If there is something many kids in rural Mozambique does not own then it must be a good pair of shoes. Many of our school kids walk an average of 8 km per day to get to our bush school. Some have to cover more than 16 km through the bush and rivers. But day after day they arrive .... barefoot. Most of them never had the privilege to have their own pair of shoes.
As 'prayer' would have it .... we received help from the south. Mellville Botha and Rudi van Tonder visited us from as far as Polokwane to make our dream a reality. He had boxes of shoes with him. Mellville saw the need a few months ago as they visited us with an outreach team. Needless to say .... the kids were ecstatic when we shared the news with them. Owning your own pair of shoes for the first time was just to much for some as they couldn't stop laughing. It was ...... seriously contagious throughout the more than 150 kids that lined up.
Christmas arrived early! After fitting the shoes (many of them absolutely brand new) some struggled at first to get going ....but once they got the feel of it .... they kept on walking! We had to stop a few in the process .... priceless to experience.
SUPERMAN shoes!
Brand new school shoes.
My personal favorite.
GOOD NEWS WILL TAKE THE 'GOOD NEWS' MUCH FURTHER
Just as I though I have seen the best for the day - much to my surprise a deep longing and a prayer that I have been quietly praying for some months now, has been answered in a spectacular way. My Jesus-film equipment has been in service for the last 10 years but after a decade their time was nearing its end. I told no one .... and yet again to my surprise God answered. Through some great friends I was provided with BRAND NEW equipment to continue a ministry that is very close to my heart. I have seen thousands of people finding joy (and Jesus) through the Jesus film ministry.
I mean .... when GOD gives .... he gives in a way that makes your jaw fall! God is so gracious and He is using people who is willing to go the extra mile. The equipment that was received was very expensive but God made a way through the hearts of HIS people. And yet again (shamefully) my socs have been blown off by GOD's nature.
Mellville from Polokwane handed over the brand new generator, lights and a new
contraption he designed to put up our movie theatre.
Seriously need to thank all of you for not forgetting our kids and all the projects we run through HIS grace. Without you we would never have been able to show God's love in a practical way. Thank you for being a co-worker with us and Christ!
South African fighter aircraft on a training mission over a cold and snowy South Africa.
Photo: www.dieburger.co.za
So while South Africa is covered in snow in various places and many people try to stay warm during power cuts in other places we have had very nice warm days in the bush reaching 30 degrees C on some days. Weeks are flying by and the last few weeks feels like being on auto-pilot. I know we are flying .... but it goes by soooooo quick! We have had a busy week with Women Seminars and Intensive Training Seminars with more than 50 leaders from all over Mozambique. (Blog postings to follow!)
BUT .... through all of this we have had great visitors too from Polokwane helping us with training and outreaches. And through all the activities we even had time to prepare for a nice BBQ (read: BRAAI as we call it in Africa!) It was a BRAAI with a difference though as I took our visitors for a braai at a "higher altitude" as normal.
They say meat tastes different at higher altitudes .... so we tried it out! We went up
a hill and tried it out - carrying even our small "braai"! We call everything here a "braai"!
ACTION! One of our visitors making sure that the precious cargo on the fire does not
become a "burnt offering".
Just showing off .... and trying to convince everyone that I can actually "braai".
GORILLAS IN THE MIST:
A quiet moment as we are contemplating on our good plate of food.
Urs Bricker ... our Swiss social pedagogue decided that table manners is not needed
in the bush. He enjoyed lying down while he was eating.
Urs Bricker has given up 2 months of his personal time to travel all the way from Switzerland, the Alps, the snowy peaks, green parks, flowing rivers ..... and oh my goodness .... the Lindt Chocolate factory to come and help out on the mission base in old dusty Mozambique.
Urs is a social pedagogue who helps kids in distress to find their way back in life. Come to think of it .... he is a compass giver and has done this successfully for the last 7 years. Not just did he cross the Alps he also walked with a group of teenagers across the Alps to the coast of Italy as a character building effort - he also speaks Japanese. Imagine that! A Japanese speaking Swiss German who is working in Portugeuse Africa. But for us - we call him the man with the smiling eyes. He has a joke ready when you least expect it and always a wise word or two.
So when Urs asked me to see some wildlife in Mozambique I decided to take him to the well known Gorongoza Game park in Central Mozambique. He was looking for lion and elephant .... so the hunt was on. (All photos taken in the Gorongoza Game Park)
We saw some amazing Nile crocodiles. Fat and overweight if you ask me!
Bushbuck in the Gorongoza. A very shy buck that won't stay to long for a picture.
Waterbuck - the round circle on his backside usually gives him away. (Looks like a "she" with
the eye-shadow!
We witnessed some amazing birdlife in the park.
Warthog is plentiful and running around everywhere.
The Gorongoza Game Park has been upgraded and service is friendly
and professional in English and Portugese.
