Christmas Greetings

We just submitted the church registry, or listing of all the churches, their leadership, the numbers associated with each church (attendence, members, baptisms, etc.) and as always these reports are quite exciting. Even in the relative slow hot months in Mozambique, we saw additional churches planted, for which we praise God.

This photograph is outside our Mocuba Training Center, where Juka, our country church-multiplication coordinator conducted a week-long training seminar with our trainers and church planters. The women also got together for their own time of study, prayer and training, as hosted by Juka's dear wife. The reports we have received about the training have been very good although the Trainers are a bit discourage as attendence has been down laterly because of the demands on the subsistence farms - there has been quite a bit of rain and the crops have needed tending. It is an important part of community life in rural Mozambique. We are so thankful for this commited team of people reaching their country for Christ.

We will be receiving our year end reports in the coming few weeks and I look forward to summarizing them for you.

We enjoyed our time with family for the holiday and pray you did as well. This photo was taken on Christmas Day at Allison's and Byron's house.

Blessings to you.

Dave & Ann

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." Ps 142:10

Christmas Newsletter

By now, all of those on our mailing list should have received our Christmas letter. Just in case, we have also posted it in our 'newsletter' folder on goggle documents. You can access the newsletter by clicking the "newsletters" link to the left. It is in Adobe Acrobat format so you will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader to read it. To reduce the file size, we did some compression of format, so the clarity may not be as sharp as the copy you received in the mail.

If you are not on our mailing list and want to be, just drop us an email.

Blessings,

Dave & Ann

Stuck

We survived our first 7-day stretch of being snowed in. Then came the four-day stretch. We had a bunch of correspondence to mail and so ventured out after the road had been plowed. The only problem is that when Jimmy plows the road with his tractor, he doesn't go very deep, figuring that four-wheel drives will get through fine, which they do. Problem is, our Honda Odyssey is low to the ground and definitely not 4WD!

We ventured out, taking two snow shovels and since we were going down-hill, gravity helped alot, even though we bottomed out in the snow a time or two. (photo of road as we decended to left) When we got to the 'root canal' (photos in previous posts), there was only a narrow pathway and I hit it hard, snow flying everywhere and both sides of the car hitting & rubbing in the small snow channel. I knew we were bottoming out, but it was powder so no problem as we cleared the path with the force of the car going down-hill. However, now we have to get back up!

We ran to the post office and the drug store for some things we needed and headed back up the mountain, wanting to be back up before the temperatures dropped and knowing shoveling might be involved.

We leave the pavement and continuing up the state-maintained road without problem and I make the mistake of saying "I really like these snow tires, they do pretty well and the van does pretty well also." Wrong thing to say....

I turn into the root canal and wonder if we can make it, back up the hill to get a good running start and ZOOM. We go about 100 feet and the car stops - buried in to the snow. Guess we needed the chains, but the car is wedged into the channel - so out through the windows we go and we start digging the car out. We have to dig out both sides of the four-foot snow banks to access the doors and tires. Then, under the car. we take off the center part of the snow-track on the road and throw it up on the bank - shovel for about an hour and soon a car comes wanting down the mountain - well, they aren't going anywhere for a while.

Eventually, we dig it out enough that we can back the car back down to the state road, and head back in to the root canal with our shovels. As the other car comes down the path (4WD), they stop and tell us that they called Jimmy and he is on the way with the tractor. It's a beautiful day but the temperature is dropping. We continue to shovel a path, confident we can eventually get through, although it is clear it will be hours if we have to do it all by hand.

Jimmy shows up, clearly put out. He blesses me out for not having a 4WD and trying to live on the mountain. "It's not cutsey to live on this mountain and you don't have the vehicle you need. Bad things happen to people up here; you shouldn't be here." We'll that sure hurts my heart because I really like this guy. I messed it up by telling him it looked like it could be a bit of fun to have such a nice tractor and being able to keep things clear - wrong thing to say. My alterior motive is that I have experience on such a tractor and could help with it but we never got there!

He starts digging out the root canal but still not going down to the gravel, which I just don't understand. Ann and I dig out the chains and chain-up the front wheels. Ann is an expert on putting on chains from her high school days in the mountains just a little north of here, and directs my efforts after I fumbled with it a while. She makes it easy and we're ready.

