Weddings

Our weekends are filled with weddings right now! And it is no small affair and we are finding we aren't as young as we used to be based on our endurance (and reality!)

Last weekend, Carlos and Christina (Tina) were married. Juka and Elina were their godparents (padrinos) and had returned to Maputo for this and the wedding of Elina's brother this weekend. I've written about weddings in the past and they are truly joyful affairs as they should be but it is a total weekend commitment. We were especially excited about this wedding as we have spent time with this couple and the godparents are good friends. The godparent responsibilities in this culture are tremendous and they have the responsibility to coordinate absolutely everything associated with the wedding. They retain responsibility for this couple from this point forward and if the new couple has difficulties, it falls to the godparents to resolve. It is also a considerable financial committment both short-term and long-term.

Our day started at seven at which time I left to pick up family members of Carlos and take them to the 'Wedding Palace' in down-town Maputo. They had the slot between 0800 to 0900 for the official government wedding. They seem to run about two weddings every 10 minutes through the Palace. But the surprise was when two three-wheel carts showed up with the Groom in One and the godparents in the other. We leave Machava in a caravan - two three-wheel Bajajs and several cars to the wedding palace. There is a traditional honk you do on the horn (long - short blasts) that we all do all the way into town. No police roadblocks today as we're passed right through - people waving and shouting as we pass. Much singing coming out of each carload of people (I think I had 15 or 16 in my car!). We arrived a little late at the Palace and we wait about an hour for the short ceremony. After many photos outside this beautiful and old facility, the bride and groom are loaded together into the carts and away we go to a nearby park for the traditional photographs. The singers and dancers arrive first and the bride and groom pass through them to much song and celebration. Many different poses are done throughout this beautiful park that was actually a trash collection area when we first came to Mozambique, but is now a privately owned area that caters to weddings on the weekends. We can smell and see the Indian ocean from this bluff.

After a very pleasant time in the park and literally hundreds of photographs, the wedding party moves back to the cars, and we now have about seven total cars full of people following the three-wheelers throughout Maputo. Around and around we go with the bride and groom hanging out of the carts waving at everyone. And everyone waves back and hollers greetings. The photographers are in the front car photographing the carts in every possible configuration, jumping out and every corner in Maputo photographing the carts as they go by. People are really responding as I can't recall seeing these carts being used for weddings before - probaby started something new! I'm getting a little nervous as there is lots of traffic and I see two "almost" accidents caused by all of this stopping and starting and a few people are raising their fists at the party but they are oblivious. The driver in front of me is clearly getting upset with all of this and after several discussions with Juka, he takes off, presummably for the church and two others go with him. The tour continues and finally we head for the church, arriving at 1430 for a 1200 ceremony at the church pastored by the family the bride lives with (her parents have passed). He is NOT happy, but the wedding party is oblivious to it. The church wedding is held and the bride's party follows.

We took off early because we are to prepare to receive the bride and groom at our house for their first night together. Ann has prepared our guest bedroom very specially. The couple is to arrive at 7 PM but I know better!

At midnight, we get the call they are in-route and will arrive 'soon'. The first order of business is a meal. Afterwards, we retire and they retire with the understanding we leave at 0800 in the morning for service at the Khongolote church, where Carlos is one of the Pastors. He says "no problem", they will be up by 630 and breakfast at 700. Ok.

At 0745, I call Juka because there is NO movement from within and no response to knocking. I called Juka and he tells me I must pound on the door as they are nearly there! At about 0815, Juka and the bajaj drivers arrive and he and Elina enter the bedroom and we leave for the church at 1000 for the 0900 service. Again, honking and weaving, arriving 45 minutes later. All of this delay, perfectly acceptable in the culture.

They enter into the church and I become quite emotional because he is their Pastor and the church excitment is undeniable and the singing beautiful beyond imagining. They dance to the front and Abel challenges them with a powerful sermon on fidelity. Tina is challenged with the responsibility of being a Pastor's wife and the church covenants to pray and watch over them. We pray over them and after testimonies, greetings, presents, the service ends. I quit watching the time, something I have learned to do here, and we again caravanned back to Carlos' family's house for the party. The old Khongolote tent had been set up to receive the guests and Ann repeatedly remarked how it had been the most beautiful Mozambican wedding to date.

