Youth and the Grace by which we stand

Sometimes I am just striken by certain events and photographs. I am especially touched and concerned about the youth of this country. They represent the future of Mozambique and they are being pulled so many directions. The family influence is so great and the vestiges of traditional religious practices (witchcraft, curses, and the like) is all around us. In addition, the corruption and general acceptance of stealing, whether it be from your employer, the government, or your neighbor, is just beyond understanding. Things change slowly but the youth remain the key and our churches continue to struggle with having viable youth programs, reaching young people for Christ; training them to understand God's plan for their lives. Today I am praying for the youth in our churches. We have a young fellow at Khongolote named Abel who is so precious and loves the Lord so much. They even call him little pastor. I must get a picture of him to share - he is an example of a bright future in a land that doesn't always seem to cherish or even hope for bright futures. Our hope must be in God.

Have a wonderful Sunday. We have started the CD series from our home church on Galatians and it is meshing so closely to what we have been reading and studying already; the message that God is affirming in our lives. The Gospel is simple and we must accept it deep in our hearts. We are saved by Grace and can add nothing to it; and what we do we do out of love for the God who has paid the price already for our sins; past, present, and future. These is no room to doubt so great a salavation; so great a gift. And whenever we try to add something to it, we get in trouble and as humans we fall into that trap so easily.

There is a great Keith Green song that speaks to this: "...but nothing lasts, except the Grace of God, by which I stand....." My soul sings it out whenever I hear about this marvelous Grace, this amazing gift of God...

Happy Sunday,

Dave & Ann

"....we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2

Miscellaneous things we are thinking about!

We have had a couple of severe days of rain. I needed to take the car back into the shop for the air conditioning again (the repair went out while the Australian team was here). We have a leak that is probably in the condenser under the dashboard. I left early to get to the garage in Maputo but the rain had flooded the roads to the point that traffic into Maputo was completely at a standstill. I spent two hours trying to get to town but was unable to or return because of the traffic snarls. A friend of mine tried to go in the other way and his wife had only gotten through early in the morning because she has a snorkel on her car. So, that wouldn’t have worked for me either. Finally, I was able to get turned around and head home - when I called the garage, the owner said, “no worries, the workers won’t come in today because of the rain anyway,” so today’s project was to get the car back into town and get the air conditioning going again. We need to resolve this before we go north, which we are feeling a little pressure to do promptly so we can get our training center construction project back on line.

I really enjoyed talking to the garage owner today – he is a Greek man who has spent 40 years in Africa – 10 here and the rest in the DRC, or Congo. He has lived through rebellions, wars, overthrows, and the like and had a unique and interesting perspective as we talked about Africa and the work that we do. He gave me a lot to ponder and think about and I hope I was able to do the same. I look forward to further talks as I think this air conditioner thing is going to be an ongoing challenge – or at least it certainly has been for quite some time.

Our church multiplication supervisor is back in Mocuba safely and our Christian Micro-Enterprise Development (CMED) coordinator is wanting to return to Maputo for a bit as he has reached a bit of a slow-down in his work there because the people participating in the village savings and loans programs are very busy right now at their farms and do not have time for other things for a while. I was quite discouraged about the funding of this program but we have recently had a man in Canada agree to match us dollar for dollar up to $7000, which would get us a good year more in this wonderful program. In addition, there may be some folks interested in coming to work this program, so God’s timing seems to be unfolding. So, maybe I won’t have to cancel the program at the end of March as I thought! Won’t that be encouraging! He continues to teach me about His timing versus my timing desires! (Project 432560-Mozambique CMED) - (photo is of Mario (left) with CMED group in Zambezia province where the black dresses indicates widows in mourning)

Our seminary is to start February 15 with 30 students on the register. However, while we think the building is paid for (depending upon who you talk to!), we are just about out of operating expense money. What a crazy way to live! We have asked our headquarters for assistance and we’ve been scrambling to get student scholarship information together – it will take nearly 200 dollars a month for each of these students to operate the building without going into the red. As our student enrollment increases, this will drop, but for right now, we are scrambling. But, this seems to be such a common story across the seminaries – it takes money to pay non-missionary teachers, guards, lights, water, sewer, taxes, upkeep, and the like in addition to books, paper, pencils, and the like. In addition many of our students will need some assistance with transportation costs so they even have a chance at attending. It’s an interesting tension – this could make or break the investment into our lovely facility. I’m just not used to this hand-to-mouth living – it seems so irresponsible as we try to discern the line between faith and foolishness!!

