Less than 24 hours remain before Dave, the girls, and I fly out of Maputo bound for the States. We too are bidding a short farewell and heading home to enjoy time with family and friends. For those of you on the West Coast in Oregon or Washington, we just may bump into you - we hope! We’re first heading for a family favorite seclusion spot for true R & R for a few days. Later we hope to be at Gladstone campmeeting and in Roseburg working on our place (and catching up with friends and TurningPoint family). We’ll definitely be missing Mozambique but enjoying another side of the world as well. Just before we head back we may spot you in the crowd at the ASI convention in Florida.
Till next time, this is Susan reporting for the Woods from Matola, Mozambique
I am reminded of the cycles of life (Ecclesiastes 3) which I now have to share. “A time to be born and a time to die” it reads, but oh how sad the time to die is on this old earth, especially when it involves one so young. A little girl just past her first birthday, daughter of one of our former employees, died in the past two weeks. My thoughts keep bringing me back to her and to her grieving family. It wasn’t that many months ago that I held her in my arms and tried to break through her shyness. She was a Gerber baby – well filled out and healthy to all outward appearances. She was loved and treasured by her older brother and parents. We shared a fluffy stuffed animal with her and on her second visit, it was brought along, more ragged for the love bestowed on it. It brings tears to my eyes as I write. This little doll is now sleeping till Jesus comes, resting from the unfair world she so briefly inhabited. Sadly, this is a scene oft repeated in homes throughout this country. Little children are dying from diseases attacking their helpless little bodies – malaria, AIDS, and others.
Yet during these same weeks of sorrow, births brought smiles and joy. Mavis came running into the house calling loudly for me one morning. “Amiga is ready to have her baby. Can you help her to the hospital?” Oh, no. What could I do? Dave had left an hour or two earlier for a busy day and was far away. All the ‘spare’ vehicles (team having arrived back in country) had now been claimed leaving not one in my yard so full just days prior. I dialed Jane’s number guessing she was probably dashing around ready to head out to appointments and probably couldn’t help. Mavis and I ran across the road to the neighbors’ tiny house assessing the situation. More phone conversations and Jane agreed to swing by to pickup one person (the pregnant mama) to add to her full car. Dad, with ‘big sister Lana’ trailing behind, began walking to the bus stop while Mavis, “Amiga”, and I sat slowly down on the dusty sidewalk and waited for Jane. Soon the little gray car rounded the corner and we brushed the dust off as we helped our laboring friend into the car. News from the hospital hours later proclaimed that a healthy little boy had arrived to bless the little family. Just yesterday Janelle, Marquelle, and I made up a little bag of boys and girls clothes, special baby items, and a loaf of banana bread and crossed the street once again. Calling out “Ola!”, we walked through the fruit trees and garden to where the little Mama was outdoors cooking supper over a charcoal fire. She led us in to the small sleeping room where her precious bundle was lying on a blanket covered mat with big sister protecting him. My little Portuguese made it possible to communicate somewhat. Before I knew it the most adorable little boy, sweetly sleeping, was gently placed in my arms. What fun to snuggle him close, to gently stroke his cheek and finger his tiny hands. ‘Dear Jesus, please bless these little ones and keep them safe in your arms. I know you love them so.’
Farewells and welcomes seem to fill our days at times. Besides bidding new volunteer friends goodbye, we also had to send our son off with lots of love and hugs. How extra-special it was to have him home for a month! Justin headed to Big Lake Youth Camp in Oregon where he is a RAD counselor for the summer, engaging young people in adventure activities and ever connecting them to God, the Author of adventure. He’s called several times during staff orientation reporting that it looks to be a marvelous summer and the four to five feet of unseasonable snow and ice on the lake are melting though still quite chilly! We all were thrilled to extend a big welcome to Alice, Garry Berndt’s wife, who was able to finally join her husband as the well rigs finally cleared through the border. It was wonderful to have Friday evening worship here and see Garry and Alice sitting, singing, and smiling together after these long months apart.