After a point, Jimmy makes me do a run for it - we get 1/2 way the first time through the root canal before we are stuck and spinning. It's just too narrow - we're rubbing on both sides again. I back out and he fusses at me that I need to stay more in the tracks - like there is somewhere to go, I'm rubbing the snow banks on both sides of the car.....

He digs some more and we make another run for it - 3/4 of the way this time and we bog in the powdery snow. I ask him to widen it a bit and go deeper. He shakes his head, clearly put-out and clears some more and tells me to go again. But, for encouragement and perhaps additional motivation, he says that he's done and if I don't make it this time, we will have to figure something else out. So, we check the chains for tightness, get a big running start, and fly through the channel, snow and debris flying. We get to the 3/4 point and start to bog, but I just keep the pressure on and we grind our way out onto the hard packed surface on the other side; we can make the 4 more miles just fine.

I wait for Jimmy and thank him with all the graciousness I can. He fusses at me some more and I tell him not to worry, we will be headed south in a few days when the weather clears again and he looks relieved. We part ways and I head on up the road. After we park at the top of our drive, and I clear the snow again, he drives by and waves. I say 'thank you' again, but he is still not happy with us. It really bothers me to be perceived as such a pain in someone's side. Lord, help me to minister to this dear man whom you love. It is clear he is a good man, perhaps a little grumpy, but he certainly ministered to us in our trouble and I thank you for him. He needs you like we all do, and by the way, if it's not too much trouble, can you help me with this 4WD thing? For Jimmy is really right if we are going to winter here.

Today the snow turned to rain and what a mess we have. But, it is above freezing and we should be able to get down in a day or two if this continues and the slush clears a little. I left the chains on for the trip down. We still had some driveway clearing to do, which gave me the opportunity for these beautiful photos as the sun was going down and the colors we so unusal - although the photos don't do it justice. We both crashed when we got into the warm cabin, our quick trip took most of the day and we shoveled a ton of snow.

In devotions this morning, as I read Paul's prayer in Colossians (Ch 1), I felt like Paul was praying for me and was encouraged:

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. "

Thank you for rescuing us yesterday, but not just yesterday, but everyday. Thank you for Jimmy and his willingness to help us out. I pray we will not weary of doing good. There is much joy that comes from walking with you. May we live worthy of Your name.

Dave & Ann

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you...." Ephesians 1:18

And on the Seventh Day....

The weather has cleared and the road was cleared and we were able to dig out and make it down the mountain. We visited the local post office, picked up mail, and re-stocked for the next storm that is due this weekend. The official snow accumulation in the mountains was said to be 21 inches. I don't think we got quite that much, but it is possible - there was alot of settling and wind blowing it all around.

On the way down, we ran into Jimmy on the tractor as he worked to clear the snow. It was good to meet him - he has lived up here many years. He looked at our mini-van and just shook his head. "That city car got all wheel drive?" Well, no, but it has front wheel drive. I think he envisions pulling us out a time or two! He said that to stay in the plowed part of the road or the van would stay where it lands until spring and to not be afraid to walk the four miles from the state-maintained road.

We wore out a snow shovel already...bought a more heavy duty (and heavy!) one that will help build my muscles and get me the exercise the doctor says I must get. I certainly prefer to get it doing something!

I did stop to get a photo of the 'root canal'. we scrapped the sides of the snow bank when we came through on the way home. In anticipation of the winter, I picked up a set of snow chains today also - it has been a really long time since I've had tire chains! Still doesn't solve the low clearance issue, but it is a start. I was nervous we'd get back up the mountain but we did, without the chains. We slide around some and Ann only closed her eyes a couple of times.

It is so incredibly beautiful - amazing but it was crazy in town - everyone was buying salt, shovels, chains, and of course, bread and milk!

We have enough food for the next round that starts this weekend!

Dave & Ann

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? .....Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its

own trouble." Matt 6:25 - 34

Day 5 Stranded in the Mountains

The weather cleared off some today after last night's snow. The road remains impassable and all our neighbors seem to have hunkered-down. I made some gaters out of duct tape and ventured out on a hike through the woods to grab some photographs. The beauty is breath-taking and although the wind was fierce and the temperatures still in the single digits, I was blessed to be able to enjoy this wonderful place. the snow was up to my waist in a few places but I wanted to reach a grassy-bald near by where you can see 360 degress in all directions and three states - TN, NC, and Virginia.

