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.