Wild African (Killer?) Bees

We are so influenced by the things we read and hear! I was working on the car a couple of days ago (my new job it seems!) as I fight this starter issue (we're headed to Toyota in South Africa to put in a new starter tomorrow but I'm concerned that we may actually be dealing with a problem with the factory-installed alarm system (for which the prior owners lost the keys to - so it is 'inactive'). But, I digress, as I worked on the car, I kept hearing this buzzing sound and then noticed lots of bees around. I looked around the corner of the house and the above picture was what I saw - a swarm of wild bees.



Now, we are in Africa, so these must be the wild killer African bees that eat men, women and dogs that we heard so much about in the States - must be? We did some research on-line and our concern was this mass of bees would set up house keeping close to us or even in the house somewhere. We went through that in our newly married days in a farm house we lived in but that is another story for another time. So, we talked with some workers around the place we live and the general consensus was that they would probably be gone at first light. But, that was not to bee ;0.



So, I explored getting an area bee-keeper to come get the bees but the workers said they could move them on their way. So they built a fire under the tree, but the wind took the smoke away too fast and it didn't do too much. So, next they took a coconut tree branch and made a torch, added some lamp oil, and stuck it in the tree to drive them away. A big mass of them then fell right into the fire - so much for my desire to save the bees.




But, the remaining bees just moved the queen to the next tree, and so we started the process all over again. several times, they threw sticks at the mass of bees and a big clump of them would fly fall to the ground and then start flying all around. But eventually they got rid of them and that was the end. We kept thinking of our one daughter who carries an Epi-pen for injecting herself in the event of a bee sting - I sure didn't want these bees close if she comes to visit!

But amazingly, although the bees chased us around a bit, no one was stung, which I found amazing. I hope they moved on to a nice nest up high in a tree somewhere!



What surprised me was the innate fear we felt because of these bees. My grandfather was a bee-keeper and I've been around bees and didn't fear them. But, the media had convinced me that African bees would be the end of all of us! There really was nothing to fear, which is truly how we should live. I've really got to stop reading the news!!


No more killer bees today.


Dave & Ann

"And it shall come to pass in that day that the LORD will whistle for the fly that is in the farthest part of the rivers of Eygpt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria [or maybe Africa!]" Is 7:18

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2Ti 1:7

Mocuba Update

This is the current training center as of today. Great progress by Belarmino and his crew. This photo shows where we are with the center.

Foundation of the house underway.

Starting floor and wall work at training Center

Concrete finish work

More concrete finish work

Walls in progress

Elina (Juka's wife), Milca, Abertina (Belarmino's wife) and Junior testing out the new floor.

In addition, Belarmino advised us that Afrodrill has pulled out of the well drilling and decided to move on to another job. They are refunding some part of our money and tomorrow we should know. Another company says that they believe they can get us water as their equipment is better and can go deeper, rock or no rock and so they want to give it a shot. I'm supposed to get the bid tomorrow and Belarmino wants our ok to continue. Much prayer is needed in this. I have a hard time understanding why this company could do what Afrodrill couldn't. But, that was certainly our experience at Picoco. The second group got us water.

Help us Lord!

"Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water..." Gen 21:19

Police Stops, Nylon Ties, and Patience

Our normal car is still having starter problems - sigh.....We ordered a part from Toyota in South Africa - it was to be in the next day, but they didn't say which year - so now we are looking at the end of April. Sometimes our car doesn't start - turn the key and 'nothing'. I have pretty much figured out it is the magnetic switch next to the starter because I can pound it with a steel rod and a sledge hammer and it resets and it will start. But even that isn't working all the time now.

So, we're renting this other car from our school. The police seem to know my other car and we hardly ever get stopped when we are driving it. But this other one - we were taking our guests into town last Saturday and I'm on this short road near the port and this young guy in a 'hot car' passes me and flys down this crowded city street well in excess of 100 km/hr - right past this police stop - through it with smoke, noise and dust flying and policemen ducking for cover. We are the next car and they pull me over. I almost ignored them because I've gotten quite hardened to the police harrassment here and I knew these were not traffic police but they did have AK47's in hand and waved them at me, so wisdom (maybe) prevailed (I guess the lesson is that if I drive 100 km/hr in town - it is too fast to be stopped or shot at!).