We must trust God! (Project 302000 – Maputo Seminary)

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” Ps 18:30

Australian Team

No, we haven't fallen off the end of the earth - yet. We were blessed to have a team from Australia here to visit the ministries and work at an Orphanage in the area. It was composed of seven young ladies, both students and young professionals. They were such a delight to be with and to experience their "first time in Mozambique." Things we don't even blink at anymore they saw through eyes of wonder. And they pitched right in where they could, helping around our house, with meals, with Sunday School, becoming part of the family. It reminded me of not so many years ago when I had four daughters in the house and all their friends!

And then they just overwhelmingly blessed us with new medical supplies, clothing, and other items we can use in our poorer churches. They took one load to the nearby Orphanage run by Arco Iris and we have a load to help with our work as well. Things like this make such a difference and it will be such a blessing to some of those in need that we work with.

Ann gave them look-alike Mozambican skirts as a "thank-you for coming" which they all wore to church where they spoke and sang to the congregation. Then, they went and worked with the children. The one picture is on top of the Mozambique seminary with us and their team leader from OMS Australia and another friend from OMS South Africa who assisted with a vehicle and driving up from South Africa. We tried to challenge them about God's plan for their lives and I hope they will stay in touch with us so we can watch what God does with their lives. These young ladies were clearly a 'cut above' and we could see God's hand on them. It is our prayer that they will always be open to whatever plan He has for them and not be distracted by the wiles of the world.

It was our joy to have them here and we pray they have gone back changed and seeing the world a little differently.

(our Internet has not worked well since we have returned - tonight it is too slow to upload pictures - I'll post this note and see what I can do another day - Completed! yeah!).

Dave & Ann

"...you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many." 2 Co 1:11

Seminary Meeting

Today (1/19) we met with our Seminary Director and reviewed the 32 students who have applied for our first class scheduled to begin February 15, 2009. These students completed lengthy applications and references including their home churches. We were surprised that we had so few candidates from our own Palvra Viva denomination, but perhaps that is because most have participated in all sorts of training through the years. The student body is a diverse group covering 15 different church groups, which greatly expands our potential impact for Christ. One of our OMS advisors reviewed the candidates with us and thought the mix would be good for discussion and growth. He had quite a bit of wise counsel for us as we proceed and provided important insights for us in consideration of culture. We have all ages and are especially excited about the more mature men and women who have applied, that we hope will bring a level of seriousness and disciplined life (example) for the younger students.

We are desperately short of money to pull this off and so are trying to work with our parent organization to advise us. We seek to find people to sponsor the students - we provide the degree to the student essentially 'free of charge' but in reality we need to cover the water, electric, property tax, building guards, teachers, and the like. Individually the amount we need isn't that great (per student) but it adds up quickly and will increase if we add a class a year. We're working on a scholarship program through our Canadian OMS office, but it is the perienniel chicken or the egg tension. We need students but need scholarships for them, but can't get students without operating, and can't operate without money, and can't get money without scholarships, and can't get students without scholarships, and on and on it goes. And, as important as it is, seminary student scholarships don't seem to be as 'sexy' as instant deliverables like water wells, for example - it's a longer term commitment and actually a chance at a life-time relationship, but not something that comes easily. It is certainly a matter for prayer. In some cases, if we are unable to help the student with some minor costs, such as transport to and from school, we rapidly become unaffordable in a place where jobs are so limited.