  
It is definitely wonderful to have Garry and the Paul family in town. We were delighted to have them enlarge our family several times whether for beds or meals as they traveled back and forth between here and Nelspruit bringing their personal items and getting everything in order. Our girls have three new friends (Anthony, Jonathan and Kellie) eager to interact often – how very exciting! With Justin home, the volunteer groups here and the well crew arriving, there has been quite a bustle of activity. Mavis and I were busy cooking, baking, and cleaning for many happy occasions. In the middle of all the activity Dave and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary. We opted to bring the kids along (Justin isn’t here very often) and headed for a dinner out only to discover that Monday nights most restaurants in town are closed. (We don’t eat out often thus not well informed…) We finally found the Surf sports café open; after all it is in ‘Couples’ Park’ thus ideal! Despite numerous interruptions that evening, both there and at home (the phone and people seem to follow us :>)), we found reason to praise God for uniting our lives together many years ago and opportunities to serve Him now.
As of this writing (last day in June) seven wells have been dug – some much shorter distances down, good wells with quantities of water. Only one well had to be filled in – full of salty water - a disappointment to the church but in a community where water is much more attainable. And oh how the neighborhoods are rejoicing where water has been found! One lady nabbed Dave when moving well trucks into her neighborhood. She was ecstatically happy! Not only would she have closer access to water but some of her neighbors, who couldn’t even afford the 5 metacais for 25 liters of water they were currently charged, would be able to have good water without charge. “Water is life” was her comment – how true. The neighbors of another church came pouring out of their homes whistling, shouting, and waving as the well rigs rolled in!
The Sabbath morning of the Influene dedication we received a surprise phone call from a lovely South African couple working here in Mozambique. They had been studying their Bibles and watching end of time prophecy DVDs. The Bible Sabbath was opened to them in a new way and they were eager to partake of its blessings. We invited them to our home after church. Several other friends joined us for lunch and were blessed to meet these sincere seekers of God. We look forward to spending more time together in fellowship and worship in the days ahead. God is at work in people’s lives and what a thrill to catch a glimpse of angels in action.
In some of that precious mail we found waiting in Nelspruit was a wonderful care package which included a bag of corn tortillas – a rare treat here! The next Friday evening we invited the Maranatha team over including Marlon and Elmer who’d returned briefly from work up north and Hendrik, Jane, and Esme who had just flown in from their break. I should have set a timer to document the speed at which those tortillas were consumed! It certainly was special to all be together again.
The girls accomplished their goal of finishing school in time to fully enjoy their brother’s presence. Books are important though and they accepted mom’s challenge to read a great many more before summer’s end – with a reward of course. Justin, busy catching up on sleep, joined them in reading or other relaxing activities. They also were, without a vote, plunged into Dad and Mom’s busy schedules. We traversed across the border, through the sugar cane and fruit tree crops to Nelspruit, and over the beautiful mountains to Lydenburg early one week – to procure a canopy for another pickup added to the fleet. On this journey we stayed with our guest house friend Marti – who was sure we must have disappeared not having seen us in many months. She is genuinely one of the most bubbly, friendly people I’ve met anywhere. We introduced Justin to the Nelspruit pizza and fast food restaurants and found a whole stack of mail waiting (for weeks) at the post office box. Another business trip just across the border on a Sunday involved meeting someone close to Komatiport near Kruger Park. We headed back home with a slight detour – to Kruger - for the remaining 1 ½ hours until the gates closed. Guess what we saw in that short period? Numerous animals including the expected zebra, impala, giraffe, wildebeest, warthog AND rhino, Cape buffalo and a whole pride of lions with lion cubs – the first cubs we’ve seen there! What an awesome benediction to the day!   
