5 AM came rather early this morning as the group boarded 3 open aired safari vehicles for our day in Kruger National Park. Most of us were surprised at the cool weather as we had expected warm savannah weather. May is a winter month in South Africa and rain is predicted as scarce. However, we were fortunate enough to experience a downpour. We all survived the soaking in our open aired vehicles tightly wrapped in blankets (must be a reason they provide these) with Janell Liles, Alice & Don Kirkman getting the worst of it as their vehicle did not have its windshield on. Overall the group took the rain in good spirits as Carla Andersen led the soaked vehicle in Christian song.

The day was spent driving through the park with a stop for breakfast at Lower Sabie along the Sabie River. This stop gave the group a chance to dry out and warm up. Along the river we were able to see a Hippo mother and it’s baby and several large crocodile nearby. The sun did come out during our breakfast respite.

We again boarded our safari vehicles to continue our tour of Kruger National Park and African animal hunt. We saw several bird species, Elephants, Kudu, Waterbuck, Monkeys, Hippopotamus, Antelope, Baboon. etc. Our safari guides had packed a delicious lunch and we stopped to enjoy grilled veggie burgers at one of the rest areas inside the park. The rest of the afternoon was spent driving in the park looking for more animals in particular the Leopard and Lions. ….stay tuned!

Baboon


Burchell's coucal


Cape glossy starling


Crocodile


Crocodile


Elephant


Giraffe


Giraffe


Hippopotamus


Lilac-breasted roller


Safari Vehicle


Southern yellow-billed hornbill


Vervet Monkey


Vervet Monkey


Vulture


Waterbuck


White-crested helmet-shrike


Zebra

Early this morning all of the Auburn City team volunteers boarded two buses for the Mururanda Private Game Lodge right outside an entrance to Kruger National Park. On the way into South Africa the group stopped at a local shopping mall for some groceries for the remainder of the trip. Some of the group were happy to see food items familiar to them!

Since we were going from Mozambique back into South Africa the group had to go through two border crossings for passport checks, once to leave Mozambique and just a few yards away again to enter South Africa. Luckily David Woods and his family joined us to help move us quickly through this process.

When we arrived at our beautiful Marloth Park lodge we were greeted by Zebras and Warthogs. It was very strange to see these animals grazing within a few feet waiting for someone to give them a handout. As soon as the group was able to settle their luggage into their rooms we headed out on a hike along the Crocodile River which borders our lodge. Alice Kirkman, who is never without a bird identification book, with help from her daughter Janell, identified the local birds during our walk. Across the river we could see 3 lions resting (feet up) on the warm rocks. We were also able to see and hear Hippopotamus’ swimming in the river. Additionally, we spotted a few Antelope and Kudo.

After our walk, we returned to a delicious meal that the lodge staff had prepared and we were served by candlelight on the patio.

Alice Kirkman and Janell Liles examining the bird book


Game lodge orientation


Janell Liles and Butch Jenson


Lodge Dinner


Warthog Greeter


Zebra Greeter

The last full day of our Xai Xai mission has arrived.  The church and grounds have been completed,  a special Sabbath and dedication lunch is almost prepared and everyone is ready to worship together in the new building.  Over 150+ children attended the Sabbath School this morning with many of them proudly wearing their gold crowns that they had received in Vacation Bible School.  Every seat in the new sanctuary is full with many additional seats set up outside the church for the service.  Between Sabbath School and the Church Service Brenda Duerksen led us, the Auburn City team in special music, singing the song Soon and Very Soon.  Pastor Vince had the honor of joining the local pastoral team in giving a special message for the church and dedication service.  After the church service the entire congregation walked the short distance to the beach while 8 individuals from the local community were baptized in the Indian Ocean. 

The remainder of the Sabbath the team rested and enjoyed the beach for a few hours before having to pack for the early wake up and departure on Sunday morning.  We will be driving back into South Africa for our Safari and Kruger National Park lodge stay.

Baptism


Children at Sabbath School


Church Dedication


Church Service


Maranatha Group Special Music


Sabbath Lunch


Sabbath Lunch


Standing Room Only


Translators watching Maranatha Mission Stories on an iPod

Brian Kuehl celebrated his birthday Thursday night with a special haystack meal served on the patio next to the Indian Ocean at our Xai Xai hotel.  Joseph, our Maranatha cook, even baked and decorated a special banana cake to surprise Brian. 

The construction crew only spent a couple of hours today finishing the last details on the church in preparation for Sabbath church service, ribbon cutting, and dedication service.  The last minute details also included a few landscaping requests from Alice Kirkman.  Way to go Auburn City construction team and Don and Alice Kirkman on a beautiful church and surrounding landscaping!!!

The remainder of the day Friday the entire team finally had a chance to enjoy Xai Xai beach.  Pastor Vince also spent time preparing for the last evening of evangelism including special music by Jeremiah who had been translating for the medical team all week.  Tonight’s evangelism meeting was followed by a special anointing service for those who choose to attend.

