We just got off the phone with Belarmino. They dug down 100 meters on the other end of the property this morning and again hit rock and no water. Yet, not so very far away is another well on the order of 40 meters deep. And within one or two hundred feed of the lower part of the land is a hand-dug well that has water in the wet season, but not always year round. It is a mystery!
The company (Afrodril) has a resident expert on the under-surface water in the area and he will be back from Maputo on Thursday and Belarmino and the drillers will be consulting with him on what our options are. 100 meters is very very deep and past the normal limits of hand pumps although there are solar powered pumps you can install that will handle that distance. So, a bit of a quandry for us to pray through.
Thanks for standing with us. I am surprisingly peaceful about this and would ask that you continue to ask for God's blessing on this need for water at our project site.
Dave & Ann
"Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isa 12:3
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Prayer Request
Water came from a rock twice in the Old Testament. The first time (verse below), God told Moses exactly what to do - hit the rock with his staff and the water flowed. In the second case (Numbers 20), Moses got in big trouble for improvising and doing what he had done before (hitting the rock with his staff) instead of precisely what God had told him to do (speak to the rock). God wants our obedience and the "way we've always done it" does not assure it is the best way or the preferred way.
Today, the well-drillers on our land at Mocuba went down 60 meters without hitting water, and hit a fractured rock layer and from their experience at that depth, they stopped. Tomorrow, they will move to the other end of our property, which is the low side, and try again. This is an item for much prayer. While it is a nice piece of property, it isn't all that big. In this photo, we drilled near the temporary metal shed and tomorrow they will be near the house you see in the distance. The pile you see in the middle is a tremendous termite mound - normal for here.
Water is so important to establishing a ministry center. We just assumed we'd hit water because there were wells in the general area that bring good water. I pray I was not moving ahead of God and 'hitting the rock' with what I knew instead of relying on His providence and simply speaking to Him.
We must pray for a good day of drilling tomorrow. Help us Lord for you are the maker of the streams of water that flow beneath the ground.
Dave & Ann
"Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel." Ex 17:6
Today, the well-drillers on our land at Mocuba went down 60 meters without hitting water, and hit a fractured rock layer and from their experience at that depth, they stopped. Tomorrow, they will move to the other end of our property, which is the low side, and try again. This is an item for much prayer. While it is a nice piece of property, it isn't all that big. In this photo, we drilled near the temporary metal shed and tomorrow they will be near the house you see in the distance. The pile you see in the middle is a tremendous termite mound - normal for here.
Water is so important to establishing a ministry center. We just assumed we'd hit water because there were wells in the general area that bring good water. I pray I was not moving ahead of God and 'hitting the rock' with what I knew instead of relying on His providence and simply speaking to Him.
We must pray for a good day of drilling tomorrow. Help us Lord for you are the maker of the streams of water that flow beneath the ground.
Dave & Ann
"Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel." Ex 17:6
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Church in Quelimane
As a part of our checking on our churches in Northern Mozambique, we visited selected new churches and sat down with the leadership of these churches and attended those that we could. 
While in Quelimane, we connected with the pastor, Pr. Arcanjo, we were to meet and after loading his bicycle on top of our car, we headed back out of town. Just out-side of Quelimane, we turned off more or less elevated road down into a swampy type area, finding our way through narrow muddy roads to a place where we left the car. We then walked single-file through tall trees, tall sugar cane and grass, across small wooden foot bridges, finding our way to a church. We sat in the church with this Pastor who has been leading the church for a number of years. We met most of his nine children, some of whom were suffering from Malaria.
While in Quelimane, we connected with the pastor, Pr. Arcanjo, we were to meet and after loading his bicycle on top of our car, we headed back out of town. Just out-side of Quelimane, we turned off more or less elevated road down into a swampy type area, finding our way through narrow muddy roads to a place where we left the car. We then walked single-file through tall trees, tall sugar cane and grass, across small wooden foot bridges, finding our way to a church. We sat in the church with this Pastor who has been leading the church for a number of years. We met most of his nine children, some of whom were suffering from Malaria.On the floor at the front of the church were some of the training materials we had sent up on the 
bus over this past year. This pastor is putting these books (Chronological Bible Story Telling, Omega Church Manuals and Theology books along with Bibles) to very good use and we are overjoyed to see how God connected a willing servant with these books. This man knows Pastor Antonio and through him, he began attending our ECC training seminars in the Mocuba area. He then latched on to the church multiplication training method and is now training his own group of church planter/pastors in the Quelimane area. Several have started small churches in the area as well although we were unable to visit any of them.