The third volunteer group came from the other side of the United States, from the Northern California Conference. Pastors, administrators and some family members made a marvelous team. Together they built a new church building out in the bush, held a rousing Vacation Bible School, and with Brenda Duerksen’s help, provided health education and medical help for young children and their moms. In preparation for inspiring many other church groups in California to follow their steps, they visited each aspect of Maranatha’s work here in Mozambique. Their first Sabbath saw them worshipping under the trees on makeshift benches next to the steel structure of the new church. Having participated in assembling the benches and laying up all those bricks, how wonderful it felt to worship with these dear people and their neighbors the very next Sabbath in the brand new building! Several older members, with years of toil and experience wrinkles, make up much of the membership of Mucapane Church. Eagerly they lent a hand during the week of building. Thanks to all the love and attention bestowed on the children of the village, a blossoming group of smiling children filled many rows of the new church bright and early Sabbath morning. Dick Duerksen accompanied the NCC volunteers and has marvelous pictures and stories he’s sharing of the trip. We were lucky enough to have the whole group over to share supper and worship together one evening. It turned out to be Liberdade teacher Denise’s birthday so we created a coconut cake to celebrate. The coconuts came from trees in the yard and involved many hands to grate the meat. Lourenco, working as our guard, comes from the coconut province of Inhambane and was eager to demonstrate his skill with coconut prep.
      
How exciting it is to experience first hand the enthusiasm of volunteers who travel around the world going on God’s missions. Just as the Auburn City group finished up in Praia and headed to Kruger, the Prints of Hope volunteers arrived from Florida and surrounding areas. They too had planned a busy agenda - running a clinic, laying bricks on two churches, interacting with school children, sharing new clothes with the young, some who had never had brand new items especially for them! The girls and I were able to connect with this friendly group of young people (and a few young at heart) when they arrived at our home to play basketball and soccer after a hard day’s work. Spanish was the mother tongue of many. That helped them communicate in Portuguese because of its many similarities to Spanish. The Prints of Hope volunteers worked hard completing the Machava and Influene churches in the Maputo suburbs. They were able to participate in the Influene dedication, providing special music, sharing the sermon, adding their messages to those of the happy, bursting-at-the-seams congregation. A special hit was a song sung in Swahili, Spanish and English. Several community officials were in attendance. Two shared their appreciation for the ongoing literacy meetings at Influene. Many eager children were gathered for Sabbath School on benches under the mango trees singing happy action songs. I was impressed. Kids no older than 12 and 13 were leading out in the music and translating for our volunteers. The puppet Bible Story was well received, even by a nearby construction crew pausing in their work to follow the joyful commotion. At the close of the service thankful church members presented special gifts to Abdiel, leader of the volunteers. New friends, volunteers and members, feasted on a tasty meal prepared especially for the celebration.
        
As May turned into June, more volunteer groups arrived, the Maritzs returned home, and the Berndt and Paul families arrived to engage in well drilling – exciting changes! Water, clean, wonderful water, has come spewing out of the pipes to refresh communities. But these stories will have to keep for a few days until I have a few more minutes to write. Until then, may God touch your life with His awesome love, bringing changes for eternity.
 
Changes in neighboring countries and reactions to them created uncertainty and even fear in some hearts. Some people flocked back from neighboring South Africa, not sure they wanted to remain where xenophobia had targeted people from specific countries – Mozambique included. Election troubles in our friend Mavis’s home country hit close to her when violence caused trouble including a death in her extended family. She recently learned her mother is sick and hopes to make a journey home when the situation permits. Here in Mozambique these troubles are a distance away but touch the lives of people residing here. Changes closer to home have been with Maranatha crew workers whose contracts are up returning home. We are praying God continues to send funds for churches and schools which in turn will continue to provide work for these crews.
It was marvelous to have Justin home for a month!!! He was a good sport about our busy days and managed to snag long hours of catch-up rest despite our rapid round of activities. His first weekend home we camped in Kruger Game Park, at a wonderful spot right next to the fence that keeps the wild animals at bay. During the night we saw a hyena, impala, warthogs and a cape buffalo walk right by. We also heard lions roaring, hippos snorting, rhinos grunting, hyena and impala as well as birds calling to each other – a marvelous cacophony of sounds not far away. Sleeping in tents, eating camp food, driving by all sorts of cool animals – lots of great family memories.
As it turned out, our family had the privilege of escorting the Auburn volunteers across the South African border to Kruger and the game lodge where they stayed. Dave was on one of his cross-country flights but arrived in time to join us the following day. At the lodge in Marloth Park everyone had the opportunity to view zebra, kudu and wart hogs up close and personal as they eyed us right at the deck’s edge. Our girls were ecstatic to touch the noses of zebras. We camped again at Crocodile Bridge while getting to know the volunteers better during the day as they experienced the animals of Kruger. The last evening a night drive rewarded us with a pride of lions ambling by and reclining right next to the game vehicle.
