Our Mozambique Journey

New functions on web page

2011-03-05T11:45:00.000-08:00

2011 has been a very busy year already. Alan spent almost 4 weeks with 2 African preachers visiting the rural churches. More than 200 decisions were made during the preaching services.

We have a new function on our Training Center web page. We are now able to receive offerings through PayPal. All offerings made through this giving channel will be receipted through our Mission Office.

www.ctbm.org

Thank you to all those who have prayed for us. The work is going well; the funds are coming in for the Center construction; and the Lord is blessing with souls saved and believers encouraged.

Alan

Victories

2010-09-17T02:17:00.000-07:00

In the last ten days we have enjoyed several victories in our ministry.

1. We received our residency papers for the first year. This is a great victory and we praise God for this quick response to our request. Last time it took 6 months and more money than good sense would allow.

2. We purchased a used Toyota truck for use in the work. It has already been a great blessing to the work and we are leaving on our first trip into the bush on Sunday.

3. Bible institute classes were started four weeks ago and things are going well. Our group has grown to 9 and the students are beginning to grow. (not without a few growth pains though!!)

We are so thankful for the prayers of God's people. You enable us to do the work.

Dondo, Sofala
17 September, 2010

Church services in Dondo

2010-08-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

Today we had a good service in the church in Dondo. We were happy to receive nine adult visitors in the morning during the Sunday School and Worship service. Our group is growing and we are seeing believers grow and new people that have not been in any church, attend our services.

August 22, 2010

On Saturday of this week we began our first Bible Institute classes with 6 students from the local church in Dondo. In the beginning this group is studying basic discipleship but we plan to move on to further Studies in Bible Doctrine after an initial period of study.

Young people doing skit and singing

Thank you for praying for us and our coworkers.

A & K

Back in Africa

2010-08-17T04:12:00.000-07:00

Here we are again...back in Mozambique. It is soooo good to be back. Our entry has been one constant blessing. The Lord gave us a wonderful house to live in, (see pictures) and we have a great group of people to work with in the church in Dondo. We have been involved from the beginning helping in the founding and growth of this new church.

What a blessing it was to be in the first service since coming back. The people prepared a lunch for the whole church on the grounds and we had a great time getting to know the new people in church. Brother Chocane and his wife Janete, (our coworkers) are expecting the birth of a child any day now. Please pray for them.

Child birth in Mozambique is no laughing matter. One of our neighbors at the church just buried his wife who died during child birth; her first child. The baby survived. He got home from the hospital with a heavy heart to find out that his landlord had turned him out and he was now homeless also. This is an all too familiar story here where unemployment is close to 70%.

We start Bible institute classes on Saturday and are expecting 10 local students at least. We are working to get our site license to begin building on the property so we can bring in out-of-town students for two month block classes.

The church in Dondo has started a mission work in Muda about an hour from here. We hope that this new work will continue to grow and be a light to that community.

Thank you for your prayers.

A & K

The house from the front road.

Faith Baptist Church of Dondo, Mozambique

Alan preaching in Portugues, brother Chocane interpreting in Sena

Back to Africa

2010-06-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

After an arduous year of working with the churches and the government in the country of Mozambique, we have finally received our entry visas to return to Mozambique. At the end of July, we will be flying back to Africa. Thank you to all who have prayed for us. We will be shipping a 20 foot container of Bibles and literature sometime after returning and we would ask you to pray that everything would go well with getting this material into the country. What a blessing these Bibles will be to the people.

In Ohio...??!!

2009-11-06T11:23:00.001-08:00

Well, our journey in Mozambique has recently led as to Ohio. No, that is not a city in northern Mozambique, it is the Buckeye State in the USA! Difficulties with our residency paperwork have caused us to temporarily remove to the States. We hope to be back on the field in the very near future. Until then, its Wagons HOOO!! Travelling and working in our home church has been a real blessing. The Lord has given us a number of opportunities to help when help was needed. Thank you Lord.

In the water...

