The Month of Trips

10 March 2013

Flooding near Xai Xai, north of Maputo

 The month of February was a month of traveling.  Our first trip was up north to a place by the beach for our OMS Mozambique team retreat.  The week before there had been heavy rain and tremendous flooding and we were concerned that we would not be able to make it to the place.  We were able to go and the roads were fine, but the devastation of the rains was easy to see.  Many people lost their homes and crops in that area.

OMS Team Retreat Feb 1-4, 2013

We have given quite a bit of food relief and clothing partnering with the Wesleyan mission, but much more is still needed.  If you would like to help, from the US you can give online in the One Mission Society website, click on GIVE and then EXPRESS GIVE, then fill in the space with Mozambique Disaster Relief 402600.  You can also send a check to One Mission Society, PO Box A, Greenwood, IN  46142, on the memo line put Mozambique Disaster Relief 402600.

 We had a very good retreat with Jonathan Morton, from OMS headquarters as our retreat speaker.  It was a good time of rest and spiritual renewal for us and the team.  The funny thing was that because of the rains the resort was not able to provide all the food choices they normally would and we had a very limited menu.  I never thought I would say this, but I actually ate too many French fries.  They were served at every meal and fresh vegies were at a minimum. 

High School Trip to Eagle Adventures

 The next trip was two weeks later.  Larry and I took the 7th – 12th grade students to South Africa for their school trip.  We had 26 students and the two of us.  We took them to an adventure camp called Eagle Adventures run by a wonderful Christian couple.  The kids do all kinds of activities and compete for points for their teams.  The weather was beautiful and the kids were pushed to their physical limits.  The location was amazing and one of the highlights was getting to shop at the mall and eat at McDonalds. 

Susan and  a big Kitty

Elementary Trip to South Africa

The very next week two of the teachers and I took the 4th – 6th grade students on their school trip.  We went to South Africa as well, but to a different area.  This group of kids was able to see a cheetah rehab center with over 60 cheetahs and other African “cats,” had a spitting contest with deer droppings.  Yes, deer droppings.  They saw a 3-week old giraffe whose mother had abandoned him, all kinds of buzzards, snakes, and lions and a leopard.  They even saw a young rhino with his care giver.  We learned all kinds of interesting things about the animals.  There was even a zebra with his surrogate mother “Sheep” who was a sheep.

Nicole, Cory and Laura at the GISS Summit in Kenya

 During this same week, three of the high school students and one parent went to Kenya for a special conference for young people who are making a difference in their communities.  Our students have started an English class for teenagers in the nearby community and they were able to present their project at this conference.  I am continually amazed at what we have the opportunity to do while living in Africa.  What an amazing life for the TCKs (Third Culture Kids).

 We have been asking for prayer for the sale of the old CAM property.  Last week we received a serious offer on the property and after some negotiations we came to an agreement and the sale is on the way.  It will take some time to close, but the group buying the property helps the Mozambicans and fights for their rights.  Please continue to pray for the process. 

 Another trip was one that Larry took with teammate Melvin to see some property about 7 hours north of Maputo.  Aimee Howarth has been ministering in this area with a Mozambican pastor and would like to build a home and a building to use as a training center/church.  There were two pieces of land and the price was good, so one piece was purchased and a deposit was put on the other.  Aimee will be raising funds to build a simple house on one piece.  There are few homes up there for rent and the price of those available are very high. 

 Last week we took another trip which was one for a bit of rest.  We drove a couple of hours to South Africa with the two short-term young ladies to get their passports stamped and then Larry took them to see Kruger Park.  They saw a good variety of animals, but missed seeing any lion, but they did get a very close look at a leopard. 

Sophie & Heather (Short-termer's to Mozambique)

 We had one week at home and this coming week Larry will travel back to South Africa with two missionary colleagues and four leaders from the churches here to make plans regarding the future of church planting.  The churches and leaders need wisdom as they make plans for the future of the work here in Mozambique.

 There are many things happening at CAM and we need prayer as we work through various legal processes which involves the registration of the school and the hiring of teachers.  Thanks for your prayer support.  We need it daily.  God is so good and knows our every need.

