THE BEST IS NEVER BEHIND GOD'S CHILDREN - THE BEST IS ALWAYS AHEAD!!

AFRICA: TRANSFORMATION

2011-09-11T05:13:00.001-07:00

What fun it is to serve the Lord! He is always gracious and has such a sense of humor…..the latter shown to us at the local 8-lane bowling alley here in Maputo. Many of the boys in our camarata (dorm) have never seen a bowling alley, much less hold a bowling ball in their hands. I told the boys we were going on a field trip during the July holidays – and the night before I gave out new socks! Here in the bowing alley, you can bowl in socks, rubber-soled street shoes or barefoot. At least the boys would have new clean socks – and when we arrived, they opted for shoes also. As you can see from the picture, the boys all stood up and cheered one another on!!

A good time was had by all, and, who says you have to stick your fingers in the ball??! I encouraged the boys to go again – and dropped the hint that it was a great place to take a date – and the more, the merrier. I am sure we will be going again during the Nov-Jan school holidays.

In August, one of our Brazilian missionaries exchanged ‘I do’s’ with one of our Mozambican young men here in the center. Agostino, in his early 20s, has been a Christian role model for the boys and also in our transportation dept. as a driver for us. Clara, in her early 20s, has been with us two years, and they are a ‘match made in Heaven’. Agostino and I have been close friends ever since I came here and he showed me so much of Maputo and its history – now he is married! The Brazilian custom is to become engaged at the engagement party, and this was what they did so we missionary family could be a part of the happy occasion. Instead of the rings being placed on the left hand, the engagement rings are placed on the right hand ring finger. At the wedding, the rings are then placed on the left hand ring finger.

The All Africa Games (Olympics) are now in progress in Maputo. The stadium is a 20 minute walk from our center, and some of the venues are free, while other venues are about $2-$5 a ticket. I have only attended the Moz girls basketball game so far – will post pictures next blog. Swimming has proven to be of great interest – maybe because it has been 90F-105F since the games began. Of course, soccer (futbol) is packing out the stadium, as is basketball. So as not to be biased, I do have to say that Mozambique is not medalling well at all. We still have some time…games are not over until Sept. 18th.

As for me, I am preparing to visit America – family and friends – for the first time in 2 years and 8 months. God has provided for me to visit family in Texas and Mississippi, plus friends in Mississippi and Texas! I am quite excited to spend Thanksgiving with family and be brought back to this ‘century’ in the latest and greatest ‘stuff’ in the U.S.

Blessings to you and yours!

CHICKEN POX, VIRUS, CHILDREN’S DAY, DRAMA……..

2011-08-18T04:50:00.001-07:00

Oh what fun we have here! However, just like any where else in the world, we have our share of illnesses – seems the chicken pox just loves to hang out here at our center! Our babyhouse (36 1-4 year olds) has been off limits for almost a month now as chicken pox and rotavirus makes the round. We have isolated a few babies in the last couple of weeks to our prayer house, hoping to contain this last outbreak. Your prayers are so appreciated – not only for the children, but also for the people who are working 24/7 with this house…the nurses, dorm mothers, and the Mozambican tias (mamas) who live with these children. We have a little boy, Shelton, in the hospital at this time very ill – your prayers for his recovery would be a blessing.

The music program did their first presentation and it was terrific! This group has never performed like this before – new drummer, guitar, and keyboard players added to the excitement. The song was YOU ARE HOLY. We did it for church, then we were asked to do it for the two school assemblies. This month we will do it at Som De Seu (the Sound of Heaven) service in the city. God is blessing this ministry abundantly.

Our current project is dance to the song I AM. New drummer and bass player added and 7 new teens doing the dancing! Excitement, fun, hard work and lots of prayer is our key as we feel the anointing from the Lord even in our practices. We were privileged to have a team from Texas come to one of our practices and God directed them to lay hands on and pray for our team. It was fabulous.

Children’s Day….Christmas on June 1st, is always a blessing. The Camarata I oversee of boys 15-17 years of age, was brightly decorated with balloons and ribbon as we all shared in the giving and receiving of presents. Food was plentiful in the form of cake and jello, and we thank God for His abundant blessing upon us. Thank you to all who support this Camarata – especially this time of the year and for Christmas. You are such a blessing to us!