bus over this past year. This pastor is putting these books (Chronological Bible Story Telling, Omega Church Manuals and Theology books along with Bibles) to very good use and we are overjoyed to see how God connected a willing servant with these books. This man knows Pastor Antonio and through him, he began attending our ECC training seminars in the Mocuba area. He then latched on to the church multiplication training method and is now training his own group of church planter/pastors in the Quelimane area. Several have started small churches in the area as well although we were unable to visit any of them.This pastor has attended seminary, has many years of experience, and would like to join with our Mozambique denomination. We asked lots of hard questions and felt quite good that this man was using our ECC materials to do church planting and training in this new area for us. So, 
we will continue to pray for this man, his church, and that God would bless his ministry as we stand beside him. Our Mozambican denomination will stand with him for a year before accepting his church into the Evangelical Church of the Living Word (IEPV) fold. I think this is another case of God putting the pieces together and we praise God for this new work that He found, not us.
we will continue to pray for this man, his church, and that God would bless his ministry as we stand beside him. Our Mozambican denomination will stand with him for a year before accepting his church into the Evangelical Church of the Living Word (IEPV) fold. I think this is another case of God putting the pieces together and we praise God for this new work that He found, not us.It is so incredibly exciting to see how God connects all the dots in His work.
A bright spot in a spiritually dark area!
Blessings!
Dave & Ann
"Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus christ." Php 1:6
Human Trafficing
A close friend of ours is heading up some initiatives within OMS relative to human trafficing. Through her efforts, we have received copies of some training materials and been made much more aware of this horrible sin. We have been routinely discussing the topic with our church leaders and finding that there is a general knowledge that it is a problem here. We are also noticing more news and newspaper articles about some of the things happening in southern Africa. There have been several arrests lately in Mozambique as it is a 'source' country or an 'intermediary country' where humans or their parts are trafficed through to other countries, most notably South Africa. Recent arrests point to international involvement (multiple nationalities) and there is thought to human sex trafficing to support the World Cup games this summer in South Africa. Are people that stupid to risk HIV, Aids - it's almost a guarantee? I guess so...
Anyway, I was asking in Mocuba 'what happened to all the street children?' We used to see alot of them within the town. The answer we heard is that those are the children being captured and processed for parts as a part of human trafficing. We were told of a recent arrest in that area that included finding a freezer with human parts; hearts, kidneys, sexual organs, and the like, most likely used in rituals or moved overseas or to other countries for rituals. This depravity is beyond understanding but shows how low man can sink in the absence of God. The Old Testament is full of stories of the horrible things that happened in those times as well, and the judgment that eventually followed. It just tears at our hearts that such things are happening here.
The culture is aware that this goes on and rumors abound when people go missing. Work 'too good to be true' in South Africa can be a lure and families can receive money on the spot to send a family member to South Africa for training and a 'good job'. Just today, I saw something where young girls were being sold for around 650 US dollars in this trafficing market.
We hope to include this subject in our training programs but until the culture itself is outraged, each life is valued, and governments truly don't tolerate the practice, the horrible injustice will continue. There is no end to the depravity that man will sink when he turns his back on his Creator or refuses to acknowledge Him.
Where did all the street children go? Please no........ Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Dave & Ann
"And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD." 2 Ch 12:14
Anyway, I was asking in Mocuba 'what happened to all the street children?' We used to see alot of them within the town. The answer we heard is that those are the children being captured and processed for parts as a part of human trafficing. We were told of a recent arrest in that area that included finding a freezer with human parts; hearts, kidneys, sexual organs, and the like, most likely used in rituals or moved overseas or to other countries for rituals. This depravity is beyond understanding but shows how low man can sink in the absence of God. The Old Testament is full of stories of the horrible things that happened in those times as well, and the judgment that eventually followed. It just tears at our hearts that such things are happening here.
The culture is aware that this goes on and rumors abound when people go missing. Work 'too good to be true' in South Africa can be a lure and families can receive money on the spot to send a family member to South Africa for training and a 'good job'. Just today, I saw something where young girls were being sold for around 650 US dollars in this trafficing market.
We hope to include this subject in our training programs but until the culture itself is outraged, each life is valued, and governments truly don't tolerate the practice, the horrible injustice will continue. There is no end to the depravity that man will sink when he turns his back on his Creator or refuses to acknowledge Him.
