While we were in Chimoio getting all the paper work and work permits in place for Michael this past Tuesday. At the bank I was writing a cheque and put in the date, also the date of expiry of my work permit. A little later as I was walking into a shop I stood and went cold. "DUNCE" the date on the cheque and the expiry date on the work permit were the same. Which meant that Dawn and my permits were expiring that same day. PANIC, DREAD, EISH! (without the brandy).
Praise the Lord Walter had his computer there with official letters of renewal. Just had to change names and print. Then had to find the provincial pastor to stamp and sign. Get photos done. Then try to organise a huge some of money to pay for the renewals.
I just knew I was not going to get things done in 3 hours. So went to the immigration office right away and explained that I had misjudged things and thought that the permits still had a month to run. They who over the years have come to know Dawn and I said it would not be a problem. But I had to get it done by the next day. Which we did. We are LEGAL again. Talk about a close call.
I'm sure that there where a whole heap of you folks praying for us. THANKS AGAIN!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Michael & agriculture
On Monday the 22nd we picked up Michael a young man who has come to join our team for a year. His main thrust is to teach and train local folks on better methods of subsistence farming. "Farming God's Way". So right now he is just finding his feet and would appreciate your prayers for all that lies ahead in the planning, preparing and implementing.
American Board Church conference in Beira
17th to 21st April was the American Board Church annual conference. We as a Mossurize Ndau missionary team took part. There were many lively discussions and great to through a few ideas of our own in the melting pot. The presiding leader of the denomination was re-elected for another term of office. This result was a land slide and received with a long and very loud session of clapping. Pastor Madeira the Lord bless you richly in the next years of service for Him.
Update on the weekly Bible study in Espungabera
It has been wonderful to see how many people are actually interested in learning more. I have started to use the Building On Firm Foundations teaching material. For those who don't know. It is a chronological teaching on the Bible.
Interesting to see that the ladies who have not had much formal education are the ones who are really interested. But the study so far is being well received.
Interesting to see that the ladies who have not had much formal education are the ones who are really interested. But the study so far is being well received.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Prayer needed
A few weeks ago while sitting in Church on Sunday, I felt a leading of the Lord to start a new Bible study. I felt that the Holy Spirit was wanting me to teach the Bible to our local folks in such a way that their Theology would deepen and also their walk with the Lord.
For so many years at the Church in Espungabera there has only been the Sunday service and very little else. What happens is that whoever the preacher is for that day preaches on whatever passage. And no matter how good the message is, it is a bit here and a bit there.
So I'm asking your prayers along with my own to make the right choice of where to start. We begin our first study on the 6th March at 4pm to 6pm. Pray the Lord to fill my heart, mind & mouth to make Him known.
For so many years at the Church in Espungabera there has only been the Sunday service and very little else. What happens is that whoever the preacher is for that day preaches on whatever passage. And no matter how good the message is, it is a bit here and a bit there.
So I'm asking your prayers along with my own to make the right choice of where to start. We begin our first study on the 6th March at 4pm to 6pm. Pray the Lord to fill my heart, mind & mouth to make Him known.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Moving right along
Yes things are moving right along in our "neck" of the woods. There such a lot happening right now. And a whole bunch which has already been achieved. Russell & Nicole's house is getting so close to being live able. Praise the Lord for a great group of hard working men, Teceira, Alex, Gilbert, David & Armando. But as you may know, getting the finishing done takes up such a lot of time. And materials are not easy to find here.
What we still need to get done; Doors need to be hung, Kitchen counters need to be made and fitted. A small part of the lounge floor needs to be completed,light fittings need to be bought and installed, window handles and opening latches need to be bought and fitted. The ceilings need to repaired and the cover strips need to be fixed in place. The septic tank needs to have the lid cast. And I'm sure there are a few other things that need doing as well. The water mains pipe needs to be connected. This is a whole challenge of it's own. We need to dig a trench of about 800 meters to connect water.
Tomorrow 18th Feb. I go to Siyabuzana for the week. This is going to be the first Bible school for the year. I'm hoping all the guys make it there. There has been a lot of rain and rained most of last night and is still raining on and off so far today.
Russell and Nicole arrive on 20th Feb in Beira and will need to wait for excess baggage to arrive as well. I will need to go to Beira and help them as they need to get their work permits applied for and handed in. We have to get their car to them in Beira as well so that they have transport. It is in Espungabera at the moment.
Cecilia and Jenn are coming back from their holiday. I think they are going to be happy to be back. Jenn on her birthday got malaria as well as getting a serious infection in her lower leg. Praise the Lord that the doctors in Beira were able to help her and that Cecilia was there as well.
Walter and Rosie are on their way back and should arrive end of March. It's going to be great having them back.
Michael will be arriving during the second half of March to come for a year. He is going to be working with "Farming God's Way". To help local folks to be able to provide much more and a better way to farm. This is working well in a number of other countries and we are so happy for someone to come for a full year. So he will be able to go through the whole cycle of preparation, planting, caring and harvest. He will also need a lot of prayer for the teaching and training, as is the case with many of us, we don't like change. Neither do the local folks with their farming methods.