               
Eli, heading up logistics with Abel and Jucundo’s assistance, has been extra busy with many items including clearing containers through the port, two full of well pipe and some school items. God has blessed his persistence and determination in connecting him to individuals who’ve been helpful in clearing items or procuring documents needed for vehicles or for our own personnel. A couple times I’m aware of, we were right down to the last day to secure a document needed and a miracle took place – God worked it out.
The second Sabbath of Auburn City’s visit to Praia was celebration Sabbath – the exciting dedication for the church they’d just completed. As many Maranatha staff as possible journeyed the three hours north to experience the happy day with the volunteers and Praia members. Traveling up in the Friday evening darkness proved to be a tad too ‘exciting’ (coming suddenly upon large dark trucks broken down in the middle of the road, people, bikes and cars without lights or reflectors moving slowly along the roadside, the occasional police roadblock, and for our truck, a pickup loaded with people pulling suddenly across the road in front of us – there was just enough room to ease quickly past), many reasons to praise God for our guardian angels!
The morning of the dedication we had drizzling rain, but the showers failed to dim the spirits of the worshippers who began gathering in front of the beribboned door, waiting to enter the brand new building. The church was soon packed to the brim, even without the children gathered for their own Sabbath School classes in an open room close by. To me the highlights of the day were watching the huge group of Vacation Bible School children sing their hearts out to Jesus while their leaders beamed back at them, the excitement of the volunteers and the members worshipping together in the new building, and the special ocean baptism of several young people following the service. The sun came out halfway through the morning lending a heaven-kissed touch to the picture perfect ocean waves, bright blue sky, and symbolic burial beneath the gentle waves of young people determined to follow Jesus.
            
One of the pleasures we are lucky to enjoy here is the opportunity to gather around our table, or in the living room with trays if the group is larger, sharing a meal and fellowship with so many different people – new friends to make, older ones to catch up with. The last month and a half was full of these wonderful opportunities to enlarge our family. Our guest house was often happily occupied. Trips to the busy wholesale market (see photos) for more groceries helped us experience anew the trek so many make daily to procure food for their families. God has blessed us with abundance from our garden and fruit trees, so we don’t have to go to market very often.
Elmer came back from his work up north to assist the Maranatha Mission Stories crew for a week – Dick Duerksen and Christina Lloyd from the Maranatha office in Sacramento accompanied by a new summer volunteer, Tim Wolfer. Some of their work was here in Maputo ensuring we had a chance to hear their filming adventures while eating a bite together. Don and Laura Noble and Don Kirkman visited for meetings in Maputo, Chimoio and Beira. (Chimoio and Beira are the sites of our next two large schools; Beira is where the seminary in dire need of new buildings is also located.) The most efficient way to journey north involves traveling on the local airlines which Dave and these three friends had opportunity to experience. Dave’s most recent trips north have been pretty inconsistent. The first time his 7 pm flight didn’t leave Beira until after midnight arriving here in wee morning hours. The second trip itinerary had him at the Beira airport by 5pm where his flight was delayed till 2:30 am then cancelled until 5 pm the following day! We breathed a sigh of relief when the air trips with out-of-town guests arrived back to Maputo almost on schedule.
 
Beginning in the middle of May, we began to welcome new arrivals – three groups of volunteers, some longer term volunteers, film crew from Maranatha Mission Stories, and personnel from Maranatha’s home office in Sacramento – lots of good friends to interact with! On that very first flight to welcome guests arriving May 15th our son Justin also arrived to brighten our lives for a month! He was exhausted after a week of traveling and college finals. Janelle and Marquelle were so excited to have big brother home that they entertained themselves beside him while he slept that afternoon.  
