Thank you for sharing our burden!

Dear friend,

Radicals from the Middle East are spending literally millions and millions of dollars in Africa to build new hospitals, schools, universities, and places of worship. Their goal is to convert Africans and recruit a new generation of extremists.

In order to halt the spread of extremism and transform the lives of Africans for the Kingdom, we are in the process of networking with Campus Crusade for Christ who is employing multiple strategies—ranging from humanitarian aid (offered alongside spiritual outreach) to campus ministry that reaches future leaders. But there is one very simple, very basic need. Africa needs Bibles.

We have just received a 100 Portuguese Bibles from South Africa. Our last shipment of close to 100 Shona from London, England has long been distributed. Our last 100 Portuguese Bibles have just found new owners. Bibles sure don't last long on the base ............ please pray that God will open up the windows of heaven for more Bibles. We cannot keep up! Our Bibles only go to leaders who can read and write and people we have a relationship with. We do not just hand out Bibles left and right!

Thank you for sharing our burden!

Mozambique shoots down new flag!

Mozambique's parliament has rejected an opposition attempt to get the image of a gun removed from the national flag.

Ruling Frelimo Party MPs said the time was not right to dump the machine-gun - a symbol of the war of independence.

"The national flag and emblem of the republic are historic references that we don't want to abdicate," Frelimo MP Hama Thay told Reuters news agency.
The flag has green, black, yellow and white horizontal stripes with an axe and machine-gun inside a red triangle. The flag was Frelimo's party banner before being adopted as the national flag.

A bitter civil war which followed Mozambique's independence ended in 1992, but there remains a good deal of ill feeling between Frelimo and Renamo, which has become the main opposition party.

Mozambique's new constitution was adopted earlier this year. It called for a change of flag within the year, but Frelimo is not happy with any of the 169 alternatives proposed so far.

Beautiful Mozambique

No ... this photo has not been altered. It's the real deal. Taken from a hill on our base. Lynn took these pictures a few days ago. I mean ..... the lady can seriously take some good pics so I will place them for you to enjoy!



This photo is also taken at sunset from our mission farm - Mucombeze

Taken on the coast!

And when God creates ..... it's goooooooooood!

"Word bewus van die verandering van die seisoene.

Alle dinge in die natuur verander, ook jy en die seisoene van jou lewe.

Omhels verandering!

God is daar in die dorheid,

die nuwe begin,

die vrugbaarheid,

en in die veranderende kleure van die lewe."

- Christine Adams

Buzzzzzzzzzzzzing on the base!

Our 34 Bible Leaders (monitors) from all over the country just arrived this weekend for their intensive training seminar which will last for the next 7 days. These leaders represent more than 400 pastors in their areas and more than 25 000 church members. Through all the teaching and sharing I will keep you updated. Some of these leaders also completed their 6 year theological training program and will receive their diplomas on the coming Sunday. Watch out for some highlights!


WOMEN AND THEIR MACHINES



Alta just distributed 5 sowing machines in the bush to several ladies that have been trained. These machines will be used to produce orphan clothing and will help the monitor to provide for her community and look after herself in the process. The aim of the program is to equip people deep in the bush and to start their own entrepreneurial projects and to train other ladies and gents in the bush.



ONE MORE BICYCLE TO GO



Bero is one of our sponsored students and is currently in grade 7. As you know money has been raised in Canada so that Bero could undergo an operation. Bero was injured in a fire when he was a baby. The grass roof of his hut was hit by a tracer bullet during the war and the house caught fire in the process. His dad saved his life but he was scared badly in the process. He received his bicycle from the mission so that he could get to school - which is about 15 km away.

A happy day for all!

With Bero is Joao Benjamin another student that is being sponsored by the mission. He is a second year student at the University of Maputo and is studying a B.Comm degree and concentrating on Business Management.

MORE VISITORS

We have been privileged again to have received more visitors from Canada. This time Dwight's brother and the family came for a visit. Their daughter Kim will be working with us for the next 6 months.

Fuel prices out of control .... so overloading is in!

Isn't their a song somewhere "I feel like crying ..... come on baby ...... cry with me!" Not that I want to recall it. We live in a global village but the way prices (specifically fuel) has been rising ...... and rising ...... and rising. It does'nt look like Mozambique has any regulatory body out there because our prices skyrocketed the last few weeks - in some cases more that 60 %. Well if you are a South African you will now pay R14,70 for a liter of petrol (US$2,30) and more than R12 for a liter of diesel - depending on the exchange rate on the black market. This really hits the local Mozambiquean even harder as they have NO transport and have to rely on local taxis or "chapas" as we call them here. What do you do? Well obviously if you are in Africa overloading is the answer to get more out of a tank of fuel. Got some pics and laughed so much taking them that I nearly cried!

