I'm writing this very late today.
We left Bernadette's at 7 am. Our time with her has been too short.
We arrived at the church at Ile at 10am, had a 3 hour service with them and
then a 5 hour meeting with their elders. Lunch was also served.
They have an amazing pastor whose name is Antonio Ualize. We met various
other church leaders and elders during the day and finished well after dark
(no electricity here).
The frisbee worked well to break the ice as did the pictures of our church
and congregation. Libby and Nicki made Christmas stars with the kids during
a break. Each of us did a short piece in the service (more about this
later).
They were amazed to hear that we had come "from the other side of the world"
(equatorially speaking) and that despite our good-looking church have no
minister and declining numbers of youngsters.
We listened to their problems of poverty and administrative woes.
Pastor Ualize runs 12 churches, all of them have around 50 members.
We are thankful for meeting and discussing with these amazing, honest people
who carry their love of God deep in their hearts.
We pray that Bernadette can finalize her preparations for her vacation and
that she can enjoy a relaxing and well deserved break with her family in
South Africa.
We also pray for pastor Ualize, his family, congregation and colleagues,
asking that their problems of poverty can be resolved.
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Saturday Update - Football, frisbies and first aid
We spent the day at Magodane with pastor Jussa and his elders. We practised
hymns all the way there, George tried to write down some of the words but
was beaten by the bumpy road. In the end we decided we would sing Amazing
Grace for the congregation.
The pastor came on his bicycle a few moments after we arrived but apparently
they had not been expecting us.
We played frisbee with the kids and then with the adults. We laughed such a
lot!
3 Elders arrived and showed us round the church. Libby produced a photo in
which one of them looked very proper in a suit and tie. Libby gave it to
him.
We talked about their needs, a Portuguese dictionary and a Shuabu/Portuguese
bible, apparently available in Quelimane. They would also benefit from a
typewriter. They explained that the tin roof makes the church really hot and
they were thinking of raising the walls and the roof. Libby sketched out an
idea of adding a bamboo structure over the roof to give shade and to grow
trees in the long term.
We also spoke about spiritual problems and they explained that elder
training and materials would be good.
They have lots of children at church - so we left two frisbees behind and
encouraged them to buy a new football. Apparently they had one , with
scripture verses written on it in the past. If the ball went out of bounds a
verse had to be read before the throw-in.
We sang several hyms, some in Shuabu.
The Lord's my shepherd, Amazing Grace, etc.
Just when we were ready to leave Nicki saw a young girl with a horrible leg
wound where a bicycle spoke had gone through. The wound was terribly
infected with flies all over. Nicki got the dressings from the car and
dressed the wound. This drew a huge crowd and we left two weeks supply of
dressings with the family.
We thank the Lord for a wonderful day where we again renewed our connection
and that Nicki managed to help the injured girl.
We pray for the congregation at Magedane and that they will continue to do
well. We also pray that the little girl will recover quickly and completely.
hymns all the way there, George tried to write down some of the words but
was beaten by the bumpy road. In the end we decided we would sing Amazing
Grace for the congregation.
The pastor came on his bicycle a few moments after we arrived but apparently
they had not been expecting us.
We played frisbee with the kids and then with the adults. We laughed such a
lot!
3 Elders arrived and showed us round the church. Libby produced a photo in
which one of them looked very proper in a suit and tie. Libby gave it to
him.
We talked about their needs, a Portuguese dictionary and a Shuabu/Portuguese
bible, apparently available in Quelimane. They would also benefit from a
typewriter. They explained that the tin roof makes the church really hot and
they were thinking of raising the walls and the roof. Libby sketched out an
idea of adding a bamboo structure over the roof to give shade and to grow
trees in the long term.
We also spoke about spiritual problems and they explained that elder
training and materials would be good.
They have lots of children at church - so we left two frisbees behind and
encouraged them to buy a new football. Apparently they had one , with
scripture verses written on it in the past. If the ball went out of bounds a
verse had to be read before the throw-in.
We sang several hyms, some in Shuabu.
The Lord's my shepherd, Amazing Grace, etc.
Just when we were ready to leave Nicki saw a young girl with a horrible leg
wound where a bicycle spoke had gone through. The wound was terribly
infected with flies all over. Nicki got the dressings from the car and
dressed the wound. This drew a huge crowd and we left two weeks supply of
dressings with the family.
We thank the Lord for a wonderful day where we again renewed our connection
and that Nicki managed to help the injured girl.
We pray for the congregation at Magedane and that they will continue to do
well. We also pray that the little girl will recover quickly and completely.
Friday Update
Dani and Martin got Bernadette's scooter working again and she rode on it at
the end of the day.
Libby and Nicki did the infant clinic this morning with Bernadette and loved
it.
The whole team met with pastor Texeira and 3 elders at church. We discussed
their problems and their help from Strand church to build a much larger
church. The pastor also invited us across to his house. We met his family
and had lunch there.