Where did all the street children go? Please no........ Come quickly Lord Jesus!
Dave & Ann
"And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD." 2 Ch 12:14
Tragedy
When we left for Mocuba, one of the leaders we work with (Lucas) had taken one of his three sons to Central Hospital because he was 'blocked' and couldn't 'poop'. We talked with him frequently and prayed for his son Naftal (8 years old) often, receiving updates all during our trip. On the way home, we received word, after three weeks of hospitalization, that Naftal had died. We knew this little boy and we know his siblings well. The funeral was the day we arrived from our trip north and we did not attend but today visited with the family in their home after church. We so enjoyed watching his one daughter Madalena dancing and singing in church (she is about 5 or 6).
We are not clear on the diagnosis of this dear child, but Ann believes that it was an advanced stage of childhood cancer - basically a tumor of the kidney (possibly Wilms tumor). He swelled very large and they were removing fluid trying to make him comfortable for as long as they could. There was talk of an operation but then they concluded it probably wouldn't help. Lucas was faithful to visit him every day but there was little to be done. His mother had left the family about a year ago and no one knows where she has gone so this poor child did not have the comfort of his mother's presence. So heartbreaking...
As I was doing children's sermons in the north, I could not help but think of this young child in Maputo fighting for his life. Children are often left to their own devices in this culture with very little parental oversight and we see this also in the church. So, I often take opportunities to preach to the church through children's sermons about the value of children from Jesus' perspective along with the importance of obligation of the church to stand with the parents in the raising of godly young people.
Today was palm Sunday and we visited our Khongolote church so we could spend a little time with Lucas and his family after church. The video clip (below) starts with his daughter Madalena dancing with her palm branch at this morning's service.
Pray for this dear family. These things are always difficult to understand but we know with certainty that God will see those who love him through the valley. Today, Naftal walks pain-free in a different valley near that house prepared for him, as he waits for the rest of us to join him, which we certainly will some day. Eternity awaits for those accepting the precious gift God has given through Jesus.
Have a blessed holy week. 2000 plus years ago, Jesus made his triumpal entry into Jerusalem being lauded as a king, knowing full well that his time was coming - that passover was near. The ultimate sacrific for sin was entering as King, but not the king the people were waving branches for, an Eternal King.
Blessing this holy week.
Pray for Lucas, our brother in Christ.
Dave & Ann
"...Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God." Luke 18:16
"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen" 1 Ti 1:17
We are not clear on the diagnosis of this dear child, but Ann believes that it was an advanced stage of childhood cancer - basically a tumor of the kidney (possibly Wilms tumor). He swelled very large and they were removing fluid trying to make him comfortable for as long as they could. There was talk of an operation but then they concluded it probably wouldn't help. Lucas was faithful to visit him every day but there was little to be done. His mother had left the family about a year ago and no one knows where she has gone so this poor child did not have the comfort of his mother's presence. So heartbreaking...
As I was doing children's sermons in the north, I could not help but think of this young child in Maputo fighting for his life. Children are often left to their own devices in this culture with very little parental oversight and we see this also in the church. So, I often take opportunities to preach to the church through children's sermons about the value of children from Jesus' perspective along with the importance of obligation of the church to stand with the parents in the raising of godly young people.Today was palm Sunday and we visited our Khongolote church so we could spend a little time with Lucas and his family after church. The video clip (below) starts with his daughter Madalena dancing with her palm branch at this morning's service.
Pray for this dear family. These things are always difficult to understand but we know with certainty that God will see those who love him through the valley. Today, Naftal walks pain-free in a different valley near that house prepared for him, as he waits for the rest of us to join him, which we certainly will some day. Eternity awaits for those accepting the precious gift God has given through Jesus.
Have a blessed holy week. 2000 plus years ago, Jesus made his triumpal entry into Jerusalem being lauded as a king, knowing full well that his time was coming - that passover was near. The ultimate sacrific for sin was entering as King, but not the king the people were waving branches for, an Eternal King.
Blessing this holy week.
Pray for Lucas, our brother in Christ.
Dave & Ann
"...Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God." Luke 18:16
"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen" 1 Ti 1:17
Saturday, March 27, 2010
More on Mocuba Trip
"Welcome to Mocuba, where all roads cross and Mozambique embraces itself." Great sign!!
We've been catching up on a few things since we returned - it is a period of high administration with the end of a month and the end of a fiscal year plus the construction project.