I ask him where is his "white hat" officer because I know these guys didn't have authority over vehicles. We argue the point for a while and he asks me to prove it is my car. I ask him why they didn't pull over the car that passed us at 100 km/hr - is that ok to do in the city? He actually blushed a bit and then we hand over documents and then he wants to see my drivers license. I really think this is a corruption deal and so I'm getting a bit fussy with them. Then, Ann has removed her seat belt in the backseat (we had guests with us) and so they start making a deal about that - Ann gives it right back to them - the car is stopped, she doesn't have to have the seat belt on. So, then, they look at my Pennsylvania driver's license copy (never hand them the real thing!) and they say "ah ha!", your driver's license is expired.

My license expires on 9/1/2010. In PA or the States, that means September 1, 2010. BUT, in Mozambique, it means January 9, 2010! So we try to explain but they think we're lying.

So he calls in his buddies with their guns - we got em - expired drivers license and no seat belt. Maybe we've lived here too long, but we just stayed firm and I handed them another license (it's a process, don't play all your cards at once when dealing with corrupt policemen) - I hand them my international license where the date is clearly written in script - no question it is good.

It's all part of the game but at least now we know enough Portuguese to deal with it!

I really don't mind dealing with the police stops when they ask to see things and are courteous and it isn't clearly a trap / corruption deal. This one was different. But, they can see that we're not backing down, so they pull over someone else that looks like easier prey and let us go.

It's all a day in the life here.

The next day, in our normal car (it started!) someone tried to steal our headlight while we were at church in the city (outside the seminary). A nice white hat policemen pulled me over on the way home and asked why my headlight was hanging down from the wire....sigh, we wondered about that noise when we went over a bump......We had a very nice discussion and I thanked him for his helpfulness. Someone had pried it out and broke the bracket while we were in church, so someone (or us) must have come by before he could make off with the headlight. Now, officially, every light on the front of the car is reattached with nylon wire ties after being stolen and bought back or otherwise replaced. So is the front bumper. Nylon wire ties are great!

I'm almost sure I didn't pray for patience this last weekend! But more importantly, as I reflect on that particular day, it may have been a missed opportunity. It is so difficult in the face of all the nonsense of life here for us to stay on course; to not react in haste to obvious injustice. But I'm sure you never have that problem....(see verse below).

Lord, may we never cease to acknowledge your presence in our times of trial. Help us to become more like you with each passing day and forgive us in our weakness.

Blessings.

"But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses." 2 Co 6:4

Visitors, Libraries, and CMED

One of the privileges we have living here as missionaries is to host visitors coming to explore missionary work as a career or people who just feel called to come and help. Currently we have a lovely couple from Ireland visiting our field and they are sharing their time between all of us so they can experience the people and life here as well as explore what God may be telling them.

One of the great things this couple did for us is to organize the library at our seminary. We had moved the library a few times and honestly we don't have alot of books that are useful (what good are English books in a Portuguese culture!) but we are slowly growing it. Marie has librarian experience and she along with the CAM school librarian helped us organize the library and get things off the floor. Some of the books had been catelogued and that will be one of the next steps, but at least we have them organized and on labeled shelves! We also managed to get all of our church multiplication text books re-organized and back in order by certificate (Certificate 1, 2, and 3). We'd been meaning to do this for a long time and with Frazer and Marie's help, it was done in no time! Simple thing that means so very much to us.... (PS - I have no idea why that one photo is sideways - no idea - it isn't that way on my computer but it sure transfers that way!) These are 'before' pictures.

We also spent some time with our Christian Micro-Enterprise Development guys (Mario and Samuel) as Frazer is a businessman with an interest in what they are doing. We had a great day with them as they presented what all they have accomplished and have planned for this next year. That program remains in serious jeapordy because we still lack sufficient funding for this current fiscal year. This hand-to-mouth way of living is something that I don't think I will ever get used to but God has yet to have let us down! The day God stops teaching us will mostly likely be the day we stop breathing!

They have been with our colleagues the last couple of days learning about our Christian School and opportunities there and we will join back with them tomorrow. They have been a real blessing to all of us.

Got any Portuguese theology books you aren't using or Bible Study books! Send them to us!

Blessings!

Thanks for coming!

"And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written..." John 21:25

Couples

One of the things we really enjoy doing is meeting with young couples who are trying to get through the cultural hurtles so they can marry. We typically have them over for dinner and a Bible study and then have follow-up meetings. In some cases we know them both very well in others, we might only know one of them. We have gotten quite comfortable in this roll and have worked up a kind of lesson series that we do. The Bible has much to say about marriage and relationships and we enjoy this roll. I guess that is an advantage of our age, no one can argue with the fact that we have been married a long time and that we still love each other very deeply.