On the home-front – I am so excited to be visiting America the latter part of October and month of November. It will have been 2 years and 9 months since I been ‘home’, and I so look forward to seeing my family and friends once again.

That is it for this update……..more exciting news to follow in next blog later this week! Bowling, wedding, engagement, etc. Blessings to you and yours.

AFRICA: TRANSFORMATION

2011-05-24T03:19:00.000-07:00

Of which I am so privileged to be a part of here in Mozambique. April was such a busy month for me with catching up on the boys in Camarata Nova (dorm), and getting back into the ‘swing’ of things after my break in England and South Africa February and March.

May has been busy in preparation for Children’s Day June 1st. Thank you to those who have contributed toward this marvelous, fun-filled day. This month has also been awesome as the 15-18 year old girls have agreed to a discussion group once a week.

Our beautiful girl group!

We are going through the book by John and Stasi Eldredge titled ‘Captivating’. Yes, it is quite the challenge cross-culturally to bring the pages to life for the girls. God is good and, as the teacher, it is imperative the Holy Spirit do the “translating”. Needless to say, there is a lot of prayer and preparation required. This along with two other ‘discussion groups’ for the boys, keeps me on my toes!

One of the wonderful projects that has developed out of the girls group already is the puppet ministry! We had so much fun exploring the ‘heart of God’ using puppets. Three of the girls have taken this project to their heart and will make their ministry debut on Children’s Day – BIG step for them.

The music program is progressing quickly. Three of the boys who started in the program are now on various Worship Teams. God is so good!! They learn to play by ear – and so very quickly. In two weeks we will be dramatizing the song by Richie Clark titled ‘You Are Holy’. We are so excited and the costumes are almost done – even the wings for the angels (which has been a stress-factor for me).

Practice

School Assembly Team

The Lord has supplied a bass guitar to us, as the boys have been learning on an acoustic guitar (need an amp also). We also need a practice keyboard and electric guitar. We use the old church set of drums when available. We are praying for the Lord to add to our program some wind instruments. He has already provided a flute – now we are praying for a saxophone and trumpet. We believe God has them somewhere just waiting for us to ask for them – so we are asking and believing. Several more youth are on the waiting list to join the program, however, more instruments are needed before we can go much beyond guitar, bass and keyboard. Thank you for your prayers in this endeavor! God is so richly blessing…..

Stay tuned – more exciting things to come next month! Gotta git going, Children’s Day right around the corner!!

Blessings everyone!!!

SA HOLIDAY AND HOME TO MOZAMBIQUE

2011-04-12T13:45:00.001-07:00

March 16th I landed in Joburg SA to spend the rest of my holiday time with my ‘South African Family’ – actually four families. What a wonderful fun-filled time I had. From walking the golf course to making skirts, petting lion cubs and feeding giraffes, this has been a most terrific way to end my holiday! BIG THANKS to all of you in SA for making my visit be filled with memories I will cherish the rest of my life!

Jaco and his delightful family! Nessa, Karla, Quien and Anelka

Vilna and her delightfully, generous family!

Such a long tongue and big eyes!

Sooo soft and loves his paws scratched!

Exploring by Segway is great fun!

ZIMPETO – HERE I COME!!!

SOUTH AFRICA THEN ‘HOME’ – MOZAMBIQUE

2011-04-07T13:47:00.001-07:00

March 16th I landed in Joburg SA to spend the rest of my holiday time with my ‘South African family’ – actually four families! What a wonderful time I have had. From walking the golf course to making skirts, petting lion cubs and feeding giraffes, this has been a wonderful way to end my holiday! BIG THANKS to all of you in SA for making my visit be filled with memories I will cherish the rest of my life.

Zimpeto….here I come!!

SCHOOL IS OUT!!

2011-03-18T07:31:00.001-07:00

I so enjoyed Eagles-Wings School of Ministry for the month of February. I must confess though, the last week of school I so started looking forward to the adventure of ‘vacation time’. YIPPEE!! I travelled to Cheam (Surrey) to stay with my cousin for two weeks where I learned to prepare and eat lamb! So delicious…

Living in Mozambique for three years, I was not prepared for the freezing winter weather I was encountering. Thx, Gwen, for the boots, coats, sweaters and scarves! I bundled up during the week and met with friends who showed me the sights of London and Camden Town. Riding the train was a new experience for me – anxiety attacks the first day or two: ‘Am I on the right train? If not, I need to get off at next stop and turn around. If I can just get to Clapham Junction, I will know where I am.’ Anyway, all went well and I had no train catastrophes. PTL By the time I left, I was a ‘train riding’ pro.