We just sent the 1/2 payment for the well in Mocuba. That work will begin on Monday; Praise the Lord! We had a short window of opportunity as the people doing the well have to move their equipment to another province. Our treasurer here was able to do some magic Friday even with the banking system not working and somehow we we're able to get the money transferred so the work could begin Monday. It's only a few days work for them, but a very important part for us! Otherwise, we would be waiting for months and hauling water in wheel barrows by hand quite a distance to make cement and mortar! So, we are thankful, plus the tremendous contribution it will be to the community at large.
Back to the trip, when we first arrived in Mocuba at the Guest House we stay at - run by a local Pastor we have grown to love, he asked us if we knew anything about sewing! Well, we mentioned our sewing center in Intaka and our CMED project proposal about a sewing center, and the fact that Ann can sew quite well actually, and we ended up in an imprompto meeting with a lady named Elina, who works for the government in Mocuba but is also administratively helping Pastor Antonio set up a sewing center next to his church. As it turned out, it was a very loose idea but they had a little money for some machines but no one involved knew the first thing about sewing or how to go about setting up something like this. Ann was able to talk a little about the machines, our experiences in Maputo with our sewing center, and by just asking lots of 
questions, help them think through this project intended to help members of their church. It was clear why Pastor Antonio enlisted Elina to help with this as she clearly had the gift of administration and could quickly put together the steps that needed to be done. We felt like it was a God-ordained meeting and Ann was able to visit with Elina a few more times during the days we were at the Guest House.
We just sent the 1/2 payment for the well in Mocuba. That work will begin on Monday; Praise the Lord! We had a short window of opportunity as the people doing the well have to move their equipment to another province. Our treasurer here was able to do some magic Friday even with the banking system not working and somehow we we're able to get the money transferred so the work could begin Monday. It's only a few days work for them, but a very important part for us! Otherwise, we would be waiting for months and hauling water in wheel barrows by hand quite a distance to make cement and mortar! So, we are thankful, plus the tremendous contribution it will be to the community at large.
Back to the trip, when we first arrived in Mocuba at the Guest House we stay at - run by a local Pastor we have grown to love, he asked us if we knew anything about sewing! Well, we mentioned our sewing center in Intaka and our CMED project proposal about a sewing center, and the fact that Ann can sew quite well actually, and we ended up in an imprompto meeting with a lady named Elina, who works for the government in Mocuba but is also administratively helping Pastor Antonio set up a sewing center next to his church. As it turned out, it was a very loose idea but they had a little money for some machines but no one involved knew the first thing about sewing or how to go about setting up something like this. Ann was able to talk a little about the machines, our experiences in Maputo with our sewing center, and by just asking lots of 
questions, help them think through this project intended to help members of their church. It was clear why Pastor Antonio enlisted Elina to help with this as she clearly had the gift of administration and could quickly put together the steps that needed to be done. We felt like it was a God-ordained meeting and Ann was able to visit with Elina a few more times during the days we were at the Guest House.(This photo at the new church shows the reed structure in the background).
As a part of our time there, we had to fix the toilet - it wasn't working very well but we found the parts in Mocuba and it was quite simple to fix. In addition, there was a significant electrical problem with a outlet / switch hooked to a stove that was arcing and smoking. We were able to fix that also, after clearing out the dead mice and lizards that had been electrocuted behind the switch! It seems we doing something to improve the guest house every time we come, which they appreciate very much and makes us feel like we are part of the family.
We kept getting all these bites while we were staying there and knew they couldn't be mosquitos, although we had those also, but in the end, we determined they were bed bugs. And we also had a resident rat that visited Aimee in the night in her bedroom and another night in the bathroom!! So, we just made sure all our food items were tightly inside of our plastic travel containers! We enjoyed two special evening meals with Pastor Antonio and his lovely family and always consider it a priviledge to stay with them. The minor inconveniences of the SMALL things (heh heh!) paled in comparison to the blessing to be able to stay at this place of peace with this family we have grown to love. We are quite comfortable there and the location is safe and convenient.
