Larry & Susan Weil serving in Mozambique: January 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