God Bless,
Susan and Larry

Let's get caught up to 2013

New Years 2013

Dear friends and family,

It is definitely time to do a much delayed blog update.  The past couple of months have been filled with work in our various ministries.  Let’s catch up on what we have been doing. 

CAM teachers and kids trying out the new bench

We both have been busy with CAM School.  CAM continues to grow in numbers and with that more responsibility.  We started the school year in August with 76 students and at the end of 2012 we reached 87.  When school begins again January 17^th, with the commitments of new families, we should reach over 100 students.  Susan is hoping for 101, so she can say “101 CAM-mations.”    Larry has been working to “beautify” the schoolyard with planting of grass and shrubbery.  It is looking very nice now.  There are constantly projects going on around CAM with either repair to old buildings, or construction of new things needed. 

"normal" CAM kids?

November was busy with visitors and meetings.  As the Field Director and Treasurer, Larry attends all meetings regarding the various ministries of OMS in Mozambique.  This does make it challenging to get all the office Treasurer work done as he still hasn’t found anyone to take over the treasurer responsibilities.  You can pray about this.

Melvin Kelly, Nathan Glancy, Larry and Jim Pickett

Larry was able to take a day boat trip with four other missionaries to Inhaca Island.  Our friend Jim Bowers has a catamaran and we were able to spend the day with just the "guys" and had a wonderful time of fellowship together.  

Katie, Larry, Susan, Pastor Sandro & Marinez Candido

November 15^th, two of our national church leaders, Juka and Daniel, along with OMS missionary, Paulo Almeida, were able to attend a church convention in Brazil.  The invitation came from the CONIM National Church.  The three had a wonderful time of ministry and being mentored.  Paulo is Brazilian, so he was able to take Juka and Daniel to his home church and they were able to share several times.  At the CONIM convention both Juka and Daniel had the opportunity to see how a growing and well established national church functions, and learned many things to bring back to help our own national church, the Living Word Evangelical Church.  This was Juka and Daniel’s first plane trip and first time out of Africa.

Our very "international" school kids

November CAM had its annual International Program.  It was well attended by parents and was filled with special presentations by the CAM students.  A big potluck followed and ended with the kids trying their first time at hitting a piñata.

Parents, students and staff at the International program

The 3^rd year of our seminary ended in mid November.  New student applications are now being received and classes will begin again in February.  2013 will be an exciting year for the seminary as we have our first Bachelor of Theology graduation next November.

at the "Pinnacle" in South Africa

Over American Thanksgiving, we took a few days to travel to South Africa.  We wanted to take Katie, our niece who has been volunteering at CAM since August, to see some of the sights there.  We did a little hiking, seeing water falls, God’s Window, the Pinnacle, and of course some shopping along the way.  As Katie will be leaving for Canada on January 15^th, we plan one more trip to South Africa January 10^th for three days to show her some more sights.  

2nd & 3rd Grade Handbell Choir

December was filled with special events.  The annual CAM Christmas program was a great success and the students showed off their singing and dramatic skills.  Katie and Susan teamed up to present the musical “The Light Before Christmas.”  The 4-6^th grades presented it and Katie directed the Drama while Susan directed the Choir. 

Susan directing one of the choirs at the Christmas Program

4th - 6th grade Christmas drama/musical "The Light Before Christmas"

Annual CAM Staff Tea at our home

Just before the Christmas break, Susan hosted the annual CAM Christmas Staff Tea at our home.  It was a beautiful afternoon and filled with lots of good food from around the world, including Susan’s Nanaimo Bars. 

CAM completed its semester December 18^th and while the students and staff are gone, Larry has several projects going on.  Two classrooms were tiled,  new cement play areas created and two classrooms switched because of the increase of new students. 