Since our last visit, he had completed construction of a new church, moving from the previous reed structure. We went and visited his new church and I really enjoy his energy and enthusiasm. They are planning to make a few changes to the old reed structure so it can be the sewing center. He is quite an influential individual in the community and has been helping Juka with his work as well. Actually, Juka accepted Christ years ago after hearing a teaching by Pastor Antonio, but that is another story for another time....a part of how God works things!And as it would happen, the government was using his church in the mornings to register the various church work going on in the Mocuba district and we found out about it on our tour of his church when he showed us the desk and area for the government Department of Religious Affairs workers. Our guys had not heard about this, and with a day to spare, Juka was able to get to the church the following morning and get us all registered with the government as required. Another divine appointment..... They had only made the announcement on the radio (no TV in the area) and our guys hadn't heard about it. Thank you Lord!
As we were leaving his church, a young boy came out of a side street with a big old brick and heaved it hard at the car - and it hit just above the rear side window, putting a huge dent in the side of the car near the roof but I was SO thankful it wasn't the window, that the dent seems like a minor thing! If we'd lost the window, that would have been quite a problem for the security of the car, the ministry items we were always carrying, etc. And, it seems every trip, something on the car gets smashed....God has taught me how to let those things go better than I used to! The little fellow disappeared into the side alley but I think he'll be hearing from the Pastor! I just pray that little fellow ends up at the church!
Short note for now. Next I'll be writing about some of the churches we visited and some of the things our Trainers are doing.
Blessings.
Dave & Ann
"For their rock is not like our Rock..." De 32:31
Friday, March 26, 2010
Dedication of Mocuba Training Center Project
We have returned to Maputo after two wonderful weeks in northern Mozambique. Aimee Howarth traveled with us and it was a special time for us to get to know each other and share our 
common passion for the wonderful people of Mozambique. We returned worn-out, sun-burned, bed-bug bitten, mosquito bitten, caterpillar bitten, and probably parasite infested but greatly encouraged at what He is doing in our OMS-related churches in northern Mozambique. What a priviledge all of us to be able to participate in such a things - truly. Thank you making it all possible and being such a vital part!
common passion for the wonderful people of Mozambique. We returned worn-out, sun-burned, bed-bug bitten, mosquito bitten, caterpillar bitten, and probably parasite infested but greatly encouraged at what He is doing in our OMS-related churches in northern Mozambique. What a priviledge all of us to be able to participate in such a things - truly. Thank you making it all possible and being such a vital part!There is too much to write about in one entry and I am even considering writing a more technical paper based on our last years here as I have formed some rather strong opinions about the church multiplication work we are engaged in. We approached the work completely open with absolutely no pre-conceptions but after four years of working with it, we have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly, and we feel we have a good understanding of the situation here in Mozambique. At the deck-plate level, there is quite a culture clash that develops between the result-oriented Western demand for forms, numbers, statistics, and a culture where these things are simply not important and even offensive and where at the basis of everything is relationships. Both worlds have to be satisfied, 
but the world-view conflict is significant. But once again, I digress.
It is hard to determine how best to describe this trip. It was made simply to validate our church multiplication program results and check with / interview our church trainers and their student pastor planters. We wanted to help with issues and problems but especially to challenge and encourage these dedicated church leaders. But, there were also a number of side agendas as well. I’ll divide these into a few subcategories.
Travel
Praise-the-Lord that we had no real significant car problems. The roads north of Xai-Xai are the worst of 
the entire trip and much much worse than 9 months ago, even though a Chinese-lead consortium has been working on it the entire time. It seems they simply push dirt from one side of the road to the other with no real results. With our four-wheel drive, we were able to crawl over piles, through mud, around over-turned semi trucks and stuck semis and buses, dodge construction equipmen, but it was quite wearing. We did lose air conditioning for the trip back and we were push-starting the car (beating the solenoid with a hammer to get the starter to engage only works so long!). But, when Aimee and Ann would start pushing, others would usually join in! We also never shut the engine off for fuel stops, or other stops, and when we did have to stop, we tried to be at the top of some sort of incline. We felt God’s presence on the entire trip. We drove up in two long days, and the last leg on the second day was very nerve-racking as it was very dark, there are no lights or electricity where we were driving, so it is VERY dark; and when a car or motorcycle approached us, it made it very difficult to see pedestrians, carts, animals, and the like walking on the side of the road or in the road. Fortunately, there is very little traffic at night! This was also the first trip where we didn’t have one or more flat tires and smash the car on a tree or rock in the bush somewhere!
The bridge over the Zambezi River was complete and that shorten the second day by a couple of hours and what an incredible view from the top of the bridge as we went over this magnificent river that was at flood stage because of tremendous rains inland. It would 
have been impassable by ferry this trip. They charged us a small toll that was the same as the old ferry; I have no complaints! It really is a vast vast improvement.
