End of Year update: 30 December 2013

30 December, 2013

It is end of year time and we have so much to be thankful for.  Here are some pictures from the past few months.

We kicked off November 1st with our annual CAM international program.  It was filled with colorful outfits from around the world as our students and staff represent 21 countries.  There was even a fashion show that Susan and Larry participated in.

Susan in her Indian Sari

Larry wearing "old guys rule" outfit

In early November the National Church Ministerial Course held its graduation with 17 completing the course over a three-year period.  It is more a Bible study course giving a good foundation in the Bible for church leadership.

November 10th our maid was married.  Weddings are a big event in Mozambique and lasts over several days with big parties, gift givings and large meals.  Because it is such a huge event, most are not able to afford to get married.  Fatima waited 23 years.  She was a beautiful bride and we are so happy for her.

Fatima and Eduardo

Fatima acting out the "domestic" responsibilities

November 16th was the church ordination ceremony where two church leaders were ordained as pastors.   It was special to have Bruce and Mabel Callender visiting for three weeks.  Bruce was able to ordain our new pastors and they both participated in many activities while they were here.

Praying for new pastors Nelio and Francisco

giving the pastor's wives a new copolanna wrap-around

Larry with the new pastors and wives

November 23rd was a very momentous day for our seminary as we held the first graduation ceremony of our four-year bachelor program.  Bruce and Mabel Callender were the special speakers.  We had 18 graduates who are now trained and ready to help lead their churches.  

December was filled with activities, end of the semester for CAM school, and we ended with the Christmas Program on the 13th.  Here are a few memories of that special night.

Susan directing her 60 member choir of K-6th graders

High School worship team shared a number

No program is complete without a lot of goodies

We pray you had a wonderful Christmas and that 2014 will be a year filled with the Joy of Jesus in your lives.

Larry & Susan

It's Catch up time...

17 August  2013

Here it is, August and we have had many wonderful things happening.  Since our last blog update we celebrated Easter with our church in Mozambique and took some time off in South Africa during the CAM break.  We got back to a busy schedule at CAM which included Parent/Teacher conferences and one more day off before graduation. 

Some exciting news in March was that we had an offer on the old CAM building in Maputo and after some negotiating, we came to an agreement and the process started to get all the paperwork in order.  We thought everything would be completed in two months.  We forgot – things take much longer here.  We got all the paperwork from our end and then the organization purchasing the building had to get their finances together.  We were hoping to sign the final papers on Friday, June 7^th before we left for meetings in the U.S.  We actually got word when we were traveling to South Africa on the 12^th that the papers had been signed, and the money was deposited in the account that Friday. Praise the Lord!  His timing is perfect.

In May, CAM usually has a picnic for all the families, but this year I asked the student council (StuCo) students if they would like to organize a fund raiser for their community project and funds for StuCo to use next year.  They were up to it and along with teachers and parents the event was planned.  It was called the CAMtastic Fun Fest.  We sold hot dogs and hamburgers, salads, chips, soft drinks, baked goods.  There were all kinds of games and competitions planned and there were even some vendors that came to sell crafts and books.  It was a great deal   of work, but the kids 

were able to raise a good amount of money.  They will use half of it for the community kids program and the English classes and some the rest will be for next year’s StuCo projects.

Luther, Marcos, Nicole and Cory

CAM’s 15^th graduation celebration was held at the OMS seminary on May 31^st. This year some of the 10^th grade girls decorated the chapel and the reception area.  It looked so elegant.  We had four graduates this year.  Cory’s parents have been missionaries in Mozambique for many years.  They will be heading back to the U.S. this month to settle there.  Marcos is from Argentina and his parents are with Salvation Army in Mozambique.  Marcos will be returning to Argentina and will apply for university there.  Luther’s parents are with U.S. Aid and he will go back to the U.S. and take a gap year before going on for further education.  Nicole’s parents are business people from Mozambique.  They lived in Florida when Nicole was very young.  She will be attending a university in Florida and is planning to study pre-med.  Pray for these young people.  They will face many different experiences and need God’s guidance as they face their future.

In early May, Larry was not feeling very good and was wondering if something was going on with his pacemaker and we took a quick trip to South Africa to see his doctor.  After all the tests and lab work, his doctor said he was fine.  Most likely just too much going on and creating added stress. 

CAM School 2012-2013

Diane and Gary Gray, the couple who filled in for us while we were away on our home assignment, are back again helping out.  We are so grateful for their willingness to be here again so we could go back to the States for OMS meetings and then take some time to see family.  We are sorry that we did not get to see all of you but we are thankful for those of you who we were able to see.

CAM School with new classrooms on left and a fresh coat of yellow paint

We have been involved in another building project at CAM.  This time it is four spacious classrooms to add to what we already have.  The class sizes are growing and we needed more space to accommodate the students.  We broke ground the middle of May and we were able to move in the weekend before school started.  Almost all the older classrooms were painted and tiled too.We even had the outside of the school painted a bright sunny yellow.  Everything looks great. 

School started on August 6^th and we are up to 115 students.  Everyone is settling in and routines are being established.  Diane Gray did training with the teachers during the break in June and July and they are eager to use what they learned. 

When people come and see the changes at CAM and all the children and teachers, they say that they can see that God’s hand is on this ministry and is blessing the school, and we agree wholeheartedly.  Praise the Lord.

Larry has been extra busy with many meetings with the national church this year.  It is encouraging to see the church leadership growing when in years past the relationship with OMS missionaries has been strained.  This year, we have been working together and working on a stronger partnership.  In early August the transitional leadership team was started.  We have a long ways to go, but we all agree that it will be a leadership team of seven:  four national church leaders and three OMS missionaries.  This transitional leadership team will most likely be for 3-5 years, allowing time to help move the church along.  Pray for this new leadership team as we work together for vision and God’s wisdom.

Larry's brother Jim & Di, Susan, sister Kathy & step-dad Walter

At our mission HQ in  Greenwood, Indiana

We thank the Lord for:

The physical and spiritual growth of CAM

The sale of the old CAM building

A good end to the school year

Good health

The new classrooms were completed  on time

Pray with us for:

Legal issues with school for teacher quotas and school registration

Safety for our team as we travel the busy and poor roads of Mozambique

Seminary students and those graduating in November

The new national church Transitional Leadership Team being created.

God Bless,
Larry & Susan

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.