Wooddale team in Savane

Today I traveled to Savane ( one of our church plants in the bush) with 6 team members and Simone our translator.
We had two goals in mind, to present the bible study the team had been working on, and to provide some much needed medical care to the area.

We arrived around 9:30 and set up our 'travel clinic'. The girls were set to play with the kids, having brought some balls and other games. Then the plan was to see people till midafternoon and then have the bible study.
We handed out 32 pieces of paper numbered 1 to 32. Why 32, you may ask, well it was suppose to be 30, but none of us were able to tell the last 2 ladies that walked in...no, so the final number was 32.

 Of course then you need to double or triple that number as every mom had at least 1 if not 2 or 3 children with her.
Past experience has taught us that unless you keep some kind of limit, you could be there well into the night.

First some team members would pray with the people, then they would come over and see Tony ( an EMT from Minn.) and I. With the help of Simone we would treat their problems.

Praise the Lord we were able to give everyone ( this includes every child too!) a small supply of vitamins! Thanks to the generousity of our friends at Maranatha Bible Church!!

So we actually had time to see everyone, that includes the 7 people who arrived at some point, and didn't  have a number.
One 12 years old boy, Fernando, was the next to last to be seen, praise God that we did, as he was one of the sickest ones we treated.
The girls never did get to present their bible study, as we ran out of time and needed to head back before dark.

As I was feeling bad, they were very understanding and said that they were so pleased to have had the opportunity to play and pray with most everyone that came to the church.
It was a great day as everyone was focused on what they could do for someone else.
Praise God it was a great day!

The team of Two

This past week I've had the pleasure of caring for the Litton's, Larry and Peggy.
This godly couple has been married for 37 years, they both barely look 37 years old!!
I can see where God truly does bless those who live their lives for Him! The Litton's are a perfect example!


One day one of the translators asked 'may I ask how long you have been married?' When they answered 37 years, his response was 'oh I thought maybe 3 years, as you are so much in love'. It's true, they are just the sweetest people to be around!


It goes without saying that I have been blessed to be able to spend time with them this week.
Peggy, is our bookkeeper at CRI, and she was a bit anxious about the trip. Larry who has been on the Dallas police force for 32 years was the reason why Peggy came. 
He is also a graduate of Dallas Theologic Seminary and has come to Dondo to train and teach and inspire the young church plant leaders here in the project.


Larry had a pretty full schedule, which got 'fuller' each day.While Peggy was at my mercy, and more than agreeable to doing whatever I suggested.


Knowing that she was a bit anxious, I scheduled things that she and I could do together. It was also great for me to visit the preschool, walk Project Life, serve soup at the hospital, observe and pray at the clinic and Nutrition center and just hang out at the church. We also managed to do some shopping....


Over the course of the week God blessed us both as we were able to accomplish much. It didn't take long for Peggy's anxiety to subside, as the people and especially children of Dondo melted her heart. 


It has been such a pleasure getting to know Peggy. She is a precious godly women and mother of 4 grown children. Hearing the stories of raising her family with that sweet southern accent of hers, has been a joy!  


Larry reminds me a lot of Jim, not only his demeanor and sense of humor, but the way the two of them interacted.

He is a gifted speaker and extremely intelligent man. Yet I doubt he realizes how much he has blessed the young men he has been working with this week.


The first thing you notice about Larry is his humble spirit and willingness to serve others. One of the first things he asked me...'tell me, is there anything I might do or say that would offend the people?'
I just knew it was going to be a blessing having him here after that!


I am thanking God for His perfect plan in bringing the Litton's to Mozambique. For allowing them to come and see and love God's people here in Dondo.

Another week of life in Mozambique...I love it here!

As I mentioned in my last blog entry, last Sunday I was to give the message at Centro Emissor, it actually came out nothing like I thought it would. 
God had another plan and praise the Lord I listened as He directed me to change things up a bit.
As I shared about God's faithfulness and perfect plan for our lives, I could see what God was doing.

Most of you know Zito, and his story. He is the church plant leader at Centro Emissor, whose wife died about 10 months ago. 
His struggles and the pain he is experiencing are so very real, my heart truly aches for him. 
I believe God has called me to walk with Zito at this time. Love him and encourage him, but also speak words of truth into his life.


He is just a young man trying to figure out how to raise his 3 small children while sorting out his own feelings.  
We have had two seperate occasions to talk this week, and I trust that God has directed my words. 
I am grateful for the opportunity to help Zito and the kids.
Please keep them in prayer when you think of them.


I also spent a good deal of time with Simone, one of our translators. 
He is a very smart and sensitive young man who truly loves the Lord.
It has been a blessing getting to know more about him and his heart.


On a lighter note....
I acquired a new nick name this week...I am now referred to as 'grande feijao', it means 'big bean'. 


Each morning we meet with all our workers for a short bible study and a song or two. Then we give instruction for the work that needs to be done for the day.
I have been making every effort to use my Portuguese whenever possible...it's the only way I'll ever get better.
So in the morning I give instruction to the staff, in Portuguese. Now this has been working out just fine, especially because they have come to learn my way of speaking Portuguese:)


So anyway, this one morning I was trying to explain that there was a large container of left over beans in the frig. 
Then everyone started laughing and I couldn't figure out why. So, Ercylio who was laughing the hardest, explained that I said there was a 'large bean' in the frig.
I could say I knew it all along and I just wanted to give them all a good laugh...but that wouldn't be the truth.


So now you all know where the name came from.
I actually like it...big bean...grande fiejao, it works.


On more thing... Kathy officially returns to Moz in 10 days!!! Yippee!!
Her mom is home from the hospital and doing amazingly well. Praise God! It was perfect that she was able to be with her family when they needed her.
We are both praising God for His perfect plan in all of this!