2009-08-20T07:55:00.001-07:00

Well, here we go again...

The river, I think that is what I was talking about. Well, best I can tell, it was full of water. But there were other nefarious little buggies running, or swimming as it were, in that there water. As I think I mentioned, I was baptizing four men in the river near Murrambala, Mozambique, which is the central highlands area of the country. We had gathered to fellowship and preach for about 7 days. What a blessing the fellowship was with these precious preachers.

These men had never been baptized even though they were doing a great work for God. This was the first time that I had the chance to get them into water and I can tell you they were so excited to be obeying the Lord in baptism. I have baptized others before but never with so much enthusiasm. We stood on the creek bank and worshipped God together, raising a stone of Ebenezer to our Lord. What a blessing.

On July 30, we found it necessary to return to the US for a short period of time in order to reapply for our residency papers. Problems with the government and now with the sponsoring church have caused us to return until we can return to the work which God has called us to. Our sponsors were not able to take care of required paperwork for us so we are awaiting a letter of request from a new sponsor. We feel that this is nothing more than speed bumps on the road to victory. Praise the Lord!!

Thanks for tuning in. Until the next time...

Further Ramblings

2009-07-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

...anyway, as I was saying to me the other day, "self, you gotta get it together and update your blog more often." As Myself sat there silently, not knowing what to say, I continued, "it's just not right to leave all those people hanging, waiting to see what you will say next." It was at that precise moment, that the other me decided to be smart and say, "get off my back, I'm not the one that talks to himself, after all." Which is to say, "people aren't just hanging around the water cooler of life, wondering what you will say." Well, I can tell you I was not prepared for an comment like that, so I am still trying to think up a return comment when that other guy shows up here again.

If you got this far, then my friend, you are brave, or as nutty as myself!

We have been so busy since the last posting, although myself would tell all of us that is no excuse for not writing. Several trips to churches in the districts provided for lots of fun experiences.

1. In June, I spent a week with some African preacher friends from several of the churches for a conference. We had a great time of fellowship and planning for the future. I was allowed to preach several times which I always enjoy.

2. Needless to say, our time was not dull. I slept on African rush mats, the four of us preachers in one small room. Well, until I felt something running up my leg, then my chest and across my face... ...RAT!!!! (sorry, couldn't get a picture but I think your imagination is running wild right now.) After the third night of his roving, I just decided to make room for him on the mat in case he was tired.

3. Then, in the second place we were, we had traveled all day, and I mean ALL day; in a small truck, across the river on a barge, then in the front of a 18 wheeler truck for the last four hours down one of the worst roads I have seen yet. (And believe me they have some real humdingers)

About 10 PM that night, when I was really ready to give in to the onslaught of mosquitoes and tiredness, it was my turn to preach. My friend, Chocane had to wake me so that I could wax eloquent. It was more like waxing elephants at that point. Anyway, I have to praise the Lord that He gave me a few clearheaded moments. (myself just said, that must have been a new feeling for me) See what I have to put up with!!

Anyway, what a trip. More to follow including pictures when it doesn't matter anymore. Thanks for your prayers. There are more scary details to the trip but I will save them or another post.

Thanks for tuning in. Until the next time...

More pictures to follow later...

...don't tell me you never did!!!

Pungue river crossing

Zambezi River crossing

boys from the tire picture

...on the way to the river to baptize!!

...freezing in an African river full of...find out next post...

Been a while...

2009-05-23T11:31:00.000-07:00

I know, it has been a while since I have posted. We have been so very busy, it has been hard to get here to do the update.

First of all, I have been working on getting the material ready for six hours a week of Bible Institute training ready for school start. Well, we started classes this last Monday with 16 students. Some are from the main congregation in Beira and others are from two of the three mission works. No pictures yet, but they will be forthcoming soon.

We have planned a two year program comprised of three trimesters of 12 weeks. Three weekly classes for a total of six hours a week. Two young men in the church are helping teach the classes as they have been previously trained in another institute. We thank the Lord for this good start.