It's very exciting - we have a beautiful facility, trained staff, supplies to start, a curriculum, a plan, and an enthusiastic director. It doesn't get much better than that, oh yeah, there's that green stuff again....(well actually money isn't necessarily green here - some is blue, some is red, some is tan...)

The optimists say "let's proceed ahead - teach them and the money will come" and the pragmatists say "how can you proceed without a funding base; how can you make a commitment to these students and gamble on their future?" and the pessismist say "we should not even start a class without funding in place and maybe we should just sell the building and do something cheaper so we can have operating costs covered." All of them have a great point as we try to find the line between faith and foolishness. Lead us oh Lord and show your hand. By the way, we are proceeding....

I was able to get the broken shock absorber fixed on the car today. Made a huge difference and the leak in the air conditioner was caused by a rock hitting the little condensor (radiator-thing) in front - making a small hole. It will be interesting to see if the repair holds with all the jarring over these rough roads! Progress.

We have a big Church Multiplication meeting in the morning and in the afternoon will meet with the Embassy to start the passport renewal process. Language class was canceled for tomorrow, which is a blessing actually. We're still suffering from jet-lag, sleeping about three hours a piece the last couple of nights. In my case not even Ambien will touch it! But each night is better - I'm understanding jet lag a bit better - it has never been an issue before. One of my friends says it is just age......

Blessings.

Dave & Ann

" Everything is allowable, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable, but everything does not build others up." 1 Cor 6:12

Re-entry

Re-entry has really been something! Our jet-lag is improving but we're still a few days away from normal. We're on a fast track to get some things fixed, repaired, etc. before the weekend when our Australian team shows up - so today, first thing we hit it hard. We have always said that if we could get one thing done here in a day, that was an accomplishment because simple things just take forever. But, it is improving and our crazy day went surprisingly well, invaliding this saying that was so true when not so long ago.

We have to renew our passports right away and have an appointment with the Embassy later this week. However, we needed updated photos meeting the US requirements, even thought we like the 10-year old photos in our passports much better! Success! While they developed the photographs, we got badly needed office supplies, two things, oh my gosh! Then we stopped at the battery store and got a battery for the CAM car we will rent while ours is in the shop, ....another success. That's three things! How can it be? Then, that went so well, we need some supplies for the team from Australia arriving this weekend, can it be done....YES! four things! So, we made it to the language school by noon and Yes, our instructor was ready for us and we began our next level of study, being scolded for not speaking Portuguese in America and being thoroughly humbled at what had slipped out of our brains during the last few months. We tried to ease his pain with an Obama T-shirt we'd picked up in the states as our Instructor is a big Obama fan. We really enjoy our teacher and are glad he is sticking with us a little while longer! On the way home, we swung by Toyota to see if we might be able to get a shock absorber to replace the broken one we're driving on - Yes! got the last ones they had in stock. We then returned home through one-less detour (praise the Lord!) - oops, I forgot about the new one...and got the CAM car going, went off for diesel fuel, got ours ready for taking to the shop tomorrow (remove everything inside that is not welded in place). Now, to do the mountain of homework, and look at that stack of email! Wow!

Tomorrow we have an important seminary meeting about our new class that we want to start in February and our very serious shortfall of funds for operating the facility. We have 30 students signed up for class and no money after something like May. We really need to see how God would have us deal with this problem - it is not like the other world I worked in for so long where you make a plan covering parts, people, and paper, ensuring all the funding is in place before you start. In the missionary enterprise, you move forward in faith looking into the unseen void ahead,....knowing in whom we place our trust...praying that we're operating in faith and not just being foolish. As I've said before, eternity hangs in the balance for so many and how will they hear without a preacher?...

Got to go do my homework!...

This morning's devotion was about Contentment where I pondered Psalm 131 and our preponderance to be "doing" instead of "being." The book I am reading (listed below) says that "Christian contentment means that my satisfaction is independent of my circumstances." Philipians 4:13 tells us that we can do all things, being abased and abounding - in Christ. We spend our lives learning that only in knowing Christ can we really do anything of lasting value. May our preoccupation with getting things done not crush our contentment that comes with walking closely with the Lord. Amen.