We were loaded heavy both directions. We took a generator for the construction project in Mocuba along with bibles and training materials so the back was completely full – no visibility except by side mirrors. Extra tires and rims were on top and the backseat was loaded as well except for where Aimee sat. On the way back, we brought books, a crate, and a suitcase back for missionary friends in Nampula who are getting ready to go on furlough dropping their things off in Xai-Xai for storage. So, we were just as loaded and heavy coming back.
For my guy friends, we averaged nearly 16 miles per gallon, which isn’t bad for a big and old four-wheel drive loaded to the gills with things stacked on top! We traveled a little under 5000 km, which is about 3100 miles. One kid in Mocuba threw a big brick at us and disappeared into the nearby bush, putting a big dent in the side near the roof – just missing our window. Kind of sad – we’d been visiting the church of a pastor we know from another denomination. He was embarrassed as it was right in front of his church! In one parking location where we stayed a night, we came out to have someone spray-painting yellow within about five feet of the car – so we have a nice over-spray tint one side. I hope I can get it off when I try to clear it up this afternoon. Reminded me of a time when I worked at a shipyard in Charleston, SC when they were painting cranes and covered my white car with and over-spray of blue paint!
Dedication of Training Center Project
It is very difficult to categorize any single highlight of this trip as more special than any other as there 
were so many special things. We did spent time with Belarmino and the Training Center construction site. We laid out the foundations of the structures and agreed on the general lay-out of the land. There continues to be challenges with access to the land and while we were in Mocuba, there were a number of meetings with local officials, who want this project, but must very carefully work with the people who are growing crops on the road-right-of-way that leads to our land. So, progress is being made and after the harvest is made, the bull dozer will open the current path-way to the land. The workers are using wheel-barrows to move block, cement, and the like down footpaths until this is resolved. Belarmino’s 
view is “no problem, I’m paying them either way.” It is the cost of the materials that is the most significant cost of the project. (Note, the silver structure is a temporary place to secure our tools and materials as the project begins. On one side will be a temporary area of shade for the workers - you must get out of the sun to rest, eat, and the like.
We held a dedication service at the land, digging the first shovel-fulls of dirt and the first corner of the training center. All of us participated as we prayed together for Gods’ blessing on this project in total, that the workers would be safe and that we would see much spiritual fruit from this project. We felt that this was a very important first step – I would be fearful to proceed absent of dedicating the land, the project, and the vision of the project to the Lord. We want to stay in foot-step with where He is leading the project.
Things you get involved with can be surprising. On o
ne side of our land, there are many banana trees that are producing abundantly. A man has been harvesting these bananas for many years although he has no claim on the land. He is demanding payment (significant) for the loss of his banana plants that are really just wild plants. We will work something out on this but it is a process that has too just take time. We might let him continue to harvest for example, or reach some other arrangement but it is a part of the process. In Mozambique, as I have mentioned before, you never own the land, only the improvements on the land – it is a subtle but important difference in how you approach things here.
So, today, we are transferring 50% of the cost of a new well on the training center land (a simple pump-type well) which will be used by the training center and the community. We have a quote of about $7200 for this well from a company called Afrodril. We met with them and although I didn’t get the best ‘vibes’ from them at first but they did seem to know their business well and we were able to negotiate 
a reduced price, having started at about $11,000. They at first thought OMS was the World Health Organization (Organizão de Mundo Saude), which definitely doesn’t work in our favor in this case! But recognizing we were a church organization, with very limited resources, they were willing to negotiate a better price for us. We are still short about 3000 dollars for this well (comes from separate funding) and could use a little boost in our Mozambique Water for Life project account (#407670); OMS, PO Box 1648; Monument, CO 80132-1648 (put ‘#407670 – Moz wells’ on the memo line). Every little bit helps!
Clean water is key to health - there were cholera outbreaks very near to where we were visiting on this trip.
Blessings – more to follow.
Dave & Ann
“The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand.” De 29:12
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Spring Newsletter
Today we returned from our trip north. There is much to report but I need to get the photos off the computer first! We came back very encouraged at our church multiplication work in northern Mozambique. Stay tuned in the coming few days! On one of the days, my dear wife said at the end of that long day that she thought it had been the most wonderful day of her life.
I just uploaded our Spring newsletter. Most of you should have received a snail-mail copy by now - but if not - click on the link to the left that says "newsletter" and you can access the letter from Google Docs.