Some of the remaining team also journeyed out of town, to Maranatha jobsites farther flung. Marlon has cleared land and begun a foundation for the next large school up in Beira. He’s had his challenges with snakes, locating gravel in close proximity, and workers uncertain about employment so many bus rides from home. Elmer has traded in busy city street traffic for lengthy rides through thick coconut palms and remote bush as he and Artur tackle church site visits checking out locations needing new buildings, meeting members, exploring possibilities. He’s camping in the bush or in a pastor’s yard, discovering his culinary skills over a camp stove, exploring new trails – true African adventure. Ismael has been preparing steel structures on churches and practicing his blossoming English speaking skills while supervising crews assisting several groups of Maranatha volunteers. One of these groups took him almost three hours north to Xai Xai in Gaza on the coast.
One recent change was a sad one - our co-worker/friend headed home to Oregon, back to friends and family eagerly anticipating his arrival. Jeron worked our our field supervisor. Just before he left, we gathered as a team for a farewell meal and one last Friday evening worship. Then, soon afterward, happy for Jeron, yet sad to see him go, friends carted his luggage inside, checked him in, and then plopped down in lobby chairs close together, savoring the remaining minutes before Jeron’s departure. The original foursome of guys was breaking up. Others had arrived to join the team, and now the first one to leave was departing. Reluctantly we hugged goodbyes and headed for the upstairs balcony, where we waved until Jeron’s plane disappeared into the blue yonder. Left behind to solidly mark his passing are many new churches built and crews and friends who miss him.
   
There has been a brief lull in Maranatha’s activities for various reasons, but it is only temporary. Soon a new church system – the “One-Day Church” will put us into overdrive. A wave of wonderful volunteers begins arriving next week to stack bricks on churches (the marvelous wave will flow through the ‘summer’ months). The Kedas family was able to find a home nearby, moving out of the office bedroom, just in time to settle in, a bit at least, before the volunteers will seek their undivided attention. Little Aryan was heard to say he preferred the house with all the ‘uncles’ but likes his new home too. With Eli here to manage items such as logistics, Elmer was able to head north to visit church sites in Inhambane province. He’s already been emailing me interesting church history stories to share. Marlon and crew just headed the 1200 kilometers to Beira to begin preparing the school foundation there. Ismael & Jeron are still keeping busy close-by, though that too promises to change – as Jeron leaves to head back to the States and Ismael moves northward with crews. Volunteer Carl has been working busily at the shop. And soon the well drilling equipment will actually be able to reside in country keeping the Berndt and Paul families traversing the countryside. My husband David has already begun traveling more, as the project moves northward. Praise the Lord the work continues advancing! Thank you so much for your prayers and support. 
Though we were unable to attend the dedication of Djuba Church in the Maputo suburbs, last Sabbath we were privileged to share in their worship service. This small but growing group is enjoying their new church building, in a neighborhood surrounded by many new homes under construction. A pleasant young lady was translating the sermon from Portuguese to Shangana. I focused so hard on trying to understand the gist of the Portuguese words that the speaker was positive I could speak Portuguese when greeting me later. Unfortunately only about a 1/3 of the words made sense to me and that was not enough to piece together the ideas being presented. But learning the language is coming slowly ... We were able to present the church elder with some Bibles for this group, donated by former volunteers who saw the great need for members to possess their own treasured Word of God. 
May 1st is a national holiday here, similar to Labor Day in the States. It fell on a Thursday, effectively messing up my weekly clock. The crews were happy for an extra day to spend with their families. The expatriate team got together for a meal/barbecue under our gazebo, roasting yummy veggies and protein over the outdoor fire. Just as the last items were being removed from the coals, the clouds turned over the bucket and dumped huge raindrops on the thatch roof, but thankfully not on us.
 
The girls and I are busy in the school room, finishing up the last of their textbooks for the year. We can see and feel the end in sight. Several subjects are already completed, their books relegated to a special cupboard. The girls’ scholastic growth has been accompanied by physical growth. I fear I may soon be the shortest in my family! In Nebraska, son Justin too is finishing his school year, taking final exams, packing up his dorm room. He’ll be heading cross country for ‘home’ in Oregon visiting friends along the way. Then he boards a plane in Portland to wing his way to Mozambique! This is the special impetus behind the girls’ goal to complete their studies by mid-May – Justin is coming for a month! We eagerly await his arrival.