A few day after taking the pic there was no more bumper .... but somehow I counted even more pasangers. Did I mention there is 4 in front!

Shock for the shocks. Carefull if you don't go more that 70 km/h ..... it will try to pass you with screaming and anxious passangers. No they are not laughing as they are passing you .... they are praying!

Ok and if you have NO MORE MONEY and NO MORE FUEL .... load those Chinese and Indian Hunter bicycles to the max! Oh ... and if you have a mirror to see behind you ........ better not take your eye of the road buddy!

We need more Nelson Mandela's!

Nelson Mandela is an icon around the world when it comes to freedom, peace and reconciliation.
Nelson Mandela, who was instrumental in ending apartheid in South Africa and rose from prisoner to president, is celebrating his 90th birthday TODAY!

When I look around us and see Zimbabwe and what a "leader" can do to its people and the country as a whole I shiver. When I look at Kenya and see how "leaders" try to hold on to power - I wonder. I visited Rwanda and saw hundreds of thousands being killed in churches and schools - I smelled the bones and I know it is time .....! We are desperately seeking for more NELSON MANDELA's in Africa.

Legacy

Mr de Klerk, who was awarded 1993 Nobel Peace Prize along with Mr Mandela, described him as one of the greatest figures of the 20th Century.

LANDMARKS

1918 - Born in the Eastern Cape
1964 - Sentenced to life for high treason
1990 - Freed from prison
1993 - Wins Nobel Peace Prize
1994 - Elected first black president
2004 - Retires from public life
2005 - Announces his son has died of an HIV/Aids-related illness

"After his inauguration, Nelson Mandela used his personal charm to promote reconciliation and to mould our widely diverse communities into an emerging multicultural nation," the last president of the apartheid era told reporters on Thursday.
"This, I believe, will be seen as his greatest legacy."

But not all is lost - we are in the process of training young kids to become responsible leaders who respects life and has found the discipline to work on their character daily. I just had a boy we sponsor yesterday at the base. He is only 11 and his name is Marisano Sixpense. His mother is a witchdoctor. He did something wrong - really not that big of a sin but it required him to tell the truth. Af first he kept quiet but after a discussion and giving him some time to come to the front and face reality ..... he opened up, confessed, told the truth and took responsiblility for his actions. Maybe something small ...... but on the right track.

May God help us to raise strong, open, respected, accountable leaders in Africa - like Nelson Mandela. Happy birthday Madiba - we love you!

The gift of opposition!

Not everyone enjoys conflict. But everyone can benefit from it.

I was thinking the other day about a class I took in seminary called "How to handle opposition, criticism, resistance, and passive-aggression." Come to think of it, I think I missed that course. The class I took was on source criticism, not criticism per se. Not that understanding source criticism hasn't been useful. I have new attenders coming up to me all the time to ask why J, D, P, and E couldn't all just get along.

Still, I think the other class would have been more useful.

Opposition is an inevitable reality of pastoral life. Not just spiritual opposition ("we wrestle not against flesh and blood"). Not just the intellectual opposition of Richard Dawkins/Daniel Dennet/Samuel Harris/Christopher Hitchens readers. I'm talking about friendly fire. The deacon board who votes to wish you a speedy recovery 13-12. The e-mail writer who wonders about your orthodoxy, theological literacy, or citation of unsafe authors. The helpful critic who wonders why you don't do more altar calls.

There are radically different temperaments when it comes to opposition response. It's been observed that Teddy Roosevelt required opposition in order to be fully energized. If he didn't have any opposition, he'd stir some up. Winston Churchill got bored by agreement. Criticism—from his own party, from the opposition, or from his nation's enemies—fueled him like a double espresso. When Hitler appeared, Churchill found the opponent he'd been waiting for his whole life. His finest hour was the courageous fight against a truly evil adversary.

Some leaders are not intimidated by opposition; they actually thrive on it. It wakes them up. It energizes them. It calls them to battle. It causes them to mobilize their thoughts and energy.
But not everybody.

Neville Chamberlain, for example, is historically associated with the word appeasement. "Peace in our time,' he said at Munich. He thought that if he could just give enough ground to Hitler, conflict could be avoided and everyone would be happy (except the Poles, the Czechs, the Austrians, and the Jews).

I wonder where you are on the Churchill—Chamberlain spectrum? My guess is that most pastors fall on the appeasement side.

I don't know that either temperament has a spiritual advantage. A friend of mine served as an elder in a church that hired a pastor who made General Patton look like he needed assertiveness training. But this did not mean the pastor was a fearless leader. It just meant he was an ego-centered stubborn little tyrant whose fated ended the same as Yertle the Turtle.

