What are you looking at?

I could not resist this photo.  The baby (her name is Melody) was getting ready for her midday bath in the sun when I walked past.  She belongs to Eunice our Womens Ministry co-ordinator.  She wasn't too happy when I took the photo ..... with a look that could kill.  I think she whispered as I walked by:  "Whatcha lookin at dude!"

Photo:  "Just checking!"

"Lord I have a backup plan, but oh ...... my ship is so small and the ocean so big!"

Mozambique ............ this morning!

"You have to catch the fire of unity ..... Francisco!"  ........ one of my friends mentioned.  It wasn't too long when I was commanded to make sure that I arrive at the unholy hour of 05:30 to "catch the fire of unity!"  I have to admit ..... I thought it was a church meeting ...... it was Pentecost after all!

Well ..... it turned out NOT to be a church meeting.  Hundreds of people gathered to "catch the fire of unity".  After some discussions with many attending ........ and waiting, I at last learned what was happening.  (I know I'm slow .......!)

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza lit up the "Flame of Unity" which was carried all over Mozambique to all the provinces.  He said that the symbolic "Flame of Unity" was to make people aware of the continued strengthening awareness of unity to get rid of poverty as was part of the celebrations of the 35th anniversary of independence in Mozambique.

The president said:  "We are asking for more water sources!  Our children are being killed down at the river", he said.  Due to dirty drinking water many kids and adults die because of cholera and other diseases in the water.  Many participants said they needed more wells.  They also complained of the lack of schools etc.  And I though:  I want to catch this fire!

Anyway I arrived just after 05:30 in the morning.  It was festive, noisy ....... and we waited for the flame to arrive.  Well ..... it eventually did arrive.  Everybody could que up to touch the torch.  But I didn't touch it.  It only arrived at 17:00 - too tired I retired to my village.  But I carry the flame in my heart.  May God send many others in the Western world to help Mozambique carry the flame to get rid of poverty in Africa - forever.

Photo:  Everybody in anticipation!

Photo:  Even the witch doctor wanted to know what this "unity" was all about.

A true ministry of Presence!

Presence is power!  But you already know that.  In Africa though it truely gets a fresh and new meaning.  I mean I am an African by birth and by choice - but daily I truely get a fresh look at what presence really mean.

We currently have 10 great nursing student on the base - who due to their career choice truely wants to change the world NOW!  I can totally understand that.  I felt the same way when I got to Mozambique more than 10 years ago.  I have changed.  Dramatically.  I learned that presence in Africa (in the bush for that matter) means to just sometimes be close to people and to listen - without changing their immediate world.  And I mean ..... it seriously needs changing.  But presence, visiting, making friends and converse is of more value that coming in - boom....... bang ....... ouch ......... and trying to force change.

In Africa mostly all of its problems are solved around a campfire.  It's the library of Africa.  It's where boys learn from their fathers all the hidden family secrets.  How to hunt, how to continue the family traditions and ultimately how to grow up to become a man.  And the girls ...... their mom teaches them from a young age all the chores that a lady needs to know to become a family life changer.

To Africa - it is about visiting.  Eating together.  Sleeping over.  Tomorrow is never a certainty.   I have learned many of these lessons in Mozambique, but my brothers and sisters in Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, Zimbabwe and South Africa taught me very valuable lessons.

I thought of sharing some of these faces and bring it closer to you.  They are amazing men and women who understands the power of presence ...... and I am humbled by their generosity in teaching this mazungu what life and presence is all about.

 Photo:  Meet Pastor Mbusa and his wife Kavira from Congo.  They stay in a town called Goma in Eastern Congo.  The area is well known for major conflict, war and natural disasters.  A volcano erupted a time ago and killed many visitors.  When I asked him about the problems in Goma is answered was calmly:  "We love our people and our presence guided by God's presence makes all the difference".  He said this with a great smile.

Photo:  Meet Antony Mwenda from Kenya (studying in Uganda).  He is a lawyer and a young man with a great passion.  He wants to specialize in resolving conflict in Africa and a man with a great presence.

Photo:  There is a lot to be learned from Sudan.  As my brother quoted many times:  "If me don't make time to know each other how will we respond to each other in crisis."  The bus he used to travel to Kenya for the Amahora Conversation was shot at twice.

Claude and Kelly leading Amahoro.  They have opened up a refreshing space for African leaders to converse and share their presence with the many seeking to understand Africa and its unique challenges.