We are now sampling the second and third crops from our garden this year, thanks to the great help of the guards also working as gardeners. What a blessing it has been as seasonally it is more difficult to locate store-bought vegetables. Greens, tomatoes, onions, beets, carrots, eggplant and the all time favorite - sweet corn (something we haven’t located here) - keep us healthy every day. Dave was back just in time to sample those marvelous ears of corn. Avocadoes and citrus fruit are also tantalizing our palates with their delightful flavors.
Some Portuguese-speaking friends are just what our young ladies needed. And God brought them to our door. Young Brazilian teachers, Paula and Denise, leading out at the Liberdade School, have happily shared hours of fun with the girls. They barely know enough English to try to explain Portuguese words so the Portuguese learning curve is increased. Another new friend is thirteen year old Katarina, who we recently discovered is our next-door-neighbor. Katarina knows no English and Janelle & Marquelle only very few words of Portuguese, but they are learning fast the two weekends they’ve spent together. Each one is learning to be creative and just which outdoor and indoor games are easiest to explain through motions or short words. Thank God for friends!
All enjoyed the sparkling natural beauty surrounding us. Some ventured onto boards or kayaks, the youngsters sampled the water at wave’s edge, and others enjoyed resting on the sand. The wind grew more intense, unfortunately bringing with it some small unfriendly creatures – Portuguese Men of War also known as ‘blue bottles’. Similar to jelly fish they can sting, and sting they did. Marquelle seemed to be the hardest hit with stings and long-lasting welts all over both legs. She bravely determined it wouldn’t mar her enjoyment of the day.
With our volunteer coordinator/negotiator, Ron, and a couple others helping, we secured reasonable lodging right on the beach, bunking seven to each two room duplex. Sunset, moonlight, and sunrise walks on the beach, more dips in the water, walking to the exposed reefs, gazing at the ocean while relaxing at its edge – all these were soothing to the soul and just what the doctor ordered. Visits around the campfire, Hendrik’s specialty ‘food in pot cooked over a fire’ (Afrikaans dish), and peaceful moments with friends aided in bonding us with one another. Close to the mighty power of the ocean, we could feel the mighty power of God revitalizing us for the tasks ahead. Thanks to new team member, Eli, we have many photos to refresh our memories. Our trip back was uneventful, the tow rope coming out only once where we discovered a small bridge torn out for repair just that morning.
The Maranatha team and friends (minus Dave busy in the States) headed early one weekend morning for a spontaneous retreat at Ponta do Ouro, the southern most Mozambican coastal town. Joining two other vehicles full of friends, the girls and I loaded on the ferry heading across Maputo Bay to Katembe. It was a short, easy crossing, just time enough to snap fun pictures and watch sailboats glide by. Offloading we maneuvered down the long ramp and through a deep puddle to the rocky, potholed, dirt road heading south. The girls were entertained by two year old Bella riding with us, and found items in their bags to keep her happy as we bounced along.
At one point there was a short burst of paved road and a police road block just across a bridge (checking for stolen cars seeking access into this country). Some kilometers and curves in the road later, we realized the road was becoming less hard-packed and much sandier. Before long we were in four wheel drive mode easing our way through fine, soft sand. Our pickup is well-stocked by my dearest who’s ever ready for emergencies. We were able to loan a shovel and tow rope when others with lower clearance got bogged down in the sand. I have not done any four-wheeling myself on this side of the planet, I quickly discovered it’s fantastic here too. At first there was a clear track through the grass and sand. Then we came to an intersection. One vehicle was ahead of us but too far ahead to see which fork they chose. The cell signal was poor; calling wasn’t helping either. We received a call from the fourth vehicle of our expedition – about an hour behind us – they’d missed the ferry and traveled the circuitous route. Our chain of three took a right at this unmarked fork and continued on through ever-increasing routes on all sides. Looking to our left or right we’d often spot vehicles on both sides of us, taking other ‘tracks’ chugging along through the sand. When the vegetation dissolved into the sand too deeply, other routes were started for greater traction, thus numerous trails traversed the wide plain. Now there was less vegetation and seemingly endless sand dune hills. Here and there we glimpsed houses and then more people. Slowly maneuvering through the worst sand trap and cresting a hill, we entered the unbelievably bustling town of Ponta do Ouro – a favorite tourist destination for South Africans and other adventurers like us. We spotted the ocean, found parking and hopped out – four and a half hours after getting off the ferry. Not more than 20 minutes later, we were surprised to see our remaining friends. They had taken the left fork in the road - certainly a more direct route – and almost beat us there!