It is a such a joy, and yet such a responsibility as often times we fly in the face of culture when it comes to marriage. The Bible is clear and marriage is a covenant before God; it is to be taken seriously in any culture. We try to prepare our young friends as it doesn't solve all your problems (to get married) as we have discovered some think here. For example, what does it mean for the husband to love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her? What does it mean when it says that the wife should submit to her husband? We also ask them things like "how many kids would you like" and "what dreams to you have" and often they are very surprised to see how each other answer, and what great discussion starters. We ask questions about family, jobs, money, and all that jazz for these marriage problems are common to all cultures, they just manifest themselves differently. And at the heart of it all is putting the other first....

God created this relationship (marriage) and when it is working right, there is nothing sweeter; it is truly a blessed gift from God.

We thought you might enjoy this photo of our dear friends Carlos and Tina. Pray for them as they prepare for their upcoming wedding.

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Genesis 2:24

Water in Mocuba

Belarmino advised me today that the people from Afrodrill did come today and using their mapping and equipment, determined that there isn't water under our particular location but at the lower end of the property, if we go a lot or two further (we own about 12 lots), there is water at 65 meters. Belarmino believes that the local government will work with us on this problem, that we can perhaps get those couple of extra lots so we have access to water. I have continued to have a peace about this problem and am excited to see what God will do through all of this. There is nothing we can do and how could we know when we got the property that there was no water under it when it was all around us? I think He is building our faith and I am excited to see what He will do.

So, keep praying; Belarmino is meeting with the government tomorrow. The land actually belongs to them and they have been quite amiable to work with us for which we are indeed thankful. The floors have been poured on the training center as of today and we the walls will go up over the text couple of days.

Thank you for standing with us.

We have a few pictures to share from today but we are having to recharge the camera battery, so another time.....

The car saga continues; the part we ordered from Toyota didn't arrive today, but hopefully tomorrow so our neighbors can snag the part in South Africa when they drive through and bring it to us! We're renting our school's car and it really isn't designed for the places we tend to need to go. Good meetings today, lots of things but I think this is enough for today!

Blessings. Pray for water.

Dave & Ann

"....neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child with his mother....hope in the LORD from this time forth and forever." Ps 131

Mocuba Center Update

Attached are some pictures of the Mocuba Training Center project as of last Friday. We are still waiting on Afrodrill to advise us on the next step. They have put us off week after week, which is easy I suppose since they have 1/2 the cost of the well in their account. Quite fustrating and at this point and they would not get a good recommendation from me as someone to do business with.

The photos show making/getting stone for foundation work, fencing work around the property and the current status of the first structure. We are quite pleased with the project and continue to pray that the work will be completed within our three to four month period we planned. Keep praying about the water situation. The workers are very dedicated and have 'a mind to work' and we continue to pray for their protection, safety, and wisedom for Belarmino as he heads the work.

Today we attended church in our Maputo City church and a guest pastor from the Ivory Coast spoke. He preached in English and his wife translated into Portuguese. I especially enjoyed the sermon today, first because it was easy to understand but also because he used the exact same verses I had used for a sermon I had done in the North and he challenged me from another angle. I just love how God's word is so alive that way! It was a great time but the most exhillarating thing was how at the end of the service, seven new people stepped forward to profess with their mouth and believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord.

This evening, a couple we are working with who are preparing for a June wedding dropped by for dinner and to just talk. We asked alot of questions and got to know this couple a little better. We did a short Bible study, had a great dinner, visited, and I ran them home. I had to go through four police roadblocks in the process and there was an awful lot of action tonight out on the streets. I wouldn't have dreamed of driving through those areas a couple of years ago at night but now it seems like normal. Funny how your sense of normal shifts over time. Is this like the lobster in the pot???? Anyway, we had a great evening with them and we gave them some homework to do before we meet with them again.

I'm beside myself on what to do with our car. We have a couple headed here from Ireland and I have this car that sometimes starts, sometime doesn't, and there is no rhyme or reason. It has let us down in some not very nice places and that is getting a bit old. I priced a new starter and we're talking $1000 US just for the starter. I'm negotiating with a Toyota dealership in South Africa on a rebuild kit for the starter switch (like a solenoid) on the motor itself as a next step although technically, we've had this done a number of times now without success although I think the rebuild was really just taking it apart and cleaning it and putting it back together.