Blessings. More tomorrow!
Dave & Ann
"As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25
I just uploaded our Spring newsletter. Most of you should have received a snail-mail copy by now - but if not - click on the link to the left that says "newsletter" and you can access the letter from Google Docs.
Blessings. More tomorrow!
Dave & Ann
"As cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Trip North
Just a quick entry. We leave in the morning with missionary Aimee Howarth for a trip north to check on our ECC work in Northern Mozambique. The agenda is loose but an important part of the trip is agreeing on the foundation location of our new training center in Mocuba, the location of the well, and reviewing the building plans with our resident supervisor we sent up from Maputo. We have our needs and plans but I pray that we will be submissive to His needs and plans! Us 'Type A's' are always dealing with that issue!
So, I have been spending hours on trying to get various reports and business things done before we go and am still coming up short, but we must leave at zero dark thirty in the morning to make the first leg by dark. We will not have Internet access and phone access is always a bit iffy on these trips. So, - no blog entries for a few weeks. We are planning to be back in time to hopefully connect with a young lady from our home church who will be here in Maputo working at the orphanage that sponsored OMS' original entry into the country (Arco-Iris).
The meeting with the Department of Religious Affairs went very well and they accepted our new letter with what appeared to be some relief and we were profusely happy for their counsel and assistance. It was as if God had gone there before us for which we are so very thankful. So, we will remain OMS International in Mozambique, not One Mission Society. So, I need to figure out how to get all the old shirts, letterhead, pads, pencils, and the like that is left over from the name change in the States sent to Mozambique!
Thank you for standing with us.
Remember us in prayer over the next few weeks. Travel here is always a great challenge, not without danger, and our car is no young thing. May we serve Him well.
Blessings,
Dave & Ann
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy." Ps 103.8
So, I have been spending hours on trying to get various reports and business things done before we go and am still coming up short, but we must leave at zero dark thirty in the morning to make the first leg by dark. We will not have Internet access and phone access is always a bit iffy on these trips. So, - no blog entries for a few weeks. We are planning to be back in time to hopefully connect with a young lady from our home church who will be here in Maputo working at the orphanage that sponsored OMS' original entry into the country (Arco-Iris).
The meeting with the Department of Religious Affairs went very well and they accepted our new letter with what appeared to be some relief and we were profusely happy for their counsel and assistance. It was as if God had gone there before us for which we are so very thankful. So, we will remain OMS International in Mozambique, not One Mission Society. So, I need to figure out how to get all the old shirts, letterhead, pads, pencils, and the like that is left over from the name change in the States sent to Mozambique!
Thank you for standing with us.
Remember us in prayer over the next few weeks. Travel here is always a great challenge, not without danger, and our car is no young thing. May we serve Him well.
Blessings,
Dave & Ann
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy." Ps 103.8
Monday, March 8, 2010
Passports and Staples
Our passports expire before long and we needed new resident visas - so we updated our passports through the embassy. That went well, except the pictures look alot older than 10 years ago! However, these are the new 'electronic' passports. We had to turn them in to Immigration here with our old passports that have all our visa stamps, and they processed it in a timely fashion, no problems - except when we picked them up, they had stapled our old passports and the paperwork to our passports. Well, there are huge warnings on the new passport, DO NOT STAPLE to the covers of the passport or you will render the electronic part inoperable. I guess there are computer chips or whatever in there. Well, we can be covert now, because ours is chocked full of staple holes I'm sure rendering this newfangled electronics inoperable. We looked on line and this is a common problem for those of us living in developing countries. So much for being state of the art.....kind of like our Internet that is the speed of a turtle looking over his shoulder (don't send me large attachments!)
But, you don't understand the process....the process is to staple........the process, the process is to staple.......staple the process, process the staple, stacess the prable........
So, maybe they will let us back in the states when we show up.....But we do have our resident visa stamps so we can at least stay here for another year!
Blessings!
Dave & Ann
"By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country,....." Hebrews 11:9
But, you don't understand the process....the process is to staple........the process, the process is to staple.......staple the process, process the staple, stacess the prable........
So, maybe they will let us back in the states when we show up.....But we do have our resident visa stamps so we can at least stay here for another year!
Blessings!
Dave & Ann
"By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country,....." Hebrews 11:9
Simple Things that aren't Simple
We have been buried with a crisis that caught us completely by surprise. A simple thing really.
