Running Again!

We are busy settling in and have made quite the progress since we have been here a little over a week. When we returned we found many things not working....our car, my printer, internet, electricity, security lights, the gardener, etc. but thankfully almost everything is now up and running. (Okay - the internet is running on occasion!)  All these issues are quite minuscule in comparison to the stories of those we have returned to see. The three activistas above are the three Maria's - Maria Luisa, Maria de Fatima and Maria Verniz. Maria Luisa just lost her husband to a sudden illness.  Maria Verniz's 12-year-old son was recently brutally murdered, and Maria de Fatima has been by their side each day comforting them because she is very familiar with loss. In just one short week I am reminded that the chasm between our cultures is deep and the needs here are great. We are thankful for the opportunity God gives us once again to be here with our Christian brothers and sisters and to encourage and help them as God leads us.

This is the rainy and hot season (did I say hot?....oh, my) and it is fun to see the little boys trying to fish in ditches and puddles with a stick and string.  I stopped by a group of boys by our house and asked them if they were REALLY catching fish.  One boy piped up, "Sim!  Mostra! (Yes!  Watch!) and immediately proceeded to cast his line out in the ditch.  Sure enough....out came a fish....a mighty small fish at that!  One gulp and that fish will be gone.

We are gearing up for building the Green Door houses.  Phil and Manuel have started the blocks and I have been gathering information from hopeful recipients of a GD house. An elderly man from Macharote asked me to consider him and his wife as he lives in a very small mud house.  I am always intrigued when I hear the stories of the elderly because they have lived through Mozambique's civil war.  José shared with me that he had lived a very common life under the Portuguese rule. Although he never received an education he could find jobs fairly easily and was happily married with a young son. Then the Portuguese left and the civil war began. One day the soldiers came and singled out six women and shot them by firing squad.  His wife was one of the women.  His mother-in-law then took his young son and raised him.  He remained single most of his life and in recent years married again. It is difficult to find a job in this land of extreme poverty but especially so without an education and being elderly. But José is a gardener at the Ray of Light clinic and Tessa Grace nutrition center. He walks miles to get to work each day but is thankful for his job. He is just one of so many that are in need of a house. My prayer is that many people will consider that only $2000 can really change a life here for the better and donate towards a Green Door home! 

You can read about more recipients and learn how you can donate at:

http://www.childrensrelief.org/greendoor/

(more recipients being uploaded this weekend!)

Returning to Moz

It doesn't seem like it has been only a little more than 5 months since we were in Moz but tomorrow morning we start our journey back.  First we will be at our annual meeting in Rockwall, TX with Children's Relief International as they host all the board and staff. Then we will journey from Dallas to Dondo on Tuesday.  As I write this it sounds so simplistic and easy but so much goes into the blessing of returning each year.

This will be our 8th year and our 14th trip to Dondo.  In a whirlwind of visiting family in several states, sitting by my sister in hospice for three weeks as she said goodbye to the only love of her life, handling the notoriously busy holidays, speaking at churches and raising more money for the various projects. and after many hugs and goodbyes, we are now sitting in a motel ready to catch the oh-so early flight.

What waits for us on the other end is never easy either.  We return to the intense heat of the tropics in the midst of their rainy season. There is a critical power shortage in Beira and Dondo due to a major breakdown at a sub-station in Manica. This has resulted in huge losses to businesses including the shut-down of the grocery store where we buy our food.  Refrigerators and freezers can't maintain food in the intense heat so food is rotting.  Fans aren't whirring so those that normally have electricity are not able to get relief. But all of this is small in comparison to the usual sadness that so many experience in Dondo.

One of our activistas, Maria, suffered the loss of her oldest son who could not have been more than 12 or 13.  He was murdered on a Saturday night.  Two years ago her nephew was found dead at the bottom of a well.  Most often these deaths remain a mystery. In a land of witchcraft, high crime, and corruption it is difficult to find answers.  My heart hurts for Maria.  But God knows and He sees all and He loves the people of Dondo. God can bring good from evil as He did for Joseph in order to save His people. And He amazingly chooses His people like you and me to minister this message of Hope in the midst of suffering.

We are looking forward to what God has in store for us this year. We invite you on this journey with us as I share the stories of Dondo.  Thank you for your continued support in prayer and love in the days ahead.