 With our Korean friends, Ilbong and Seun Yeong Choi

Christmas 2012 with Katie and "Sammy"

We had a “hot” Christmas day at 101 degrees.  We invited several over for Christmas lunch, including two Korean couples staying in our guesthouses.  One of the Korean couples, Ilbong and Seun Yeong, visited Mozambique in 2010 and Susan and I hosted them for three weeks.  They are now back as missionaries and for the past two months staying on our compound as they were looking for an apartment in Maputo and God’s ministerial calling.  They have enjoyed helping out with the afternoon community children’s outreach which teammates Paulo and Fernanda Almeida oversee.  Even though they are moving to Maputo in January, they still plan to come on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help with the children. 

holiday time at Xai Xai

December 26^th we left for a week of holiday to Xai Xai, which is about four hours drive North of Maputo.  As I write this blog, I am sitting on the verandah of missionary friends, Orai and Linda Lehman, overlooking the beautiful Indian Ocean.  It is a balmy 90 degrees with a gentle breeze.  We are enjoying the break from our work and ministries as we rest and refresh.  It is just what we needed.  It is peaceful, quiet, and affordable and of course we enjoy the beauty of God’s handiwork, sitting on the beach, reading, plus enjoying good food and fellowship.  We truly are blessed!

So, as we wrap up 2012 and prepare for 2013, we see God’s hand upon all our ministries.  We also see many challenges ahead and we constantly seek the Lord for wisdom and vision.  Your prayers are much appreciated as we look forward to what the Lord has for us in 2013.  Thank you for being part of our journey in Mozambique.

In Him,

Larry & Susan

CAM students packing the "Christmas Shoe Boxes" given to orphanage kids

At the orphange the CAM kids shared some songs

Susan enjoying her new hammock

An orphaned  Cervil cat being raised by friends in Xai Xai

CAM kids:  Joanna, Naomi & Shanty

With Ricardo, our 5th grade teacher

our annual CAM Staff Tea....mmmm

September update

17 September 2012

bricking the chapel floor

July was a time of recovery for Larry after the pace maker surgery, working in the OMS office getting things organized and supervising the workers as they got things fixed on the school and the grounds. Susan tutored a student and worked on the school handbook, organizing the teacher’s orientation and getting all the teachers lined up for the new year.

teacher training/team building

Teacher training

August began with all the teachers arriving back for four days of orientation.  We had some great training sessions and then a highlight for all the teachers was a team-building day.  A missionary friend of ours does team building exercises with teenagers and adults.  The teachers had a great day and got to know each other.  School began on the 7th for the 7th – 12th grade students and then the K – 6th grade students started on the 9th of August.  What did not arrive in time were the textbooks that we ordered in March when we were in the U.S. As of today (Sept. 9th) we still do not have our textbooks.  They should be in port by this week and hopefully in our classrooms by next week.  The teachers have been very patient and have had to make copies so each student can do his work.

Katie & community kids in the afternoon children's program

You lookin' at me?

 A new additional to our family in August was our niece, Katie Krampitz from Vancouver, B.C., Canada.  She is taking a gap year in between high school and university.  She is here to help out at CAM.  She is busy teaching two primary music classes, 11th/12th grade literature, tutoring ESL students, and subbing when teachers are sick.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays she helps with the community kid program run by the Almeida family.  She is not hard to spot, the tall redhead surrounded by a group of 30 – 50 African kids.  They sing, listen to a Bible story and then play.  She is learning Portuguese and the tribal language Shanghan.  She is a big help at CAM and we are enjoying her enthusiastic sense for adventure. 

time for a nap

 Due to the nature of Katie’s visa, she needs to have her passport stamped every 30 days.  This gave us the excuse to take a trip to Kruger National Park.  We slept at a lodge outside the park and spent the full day in the park.  By the time we stopped for brunch, we had seen four of the “big five.”  (Elephants, cape buffalo, rhino, and lion.)  Then about half an hour before we left the park we spotted a leopard in a tree with a kill.  We kept reminding Katie that it is a special treat to see the Big Five in one day.  It was a good day and a great weekend. 

Sammy

We are enjoying our kitty which we shared about a couple of blogs ago.  After a couple of months, we were debating whether Sunny was actually a boy or a girl.  Normally orange kitties are male.  Larry looked on line and discovered that 80% of orange kitties are male and only 20% of them are female.  We determined that Sunny is actually a girl and she has been renamed Sammy, short for Samantha or Miss Kitty.  She continues to be a sweetie and we all love her. 
 Larry was able to get internet service working on the campus after a couple of months organizing it.  We had a couple of rough weeks of intermittent internet, but now as long as we have electricity we have good service.  We are so thankful for that. 