A significant, all-important stamp in the passport is one necessary item that can sometimes cause unnecessary stress in the process, or so it seemed a couple weeks ago. We started the process weeks early, to make sure there were no hiccoughs along the way. But for some reason, despite many reminder trips to check on them, our documents submitted for these stamps, had vanished. The day prior to Dave’s departure for the States, the three ladies’ passports appeared with that all-important stamp – but Dave’s document, the one needed on the morrow, was still lost. Dave was there when the office opened the morning of his departure, determined to somehow procure that elusive passport. About three hours later, he left the building, travel document in hand, but without the special stamp. The saga of the stamp continues…
Speaking of special stamps, there are containers of benches and well drilling equipment to clear, documents for well equipment to enter the country, others needing special stamps for work, permissions for church properties – so many issues that can get mixed up in red tape. We praise God for any signs of progress and we covet your prayers, even for items one could term document advancement – Thank you!
Thankful that Eli, Ron, and Anu were all here getting oriented to their new work, Dave hurriedly prepared for a trip to the States for Maranatha board meetings. It felt strange to have Dave gone for a week and a half, though we found plenty to do to keep us occupied. The girls were inspired to do some major “fall” cleaning in their rooms (it feels like it could be fall here lately – with cooler weather, especially when it rains – in the high 50’s or 60’s at night even! We also traveled to town to run a few errands, something we normally do with Dave. Now I was driving instead. Traffic flow has become quite interesting with main thoroughfares closed down while some type of pipeline is being installed. On the streets of Maputo live homeless children who approach you at stoplights. I always feel badly if I’ve forgotten to bring along an item of food to share with them. Money is something others can grab or demand from them, but food is inhaled very quickly. We’d been to the local grocery store and the girls were splitting two fresh rolls, when we slowed for a stoplight. A little boy approached the window causing us to fumble hurriedly for the second roll to share. “We might be hungry, but these kids have to be hungrier,” we mused as we drove on.
Birthdays are always an opportunity for celebration. On April 3 we had the opportunity to celebrate our youngest Maranatha member’s important birthday – little Esme’s first! Since her daddy is our fabrication shop manager, her parents decided it would be ideal to have a party at the shop. We’d been planning to give the crews a special meal; this was a great time to do so. A BBQ was set up, and chef Jose plus the usual shop cooks were busy early on, preparing a special noon meal. Janelle and Marquelle were happy to help Jane blow up balloons and decorate for their cousin’s party. Esme had arrived, all smiles, ready to explore and say hello to everyone. She was happy to get on her skateboard with her daddy’s help and demonstrate some of her favorite skills, even going down the ramp three times. When some of the workers tried her skateboard they realized she is mastering a skill they haven’t yet – and not an easy one!
Hendrik had a special prayer for the birthday girl and everyone lined up to receive mounds of rice, vegetables, salad, barbecued chicken (a very special treat here) and Fanta. There was even vege-chicken for some of us. Esme’s grandpa and grandma from Capetown, South Africa were special guests helping with the festivities. Jane had tasty peach cake and custard for everyone. Esme’s own cupcake sported a number one candle. She played with the cake, sampling the frosting with her little fingers. The workers sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday in Portuguese, while Esme stood high on her daddy’s hands studying their faces. It was a happy afternoon for all. Later we were invited to a little birthday supper with Esme and her family, our girls assisting Esme in exploring her gift packages – she was in no hurry but took delight in each new item.
