Exciting, Exciting, Exciting

We are becoming increasingly encouraged over the past few months. We have had several meetings and discussions with the AIM leadership here in Mozambique & we have decided that it is time that we develop the missions ministry in these parts. And now we are in the process of putting our personnel requests forward to the missions "International Office" for approval. Pray that, that would all go well.
We are also working on the plans for additional housing to be built on the AIM property here in Espungabera. Costing of building material is quite a thing out here. Pray that soon all would be approved and we can get a move on with construction.
Excited!, ARE we excited?, you bet we are. After a long time of trying to get by we will soon be able to work as a team.
Discipleship / mentoring local Church leaders and believers has always been a huge problem. We are now going to be able to address that shortfall. Not to mention the company and fellowship for us. (a bit selfish I know, but I can't wait)

Be prepared, soon I will be asking folks to come and visit and to bring an overall and some building experience, painting, digging, electric, etc.

Reminded

As many of you have kept up-to-date with all our "happenings" you will remember all the car trouble we have had here in Mozambique. And just recently as we were returning from our monthly shopping trip to Chimoio, I was reminded very lovingly by pastor Alberto that cars are made by human hands and they will break-down. It was after three quarters of our return trip that the car started to over heat again. I can't tell you how many times this has happened over the last 2 years.

Please would you continue to pray for the vehicle replacement fund. That enough would be raised so that we are able to get some reliable transport fairly soon.

Bible school week 22-26th Sept.

When we went to Siyabuzana it was clear that we need to teach about FALSE PROPHETS / TEACHERS & WITCHDOCTORS. So that is going to be our focus this next week. Please pray that we will be able to be sensitive to the good things in the culture and also be firm about those which are not of any benefit. And if we have any time left We are going to be teaching on the APOSTLES' CREED.

So please pray with us as we get into some really deep cultural & Biblical issues.

Pull your hair out!

Every so often one gets a re-occurring problem that just won't get fixed. This picture is of the back axle of our car and the wet oily mark is just that. The factory weld is leaking oil. Now I've welded it once before about a month ago. As no doubt you have heard us whine that we don't have electricity. That's not 100% true, we do get electricity but between 10pm and 5am. Right at the time when we need it most. Our neighbours must have thought that I had lost a screw when a month ago at midnight I started grinding & welding. But I could not have done a good job as I have had to do it again. Pray it holds this time.

While working on the re welding I took a look at the "new shock absorbers" we had put in which the outreach team brought in July. And one had pulled it's self through the mounting bracket and gouged a big hole. So welding was the in thing. Let's hope that holds as well this time.

The roads have just got so bad and very rocky, everyone's cars are taking a hammering.

Still in the MIRACLE business

Praise the LORD!

While the ladies were learning how to sew, a woman brought her 9-10 year old son who's face was so swollen he could hardly see. She came asking for help, just any help. We asked her what had happened and she told us that he has been this way for some weeks now. After a few more questions it became clear that he had Bilharzia. We made sure that she understood that she needed to get him to a clinic/hospital very urgently to be treated. But we said that we would pray for her and her son that she would get the necessary treatment the boy needed. Hospitals and clinic's are few and very far between.



Placing our hands on them both we presented them to the Lord Jesus with our request for him to be healed. Being late afternoon Saturday she would only go on Monday to look for help. We attended to a few other questions about false prophets and witchdoctors.



Later on we got ready to show an "English" film on creation with Alex translating what was happening. The sound was so bad but not a person left. They were all packed into the half finished Church and were watching a 54cm TV screen. Amazing the hunger for truth!



Next morning, Sunday, we had a wonderful service with Alberto preaching and 5 people came forward to accept JESUS as their SAVIOR. P.T.L. Then I was privileged to lead the communion service. Just as we were closing the service a man stood up and said he would like to give a testimony. Saying nothing he brought the young boy with Bilharzia forward from the day before, HEALTHY - CURED Jesus is still performing MIRACLES.



What a weekend!

Blessings at Siyabuzana

We had for some time now planned to go back again to one of the Church's we planted last year at Siyabuzana. The leader is Edson Bhikosi who was converted out of a Zionist sect and held the position there of Bishop. (not a single day of Bible study but Bishop) He is just so on fire for the Lord it's wonderful to see. His hunger for truth and how quickly he has grown is praise worthy.

Some months ago the ladies in the congregation got to hear about other ladies groups that were sewing and knitting and asked if Dawn would come to teach them as well. So we planned this past weekend and off we went.

The Church had prepared so much for us, it was as if VIP'S were visiting. The love and care that these people showed us from the very little they have is sometimes overwhelming & often makes me think that, we in our western Churches have forgotten much or have much to learn about love and hospitality from these rural folks.

Just after arriving we were called to breakfast and were served FRESH BREAD, tea or coffee & sweet potato. And so?! you are thinking. Someone was sent to buy the bread by bicycle at a place called Dacata, easily a 50km round trip. That bread was great.

Dawn started to teach quilting to a group of 20 ladies who learnt to sew "Log Cabin". Dawn kept on saying that she was so impressed of how quickly they were learning. And next thing a whole lot were done. And they were shown how to join all the blocks together to make a quilt. Each lady given 3 different size templates and a pack of material so they as a group could get going on their own. They were also given needles, cotton and scissors. We hope that they stick to it and soon will be able to sell their handiwork. I wonder what the next thing will be that they will want to learn.

Mid year conference

This was a much needed time to get together will colleague's and find out how each other are doing and to be able to share in the joys and the frustrations of ministry. We went to a place just north of Beira called Rio Savane. Very beautiful but also very basic.

This was also the weekend before Toni was to fly back to start her new year at school. Grade 11 WOW! how old does that all of a sudden make me feel. She is really growing up fast & when we look back it seems that time is just flying by faster and faster. Toni did very well passing grade 10 well and seems keen to get going in grade 11. Next thing we will be looking at which university she will go to.