After the meal, we and the other guests took our time dancing and singing as we presented gifts to the couple. When dark approached, we made our exit, knowing that more food would be forthcoming and the event would continue until late. As we prepared to leave, the bride's family arrived with her goods, a bed, a couple of chests, clothing, dishes, supplies. With great celebration and dancing, the goods are taken into the house.

We leave, feeling such joy to have had our small role in this celebration. Juka and Elina look like they are about to drop, but their responsibilities will continue through the next day, when the goods are transported back to Carlos' simple house, the tent is dismantled and returned to Khongolote, and the couple is taken back to Khongolote.

While it was a joyous celebration, I cannot help but think of the incredible burden all this on those who can ill afford it. So many we know never marry as the culture expects all of this - it isn't a wedding without it. So, instead, people live together, which really puts the 'wife' in a difficult situation - a wife but yet still not quite accepted culturally, and certainly without official status. A few, but very few, are toning this all down and focusing on the covenant between a man, a women, and a holy God.

And yet, in this culture, this marriage is truly 'owned' by the godparents, the families, and the community and all of this comes through the incredibly complex process that must be navigated prior to a wedding. It all works and there is certainly a kind of strength that comes through this kind of accountability and process. So who am I to even have much of an opinion on cultural things like this, truly? Certainly they had parties in Jesus' day and he did his first miracle at a wedding celebration, not so unlike one like this. It truly is a time of celebration.

It was a marvelous weekend and we pray God's rich blessings on this precious couple who are involved in full-time ministry. They are solid, they love God, and they are following Him.

Blessings,

Dave & Ann

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to himi and praise his name. for the LORD is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:4-5

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

Upcoming Games in South Africa

Last week, we helped two missionary friends host a rather large team in South Africa. We combined it with a trip to check our mail, buy some car parts, and get some prescriptions filled. We ended up crossing the border on a Sunday and it was crazy. The crossing that normally takes about 1/2 hour took about two hours. They had put up a new sign in 'no man's land' that got our attention. There is alot of emphasis on the upcoming games in South Africa for the world cup (soccer) and there is a big scramble for the tourist dollars. This particular sign highlights the danger of trafficing of people. The scramble for work is intense and sometimes people send their children south with the promise of money being sent back, only to find they have send their children or loved ones into horrible situations. We starting to hear more about this horrible practice - there seems to be no end to the inhumanity of man to man (or woman).

One of the highlights of this short trip was when one of the cars we were driving with this team broke down in the middle of lion country. We're in the absolute middle of no-where and the car won't start, won't jump, just won't go. Plus, it was an automatic so we couldn't push start it. We had 16 people on this team and 16 different ideas about how to do this! My friend Jason had a clear head and simply took the battery out of a push-able car (even with the trailer!) and put it in the automatic tranny car, and with some wiring adjustments, we got everything going again. Neither of us had brought a good socket set with us, so it was a bit challenging, but you certainly have to be flexible. But, it turned out well and we didn't have to tow anyone! The team had been in Mozambique helping with a Bible college and it was a great opportunity for us to share what OMS is doing in Mozambique as well. They were a great group of people and we really enjoyed our time together.

We brought a load of Chronological Bible Story Telling books back with us to use in our church multiplication program. At the border, we had to explain what they were for and give some away but because we don't charge for them, the customs agent finally let us bring them in. You never know what you will face at the border. But, we had a few hitch-hikers that came with the boxes and we've been trying to rid the car of roaches ever since. Yuck!

We're facing a new delimna. Our passports expire this coming summer, but our resident visa expires in March. So, if we turn in our passports with our visa applications, Mozambique won't want to give us the one-year visa because our passports will expire before the visa. If we try to get our passports renewed early, the US doesn't like that. So, we're not quite sure how to skin that cat. So, we're making an appointment with the embassy to see what they suggest. My how the time is passing quickly! We look alot older than those 10-year-old photos in our passports!