There are plans for a training session in Nampula in August, where we should have about 20 church leaders for two weeks. You might remember that I spent ten days visiting churches in the Nampula area earlier this year.

Also, the following pictures are of a recent trip to Dondo, about 40 minutes from Beira by car. We were invited to preach and teach there on a Sunday morning. This small church is led by our good friend, Chocane. He and his wife have been a great blessing to us. He is also being used of the Lord to start a church in his home town of Marromeu , which is located near the mouth of the Zambezi river.

Thanks for your prayers. God bless. Until the next time...

Beira Mansion

2009-04-09T03:01:00.000-07:00

(Editor's note: the whole house is not ours, just one apartment)

Well, the Beira Mansion is in Spring Cleaning, only here it is not Spring, it is Fall. But while Kathy is still seven days from coming home from her world tour, the house slave is using his time to freshen up the digs. Painting and cleaning are in order along with trying to figure out where the rats are getting in. What was it the translators said, cavil will enter wherever there is an opening to enter. I am sure that is not a direct quote but its close.

Anyway, things are getting spruced up, as the English say, we're redding up the house. Is that right Jim? If not, you get the idea. Why spruce and not pine I have no idea. Ideas are a little slow in reaching my brain these days anyway. (missing the rib a lot) Some would say that is a permanent condition. Oh well, as Mike A. said, if you only knew.

Thanks to all those friends that pass by here, sorry the content isn't more intelligent but I have not the equipment! The keyboard refuses to translate my words into something more legible. Guess it's time to replace the keyboard; or the loose nut on the mouse; one or the other.

Have a great day. Keep praying for us that God will use us here in His work. Thanks for tuning in. Until the next time...

Nampula Church Visits Wrapup

2009-03-30T12:28:00.000-07:00

Well, the trip is over and I am back in the Beira Mansion. One day I will take a moment and explain to you why it is called the Beira Mansion, not today I think. I am home from my trip to Nampula. It was restful but also very fulfilling in that I was able to visit three different areas in the Nampula Province and preach in three different places. In each place, several churches came together to greet me and hear the preaching. It was wonderful to hear the testimonies of how the work is progressing.

These churches were all started under the ministry of one man, Momade de Silva. Momade is just one of those guys you like immediately when you meet him; instinctively. Ex military and still a soldier for Christ. What a blessing. May God continue to increase His work through this dear brother and his coworkers. Momade was one of my students last year when we held the training session in the Fall. I can see in him as I have in others that they have taken what we gave them and multiplied it. Praise the Lord!

Here are a couple more pictures for you. Thank for tuning in. Until the next time...

Districts of Nampula

2009-03-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

Today was a long day of visiting three churches in one of the districts near the city of Nampula. Here are some pictures. What a blessing to be with these people. This is my first visit to these churches and the Lord blessed the visit greatly.

Tomorrow, more visits to end up the week. Thanks for tuning in. Until the next time...

What a trip!

2009-03-25T00:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I was invited to hike back into a somewhat remote area around Nampula, actually still considered to be in the area of the city, but...

...it took a hour to get back to where three churches had met to greet me. I met with the leaders and a representative group of people from three churches in the same general area. The Lord blessed the meeting. It was the first time for me to preach and be interpreted into the Makua language. Where we live in Beira, the languages are Sena and Ndau. I don't speak these either but I do understand some of the words. They have a lot of Portuguese mixed in so sometimes I can actually follow the context more or less.

I preached on John 3:16, about how God loves us and how He showed His love and what our response should be, as lost sinners or as saved people. We had about 35 in attendance. This was a called meeting and not one of their normal service times and I was very blessed that so many came to greet me. They also had quite a hike into the church as the three congregations met in one of the locations together. Thank you, Lord for an excellent day. Even though it was rough walking in, it was very refreshing to my soul to be with the people.

My days in the translator's camp in Nampula are now on the decline, being fewer left than the ones I have passed here. It has been a real blessing and very restful. Thank you, Lord.