We've been chasing this problem for over a year now - tried to get it fixed numerous times but it is one of those intermittent problems that drive mechanics insane. I have had success pounding the starter with a metal rod and a hammer to reset the switch when it won't start, but even that doesn't work any more. If I stay on the bumpy roads, I do better because we jar the thing to death, but when we are driving in the city, the roads are so good now, that we aren't constantly jarring it, so it doesn't start when we turn it off.

In my old life, I'd be at the time where you trade it in on something more reliable. But, it doesn't quite work that way in the missionary enterprise. I think we will have to raise additional funding for another vehicle for when we return on furlough. At the rate we're going, we'll be pouring the same amount of money into what we have!

I'm sure I haven't been praying for patience......!!!!

Thanks for reading. Hope you had a great Sunday. Thank's for standing with us so faithfully. It is the gifts and prayers of our dear support base that make it possible. We are so humbled by everyone's faithfulness to us.

Dave & Ann

"So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work." Ne 4:6

Overcoming Cultural Barriers

Sometimes in accepting Christ, one must overcome some cultural barriers. It really doesn't matter what country you live in; the culture puts pressures on all of us in ways we don't always recognize.

In Mozambique, the culture generally does not accept that ladies who are pregant can or should be batized. It is one of those things that no one can really explain well but something everyone pretty well accepts as fact in the culture.

This past Easter Sunday, we had two of our relatively new church planter/pastors doing a baptism service near Mocuba, Mozambique. Our church multiplication supervisor (Juka) sent me these photos quite excited that two of these ladies were baptized even though they were very pregnant. There was much rumbling through the crowd, and yet they had accepted Christ, they had professed with their moutn, they had been discipled, and they were ready to follow the Lord's command in obedience. With much singing, celebration, and worship, they were baptized to the glory of God.

The following night, one of the ladies had the little baby boy and both the mom and the baby are doing very well. The culture was waiting for disaster, and God provided a great blessing. Maybe they should name him John (the Baptist)?;-)

We praise God for this great blessing and we pray for this new mom and her child, that His hand would be upon them for His name's sake - for the culture is always watching.

So, what are some of the cultural barriers that we face in following Christ? I think they are subtle and they are often difficult. Peer pressure, what people think, the impact on status, employment, and in some countries your very life....all can be barriers. Ultimately, we either believe and profess, or we don't. Where do you stand in the face of your culture?

[PS - speaking of water - once again Afrodrill says "next week" - nothing new to report on the well drilling in Mocuba! Keep praying!] TIA.

Blessings!

"See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Acts 8:36

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." Matthew 28:19

Update

We've received a number of requests to know about the water situation in Mocuba. Two weeks ago, we drilled in two locations on the property and hit rock at 60 meters but no water, even though there is water at 40 meters all around us. Go figure... We reported that the expert for the well drilling company was due back and would visit the site on Thursday; well TIA (this is Africa) and Thursday could mean any thursday, or a day near thursday, or just what we wanted to hear.....so, the latest is that he is due tomorrow. We are still praying for resolution. The project is progressing well and we are bringing water in from the closest well to mix concrete and mortar.

While we were traveling in the north, we visited several new churches that are also being used as training centers that I should mention and that I think I promised to mention in an early blog entry. As we were headed to Nampula from Mocuba, we offered a ride to one of our trainers who was headed to a training session at a church in a place called Erua. It was about an hour north of Mocuba on a horrible road and the turn-off was no more than a path through some tall weeds. We drove back up this path with me sweating about how we would start the car (push starting because the starter was acting up) out of there. We arrived at a small church where we were able to visit with the church members and planters. When we drive into these places, just the presence of our car draws attention and many visitors come to see what is happening. We listened to their stories and asked questions about the training they were receiving. Aimee brought a special Bible study to the group and after a nice visit, we had to move on. It was early in what was to be a wonderful and full day. In appreciation, they brought us some produce and cane to take with us, including some lovely avocados. I just love the avocados here and here in Mozambique they make a dessert with sugar, a touch of lemon, and mushed avocados that is to die for! I can't recall the name for it but you would love it. (side note - I had to correct the spelling of avocados because I'm thinking food but writing about Avogadro's number - is that some sort of brain thing?)

Mmmmmm, I must be hungry.

We sat on small benches made from home-made mud bricks. The sun trickled through the openings and I had to pinch myself and the absolute privilege to even be there. Afterwards, I gave one of our volleyballs to the kids in the church and we played a bit in the open area in front of the church but our time was short. They wanted to feed us, but we had many stops before arriving in Nampula late that evening. We were invited back for church on Sunday, but again it was not possible this time; another village area drilled into my heart.