I've written previously about our mission changing its name to One Mission Society (still OMS) to update the image, modernize, and better present the long-standing purpose of OMS. We just sent our prayer letter in for publishing (to arrive at your box soon!) and it is with the new logo.
In our minds a simple change....so we mentioned it to some of our Mozambican friends and they said, oh my Gosh, you need to let the Department of Religious Affairs know as soon as possible so they don't hear it from someone else. Name changes here are a BIG DEAL. So, we wrote a simple letter, attached our president's letter (translated) and went down to tell them about it but "no worries" we are still OMS.
Well,,,,,,,not so fast. After we were all done explaining, they put their hands on the table and said, that's all well and good, but what is the REAL reason you are changing your name? Very unsettling. We thought we settled it all and went one our way, only to be called back in a few days later to go through it again, what is the REAL reasons you are changing your name? Financial problems, going out of business, merging with someone else, major change of personnel, bankruptcy is looming, what is the REAL reason. And, if we want to change our name, we have to go back and to all the things again that two of our colleges spent 15 years doing to get us registered. The hint was very very clear: Are you absolutely sure you want to do this? Plus, we got homework to write a paper about how we inside the country decided to change the name - explaining that the direction did not indeed come from outside the country. In the government's eye here, we are separate and independent and they do no want outside folks telling us how to do business in Mozambique. I have to admit that I like that but it was certainly a surprise. After researching some of the older legal documents here, we are indeed independent and responsible to the government here more than we realized. It was a very valuable thing to review and reconsider.
After lots of talk and research, we really don't have to change our name here (thank you Lord). It is amazing how such a little thing can actually jeapordize the entire work. Wow, but that is the legal reality and we want to walk carefully and not make unnecessary waves.
So, tomorrow we go back to try and retract our letter and say 'never mind' and be extremely thankful, recognizing they were trying to help and guide us in the indirect way of the culture that we learn to appreciate more every day.
That has delayed our trip north - we hope to go in a few days and are mostly prepared.
Pray for us for this meeting tomorrow and our subsequent travel. We will be out-of-touch for a few weeks but are looking forward with great anticipation to being with our church planting workers in the north of Mozambique.
Blessings.
Dave & Ann
OMS International - Mozambique!
"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name." Ps 86:11
I've written previously about our mission changing its name to One Mission Society (still OMS) to update the image, modernize, and better present the long-standing purpose of OMS. We just sent our prayer letter in for publishing (to arrive at your box soon!) and it is with the new logo.
In our minds a simple change....so we mentioned it to some of our Mozambican friends and they said, oh my Gosh, you need to let the Department of Religious Affairs know as soon as possible so they don't hear it from someone else. Name changes here are a BIG DEAL. So, we wrote a simple letter, attached our president's letter (translated) and went down to tell them about it but "no worries" we are still OMS.
Well,,,,,,,not so fast. After we were all done explaining, they put their hands on the table and said, that's all well and good, but what is the REAL reason you are changing your name? Very unsettling. We thought we settled it all and went one our way, only to be called back in a few days later to go through it again, what is the REAL reasons you are changing your name? Financial problems, going out of business, merging with someone else, major change of personnel, bankruptcy is looming, what is the REAL reason. And, if we want to change our name, we have to go back and to all the things again that two of our colleges spent 15 years doing to get us registered. The hint was very very clear: Are you absolutely sure you want to do this? Plus, we got homework to write a paper about how we inside the country decided to change the name - explaining that the direction did not indeed come from outside the country. In the government's eye here, we are separate and independent and they do no want outside folks telling us how to do business in Mozambique. I have to admit that I like that but it was certainly a surprise. After researching some of the older legal documents here, we are indeed independent and responsible to the government here more than we realized. It was a very valuable thing to review and reconsider.
After lots of talk and research, we really don't have to change our name here (thank you Lord). It is amazing how such a little thing can actually jeapordize the entire work. Wow, but that is the legal reality and we want to walk carefully and not make unnecessary waves.
So, tomorrow we go back to try and retract our letter and say 'never mind' and be extremely thankful, recognizing they were trying to help and guide us in the indirect way of the culture that we learn to appreciate more every day.
That has delayed our trip north - we hope to go in a few days and are mostly prepared.
Pray for us for this meeting tomorrow and our subsequent travel. We will be out-of-touch for a few weeks but are looking forward with great anticipation to being with our church planting workers in the north of Mozambique.
Blessings.
Dave & Ann
OMS International - Mozambique!
"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name." Ps 86:11
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