Brian Kuehl


Carla Anderson Anointing Service


Church Landscaping


Completed Church


Evangelism Special Music


Pastor Vince Evangelism


Xai Xai Beach

Today was the last day of the Vacation Bible School and all those who had come every day got a gold crown. Bonnie Pleier who has been leading the VBS team along with Joanne Jackson, Marilyn Thomas, Ed Stone, Richard Correia, told the story today of a 12 year old girl who is in the 7th grade and a member of the church here in Xai Xai. She had come to ever day of VBS and was noticeably sad today. When Bonnie asked her why she said she was very sad that the week of evangelism and VBS is ending. She lives with her mom and her 1 year old sister some where near this village. Her father went to South Africa to work when she was a baby and has never returned. Her mothers work is to do corn rolls (hair braiding). She told Bonnie that she was very hungry so Bonnie and Marilyn Thomas took her aside and gave her some food to eat and take home. We are sure there are many stories like this little girls and it is a shame we can not fix everything for each of them.

The VBS interpreter said that many of the kids that had been attending VBS each day since Sunday walk 5 miles one way. Usually there are 2 moms with their babies but there are quit a few children who are caring for a younger child and bring them with them.

Today’s VBS program included talking about and describing heaven. And as the interpreter told the kids about heaven and how fabulous it was the kids started to laugh and get excited. Bonnie asked through the interpreter who wanted to go there and they started smiling and raising their hands. Bonnie said she put a lot of time preparing the crafts and things she brought for VBS but that this experience has been really rewarding. “These children have so little however they have very receptive hearts.” Bonnie is already thinking about where she will go on her next Mission trip.

Ed Kolodka


Ed Stone Medical Clinic


Ed Stone Medical Clinic


Janell Liles & Carla Andersen


Jerry Thomas


Medical Team Prayer


VBS


VBS


VBS

We all feel the power of pray here in Mozambique. The medical portion of our trip has been tenuous since we arrived. One of the issues has been that every day we have received different news about our ability to conduct the medical clinics. However, today Ron Kedas our Volunteer Coordinator received very good news that the local government has given permission for medical clinics to be conducted in and around Xai Xai in the province of Gaza.

The VBS attendance seems to grow every day. Several of the children are returning day after day. Bonnie brought stuffed animals to give away to each child and the kids were overjoyed with their new gift.

The church congregation here in Xai Xai requested that a baptistery be constructed right next to the church. Since the church building is complete ahead of schedule and the landscaping is progressing well, the construction team has the opportunity to fulfill this request. Butch Jensen and his crew, Ben Kolodka, Herb Duncan, Jerry Armijo, Bryan Kuehl, Joe Lessig, Bob Pleier, Sergio Svyryda and Vince Saunders have gotten a good start on the baptistery base, drain and surrounding walls.

Alice Kirkman


Baptistry


Butch Jensen


Church Progress


Going to the well


Jerry Armijo


Local Boy


Medical Clinic


VBS

A message from Pastor Vince on the Evangelism series he is conducting here

The good news is going forward here in Praia Xaixai. The first night, we filled the hall (which is a converted dance hall) with visitors from the surrounding churches. Each night since, we have had a steady group of about 30 visitors as well as the local church members. The testimonies are inspiring. There have been 30 responses to the decision cards and visits are being made by the local pastor and elders. One woman, a member of the church, approached me and told me, through an interpreter, that she had been an Adventist many years, but had never felt assurance of her relationship with Jesus. She now is assured of the grace that God offers through His Son and His sacrifice. Praise God!

Each night the meetings consist of music from the local congregation, a portion of the Jesus film, a health message from Doctor Tim Riesenberger and then a presentation of the gospel by myself and my interpreter Amerigo.

Pray for these souls that are in the valley of decision. We are constructing a baptistery at the church and intend to have baptisms on Sabbath. God Bless!

The medical team (Janell Liles, Rose Reed, Tim Riesenberger, Debbie Skoertz, Ginny Lessig, Brenda Duerkson, and Sarah Jensen) went back to the same location for the third day of the clinic.  When they arrived in the morning there were several people already waiting to be seen.  In fact, for the last three days the number of people in waiting seems to never go down.  There are 40 - 50 people always waiting steadily all day even though the clinic saw 60+ patients today.

The construction crew began the pouring of the expanded sidewalks around the church and started the work on the planter areas.

Alice Kirkman and landscape crew


Brenda Duerksen


Carl Rusk


Carmen Miranda


Chickens to market


Church progress


Debbie Skoretz


Ginny Lessig & Rose Reed


Grocery Shopping


Janell Liles Triage


Jerry Armijo


Market lady with Cassava root


Moon Rise on the Indian Ocean


Paddy Wagon ride


Pouring Concrete


Vegetable shopping

The walls of the church were finished today with Joe Lessig spending several hours cutting bricks. The team along with Pastor Vince Saunders were able to complete the church building. Yeah!!!! Many kudos to Butch Jensen and his leadership. However, no one is off the hook just yet. Our plans have expanded to include a major landscape plan for this site. This includes enlarging the patio and sidewalk with lawn and planters installed. Don and Alice Kirkman have designed a beautiful landscape plan. Now its up to the crew to find enough strength to dig holes and hall dirt.