Lord grow them in knowledge and power. Empower Mario as he teaches them your word and for each of the church planters he is meeting with us. May the truth of your Word take hold in this community. Meet the many needs in ways that make it clear it is Your provision.

On the way back from Nampula, we thought we were stopping at the Elope center, where we have visited many times before. We had dropped the trainer off at the road on our way to Nampula as he had a weekend of training to give and we would stop on our way back through. We we made the turn that I knew well, we arrived at the Elope center to find that the church was still there but the family we knew had moved to be closer to their farm, which was a great disappointment to me personally as I really enjoyed talking with one of the sons of this family who was a hard worker and worship leader at the church. But, someone is waiting at the church - the training center has been torn down and moved down the ridge. He points us on down the path and down we go across narrow little bridges on a road that hasn't seen a car for a very long time. People are waving at us and at a few "Y's" in the road, a church member is waiting to point us the right direction. we wind along this windy mountain path, finally arriving at the center at Naritete. We know Dinis the trainer well and sit in the back of the center and participate in the training. We are introduced to the church planters and hear their testimonies. We are introduced and then spend some time talking to various individuals.

I was amazed at the tremendous growing season they have had, everything was so green and lush - a great harvest was being brought in for which everyone was so thankful. Much different than last year! As the day wound down, we needed to go to be out to the main road and well on our way back to Mocuba before night. In appreciation they brought food, a chicken, casava, corn meal, as appreciation for our visit and we all sang together. I always am uncomfortable taking these gifts, but culturally we honor the giver by accepting the gift. I pray God will return their generosity 10-fold.

Juka started to tie the chicken to the top of the car, but the ladies were not happy with this as the chicken needed to live to stay fresh for dinner later. We found a plastic bag, tied the feet, and it stayed inside the car. And, we were asked to squeeze a mom and her sick baby into the car with us and our load, making it work. Turns out the mom was a distant relative of Antonio in Mocuba who wanted a ride to his house.

So, off we go, but now I'm going up some steep rocky inclines where 4-wheel drive is essential. We crawl out to the main highway and I offer a prayer of thanksgiving that we didn't blow a tire or break something on the rocks. The kids remember me bringing a soccer ball before, but we're out and it breaks my heart. We will bring more next time; that is all we can do.

The generosity of the people is beyond compare. The joy of the Lord is their strength and it was an honor to be with and worship God with our dear brothers and sisters.

As we left, Ann and Aimee had this discussion about how they felt like God was just showing us with great pleasure, "this is my church that I have grown and it pleases me." What an amazing feeling to for just an instant see a small glimpse of God's pleasure and love for His people. I am so glad His grace covers me.

What about you? He is always so close, waiting on us to lay all our stuff down and simply do what he told his disciples, "follow me..."

Blessings,

Dave & Ann

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Co 12:9

Message from Home

It's not often you have visitors from home! This photograph is of Ann and Kate, a student at Grove City College, who was serving for a week here in Maputo with another ministry. We had tried repeatedly to try and steal her away for a little bit but they had those students on a very tight schedule and wouldn't let us near. Finally they let Kate know we were trying to contact her and she was allowed to call and we arranged to meet at the Saturday Market in Maputo. We had about five minutes with her, which was precious before the bus full of students was wisked away to their next destination.

Ann didn't want to let go of her hand as she loaded onto the bus and just about lost her hand in the bus door as it drove off! There were some watery eyes on our parts as the bus drove away. Kate is flying back to the States as I write this.

In the background is an old fort (in the few hundreds AD - I don't remember exactly) and you can see a bit of the Saturday Market to the right. You don't see their feet because they were basically standing in trash!!

This dear student is from our home church and it was so good to see her, even if only for a few minutes. It was like a message from home; a hug from PCBC.

Thanks for coming to Mozambique Kate! May God use your experiences here in wonderful ways! You can't know what a joy it was for us to see you again.

Dave & Ann

"A friend loves at all times...." Pr 17:17

Mocuba Center Update

The Mocuba Training Center Construction Project is underway. Belarmino and Juka sent us some photographs that I think help you understand the process a little bit.

In this first photo, you can see the workers in their morning 'plan-of-the-day' meeting which includes Bible Study and prayer. They meet under this temporary shelter that provides badly needed shade. You cannot imagine how strong

the sun is. Note the staged block in the background brought in by wheel barrow from the main road (will explain in later photo!).