On Saturday, I met with Belarmino about our upcoming training center construction project in Mocuba. He had just returned and we're working on a plan to start the work after the rainy season - probably in late January / early February now. While we were meeting, we had a diversion to fix some broken pipes at the Khongolote church well. They have a number of area homes plumbed in to the well (they are running a little utility company!) and I thought some of my engineer friends might enjoy this view of the manifold. We would like to move this manifold into a better location that is easier to work on, but those kind of things you do when extra money appears. This is working fine, but what happens is when kids play ball in the church yard, sometimes the ball goes into the hole and they step on things getting the ball back. It was a great day for me - I always enjoy hands-on things and always enjoy time with Belarmino. Now, if I can just figure out why the oil pressure gauge isn't working on the car and which wire goes where (the mechanic who fixed the starter disconnected the oil-pressure sensor and it's a bit of a wiring nightmare!).

Blessings!

"When you find yourself deep in a hole, stop digging!" Anonymous

Diary Entry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love to all of you.

Dave & Ann

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

Anniversaries and Birthdays

I've been a bit negligent in writing this week. Our daughter Sarah and her husband, David, arrived mid-week for a short visit on their way home from a Summer Project in Beruit Lebanon with Campus Crusade for Christ. What a blessing for us as we miss our daughters so very much. We've had a blessed time although we fear that too many more days like today and we'll have our youngsters completely worn out! But, we've been so busy sharing, talking, and showing them what we do that I've not had much time to write! (and as it is, it's midnight now!)

Earlier in the week, we took an old but well-functioning computer to Khongolote where they had exceeded the capability of their model-T computer they use at the pre-school and for church. In the photos, we'd taken apart the two computers and did some switching around of things and got the information all transfered and everthing working. We do this work during nap-time at the pre-school but sometimes a few wake up a little early and so we get some extra help! So, we upgraded their Model-T to a little bit more modern computer but still an antique!

We have really enjoyed showing David and Sarah around and trying to give them a glimpse of our life here. They have gone to meetings with us, meet with people at their homes, David has played some soccer with local youth and met with others in the roads and pathways. He's such a lovely young man and I enjoy very much how he looks at things and have learned much from him in his short time here. For example, he has left us a DVD set they used in Lebanon to train their team on witnessing to Muslim people. Today, when we met with our Christian Micro-Enterprise Guys, we talked about some of the techniques and they stated that they really don't run into too many in their day-to-day life because they tend to be more upper class here (business owners). That was a surprising comment that I have to think about more. Ann and I have had many opportunities to talk with them through some of our car problems and business dealings and are always seeking out good techniques for sharing our faith in an effective way with our Muslim neighbors and friends.

In Intaka, we got David, our son-in-law, busy helping prepare Shema (see photo of him pounding corn). We were visiting with a dear family that Ann likes to check on as they have some significant health issues. We enjoyed just sitting under the tree at their house talking about life. The dear lady of the house is shown below.

We have enjoyed our morning devotions together with David and Sarah and are absolutely relishing each day. But sometimes those days are quite unpredictable. The last two days have been special - yesterday was our 34th wedding anniversary and we enjoyed spending the day with David and Sarah and that was a wonderful present for us. Today was Ann's birthday and it started with some meetings at our seminary but when we arrived, the lock to the door had failed, and no one could get in the building. So, we tried to find keys to the other door, traveling back to our school to search there, then to the Weils house, where we found our Seminary Director's old keys, which we used to then open the seminary (other doors). Then we dismantled and repaired the lock and so went the morning! Expect the unexpected! I worked with our building custodian on the lock hoping that maybe next time, he can do this himself!

