August highlights

23 August 2009

The last three weeks have been full and amazing. So much has happened, and it will be hard to tell you it all. So, we'll save you from some of it and focus on three events: CAM schoolyear starts August 6th, Seminary Dedictation August 15th, and Larry's Neurosurgeon apt. on August 19th.

We knew that it would be a busy month before school would begin. We returned July 12th, leaving only three weeks to prepare CAM for classes again. It was apparent that other than our two graduates, all our former students were returning as well as some new students. Thus, we decided to divide one classroom into two to allow for separate classes of 2nd and 3rd grades. We met the deadline by just hours it seems, and CAM started on the 6th with a record number of students at 61. For the first time in CAM history, we have had to turn students away due to a lack of space. This is in the K-1st grades as that classroom is full with 11 students. We now have a few others on waiting list. We also PTL that we have a full contingent of teachers. It is so important for the students to have consistency, and to have returning teachers is so important for the students. We also have some new teachers. David Restrick, CAM grad 2004, is teaching computers for the year. Honey Davidge is from the US and is teaching 6th grade. Joash Tiarks, missionary with New Tribes, has moved his family from Northern Mozambique to Maputo and has enrolled his four children and he is teaching 2nd grade.

Most exciting news this past week was that our textbooks had arrived in port and were finally released on the 18th. Teachers and students are all happy to have the new materials. They "only" took 3 months by sea to arrive....:)

Another exciting event was the formal seminary dedication on the 15th. Three special people were able to come and celebrate with us. Former OMS Mozambique field leaders from 1996-2006, Bruce and Mabel Callender were here to participate in the ceremony, and Michael Thiessen, the seminary director, was able to fly in from Canada to be here. The ceremony was well attended and one of the highlights was honoring the Callenders by naming the chapel in their name (Chapel Callender, or in Portuguese - Capela Callender) and by hanging a picture collage of the Callenders in the seminary foyer.

We have been very encouraged with some future partnerships with the seminary. Please pray for us and the seminary program as we make decisions as to its future direction.

Lastly, Larry had an Dr. appointment with a neurosurgon on the 19th in South Africa to read his MRI results on his back and to determine if surgery is needed. It is hard to believe that just a month ago Larry was in such back pain with a pinched sciatic nerve, and today there is no pain. I credit this to so much prayer and we give the Lord PRAISE. And the news gets better. The Dr. indicated that I am not a candidate for surgery right now. With the pain subsided and that I still have full strength in my leg, I don't need surgery. It seems the ruptured disc piece that had lodged against the nerve has shifted, and the Dr. feels that has been mostly absorbed by the body in the amazing way the body heals itself. It could happen again, but for now we are pleased. Larry does have a bit of nerve damage in his right leg, but that is minimal and controlable. The Dr. encouraged regular exercise and exercises to strengthen abdomen and back muscles to help relieve pressure on the disc. I think that will be actually the hardest part to do.

Our team is doing well and it is such a pleasure having Mike Thiessen with us for two weeks. We PTL that little Gabriel Thiessen is recovering well after his final chemotherapy treatment and we pray he will be and continue to be 100% cancer free. Our home is full and we have currently two ladies living with us. Aimee Howarth will be moving to the North of Mozambique sometime in the future to work with Mozambican women, and Christine Folchi, a student from Pennsylvania Biblical University is doing her two-month teacher training at CAM. Chris is assisting with our K-1st grade teacher. It is a blessing to have both of these fine ladies in our home.

Have a wonderful week!

Larry & Susan

Back in Mozambique

19 July 2009

Dear friends,

We have been back in Mozambique a week now. The past month in the USA and Canada were both good and bad. We enjoyed so much the reunions with so many of our former OMS Mozambique missionaries at the OMS mid-west conference the end of June. In fact, Mozambique was the largest field represented at the conference. It was fun to catch up with Claude and Marilynn Meyers (former directors of Christian Academy in Mozambique) as well as Bruce and Mabel Callender (former field directors of Mozambique) as well as colleagues Vaughn and Cindy Telfer, Glenn and Kris Berryman and girls, as well as Becca and Melvin and Sharon Kelly. The exciting news was just on Thursday the Kellys called to tell us that they are expecting a baby. The Kellys are currently in the US for Cross-Training, and are funding to come as career missionaries to Mozambique soon. Pray for them as they need to make decisions now that a little one is on the way.

Our time in Canada June 29-July 10th was one of joy to spend some time with Susan's Dad and step-mom, Nathan and Anne Krampitz, as well as visit with the Thiessens (Mike and Sarah) in the hospital while little Gabriel was receiving his chemotherapy treatment. We were also able to see little Maylah who was just two weeks old. She is adorable. We PTL that Gabriel is recovering well from his surgery and that in the next week or so will begin his FINAL chemotherapy treatment. The rest is just watching and waiting. Continue to pray for the Thiessen family as they search what the Lord wants them to do next. We know they will not be able to return to Mozambique for any time soon. We miss them so very much.

The bad part of our time in US and Canada was that I (Larry) had some serious back pain which continued to worsen until it was excrutiating pain while in Canada. Our holiday time with family was cut short as I had to return to Hamilton, ON to go to emergency. As we don't have a primary doctor in Canada, there was little that could be done there. So, we made the 30+ hr flights back to Maputo. PTL the pain subsided considerably so I was able to make the long flights. We know many were praying and I felt those prayers.

This last Friday, 17th, I was able to go to Nelspruit, South Africa and get an MRI to find out what the problem was. It was confirmed I have a herniated disc and a piece of the inner portion of the disc has come out and wedged itself agains the nerve, thus creating the pain. fortunately for now the piece has shifted (I am sure it was prayer) to the side so I can tolerate most things right now.

But, I need to see a neurosurgeon soon to see about having that piece removed as it is almost certian to shift again and pinch the nerve. Pray for this as we are in such busy days here and I need to be able to work. We will know more once we can arrange a visit with the neurosurgeon.

It is good to be back in Maputo and we are busy preparing for the starting of CAM again.

God Bless,
Larry & Susan

Weils are in Indiana

Susan and I are in Greenwood, IN at the OMS World Headquarters attending the OMS field leadership retreat and meetings. We arrived from Mozambique on Monday, 15th, and it has been wonderful seeing our many friends and colleagues with OMS. Today begins our weekend retreat with the field leaders of all the OMS fields. This week we have seen two former Mozambique missionaries, Glen (Tom) Berryman with his girls, Chelsea and Jessica, as well as yesterday Becca Pullin and her fiance, Joey, who drove from Circleville, OH to spend the day with us. That was very special.

I am working on a new newsletter which I will post here once it is finished.
God Bless,
Larry & Susan