It has been extremely dry and we have not had any rain since April and last week we had three solid days of drizzle.  Katie said it reminded her of the northwest.  The ground is nicely soaked and we can see the grass greening up now.  We will be heading into some warmer temperatures soon. 

Larry had a good check up at the doctor’s and his pace maker is working well.  He is sleeping better at night and has more energy.  He just would like a few more hours in the day to allow him to do all his work. 

We just heard the good news that we should get the school textbooks this week.  The teachers and students will be glad to have their own books.  Thanks for your prayers for us.  We have a busy and challenging life here, and we value your prayers.  Until next time.

June and July review

14 July 2012

CAM 2012 Grads: Jenny, Ude & Salisa

We have been in Mozambique for over two months now and it hardly seems as though we were gone.  May was busy for us as we adjusted back to the ministries here and settled in our home once again.  The beginning of June was full of the end of the school year activities.  We started with graduation on June 1st.  This year we had three graduates from three different countries – Mozambique, South Africa and Brazil.  All of these families are missionaries in Mozambique.  Two of them have lost their fathers, but their mothers continue serving the Lord.  All three of these students have been a part of CAM for six years or more.  It is a wonderful privilege to have been a part of these three students’ lives. 

Larry speaking at CAM Graduation

Susan speaking at CAM Graduation

The last day of school involved cleaning up the classrooms, giving out the awards, distributing the school year books, and having a hot dog roast.  I think we all ate over 200 hotdogs with the trimmings.  The next day the teachers came back to school to hand in the grades for their students and then we all went out to lunch.  It is good to know that the year went well while we were away and the year ended in a positive way.  We praise the Lord for His guidance over the past year. 

Gary & Diane Gray

After the students leave for vacation, we still have work to do.  There were a group of teachers that came in every day to help with painting, moving books and furniture, and getting things ready for the new school year in August.  Larry has workers busy repairing and painting the rooms and working on the property. 
During this time we said goodbye to Diane and Gary Gray who flew back to the U.S. June 4th.  Pray for their adjustment back to the U.S. 

Phillip Telfer & Kyla Semenyna

On the 12th we said goodbye to Phillip Telfer and Kyla Semenyna.  Both of them were in Mozambique for a year of ministry.  We thank the Lord for their part in the ministry here. 

Paulo Almeida family

We made a trip to South Africa to get the car serviced and see the doctor for Larry’s routine treadmill.  We also traveled with the Almeida family to help them through the border for the first time and show them around Nelspruit. 

Larry was not even able to do his treadmill.  His heart rate was so slow that the technician referred him immediately to the cardiologist who said it was time to set up the surgery to install a pace maker.  We knew this day would come, but it was still a shock.  We returned to Mozambique so Larry could get payroll done and finish the end of the month financial things. 

Larry being prepped for pacemaker surgery

We returned to South Africa on Wednesday, June 27th and Larry’s surgery was on the 28th.  We were so impressed by the excellent care Larry was given.  The surgery went well and the nurses were attentive.  The hospital is well-organized and the food is good too.  Because of all the monitors and constant attention, Larry did not get much sleep and was glad to be released on the morning of the 29th.  Thank you so much for all your prayers for us during this time.  We felt complete peace during the surgery and we know it is because of all your prayers. 
My challenge has been to remind Larry to keep his right arm down and to not overdo it and to drive.  I had driven in Africa a total of two times, maybe three.  One of my goals for this term was to drive more.  Well, now I am the main driver until Larry heals.  Driving in South Africa is not bad except that our vehicle is a monster and I have trouble parking the thing.  Other than that, I am “Queen of the Road.” Driving in Mozambique is another story.  I didn’t have a problem driving to church in the city today because traffic is much lighter on Sundays.  Larry should be able to drive shortly. 

Pastor's and church leader's retreat at the OMS compound

The work continues on at the school and our team is busy, busy with all kinds of different activities with their ministries.  This week there was a pastors and church leader’s retreat for 15 men using some rooms on the school campus.  We prayed that God would meet each of these men and that they would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s direction in their ministries and their lives. The retreat was a great success and very encouraging for the leaders and for the OMS team.