Strand are supporting them really well. We talked for a lomg time in 40
degrees heat. We feel a very strong connection with this church and we will
pray for our brothers and sisters in Mocuba.
After lunch we tried to buy a crate of coke bottles. The problem is they
won't sell you any if you don't bring a crate of empties. Three ways of
getting a crate is to inherit one, to buy one from a truck on a country road
or to buy one in the market - a crate of empties! !
Long story short - we went home with cans instead of bottles.
For dinner we went to the only acceptable restaurant in Mocuba - lovely
chicken and also king prawns.
What a fantastic day.
We thank the Lord for our special relationship with pastor Texeira and his
congregation. We are so thankful for Bernadette's hospitality and how she
involves us.
We pray that the local congregation will complete their building project and
continue to build their congregation.
the end of the day.
Libby and Nicki did the infant clinic this morning with Bernadette and loved
it.
The whole team met with pastor Texeira and 3 elders at church. We discussed
their problems and their help from Strand church to build a much larger
church. The pastor also invited us across to his house. We met his family
and had lunch there.
Strand are supporting them really well. We talked for a lomg time in 40
degrees heat. We feel a very strong connection with this church and we will
pray for our brothers and sisters in Mocuba.
After lunch we tried to buy a crate of coke bottles. The problem is they
won't sell you any if you don't bring a crate of empties. Three ways of
getting a crate is to inherit one, to buy one from a truck on a country road
or to buy one in the market - a crate of empties! !
Long story short - we went home with cans instead of bottles.
For dinner we went to the only acceptable restaurant in Mocuba - lovely
chicken and also king prawns.
What a fantastic day.
We thank the Lord for our special relationship with pastor Texeira and his
congregation. We are so thankful for Bernadette's hospitality and how she
involves us.
We pray that the local congregation will complete their building project and
continue to build their congregation.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
Pineapple's and bird song!
We were up at 5am this morning - and that is by choice, not because a
timetable demanded it.
This early you can hear the most incredible bird calls. Hard to write down
but I promise to do a bird imitation when we get back.
We had a cop of tea under Bernadette's huge cashew nut tree.
Pastor Teixeira arrived even before breakfast to meet us. It was very nice
for Libby to see him again.
Then we had to repair our Toyota which wouldn't start due to a flat battery.
We tried jumpstarting, then with a tractor pulling. In the end we replaced
the battery and the car worked fine.
We saw all the buildings on the compound and everything is in incredibly
good service. The clinic and the classrooms are spotless and the sewing
rooms and shop and vibrant with all their indigenous colours and patterns.
We spent the entire day fitting a DVD system and speakers. Bernadette bought
them last year November and trusted us with the installation.
We got it all working by about 6pm and it was a pretty difficult job.
Pastor Martin came past while we had our tea. He wanted to show us his new
50cc motorcycle. We all looked suitably impressed and he was clearly very
proud. Before he left he asked us to pray for him to ride safely on his
bike.
Libby and Nicki are giving a lot of attention to 14 month old Felix who
lives with Bernadette at the moment.
It is a lovely, lovely home Bernadette has made for her and many others.
We are thankful that we all get on so well together and that we are able to
experience this special place.
We pray that Pastor Martin will ride safely on his bike and that Felix's
grandma will be treated in the hospital.
timetable demanded it.
This early you can hear the most incredible bird calls. Hard to write down
but I promise to do a bird imitation when we get back.
We had a cop of tea under Bernadette's huge cashew nut tree.
Pastor Teixeira arrived even before breakfast to meet us. It was very nice
for Libby to see him again.
Then we had to repair our Toyota which wouldn't start due to a flat battery.
We tried jumpstarting, then with a tractor pulling. In the end we replaced
the battery and the car worked fine.
We saw all the buildings on the compound and everything is in incredibly
good service. The clinic and the classrooms are spotless and the sewing
rooms and shop and vibrant with all their indigenous colours and patterns.
We spent the entire day fitting a DVD system and speakers. Bernadette bought
them last year November and trusted us with the installation.
We got it all working by about 6pm and it was a pretty difficult job.
Pastor Martin came past while we had our tea. He wanted to show us his new
50cc motorcycle. We all looked suitably impressed and he was clearly very
proud. Before he left he asked us to pray for him to ride safely on his
bike.
Libby and Nicki are giving a lot of attention to 14 month old Felix who
lives with Bernadette at the moment.
It is a lovely, lovely home Bernadette has made for her and many others.
We are thankful that we all get on so well together and that we are able to
experience this special place.
We pray that Pastor Martin will ride safely on his bike and that Felix's
grandma will be treated in the hospital.
Wednesday Update
We saw the farming project in Milange this morning and stayed for lunch.
They practice "farming in God's way" - more about that some other time. They
grow lovely pineapples and corn.
The farming manager is also the pastor and we went along to see his church.
He invited me (jokingly obviously) to move into the empty manse.
The roads were all dirt roads, washboard and potholes with some very narrow
passes. This evening we arrived at Bernadette's place in Mocuba. It has
progressed so much in the last three years. She has electricity and running
water now. She was also visited by Mozambique's first lady today, in total
800 people turned up for the event.