Blessings & boa noite,

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

Referenced Book: In Christ Alone by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Inchope

In central Mozambique there is a more-or-less level corridor that runs from the town of Beira on the coast to Zimbabwe. The town of Beira was controlled for years by the English, who used the corridor for shipments in and out of what is now Zimbabwe. Beira is a smaller version of Maputo and even the folks who work at Gorongosa Park are bused from Beira to Gorongosa because of their education and English skills that many in Beira possess, which helps in dealing with tourist trade Mozambique is trying to develop in this once incredible wildlife park. The east-west road in this corridor is in horrible shape and the National Road (EN-1) bisects this road roughly in the middle. The small town at this intersection of these two 'major' roads is known as Inchope.

Inchope is about 1/2 way between Maputo and Nampula in the North. Depending on road conditions (and that really means something here!), you can drive to Inchope in something like 16 or so hours if you stay with it. It has developed into somewhat of a weigh-station stop for people making the grueling trip on EN-1.

In the olden days of the ferry across the Zambeze River (bridge just recently opened), stopping at Inchope on the way north for the night allows an early start and assurance of getting across the Zambeze river on the ferry (which had incredibly limited hours) without having to stay around the ferry, which was a sketchy area at best; dangerous at its worst. There was a saying, "If you don't make it to the Beira Corridor by 2PM, then you won't make the ferry. Stop in Inchope, or go west to stay in Chimoio." In fact, the entire north-south run or vice versa was always keyed to "can I make it across the ferry?" and we've often seen semi-trucks lined up for literally miles trying to cross - it could take days for them as only a few trucks at a time can make the 20-minute crossing. I'm not sure what impact this new bridge across the Zambeze is having on Inchope, as the traffic can now keep rolling - so maybe we've just experienced a glipse of God's timing - one of many many things He can see in the future that we cannot even fathom.

But, I'm getting off track - my point is that Inchope has always been a place where busses and cars stopped on the journey both north/south and east/west. There are many vendors who sell things along the side of the road in rickety lean-to structures or under trees. There are also small structures where you can rent a cot to sleep for a bit before the bus takes off in a few hours (I hestitate to call them motels - they really don't quite meet that standard). So, when the bus stops or our car stops, the vendors come running with fruit, snacks, bread, trinkets, drinks, you name it and you can buy almost anything through your window. The bus drivers catch a little shut-eye and while they snooze, the passengers mingle with the vendors and people around this area.

During these trips north, Juka, our country ECC coordinator, struck up a friendship with one of the vendors along the side of the road. He started by witnessing to him in 2005 on a trip, leaving him some tracts and a Bible. He maintained contact with this young man (named Antonio) mentoring him by phone, continuing the contact, and always stopping to see him when he passed through. We met Antonio on a couple of our trips, dropping off a box of Bibles and study guides for a Bible study he was leading. The first time we were driving this route and Juka said "stop here," I would be thinking something like, "why are we stopping in this busseling area? Everything on top of the car will be stripped off within minutes! We have a ferry to catch.... We're supposed to be in______ (town) by dark." He would say something like "I have some things to give to a brother I know here and I'll be back in just a few minutes. You really should not go into this area where I'm going - just wait here" and so we'd wait and talk to the vendors, buying some pineapples, cashews, and the like. When I would ask about where he'd been, he would really not say too much more about it, saying "it's just someone I've gotten to know and I like to check in with him when I pass by."

So every trip, Juka would spend a few minutes with Antonio, leave a few more things for him to read, and one thing led to another and eventually Antonio's began a Bible Study with others. So, here we are five years later, and we just learned that Antonio has begun a church in Inchope that he is now leading. Maybe not the exact ECC multiplication model, but a little side work that happened because someone took the time (and not a lot of time) to witness to someone who was open, to disciple him a little (even by phone!), to hold him accountabile, and to simply love him. Way to go Juka. Thank you for the wonderful example you set for all of us.