Thanks for tuning in. Until the next time...

A picture is worth...how bout two?

2009-03-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

Road Show Part 2

2009-03-21T06:13:00.000-07:00

From the translator's base camp in Nampula, Mozambique

Wow, I was looking for a little calm from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis of Beira and did I find it or what!?
I was sitting out front of my little room here in my exile, feeling a bit like that dude with the volleyball. Really, nobody in sight and no human sounds, and then...
...yes, that was really a bird singing in the quiet. I have been enjoying the kind of quiet that I used to enjoy as a boy in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Up good ole Spring Gulch, behind the house on the mountain. The kind of quiet you can hear. Maybe that sounds strange but if you know what I mean, well then, you know what I mean.
Now it is raining but it has been cool and very nice all day. A blessing just to be able to rest and study God's Word and a few good books. I am reading "Grace for Godly Living" by Paul Chappell and really enjoying it. I recommend it.
I also brought a book called "The Glory of the Ministry" by A.T. Robertson. Again, an excellent book that I find myself rereading. One more is the small volume in Portuguese which in English is called "Chosen but Free". As with many of his books, I really enjoy this one from Norman Geisler.
Anyway, I thought I would check in from this side of the planet.

Thanks for tuning in. Until the next time...

Road Show

2009-03-19T23:07:00.000-07:00

Quiet reigns in the Beira Mansion as the boss lady is out of town for a few days. So the house slave decided to go on vacation for a bit while she is not on vigil to keep him straight. While this may not be humorous to you, you might have to see it to believe it. But have faith, things are not worse then they appear to be even if they are also not better than they appear.
Nampula SIL translators camp in northern Mozambique is my temporary digs. Although somewhat smaller than the Beira Mansion, they are adequate for a couple of days of R & R. (Sorry for the jargon, I am sure your dictionary will explain it to you if you don't understand) It is very quiet and peaceful which is a nice break from the hussle and bussle of the city. Sleep, prayer and Bible study are on the menu for me today. Hope your day is good.

Thanks for tuning in. Until the next time...

Cats and dogs

2009-03-18T01:59:00.000-07:00

It's raining cats and dogs. While it is a cute saying, I have neveer seen it actually rain domestic animals. Back in the good ole US of A, in the great state of Kansas, I am sure you could see it rain a lot of things, especially after a tornado scoops them up to rain them somewhere else. But here at the Beira Mansion, there are no rains with pets. Just rain; and when it rains, it is serious, believe me. Many years spent in the Azore Islands taught us just how much water could actually fall from the sky. There we had the advantage that most of the time, the rain would run off quickly into the ground. Here it just sits, makes mud and mosquitoes and is a pain. Great if you are a rice farmer though.
Well enough for today from this side of the pond. Actually you can take your pick, Atlantic pond or Indian and Pacific ponds. We can smell the Indian Ocean from the house as it is just down at the end of the street.

Just for all you who actually read these blogs, no we still don't have any clue what will happen tomorrow. When you get there, maybe you could send me message back to let me know. Then I would be prepared.

Thanks for tuning in. Until the next time...

March Madness

2009-03-13T00:03:00.000-07:00

March Madness! Isn't that supposed to be basketball? Well here at the Beira Mansion, it is just business as usual. From having to deal with a rat trapped in the bathroom to trying to figure out how to tear out the wall to install a drain for the clothes washer, things are never dull.
Then there is that little detail of running to the doctor to find what is that critter burrowing in my leg!? And how do we get rid of it?! Oh yes my friends, the Shadow may know what lurks in the hearts of men, but he has no idea what is going to happen next, here at the Beira Mansion, along the seaside in sunny Mozambique. (and rainy, and hot) ((did I mention it was hot?))
Thanks for tuning in. Until the next time...

New Blog, New Post

2009-03-12T23:39:00.000-07:00

Well, here we go again. Welcome to our blog. Isn't what I am supposed to say? Anyway, here it is for better or worse. Hope you can keep track of us a bit through this page. God bless.