Urs Bricker (left) and Andy Kuret both Swiss German gentleman
ready to hunt for lion and Elephant. The new restaurant was a welcome site after a sunny day.
At last .... elephant. Elephants in the park are very shy and are not use to tourists.
After driving on un-drivable roads we at last saw some really wild elephant. Urs was ecstatic.
The bush was beautiful in the park and a true African scenery followed us throughout the park.
I've just said goodbye to a few great groups of people visiting us as you know by now. As I am writing this they have already reached their destinations and have been re-united with their families and loved ones. When I work with amazing teams like these, I always have to ask myself the question whether it is worthwhile. There’s a lot of preparation that goes into an outreach like this. The people making the trip are investing huge amounts of money and when they leave, they want to know that they have made a difference.
Teaching ladies how to knit.
Karien from Blouberg Congregation getting a few lessons from on of the ladies on how to knit.
It was a true cross cultural experience for both.
There's a number of arguments against short-term outreaches. Why go to a far-off country if there is so much need right where you are? And this is indeed a very valid argument. A few things can be said about this. It's never one or the other. Do what God wants you to do, whether it’s close or far. The downside of this argument (and the most people using this argument, in my experience, fall into this category) is that people are actually saying: If you get involved in another place, you make me feel guilty.
Somebody has to take care of the local needs and if you’re not here to do it, then who will? So rather remain behind, take care of the local needs and I can go on with my life. Or something to that effect. If someone goes on a mission trip to avoid getting involved locally, then that is wrong. But the reality is that many people return from a mission trip abroad and get more involved in the local community, because often people undergo a heart change while on a mission trip.
A scene that totally captured my attention. Niell, a young student from South Africa
praying for a blind lady at a church service. In a "normal" church he would have probably never had
the opportunity to pray for someone in need.
The other argument is that the money could rather have been sent to the country where the outreach would have taken place. This sounds logical. Unfortunately it won’t happen. We need to see and feel and smell and taste the needs of people, before we will really get involved with this. And, in any case, for too long have we seen people writing out cheques while relaxing in front of their TVs, believing that they have then fulfilled their mission obligation. Obviously not everybody can go on a short-term outreach.
But those who do, need to go back to their own communities and become advocates for the cause to which they were exposed, wherever that may be.
Dwayne Luddick(left) a young theology student preaching for the first time using
an interpreter.
I have seen the positive effects of short-term outreaches. When done in the right way, with the right attitude, with a teachable spirit, focused on building relationships rather than just solving problems, short-term outreaches can possibly become the greatest learning school that any Christian can be exposed to.
A visiting group sharing with a group of mourners at a funeral. Now where else could you do that
at home?
AND HOW DOES ALL OF THIS MAKES THE COMMUNITY FEEL?
Worshipping together. As on lady told me after the service: "We would have never ever
gotten the opportunity to meet other brothers and sisters from neighboring countries serving the same God,
if you didn't bring the along!"
Another special moment that captured my attention!
HOLISTIC APPROACH
Due to the holistic approach we follow we use short term groups to touch communities
in a wide range of activities and upliftment projects. We even had Dr. Henri Weideman (Theology and Leadership)
getting wood ready for a roof!
Margaret Weideman teaching kids how to paint by using a potato.
No fear as Ansonette (Bellville Congregation) tackles a government school in Pina. We try
to color in all government schools to create an atmosphere of learning with the kids in the bush.
Always time for soccer!
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE GROUP
Time to leave again. Naomi van Loggerenberg (WEN - Win the Nations - Goodwood Congregation) leaving the base. We tried 10 years to get her here too ..... and eventually persistent prayer paid off!
The team from Blouberg (Table View Congregation) sharing a moment.
Another team we have had long relationships with on the mission base arrived shortly after the Stellenbosch team left. And yes ... you are correct - we have been thoroughly blessed by all the great friends caring for Mozambique. Henri Weideman, a friend I have known for more than 20 years arrived with a group of nearly 30 people ranging from nearly 80 to the youngest member, 13 years of age. Henri Weideman was probably the reason why I am a transformational engineer today when he introduced me to the concept of living a "true mission".
HOW TO CROSS A BORDER POST SAFELY!
Crossing borders through an average of 3 countries at a time can be hazardous for your health!
A lot of prayer and grace is needed as many groups carry materials, clothing and food to make it through the trip.
The group, consisting out of 3 different congregations (Bellville, Blouberg and Goodwood) arrived quietly through the borders after 52 hours from Cape Town. Without wasting much time they got into the groove quickly by helping us with the many jobs on the base. After a short introduction on the ministries and visiting some of them the team chose the areas they were interested in. From painting our bush schools to helping government schools many buildings and lives were coloured in.
GOD USES MOZAMBICANS TO CHANGE THOSE WHO CAME TO HELP!
We were totally blessed by the inward changes God was doing throughout the team. As many members kept on telling us: "It is not so much the Mozambicans that are changed through our coming but rather us that are being changed inwardly through their commitment and lives!"