(actually this is just one story - as there is the guy at the gas station in Xai-Xai, the lady who sells pineapples in Muxunge, the fellow in an un-named place on the old detour in Sofola Province,....)

Thank you Lord for the way you work through the love of your people. Guard and grow this work in Inchope so that others may experience the peace and joy that comes from knowing You, for eternity truly hangs in the balance. May this work grow and grow for your names' sake.

Dave & Ann

"But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts." 1 Th 2:4

Haiti Assistance - Earthquake

While we were traveling back to Mozambique, we learned of the terrible earth quake in Haiti. Regardless of what country this kind of event occurs in, it should move our hearts to compassion as 'except by the grace of God go I....'. But despite that, it especially tugs at our hearts because we first became involved with OMS through a dear friend who went to Haiti to serve for a year, our daughter has served in Haiti, we have missionary friends in Haiti, and our mission has extensive work and many missionaries in Haiti, including a radio station, seminary, hospital, churches and the like. Friends of ours who have been to both countries (Mozambique and Haiti) say that they are very similar, from culture to construction techniques differing mainly in the language spoken.

So, it is with heaviness of heart that we watch these events in Haiti. OMS has established a specific project number for the relief efforts in Haiti. OMS has people on the ground now and is one of the conduits for assisting with this incredible disaster. Every little bit helps, no amount is too little, no amount is too much:

There are fundamentally two ways for you to help the people of Haiti through OMS:

1. Go to www.omsinternational.org. Follow the link on the Haiti Earthquake story and make your donation on the secure link. It connects directly to the Haiti Relief project number: 405120.

2. Write your check to OMS with "Haiti Relief 405120" on the memo line. Mail to:

OMS-Haiti Relief
P.O. Box A
Greenwood, IN 46142-6599

Help.

Dave & Ann
Mozambique

"But you, beloved, .... keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion....." Jude 1:20-22

OMS Name Change

Just a short note - our mission, OMS International, has been going through a 're-branding' for the past year or so. Our mission's name originally stood for "Oriental Missionary Society" and when OMS went world-wide, they dropped that and became just "OMS International", which was pretty much in voque at the time. But everyone wants to know "what does 'OMS' stand for?" Well, that is a loaded question and so we would essentially start with "OMS started with Charles and Lettie Cowman in 1901...." and end up with "so 'OMS' really doesn't stand for anything....." ??? Well, that certainly isn't a true statement, but I found myself saying it on many occassions and some of our dear readers have probably heard us say it!! So, in keeping with the evolution of organizations (oh my, there are some push-button words there!) we have updated to better reflect what our organization is all about.

I would say that it is really just a name change / logo change and the long-standing history of evangelism, church planting, leadership training, and partnership continues. We aren't changing what we are doing here in Mozambique or anywhere else in the world. The main thing is still the main thing, lives changed for eternity....

So, what does OMS stand for:

One Mission Society; One Lord, One-Life, One Calling.

What is our mission statement - different words but essentially the same meaning:

"By God's grace OMS unites, inspires, and equips Christians to make disciples of Jesus Christ, multiplying dynamic communities of believers around the world."

We remain your missionaries in Mozambique.

Dave & Ann

One Mission Society
Mozambique

Back in Mozambique

We have safely made the trip back to Mozambique. Our luggage all came through and although we had the notice that TSA had opened and inspected two of our bags, they had locked everything back, restrapped the suitcases, and everything came through just fine. We did have two suitcases damaged beyond repair - so that makes three on this trip that were totaled. We think we can canabilize one here and repair the other, so that would be only two! It doesn't seem to matter - name brands or the ulta-cheap brands; the trip is hard on luggage. At Johannesburg, we watched from the plane as they removed a bunch of bags looking for others and then put them back on the plane - the guys coming out from luggage compartment were all frisked by a supervisor so maybe that is a part of the program for stopping the problems at Jo-burg. But then we watched them literally throw the bags they had removed from the ground into this open-bed truck, up over a rail, one after the other - crash bam bam bam - hope they were well packed!