Thanks again for all your prayers for us.  We so appreciate you being a part of our team as we serve in Mozambique.  Until next time.

Back in Mozambique three weeks now

May 27, 2012

Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Here we are in Africa again.  We had a wonderful time in Hamilton, Ontario with my father and step-mother Anne.  We were able to spend time at the OMS Canadian headquarters and we also had dinner with Mike and Sarah Thiessen (the family who were in Mozambique until their son, Gabriel was diagnosed with cancer).  Gabriel continues to do well.

leaving for the Toronto airport

The first leg of the trip started May 4th from Toronto to New York (JFK) was a bit worrisome because as the plane was next in line for take-off, the captain announced that JFK airport was closed due to bad weather and we were going to have to wait until it cleared up.  Oh no!!  We only had three hours in between our flights.  Would we make it?  Praise the Lord we were delayed only an hour and soon were on our way.  We were thankful that we had two hours between our flights.  It took almost all of that to get checked in for the next two legs of the trip.

Us with Nathan and Anne Krampitz in Hamilton, ON, Canada

We had a long but very good flight to Johannesburg.  Fourteen and a half hours of sitting, eating, watching movies and attempting to sleep.  We didn’t get as much sleep as we had wished to, but we felt pretty good when the plane landed in Johannesburg, South Africa.  We had a six hour wait until the next flight.  That was long, and we got in a cat nap while we waited.
The flight from Johannesburg to Maputo was quick and uneventful and soon we were in the new arrival terminal of the airport.  We got into the terminal and our passports and visas were checked quickly.  No problems there.  The next concern was if all of our luggage had made it.  It had!!  Next was customs.  Would we get through without any inspection.  Larry prayed that the eyes of the official at the x-ray machine would be blinded so we would not have to declare anything.  We were only bringing in personal things, but sometimes the customs officials think they need to make some extra money by charging duty.  Praise the Lord, the suitcase before ours and the suitcase in between our suitcases were questioned, but ours were free to go.  It only took us 20 minutes to go through immigration and customs.  A record for us!

"Sunny" our new addition has totally adopted us

Before we left Mozambique our beloved 12 year old kitty, Felix, began to fail in his health and actually went blind and we felt it was time to put him down.   After we left Mozambique, our colleagues took him into the vet.  We knew we would have another cat eventually, but had no plans to find one right away.  Our house cleaning lady and dear friend of over nine years had other plans.  She just couldn’t see our house as a home without a kitty.  That was our big surprise when we arrived - little Felix-like kitty waiting to be loved.  He is mischievous and oh so loveable.  He adopted us right away. We have named in Sunny.

a view inside our living and dining room

Now we have been back for three weeks and we have been able to spend time to get our house organized and unpacked.  We have set up an office/storage room and later will finish up the guest room.  Our bedroom has been organized and we are working hard to downsize from our previous 1600 square foot home to the present 880 square foot one.
We have been busy organizing the school picnic and graduation.  There are ony eight school days left of school and many things to do before the students finish the year.  We are so thankful to Gary and Diane Gray for their willingness to be in Mozambique and take on our ministries so we take our home assignment time. 



CAM Chapel each Friday morning. 

It has been special to see the students, staff, our team and many friends again.  We have plugged back into church at the seminary and although there are new faces, it s wonderful to be back. 



Gary and Diane Gray being honored at CAM Chapel

The past two chapels at CAM have been special programs giving honor to the Grays and the seniors.  The campus looks wonderful and there have been many changes since we left last September.  We are glad to be able to help close out the school year and graduation, which just happens to fall on Larry's birthday, June 1st.  It is also "Children's Day" in Mozambique, so Larry just says he is always a child on his birthday in Mozambique.



Diane honoring the three CAM Seniors

Thanks for all your prayers for us as we traveled and our luggage. 

We are looking forward to what God has in store for us this term and sharing it with you.  Your prayers and support sustain us here and you are so appreciated.

God bless,
Larry & Susan