The next series of photographs show the well drilling attempts with the equipment we are using. This equipment is capable of penetrating rock layers but their experience tells them that if we have hit rock at 60 meters, there is not alot of point of trying to penetrate it - need a better location because most wells in the area hit water at about 40 meters.

This equipment is very similar to the equipment we used to drill our well at Picoco, where we had to penetrate a rock later to hit water.

The banana trees in the background are the edge of the property - the trees are actually on our land. The corn behind them is not - well a few plants are, but only a few.

This photo shows the time of prayer and celebration as the first stone (the cornerstone!) is laid for the project.



"Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.'" 1 Pe 2:6

Jesus is our true cornerstone.

In the background, you can see the new road coming in to the project site. That is also a "Praise the Lord" as we've been negotiating for that road for a long time and now we can bring the supplies directly to the land instead of wheel-barrowing them from the road adjacent to the trees in the background.

These other photos show the general progress of the foundation and walls of the first building. It is progressing well. We are a tad over 1/2 way through our funding right now, mainly because we're paying for water to be brought in and we've stock-piled materials that are being used for construction. It seems about where we should be although we are finding construction is a bit more there than in Maputo because we have to truck the supplies in from Nampula and Quelimane, which adds quite a bit of transport costs. I am not worried just yet as this is normal on construction projects; you spend more in the first period of the work.

This last photo is Belarmino's son, Junior, who just started walking! This is their first child in over 19 years and they are thrilled beyond measure at this blessing in their lives.

Blessings on this Easter.

Dave & Ann

"If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty." 1 Cor 15:12

"...they [two angels at the tomb of Jesus] said to them [the women who went to the tomb and found it empty], "why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen...." Luke 24:5-7

He is risen indeed...

Malaria

Our close friends from Xai-Xai are staying with us a couple of days. They had a couple on a short-term trip who flew out of Maputo this morning, but the bad news is that our friend Jason has malaria. It's his first time since arriving here about five years ago. Then this morning, their young son began to have problems, so after the airport run this morning, we took him to be tested and yes, he also has malaria. So, we spent the next couple of hours running from pharmacy to pharmacy trying to find the medicine. They would have been infected about three weeks ago and they are retracing their steps to think about where they might have been exposed.

As it turns out, there is a severe shortage of malaria medicine right now. The street story is that the big countries who provide aide to Mozambique have been witholding payment over concerns with their own economies and trying to hold Mozambique accountable for corruption issues, but who knows what the truth really is. Because of this, no one has money to stock hospitals and clinics with Malaria medicine although I find that hard to believe as we were visiting non-governmental pharmacies. Anyway, the common sentiment is blaming those countries with shortage of Malaria meds.

We finally found some at our fifth or sixth pharmacy and came home and mixed it up but the little tike wouldn't take the medicine well and threw up what he took - which is bad because he must take it - it is only once a day for three days but it is crucial. So now, Ann and mom and the little guy are headed back to the clinic to see what can be done. Since both Ann and mom are nurses, he is in good hands. So, we will see what transpires. I'm staying here to watch over the dad, who has turned the corner and is doing better now as the medicine takes hold. In both cases the malaria was caught very early so with treatment and God's blessing, this should pass quickly.

We are extremely fond of this couple and really love them like they were our own kids. They are solid and have an amazing ministry going on and we always enjoy being with them so very much. We have gone through alot of the same adjustment issues together and we very much respect their opinion on things.

So pray with us that this scourge of a disease that causes so much pain and suffering would pass from our friends quickly.

As an aside, the car is starting again - I was able to get the starter fixed so we aren't pushing it everytime we want to start it. The air con is another issue - he refilled it with extra dye and freon and we have air again but he couldn't find the leak. He wants to try one more time with the dye and then it will be a matter of removing the entire dashboard and replacing things under the dash. It's always something with these vehicles, but it is a 1998 with tons of miles and it has been used hard. So, we have to just work through these things...we are very thankful to have it and it took us in and out of some tough places on our recent trip with great ease.

I think I'll go spray the bed room with "DOOM". Isn't that a great name for an insecticide!

Blessings.

Dave (& Ann)

"According to the National Survey on the Causes of Mortality in Mozambique (INCAM), published on Wednesday in Maputo by the National Statistics Institute (INE), 29 per cent of all deaths are caused by malaria, and 27 per cent by HIV/AIDS." (March 24, 2010)