David L. stayed long enough to welcome new team members Ron and Anu Kedas and their two-year-old son, Aryan. Currently hailing from Thailand, and formerly from southern Asia, Ron and Anu worked with Maranatha India several years ago. We are privileged to benefit from their experience and enthusiasm as the new volunteer coordinators. Another new team member recently arrived is Eli Magalhaes, from Virginia and originally from Brazil. He will be heading up our Logistics Department. We join him in looking forward to his wife’s arrival in a few months. Arriving from the States the same day as Eli was volunteer Carl Rusk, with multiple years of life experience, willing to serve some months in Mozambique. Watch for upcoming pictures of the new team members.
We have become captivated by quick trips to Kruger – a relaxing getaway surrounded by God’s incredible creatures. Since the Crocodile Gate entrance is only 1 ½ hours away, we take advantage of our proximity to this awesome park when possible, especially when stress levels increase. Nothing like nature to remind you that, “This is my Father’s world. He shines in all that’s fair!” One weekend we were privileged to snag a cabin at a bush camp that holds only a few people – remote and wonderful game viewing. Several team members joined us one Sabbath and David and Alisa Lopez, on another occasion. The excursion we made with David and Alisa involved a marvelous overnight in a nearby lodge followed by a rainy day circuitous route back through Swaziland. This small country displayed beautiful scenery while we attempted to find our way through locations the tourist maps didn’t define clearly. And now we all have a new stamp in our passports!
Recently we went to a private clinic of repute for a malaria test. Marquelle had been running a sporadic fever up to 103 degrees for almost three days, with a splitting headache, dry cough, chills. Many malaria symptoms are very close to flu-like symptoms, symptoms we’d chalk up to a flu in the States and deal with as such. Here one begins to think malaria and studies treatment and symptoms as the fever comes and goes. We try to avoid mosquitos at night as much as possible but a few sneak through our careful precautions. Thankfully, the initial test was negative. Occasionally the accuracy of the lab results is off; one must always pay close attention to any continuing symptoms. God has blessed our team with good health these many months and we thank Him for that. Malaria affects too many people in Africa, sometimes bringing death. The immune system may already be at risk, or sometimes health care is not easily accessible. Other times people think, ‘it must be malaria again’ and don’t do much about it. And sometimes people choose to deal with their health in what is termed “a traditional way” with traditional ‘doctors’.
Just two weeks ago a local Maranatha employee lost his wife. She’d been sick for a couple months and was admitted to the hospital for a few weeks. Feeling much better she was released to go home to her husband and two young children. Then her family insisted that she be brought home to her parents for care they felt she needed. Her husband struggled with this idea but felt forced under intense urging and family threats of rejection. He spent special time with her in her childhood home, reassured that she was really improving. Then he returned to Maputo to work. About four days later, he received a phone call, just as he was walking into our gate. She was dead, gone. He was in shock as I spoke with him. “I was just with her. She was doing so well. What happened? How did she die?” bewildered his mind raced trying to comprehend the incomprehensible. He wondered what treatment she’d received. How did it all happen? “This complicates things for me,” he added, thinking of a task he was in the middle of. “It certainly does. It complicates your whole life,” I responded. “I am soooo sorry.” The funeral is over and he is back at work. But his heart must be broken. Please pray for this young man and his little ones. He’s heard we are praying for him but I don’t know his spiritual background. Does he have hope in Jesus, comfort from the One who cares most deeply when his life has fallen apart?
The second group of volunteers drove in from South Africa around eleven on a Monday morning having left home in the wee morning hours. They stopped in briefly to collect some medical supplies, eager to get out to the church site they’d be working at. Months ago, a young man, Jaco Vorster, approached Dave in Pretoria asking him if he could bring a group set up for a ‘bush experience’ to a location far away from the city and amenities. Arriving with a group of 10 young people, there were a few new faces; though most of this group has volunteered here once or twice already – yeah to repeats!! As previously mentioned Machumbutane is quite a distance out of town, much of that travel on sandy, bumpy roads. It was hilarious to hear one of them express, tongue in cheek, the next day, “Didn’t you have somewhere further out to send us? We didn’t even have to use 4 wheel drive to get here!” (A heavy rain helped pack the road more firmly just prior to their arrival) In two days time these energetic young people had almost all the bricks up on the church. Privileged to share an evening with them, we were invited for worship and supper around the fire. Talk | |