On the other side, I know a pastor in the southwest who has faced mean-spirited, ill-advised, bad-hearted opposition from a key lay leader for years. He's been trying appeasement the whole time (although he would not admit that even to himself). And it has cost him effectiveness, energy, joy, and self-respect.

I have given up the idea that there is an opposition-free church out there. But I have gained something else—an appreciation for the gift of opposition. When it comes, I learn something about my motives. When it comes, I get to test my courage. When it comes, the truth about my humility (or lack thereof) is revealed. When it comes, blind spots get exposed that would otherwise do damage. When it comes, I am given the opportunity to grow strong. When it comes, I discover that I am the opposition in more lives than I ever would have guessed.

And then I meet the force stronger than any opposition. The force that can call opponents a brood of vipers. The force that can also forgive opponents because "they know not what they do." In opposition, there is grace.

Article written by John Ortberg (Writer and Pastor)

Colour my world!

Have you ever imagined a sunset without colour? A thunderstorm without a grey-blue thundercloud? A rose ..... in black and white? When God mixes colours .... what a site. We have been priviledged to have had a great visiting group from Cape Town - Bellville and Blouberg to be excact who brought so much colour to our world - literally.

Henri Weideman and Brad Espin leading a team of 20 very interesting human beings arrived for a weeks visit to lend a hand with the many projects running on the mission base. One of the projects they decided to tackle was painting our new pre-school. The result .......... pretty cool!


Some of the Cape Town ladies colouring-in our world. The community was so inquisitive that they could' nt keep out of the school while we were painting.

The kids could not contain their joy with what was happening to their new school. Some of the community members even payed for our 24 coca-cola's. It was a hot day and was nice to connect with all the local Mozambiqueans in the process. Games were played, lessons taught and great relationships buildt in the process.Meet our artist - Jaco Beukman. He made a huge impact with his art on the community. In fact the lady that he painted was recognized by some of the community - to their astonishment. Who ever thought that art could bring people together.

Henri Weideman (Executive Pastor, Bellville Congregation) was chief in charge when it came to painting and taking leadership of the event. After a few days he called himself a "Lifestyle Designer" and not a pastor anymore. Way to go - we say. Anyway a word of thanks to Henri for taking the time to come with his team to support us here in the bush. Not a lot of executive pastors take the time to work on grassroot level anymore. (Should I even say this in blogger??) Anyway they donated most of the paint and a word of thanks to all of them.

Brad Espin (Executive Pastor, Blouberg/Table View) also a Lifestyle Designer now organized the trip to Mozambique with some of his church members. Brad has the best laugh in the southern hemisphere. He was also our preacher in our community churches and it was amazing to see how he submerged into the lives of the local Mozambiquean.

Our schools and community have been touched in a great way by the Cape Town team. They have left a legacy. All our teams left - it is yet again quiet on the base. I can only hear children laughing at the moment ..... and yes I saw a few dirty hands on the school as everyone is still peeping in to get a good look at the art inside the school. So I ask you ...... is that leaving a legacy or what?

When we disagree as Christians ...........

I just read the most touching and truly encouraging note from Brian McLaren. His newly written book "Everything must change" ....... made a few Christians hot under the collar it seems:

I just received this today ...

++++Pastor Brian,

I want to apologize to you about some reviews that I put on www.amazon.com. After reading The Truth War by John MacArthur, I was alarmed by your works.Recently, I put myself in your shoes and thought what it would be like for people to post things that are not favorable. I went and took my comments off.I still am unsure of some of the comments that John MacArthur highlights, but am sincerely sorry for my actions.

Sincerely,
+++++

Here's my reply (slightly edited for privacy's sake) ...

Dear ...

- I wanted to thank you for your kind and gracious note. I very rarely receive notes like this - I can't tell you how encouraging it is to see brothers in Christ show this kind of humility and charity and brotherliness. Thank you.

I've had some private contact with the author you mentioned. He and I do indeed have some deep and sincere disagreements. Although I feel that he misrepresents me on a number of counts, I certainly respect his right and responsibility to express his concerns as he sees fit. My wish would be that Christians could learn to differ and disagree well ... which would involve accurately representing one another's views, not overstating them, not hastily resorting to inflammatory or vilifying language, and always practicing the "golden rule" - which is what you have done so beautifully in this situation.

So, please be assured of my respect for you and my gratitude too. I hope you'll keep me in your prayers, and again, thanks.

Warmly, in Christ,
Brian+++++

May we all learn from this brother's beautiful example.

Food scarcity a global phenomenon!