So despite being tired she gave us a very warm welcome.
We are thankful to have arrived safely at our destination and we are so
priviledged to know Bernadette.
We pray that her work continues to be richly blessed and that she can
continue to improve her assistance to the local people.
It just started raining on the metal roof and the electricity went off.
They practice "farming in God's way" - more about that some other time. They
grow lovely pineapples and corn.
The farming manager is also the pastor and we went along to see his church.
He invited me (jokingly obviously) to move into the empty manse.
The roads were all dirt roads, washboard and potholes with some very narrow
passes. This evening we arrived at Bernadette's place in Mocuba. It has
progressed so much in the last three years. She has electricity and running
water now. She was also visited by Mozambique's first lady today, in total
800 people turned up for the event.
So despite being tired she gave us a very warm welcome.
We are thankful to have arrived safely at our destination and we are so
priviledged to know Bernadette.
We pray that her work continues to be richly blessed and that she can
continue to improve her assistance to the local people.
It just started raining on the metal roof and the electricity went off.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Arrived Safely
Uneventful flight to Addis where people had more hand luggage than the plane
could take.
After a coffee and a short wait in Addis we flew on to Lilongwe (another 3.5
hours).
Danie met us and we set off. Got to cover approx 400 km on Malawi's main
road still today. The countryside is typically African, red soil and green
foliage.
Lots of activity goes on by the side of the road. Passed "heaven bound
funeral parlour" which caused a laugh.
We give thanks that we have met up with Danie so well and we pray for the
lives of the people walking precariously close to the trucks.
More tomorrow.
could take.
After a coffee and a short wait in Addis we flew on to Lilongwe (another 3.5
hours).
Danie met us and we set off. Got to cover approx 400 km on Malawi's main
road still today. The countryside is typically African, red soil and green
foliage.
Lots of activity goes on by the side of the road. Passed "heaven bound
funeral parlour" which caused a laugh.
We give thanks that we have met up with Danie so well and we pray for the
lives of the people walking precariously close to the trucks.
More tomorrow.
Monday, 29 November 2010
Flying Tonight
We are flying tonight, the wait is over.
This morning an email update came in from the people who run the Dutch end of Bernadette's charity. They visited Mocuba recently and wrote a nice summary of what's happening (in Dutch). In their story they explain that Bernadette has invested in a "Ambulance Bicycle" so that sick patients can cover the 6 km to the hospital more quickly. For those of you who can't imagine what a bicycle ambulance looks like I attach a photo below. It looks very comfortable although I am concerned that I can not find a blue light or a siren anywhere on the vehicle. Maybe something we can work on while we are there.
We had a great send-off at church yesterday. Lots of people turned up for the service and the minister made the four of us come forward to receive a blessing for our journey. Then we finished the service with the hymn "I the Lord of Sea and Sky" which seems to have been written for people embarking on a mission. Everyone shook our hands . . .as if we are emigrating for good . . . We are planning to return in two weeks, armed with stories, experiences and insights. How we will find the time to tell them all ? . .
We are thankful for all the support and good wishes we have received from so many people. We will naturally be thinking of our families and friends while we are away.
We pray that upon our return the people here will be touched by our stories and that we can open a window of compassion to link the people of Marlow with the people of Mozambique.
Ben McIlwaine has kindly agreed to keep the blog going during our trip. We will be sending Ben updates when we can and he will post these here. Thank you Ben!
God bless.
Martin.
- Arlene called to see if we are packing yet - 'cause we are . . .
- George called, lost his e-ticket - so Libby printed a new one . . .
- Then George called again - found the orginal ticket . . . ;-)
This morning an email update came in from the people who run the Dutch end of Bernadette's charity. They visited Mocuba recently and wrote a nice summary of what's happening (in Dutch). In their story they explain that Bernadette has invested in a "Ambulance Bicycle" so that sick patients can cover the 6 km to the hospital more quickly. For those of you who can't imagine what a bicycle ambulance looks like I attach a photo below. It looks very comfortable although I am concerned that I can not find a blue light or a siren anywhere on the vehicle. Maybe something we can work on while we are there.
We had a great send-off at church yesterday. Lots of people turned up for the service and the minister made the four of us come forward to receive a blessing for our journey. Then we finished the service with the hymn "I the Lord of Sea and Sky" which seems to have been written for people embarking on a mission. Everyone shook our hands . . .as if we are emigrating for good . . . We are planning to return in two weeks, armed with stories, experiences and insights. How we will find the time to tell them all ? . .
We are thankful for all the support and good wishes we have received from so many people. We will naturally be thinking of our families and friends while we are away.
We pray that upon our return the people here will be touched by our stories and that we can open a window of compassion to link the people of Marlow with the people of Mozambique.
Ben McIlwaine has kindly agreed to keep the blog going during our trip. We will be sending Ben updates when we can and he will post these here. Thank you Ben!
God bless.
Martin.
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