tomorrow we need to run in to pay for a sign we're having put on the seminary so people know what it is. Xavier has arranged for some graphic students to do it - pretty cool. However, I'm wondering if we have the right permit! Gulp! And, we need to work on our field plan update - I started today but just didn't make quite the progress I'd expected. That happens.

Love to all of you.

Dave & Ann

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Pr 17:17