Dustin & Anne seem to be on track for arrival in mid May and we are looking forward to that. They have been having such a difficult time getting their support in. Please pray for them as they do their last presentations before coming out and their packing and goodbyes before leaving home.
What we still need to get done; Doors need to be hung, Kitchen counters need to be made and fitted. A small part of the lounge floor needs to be completed,light fittings need to be bought and installed, window handles and opening latches need to be bought and fitted. The ceilings need to repaired and the cover strips need to be fixed in place. The septic tank needs to have the lid cast. And I'm sure there are a few other things that need doing as well. The water mains pipe needs to be connected. This is a whole challenge of it's own. We need to dig a trench of about 800 meters to connect water.
Tomorrow 18th Feb. I go to Siyabuzana for the week. This is going to be the first Bible school for the year. I'm hoping all the guys make it there. There has been a lot of rain and rained most of last night and is still raining on and off so far today.
Russell and Nicole arrive on 20th Feb in Beira and will need to wait for excess baggage to arrive as well. I will need to go to Beira and help them as they need to get their work permits applied for and handed in. We have to get their car to them in Beira as well so that they have transport. It is in Espungabera at the moment.
Cecilia and Jenn are coming back from their holiday. I think they are going to be happy to be back. Jenn on her birthday got malaria as well as getting a serious infection in her lower leg. Praise the Lord that the doctors in Beira were able to help her and that Cecilia was there as well.
Walter and Rosie are on their way back and should arrive end of March. It's going to be great having them back.
Michael will be arriving during the second half of March to come for a year. He is going to be working with "Farming God's Way". To help local folks to be able to provide much more and a better way to farm. This is working well in a number of other countries and we are so happy for someone to come for a full year. So he will be able to go through the whole cycle of preparation, planting, caring and harvest. He will also need a lot of prayer for the teaching and training, as is the case with many of us, we don't like change. Neither do the local folks with their farming methods.
Dustin & Anne seem to be on track for arrival in mid May and we are looking forward to that. They have been having such a difficult time getting their support in. Please pray for them as they do their last presentations before coming out and their packing and goodbyes before leaving home.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Prayer changes things!
Please would you pray with us for Dustin and Ann who are in Canada trying to get their monthly support up to 100% so that they can come out and join the Mossurize Ndau discipleship team. They are already learning Portuguese in Canada. Good work guys! stick at it. But lets PRAY this young couple over to Mozambique.
The next few days
Oh!, wouldn't it be fun to be riding through the snow in a one horse open slay instead of driving to hot and humid Beira on rough and bumpy roads.
As we are packing for a 4 day trip to Beira and Chimoio I'm reminded of the time a few years back when we were very blessed to visit with Walter & Rosie in Northern Ireland and it snowed and was cold and it rained. Boy did we we ever feel out of place. Because for us December is a hot and humid time of the year. It would be great to have a LITTLE of that cooler weather right about now.
We leave for Beira at 7.30am tomorrow and head almost right into meetings for 2 days. Most of which will be with our AIM country leader who has just returned from her home assignment. Please pray with us that all these meetings go well and that we are able to lighten her load in some way. She has just too much on her plate.
But please pray very especially for a meeting at 5pm tomorrow. It is with the president of the denomination we work alongside. We are needing to focus on what our role is in Mozambique alongside the local Church. We feel that there might have in the past few months been some miss communication /information / expectation and understanding of our role here. And most of all we want to avoid a dependency situation some time in the future. But want to focus our energies on training leaders of the local Churches to become empowered leaders. And that when we on day leave there is a vibrant missions minded Church which is sustainable. We want God's plan and His glory to receive all the praise. In what He is doing in Mossurize district.
As we are packing for a 4 day trip to Beira and Chimoio I'm reminded of the time a few years back when we were very blessed to visit with Walter & Rosie in Northern Ireland and it snowed and was cold and it rained. Boy did we we ever feel out of place. Because for us December is a hot and humid time of the year. It would be great to have a LITTLE of that cooler weather right about now.
We leave for Beira at 7.30am tomorrow and head almost right into meetings for 2 days. Most of which will be with our AIM country leader who has just returned from her home assignment. Please pray with us that all these meetings go well and that we are able to lighten her load in some way. She has just too much on her plate.
But please pray very especially for a meeting at 5pm tomorrow. It is with the president of the denomination we work alongside. We are needing to focus on what our role is in Mozambique alongside the local Church. We feel that there might have in the past few months been some miss communication /information / expectation and understanding of our role here. And most of all we want to avoid a dependency situation some time in the future. But want to focus our energies on training leaders of the local Churches to become empowered leaders. And that when we on day leave there is a vibrant missions minded Church which is sustainable. We want God's plan and His glory to receive all the praise. In what He is doing in Mossurize district.
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