I just finished the book called "What's so Amazing About Grace" and was overcome at the end. I was overcome at the end have read something that so closely parallels what I've come to believe and it moved me to joyful and tearful prayer and thanksgiving that God would shower us with his grace so freely. Not, that I have mastered this thing of showing grace by any stretch of the imagination, but certainly, I pray that I might reflect some of that Grace that God has showered upon me. It is truly amazing, this thing of grace.

My most favorite line in the book is as follows:

"Grace teaches us that God loves because of who God is, not because of who we are."

The author also develops something he calls "ungrace'. We live in a world of un-grace where we judge, categorize, fight, ostrasize, and are just plain mean to other people. But, these things filter into the church as well as we hold tightly to cultural norms and as we wear the masks that say 'everything is ok in our lives' when it isn't..... He challenges us to look hard at ourselves in light of Gods unfathonable love for us.

As Paul says, "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)

AMEN.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Dave

Day 4 Stranded in the Mountains

We have completed day 4 snowed in at the cabin. It is beautiful but the snow is deeper than the clearance I have on the van and we're trapped. The first picture is how I now look, I've been letting my hair and bear (and beard!) grow and I'm learning to survive. No shaving or hair cuts (all three of them) until spring!

More snow tonight and tomorrow and I keep thinking someone will clear the road to make it passable, but maybe not! (actually someone up the road is supposed to but they wait until the storm passes, I'm told. ) Maybe we're here until the spring thaw.....We just got caught and our supplies are not what we'd like them to be. I tried to chase a little mole across the snow today to catch him for meat, but Ann said, no worries, if we run out of food, I'll start by amputating one of your arms! Being a nurse, she can sew me back up until we need the next arm. So, I'm going to go kil me a bar.

Getting lots done - lots of reading, reports, correspondence, and snow shoveling! Sunday, we had the CDs from our church in Pittsburgh and we really enjoyed the series that they were doing, and so we listened to five over the course of the day and we talked about them much after that.

I'm also totally engaged in and loving a book called "What's so Amazing about Grace" by Phillip Yancy. If you haven't read it, run to the store and buy it. It's been around a while and I picked it up at a discount Christian bookstore for a couple of dollars. It is challenging me and so very well written - lots of illustrations and very easy to read, yet profound. I don't recommend books often, but this is one worth the read and one that should really cause you to look deep inside and think about what do you really believe? Plus it is just fun and has alot of cultural relevance.

The water pressure is dropping because the filter is plugging, but we don't have a spare cartridge - I think I can just take out the cartridge and essentially by-pass it if I have to. The snow is suppossed to stop tomorrow or the next day, and if the fellow clears the path, we might be able to get down. I've been starting the car every day and running it for a while because I'm not confident of the battery in these single digit temperatures and it being up on the hill in the 50 mph wind.

It has been fun sending photos to my Mozambican friends. They are asking me why in the world anyone would want to live in a place like this. Well......it's actually very beautiful and if I had cross country skis, a snow machine, gaters, and good winter clothes, it wouldn't be a problem.

Actually I like it here very much- but don't ask Ann. As long as she isn't hungry, I should be ok! ;-)

We just weren't quite as prepared as I would have liked to have been. We've lived in Idaho and Pittsburgh; we know about snow, but you need to be prepared!

Blessings.

Dave

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 1 Tim 4:2

"Well, keep your nose in the wind and your eyes on the skyline" From the movie Jeremiah Johnson

"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God..." 1 Th 4:16

Winter on the Mountain

Shortly after returning from our 10 weeks of travel, Thanksgiving came to the mountain cabin where we are staying, through the amazing and overflowing generosity of one of our supporters. All the kids were able to come and though we were packed in; it was a wonderful time. A picture of all of us - I will try to include it if our internet speeds will allow it.

But the snow has come. We are under a severe weather alert over the next three days and they are predicting many inches of snow in the valley, which could be feet here in the mountains. I gave up shoveling out after the third clearing of our access to the gravel road - putting the mini-van up near the road. That way I only have to shovel a path the 300 feet from the cabin.