It is hot as blazes here, which is normal for this time of year but things are very very dry. What was really special for us was that our colleges where we live and the friends who picked us up threw a little party of sorts as they knew we wouldn't have food when we arrived, so it was really nice to get together with them all - we felt so welcomed and we are so thankful for these dear people God has placed in our lives. Aleta made Mango pie - at first I thought it was peach and apple - but it was mango and it was absolutely amazing. It is the tail end of one type of Mango tree season and another is just beginning. It was the highlight of the meal for me! I want to have that again sometime!

The next morning I worked on getting our Internet going again. We pay for about 3 months at a time. I had all my receipts and talked to them on the phone but it was clear it might take more so I went to the office in town. Well, I thought they tracked our account by our name, but no, it is by our email address (with them - we don't use this email address). When we went through the various receipts, they had typed in different email addresses on each invoice, so we had five different emails linked to OMS International and they thought four were in arrears and one was current, so they cut our service. I had to explain how it was one modem, one account and we finally got it worked out and they deleted all the ghost accounts and we're back to one with the correct email (and now I know how they track it!). So, we're good to go!

Our car air conditioner died while we were gone (leaked out) so driving around in the car that first day was like being in a oven set at 350 degrees, but after freezing in the States, I just enjoyed sweating again! We have an appointment to get the air conditioning fixed next week - it is a security issue for us - it is not good to drive around with your windows down. But, the car we need to borrow (rent) while the other one is in the shop - the battery is dead and it wouldn't push start, so that will be the next challenge! I just missed the stores today to get a new battery - things close early on Saturdays here!

We did get to visit with our dear friend Juka and his family and we have a business meeting with him later this week. We brought a puzzle from the States for his daughter Milca and it was fun to work together to put it together. However, I felt like my brain wouldn't engage in Portuguese real well after the month in the States. It was doing better by the end of the day but Ann was on-top of the language and between the two of us, we managed - takes both of us! We have much to cover: the start of the training center in Mocuba; a planned training conference; expense reports; year-end reports; status of our church planter/trainers; our planned trip - lots of good stuff!

Our seminary director has 30 students ready to begin classes in February - Praise the Lord for this! We need to meet as a mission this week to work out some details relative to the start of class, including funding issues prior to officially accepting the students. It will be a busy week, especially for our colleagues are up to their eyeballs in the start of CAM School for the new semester.

We will attend church at T-3 tomorrow, looking forward to seeing the newlyweds who were married while we were in the States and our other dear friends at this church.

Blessings!

Dave & Ann

"It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night..." Ps 92:1,2

Travel

Greetings dear friends. It has been so long since we've written but our internet access has been very spotty. Right now I'm sitting in the Dulles International Airport waiting on our flight back to Mozambique - boards in a little while. So far the travel has gone well and I cannot express what a wonderful time of rest and refreshment we have had. We needed it much more than we realized. I have alot of stories to tell but that will come later - diving in a Septic tank on Christmas morning with my son-in-law and future son-in-law, Ann's flat tire and the guardian angel who stopped and helped her, rescuing daughter three when her car gave-up the ghost (four tow this year), and the wonderful people that God put in our path this trip. Pray with us that our luggage will come through and our transit in Joburg goes well; it is always a challenge there. Our bags were broken into coming this way - we pray they go back without the same problems.

The above photograph is of our four daughters, Dave's sister and Mother and son-in-law Dave and future son-in-law Byron on Christmas at a home some dear friends let us use for a few days so we could all be together.

The technology has been amazing here - blazing Internet when we can get it; cell phone works every time!; texting with our friends in Mozambique - it is a different world today. What a blessed country we come from.

More later but the next entry should be from Mozambique.

Blessings.

Dave & Ann