10 March 2013
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Susan and a big Kitty |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