The medical team went back to the same location today to continue to see the patients they had not had enough time to see on Sunday. All of them returned in addition to several other patients. The team performed 2 minor surgeries on a 4 and 8 year old. Both girls had cysts that needed to be drained. The medical team was also invited to visit a local Red Cross post. The team was amazed at the primitive set up of the post.

Kitchen duty starts before dawn for some. The cuisine is not the usual African fair, but elaborate fresh veggies, fruits, rice & potatoes. Joseph, Maranatha’s Chef is very talented and awesome to work for.

VBS continues to be a huge drawing card for the children. The morning session was followed by an off site afternoon session in the same village as the medical team. The remote location was surrounded by thatch huts, some being mudded in cow dung (fragrant).

4 year old surgery patient


Debbie Skoretz turns 47


Eye Glass Fitting


Joe Lessig & Sergio Svyryda


Kitchen Duty


Marilyn Thomas


Medical Clinic


Pastor Vince Saunders


Queen and her court


Red Cross post


Sarah Jensen AV Tech


Sharpening their antennas for VBS


Taste testing


Typical Hut


Typical mother and child


VBS children singing


VBS story time


Village well at Red Cross post

Sunday morning after a wonderful breakfast made by our chef Joseph the 3 teams, construction, medical and VBS went to work. The Medical Clinic was held in a nearby village at another Maranatha church building site. The clinic saw nearly 50 patients and ask the remaining 50 to return in the morning for day two of the clinic. The construction team will finish the church building by noon on Monday and will begin setting the forms for the sidewalks and will start the landscaping around the church. Bonnie Pleier lead the VBS team with several crafts and activities and the morning session was attended by 145 children with only a few children attending in the afternoon.


Ben Kolodka


Bob Pleier


Bob Pleier Smiling


Bonnie after first VBS


Bryan Kuehl & Sergio Svyryda


Clinic set up


Clinic


Construction Instructions


Ed Stone


Ed Stone Smiling


Exam Room


First Patient


Herb Duncan


Jerry Armijo


Jerry Thomas


Joe Lessig


Locals


Rose Reed


Triage


Viewing Room


Waiting Room

When we arrived in Xai Xai the project preparation group that had arrived last week had made tremendous progress on the building of the church. Sabbath the group joined the local congregation in the new church building for Sabbath School and Church. Several of our group helped out in the church program including Marilyn Thomas, Joanne Jackson, Butch Jensen and Tim Riesenberger. Pastor Vince Saunders provided the sermon and is leading the nightly evangelism meetings. We were pleasantly surprised that Dick Duerkson and his wife Brenda are also in Xai Xai and have joined the project team. Most of the group spent time Sabbath afternoon catching their breath from the long travels by enjoying the warm weather and spectacular beach location. Sabbath evening some of the project team began the evangelism meetings with a large group from the village communities in attendance. Additionally, the medical clinic team work out the last of the details for the first clinic in the morning.


Carla Andersen and her affect on everyone


Church Children


Paula, Denise & Bonnie


Paula & Denise handing out books


Paula & Denise


The top game


Xai Xai Church

Today we took our last but short flight from Johannesburg to Maputo, Mozambique. All but three of our project checked luggage arrived. We were met by Dave Woods (Project Manager) and two buses took us from the airport to the location where the church steel structures, windows and bricks are made. We then drove 3 hours to our beach location for the Xai Xai project site where we will be staying for the project.

Ron Kedas - Volunteer Coordinator informed the Auburn City Church group that this project is breaking new ground in Mozambique by including, VBS, a medical outreach and of course the church building project.

The Red Cross has opened the doors for Maranatha medical clinics. The clinics will include teaching, intervention and prevention with an emphasis on teaching. The team plans to assess the medical needs in Mozambique to address and facilitate the on-going concerns throughout Mozambique.

Tomorrow morning we meet the local congregation for our first church service. Thank you for your prayers and continued support.

Daily updates maybe delayed at best due to internet access.


Ben Kolodka


Gayola Boyd and Rose Reed


Group at factory


Mozambique coat of arms


Project Interpreters

After 30 hours departing from Auburn Washington, 17 of the group arrived in Johannesburg on Thursday the 15th.  Following this we were sardined into a small bus with all of our luggage and supply cartons for a short trip to our hotel.  A few of the group were able to make it for a “quick” dinner at the Birchwood Hotel.  Showers (finally) and early to bed as we have a 6 AM departure for our flight to Maputo.


Alice Kirkman and Ben Kolodka


Bob and Bonnie Pleiers


Don Kirkman


Gayola Boyd


Joanne Jackson


Sardines in transit


Sarah Jensen


Johannesburg Welcoming Committee


Johannesburg Arrival


Joe Lessig