It is beautiful, it is quiet, but it is an odd feeling knowing you absolutely can't get out and probably for some number of days.

As I was getting the van positioned at the top of this hill, one of the residents (Harvey) passed by, moving his car to the foot of the mountain. I had a delightful conversation with him and got all the news and he was a bit surprised we were wintering on the mountain. He told me it gets a little gnarly on this old mountain. Do we have food that can last a few weeks? Gulp!

He volunteered to walk me down the mountain (literally through the woods down behind our house - straight down) to the church on the flat where he was taking his car. In my mind I have a hard time understanding how that church is straight below us but I believe him. No problem, he says, "you look fit enough that you can probably (????) make it down and back." He says when he is in a hurry, he can slide down the mountain in about 15 or 20 minutes. However, the trip back up the steep slope will take about an hour depending upon how much I have to rest. I relayed all this to Ann and she made it clear that if I wanted to try this, I could. There was no "we" in that discussion! So, I need a backpack for the requisite bread, milk, and eggs that one must always buy in the middle of a snow storm! ;-)

There is a narrow place on the one-lane drive up where you are in a deep narrow 'cut' - high on each side where you can't see past the banks. You basically drive up through the tree roots on each side - the road is four feet below the tree roots (they call it the "root canal" here). I never thought about it, but Harvey told me that was the limiting place - the wind whips up the mountain and deposits snow in the root canal and fills it and it takes at least a day with equipment to clean it out so you can get through - this is no job for a fellow with a snow shovel! I'll have to snap a picture of this some point.

It is 21 degrees, the wind is blowing, visability is near zero but we are warm and I am thankful to have a safe place to lay my head. I also know there is absolutely no way I could ever relay to my Mozambican friends that such a place as this even exists. I tried with my friend Juka, but he just says, "it is time for you to come back to us. No one should live in such a place." It is 81 in Maputo today!

I am surrounded by good books. I finished some long over-due reports to OMS. The budget and strategy for next year's Village Church Planting program has been submitted. There is great satisfaction to getting these things behind us for now, especially with the uncertainty of our internet in these severe conditions (it is slowest Internet I have ever had, even dating back to the dial up AOL days!).

But God is near and I relish the opportunity to do some study. I am reading a refreshingly realistic book called "Experiencing Leader Shift, Letting Go of Leadership Heresies." It is one of the most refreshing books I've read on "leadership" in a very long time. I have gone through so very much leadership training in my life, probably more than most people, but always knowing I was not gifted in this area and all the training in the world will not make you a gifted leader. God has given me other giftings, as he has you, and we should serve with confidence in those giftings, whatever they be. God does not make mistakes and each of us is wonderously and marvelously made with a God-ordained plan for us, provided we will open ourselves to the creator of the universe.

I am also reading a publication out of Canada that speaks to the compatibility of faith and science and I am finding it another refreshing and wonderful work. Christianity and science need not and should not be opposed to each other. The scientific method came out of the Reformation for heavens sake. We can stand confidently that God's truth is God's truth and he has given us a magnificant ordered earth and universe to figure out and understand as we seek Him. We need not be afraid, for He loves us and understands us like no other can.

Juka is hosting a leadership (there is that word again) in Mocuba starting in the coming days with our church planters, pastors, and trainers as we continue to seek that the Gospel of Jesus will go forth into the unreached places in Mozambique. There will be training, study, prayer, worship, and fellowship as Juka re-establishes the vision of our village church planting program. Dear Lord, give him and Pastor Abel the the wisdom that only you can impart and bless this gathering of Your people. Give travel mercies to those coming from all parts of Mozambique to attend. Reveal your will for the future and continue to grow this work which You began." Amen.

Enough for now. Thank you for standing with us. I never imagined being snowed in while on furlough!! But God knows what we need; there is absolutely no shortage of things we need to do in support of the work in Mozambique, even here in the States.

Wish I had some cross-country ski equipment - we used to be avid cross-country skiers in our earlier days - what an amazing place to have them! That would be a great trip to the foot of the mountain & back!

Blessings.

Dave & Ann

"Find out where God is at work and join Him." Henry Blackaby, Experiencing God