Mozambican ladies praying for one of our visitors.
Visiting ladies paying a visit to one of the "SUMUKAI" lady schools in Macadeira.
"An old dog can learn new tricks!"
As we listened to the team witnessing how they were changed by the Mozambicans, Dwight recalled one story that was quite amazing: Willie ( a 65 year old South African gentleman) should really not have come on the trip because he recently had back surgery, and a 52 hour bus ride would normally discourage even those in fairly good health. But he felt he had to come and Henry, the pastor leading the short-term mission had the courage to bring him along.
“I don´t know why I had to wait this long in my life or why I had to come to Mozambique for this to happen,” said Willie, “but for the first time ever I had the courage to lay my hands on someone and pray publicly for them.” Willie went on to share how he had never even been able to say grace publicly, but since praying for a needy person in Mozambique, he has been set free and has prayed out loud a number of times now. The excitement and transparency with which Willie shared touched us all.
Don´t ever give up on yourself and your Heavenly Fathers amazing ability to take you to a new level of faith and experience!
To give you some highlights of what the team achieved during their time here is nearly impossible! I will cover their story with photos in 2 posts!
BRINGING HOPE
Dr. Henri Weideman handing over some Bibles to Past. Tome Mabuleza. Bellville Congregation
is one of our main supporters when it comes to helping us getting scarce Bibles to communities in the bush!
Even the local government school in Mucombeze was blessed with sports equipment. The Director of the school (the more serious gentleman) Senhor Almeida receives the soccer balls with his sports teacher, Maria acknowledging the gift.
So what do we do when groups arrive on the base and how do they meaningfully change poverty around us? Is there still a place for short term "outreach"? See our next posting on how we tackle these questions?
Twelve disciples left the winelands, Stellenbosch, South Africa on a cold morning. Destination: Central Mozambique. On a scale of 1 to 10 we would probably rate 1 on any tourism brochure. I mean it's bush, more bush and 500 km later more bush. It's just that sort of place. To come here you really need to have lost loved ones or want to be part of something bigger.
Stellenbosch in its full glory!
Ok ...ok ... I know you get the full story. But our Stellenbosch team gave a lot up to travel more
than 6 000 km up and down to get to us.
Stellenbosch Congregation sent a team for a week to find out exactly what we are up to here in the bush. The vision of Stellenbosch Congregation is to assure that they can make a difference in this world through following Christ in community. Without hesitation they tackled the adventure .... with interesting consequences. As usual my directions were ...... well about 5,7 km out and the team stood on a lonely road in the dark trying to send sms's to my phone (which I never carry around!). They were looking for a white painted entry (which looked quite white to me) but was actually gray. If you looked carefully at the individuals who travelled from Stellenbosch Congregation you would find out that 100 % of them are extremely successful leaders in business, community development, farming and other areas of expertise. Their brain capacity is enormous .... (most are left brain functional) so I was so glad I was not in the vehicle as they were trying to make plans to find me in the "jungle". As I was worried I patrolled the long stretch of road with my motorbike ..... only to find their vehicle very close to our base. Their faces lit up when I pulled aside - reassuring them that I was not a South African hi-jacker! After setting up camp my transformational agents made sure to remind me of my faulty directions ... over and over again (I think it was the left brain thing again - being analytical an all!!!). Their stories of being "robbed" at border posts are ones that are not just sad but very common. But .... they have crossed the border into the unknown successfully!
And what an amazing team they were. We scouted our communities days on end showing them the great people of Mozambique. Although we have great and enormous projects running daily - it really is about the people ... ALL the time.
Explaining our vision: "To love GOD and to love PEOPLE, so that others can love GOD and love PEOPLE" can only be fully understood when you visit the base in Mozambique. The group from Stellenbosch Congregation understood!
To package their ordeal and experiences can only be done with photos .... so let me share that with you as our friends learned the laws of the bush:
1. BUSH LAW 1 - TACLE ALL TRANSPORT AS DIGNIFIED AS POSSIBLE
The Stellenbosch ladies being transported to some of the ministries in the bush!
2. BUSH LAW 2 - DO IT THE AFRICAN WAY
Visiting the Women's Ministry - Simukai and sharing a lighter moment.
3. BUSH LAW 3 - CONTEMPLATION
Louise Fourie, Community Engineer from Stellenbosch Congregation in a deep contemplating mood.
Eunice, our Women's Ministry national co-ordinator explaining how to teach literacy to women.
4. BUSH LAW 4 - YOU WILL HAVE THE BUSH PAPARADZI WITH YOU ALWAYS
5. BUSH LAW 5 - TEAMWORK MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
The team decided to paint our entry wall WHITE as to overcome my color blindness.
6. BUSH LAW 6 - BANKERS MAKE GOOD PREACHERS
Dirk Ehlers, banker from Capitec RSA, bringing a good message for the huge Sunday crowd
in the church. Mathew Hurekure is his interpreter for the occasion.