We met with our seminary folks to discuss the last week's progress, the new class in progress, and the plan for the next two weeks. Then, we met with our CMED guys to get updated on the village savings and loan groups and share that ministry with David and Sarah. We then met with some other missionaries, dropping Sarah and Ann off at her ladies bible study group while the two David's did some birthday preparations (nothing like the last minute!). Eventually, we all found our way home to finally have birthday cake. Ann has been smiling alot more lately - so happy to have a daughter with her.

What is especially a joy is how David and Sarah have jumped into ministry here - they are so very easy to have here with us.

Today, we were discussing about how special all of our dear supporters are. We were reviewing some of those special stories of how God used people to so encourage us and meet a need at just that exact moment when we needed it. I don't think a day goes by that we don't offer thanks for the tremendous group of people and churches that we represent here in Mozambique. Thank all of you so very much. I pray that God will richly bless you for your faithfulness to the gospel here. I am working on our quarterly report of church multiplication statistics and when I read all the names of the people across the country who are leading people to Christ, teaching about a Hope that transends all cultures, needs and peoples, I cannot help but be overwhelmed at God's faithfulness. It is such a priviledge to be a part of this program. Clearly, God is moving and will complete the work that He has started. Thank you for being a part of the Great Commission.

PS - we checked today on the insurance claim on the wreck we were in (earlier blog) and they assure us that everything is 'in progress' and we can expect to be called to come get a check soon. Thank you Lord - that if we have to have an accident, the other party has insurance! Wow!

Dave & Ann

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful!" Col. 3:15

Widows and Orphans

In a previous blog I wrote about the death of our friend Paulo and some about the story of how his family 'grew horns' and basically tossed his wife and kids on the street and confiscated the house and everything in it. It was unbelievable but not so unlike the true nature of man that the Bible speaks about. Olga was forced to return to her mother's house with her children with absolutely nothing.

We met with the church leadership (where they had attended) and encouraged the church leadership to help this young widow. We asked that they check with the ministry of the government that had given us such a hard time at the pre-school last year (Social Action) to see if she had some recourse. We knew there had been some changes in the law recently giving more rights to women and children and felt like this case very much warranted some interference as the new law was certainly one that would challenge culture. No one had considered this type of action because it really does tend to go against culture (the way it's always been done before) but they agreed to give it a try.

First the leadership tried to meet with the family to put some reason to the problem but that was not successful. Next, they met with the Social Action group in the government, who advised them on what rights she had. As a result of that meeting, Olga was able to get the death certificate from the family, which opened up some small death benefits she can get get. A small success. Then, the church wrote a letter on her behalf regarding the situation and that resulted in her being able to retain custody of the children (yes, that was in jeapordy) and they are still working on recovering the house and belongings. It's a very sad situation indeed for a couple who was once so active in the church.

We sat with Olga in church today and it was so sad as the verses they read were as if they were written to her. She is still deep in her grief and wondering what she can do. At one point, we had to leave with her and sit a little while outside the church to console and encourage her. We prayed together and listened to her story. A priviledge we had today was to provide a small amount of money donated by a friend of the Meyers (former missionaries at CAM School). I say small, in that it was relatively small by American standards but here it is a difference between eating or not eating for quite some time. She was so appreciative and overcome by that thoughtfulness, that someone so far away could feel her pain and respond in such a loving way. She continues to grieve and wonders what will become of her and her family and I am so thankful that the church is taking such an active role in doing what they can, even though she is now living in another district (at her mother's). The church in action.....

Pray for this lady - the photo is after church - Pastor Lucas is on the left, Olga is in the middle standing with Ann.

In Mozambique, because of the scourage of HIV, malaria, cholera, and other diabolical diseases, there are many children without one or more parents. There are many widows and widowers. In Mozambique, the family unit is important and a child is classified as an 'orphan' when both parents are gone, or as in this case, only one is gone. In either case, life is not the same. Olga is holding up well under very dire circumstances and we have encouraged her to truly turn this problem over to the Creator of the Universe. No one can stand against Him. We have called on Him in this case and He is answering - may His name be praised.

Please pray for her and her three children.

This morning's verse is below:

Dave & Ann

"This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it - the Lord is His name: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:2 - 3