AMAHORO Mombassa - Peace, Shalom, Paz - Vrede

I stepped off from the plane from Nairobi to Mombassa.  It was one of those quick flights that you kinda enjoy the moment you get on the plane.  Friendly cabin staff quickly greets you with something to drink - a few nuts and before you know it ........ you have to buckle up and get ready for the landing.

As I breath in the heavy warm air of Mombassa just outside of the small airport I am greeted by a huge poster to announce the Amahoro gathering 2010.  "Christ, Creation and Community" - what a topic I thought!  Amahoro works in Africa to see the Gospel of Jesus bringing transformation to communities across Africa.  Amahoro facilitates holistic transformation by encouraging, resourcing and connecting emerging African leaders who are committed to the tangible manifestation of justice, mercy and goodness in their local context.

Amahoro leaders, Claude Nikondeha and Kelly Johnson Nikondeha are a fantastic husband wife combination who seriously succeeds to create space for theological, relational and transformational conversation.



The conversations were great.  The topic that grabbed everyones attention had to be the discussion on how to understand having a holistic gospel and how it affects our understanding of environmental issues.  Seeing that the G7 nations and even a Global Environmental Summit in 2009 could not even "get it" it is important for African Christian leaders to understand what God says.

It is very true that many Christians do not even have an environmental agenda nevermind understanding how they can be part of creating a sustainable environment.    God's Kingdom is NOW on EARTH as it is in heaven and Amahoro tackled this tough issue with great success.

Share your thoughts on how you feel after reading this!

NEXT:  Amahoro and its people.  Who are these leaders?

Still in Kenya - from Mombassa to Nairobi

What a fantastic time I am having - not just meeting and exploring the fantastic creation in Kenya - but experiencing young and upcoming leaders in this part of the world.  I will share much more during the next few weeks .... but here is a few moments!

My taxi experience in Nairobi was, as expected, an interesting one.  I had the friendliest taxi driver in Eastern Africa.  By law they are required to have their photo pasted on the inside of their window screens.  Why?  They didn't know either.  Their serious and frowning picture is very different of who they really are though.  One thing stood out in our drive:  Know your Saviour before the time.  Round-a-bouts are dangerous and it is best to just close your eyes and when the driver saw me he reminded me of his sticker on this back window - it read, "GLORY TO GOD".  I was safe.

My internet connection is extremely limited .... so will try to share more as I seek a stronger internet cafe somewhere in Nairobi.  Mombassa ..... an absolutely must to visit .... and will share the stories as I was priviledged to be part of AMAHORO where we conversed on the topic:  Christ, Creation, Community with other African Leaders from all over the African continent.

Driving in Mozambique - a north to south experience

Travelling at best is always an interesting endeavor.  And those who do so regularly will tell you that it is never about the destination ............. it's the journey.  The people.  It is about the senses.  That is why I always find it odd when I hear that so many never left their town or village to travel.  In Africa ...... WE TRAVEL.  By foot, dug out canoe on the Zambezi, chapa (our local taxi transport - where you really need to know your Saviour before you embark) or plane.  Africa is a moving continent.

As I am getting ready to travel to Kenya (luckily not by foot) I drove down through Mozambique from north to south to eventually get a plane to Kenya.  And my goodness ........... was that interesting.  The waves, smiles, police stops, conversations, police stops, waves, laughter, police stops .......... amazing!  The sights and sounds of Mozambique are jaw droppingly (is there even a word like this  fantastic. A few interesting moments and secrets .............. will now be revealed.

SECRET 1:  Always start your travels very early - and don't forget to eat breakfast while the roads are still good.
This will help you to recover earlier.

SECRET 2:  Yes, that is a road and not a river.  The Chinese is currently busy reconstructing the main road in Mozambique.  They forgot about the late April rains after destroying more than 60 km of roads in this section.   Hidden secret:  Drive as fast as you can while you keep your passenger as calm as possible.

SECRET 3:  The palm tree forests are a must to see.  Always stop and admire the view.  Without official resting stops (if you know what I mean) these forests will hide you when nature calls unexpectedly.

SECRET 4:  Rest on the way ............. did I not mentioned that already?  The beaches and fisherman are always extremely friendly and are always willing to share their "catch of the day" ........... at a price off course.

SECRET 5:  Truck are bigger than pick-ups.  Get out of the way on narrow roads!

SECRET 6:  Be kind to animals.  We met Clementine on the beach.  Yes .... a pig on the beach and he surfs too.  He has an amazing ability to bodysurf ......... seriously!

SECRET 7:  Keep your eyes open for spare parts ..... you might just need them.

PHOTO BELOW:  Arriving in the capital of Mozambique, Maputo ..............at last.