Mozambique being part of the global village is experiencing its worse food crisis ever. Rising food prices escalated in such a fashion that people are already starving in communities. Although we try our best to make sure that we train people to look after themselves and provide their own food we still have many of our 550 orphans who struggle to make ends meet. In this process Vanduzi Company (producing fresh veggies for the UK market) is sponsoring us weekly with more than 3 tons of fresh produce. This food is handed over to orphans, widows and our bush schools
(soup kitchens).



We collect our fresh veggies (most of it still 1st grade and marked for the UK market) directly from the Vanduzi factory about 40 km away from our base. Here Francois is handing over beans to MC (student pastor) with students from the University of Stellenbosch lending a helping hand.


We mostly receive green beans, sweat peas, couchettes and baby corn with some chillies.


"Business before pleasure, unless pleasure is your business", I always say. The greatest thing in life is to give something away. Wish you could be there when we handed over fresh veggies to the orphans and the widows.

LEFT: More students "labouring" in love.

PS: I never knew they could eat so many fresh beans in the process though!





Some students handed over soccer balls to local schools in the area. The headmaster and some of his teacher receiving a new soccer ball for his sports program at the school.


The students of the University of Stellenbosch was tight knit group who blessed us all with their presence and serving spirit. A huge hug and thank you from all of us in Mozambique.

Sowing seeds of HOPE!

Some 20 students of the University of Stellenbosch visited us a week ago. Their main objective was to bring LIFE and HOPE to areas who needed it most. With so many Zimbabweans fleeing the reign of terror of Robert Mugabe the procurement of food for these fleeing thousand have become even more important.

These students decided that they wanted to be part of a greater solution. They decided to lay out vegetable gardens which could produce more seed in the future to those who are not privileged enough to buy seeds.
"Oh my goodness so much weed to take out. So glad I brought my garden gloves!"

Even the local kids of the community felt sorry for the "mazungoes" (white people) and gave a hand to remove some the stubborn weeds.

Seedbeds prepared. Job well done!

After a hard days work the community prepared meals for the hungry students. Rice and chicken were on the menu and everyone had a five star meal. Everyone agreed ...... women are the backbone of Mozambique as it is them taking the responsibility to prepare fields and feed their families.

The Stellenbosch team served the community in a great way by:

• Organizing a big athletics event at a bush school;
• Participated in huge feeding projects;
• Completed building projects for the community;
• and even carried sand for an old retired gentleman in the community.
• Soccer against the local "B" team but lost after a fighting effort 0 - 1.

A special word of thanks to all who made this possible. The students travelled a total of 7 000 km back and forth to get here on difficult roads. Thanks to all who supported them.

Why I believe Africa can be changed!

I have been reading a great article by Floyd McClung (author of books like: Living on the devil's doorstep and Father Heart of God). I have been thinking and re-thinking strategies on how we can help to reconcile the problems of Africa with Africans and bring about a culture of justice and reconciliation. Although the problems are so complex I have to agree with Floyd when he writes on Luke 10:

"When Jesus sent out the 70 they came back with joy because of what God did through them. Jesus affirmed them, he taught them, and he corrected them. And he invited them to be leaders in the movement he started to change the world.

Jesus didn't come to waste his time or life for nothing. When we debrief the 70 we sent out we will invite them to give their lives for the same cause Jesus lived and died for. We believe in the power of the gospel to transform lives, but it only works if we lay down our lives like Jesus did. "

And I wondered ..... if we would only be able to train 70 agents of reconciliation what would this world look like? If we do not become agents of reconciliation what will happen to the people around us ...... what will happen to the world?

"Doing what Jesus did is the most important thing a person can do with their life. It's the most important thing a person can do to help change Africa. The non-Muslim parts of Africa have been evangelized many times over. But they have not been discipled. The world doesn't need more decisions - it needs disciples, and disciple making leaders. It needs men and women who have had their hearts and minds transformed by the gospel, men and women who don't ask what they get out of it, but what they can do to give their life away. " What do you think?

QUIETLY RUNNING!

I have been quiet the last week. We have had more than 40 visitors the last 2 weeks who have been running quietly with me (well maybe not that quietly) to help various people, including Zimbabweans running from the "war torn" Zimbabwe. I will update as soon as I get a minute infront of the PC (which blew up again - including all 3 harddrives!)

But to keep myself in good spirit ...... could not resist the following:

A man shared with his friends that he and his wife were going through the empty-nest syndrome. He said the worst part about it was that once the children leave some wives treat their husbands like children.

He said, "When we go to the grocery store and I reach for cereal, she slaps my hand and says, 'We don't need that this week.' Then I reach for the ice cream, and she slaps my hand, saying, 'We don't need that this week.' I reach for the potato chips, and again she slaps my hand and says, 'We don't need that this week.' I finally get so frustrated I hop out of the basket and go to the car!"