After two weeks of a wonderful vacation of living the life of luxury, I boarded the plane for Joburg, South Africa. I luv Africa….it is so wonderful to be back – the weather is warm (yeah!) and I am so blessed with many South African friends I get to spend time with! Although I am not back in Mozambique until April 2nd, I am back in Africa and that puts me closer to my home (and kitty cat, Esperanza) at the center in ZImpeto Mozambique.

Thank you for following my blog. Stay tuned and you will be ‘introduced’ to the boys in my dorm this year. God has blessed me with 25 boyz ages 15-17 yrs. I am excited for what God is going to do with them and look forward to sharing with you. Blessings to you and yours……

England

2011-03-02T02:02:00.001-08:00

As you know, Jan. 29th I left my home in Mozambique for some rest and relaxation – time for a break! Jan. 31st thru Feb. 25th, I was privileged to attend Eagles-Wings School of Ministry where I learned and studied more about The Father’s Heart. Four weeks of intense biblical foundation - worship, dancing, Heavenly language, and prophetic word was a wonderful way to begin my time away. Many thanks to both Wakley families for making this possible and taking such good care of me. The pix below show part of the school facilities and myself with my best friend while attending school – the heater!! I am not used to the cold weather I am encountering.

On Saturdays the wonderful Staff at school took us sightseeing – beautiful old castles, Stourhead Gardens (scenes from Sense & Sensibilities), Dancing Ledge on the English Channel. We all

bundled up and enjoyed!

I am continuing my rest and relaxation time in London where I am staying with my cousin, Gwen. I look forward to seeing some of the people who have visited our center in Zimpeto the last two years. Am excited to catch up on their lives and attend church with two of them before I leave!

That is it from here……..Miss you Zimpeto!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

2011-02-14T14:16:00.001-08:00

Wow! Where did 2010 go?! As I begin my fourth year here in Mozambique with Iris Ministries, God is ever so continuing faithful and full of Grace. January has brought changes to Camarata Nova (my dorm) as 9 boys moved to the older dorm and I happily received 17 new 15-16 year olds. A good time was had by all as we scrambled for beds, sheets, blankets, etc. a review of dos and do nots..…I think we were pushing the envelope of our Directors – who are the most patient, lovely people God could have ever anointed be the Mother and Father of this children’s center. Being a dorm parent is incredible!

December 2010, during school break, 6 young men went to a Youth Conference with me up to Beira – a 16 hour bus trip! Since I am their fearless leader, I traveled by bus with them instead of flying….it was a lonng trip. However, what God imparted to each of the boys, they brought back to the center with them, and poured out to other youth. God is so changing lives in the youth here.

Looking forward to this year when old friends come to visit our center! I also am excited to make new friends of the visitors we will receive for the first time. We are so fortunate God smiles on us with visitors who make a difference when they are with us – the friendship-ring will be increased abundantly this year. I love being a part of the Hospitality Team!!

Currently I am freezing in Dorset County, England attending a School of Ministry regarding ‘The Father’s Heart’. It is very intense 9am-5:30pm Mon thru Fri (not used to being back in school)….however, I am learning so much about the TRUE love of our Father’s Heart. I pray for more spiritual growth and understanding about the Father, so He will use me more abundantly to spread His gospel throughout my daily walk with Him.

I pray many blessings from our Father to all of you. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. Looking forward to the most amazing year in ‘God Happenings’ in your country and mine!

To be continued……….

SUMMERTIME!!!

2010-10-16T11:07:00.001-07:00

Is almost here!! School will be out October 29th for the summer break – Nov/Dec/Jan. AND I do mean summer…temps to 126F last year. Maybe the Lord will smile MORE on us this year and keep the hottest temps at the most 110F. Most of us can at least still function at that temp – be it at the pool up the road or Indian Ocean!

Holidays coming up. I am told “Time flies when you are having fun” and I must be having a blast, because I cannot believe Thanksgiving and Christmas are almost here!! Celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving last Sunday with 4 Canadian missionaries. We Americans will band together and fix some of our traditional dishes – I hope the pumpkins I planted at the farm will be ready!

Christmas…! There are 25 teenage boys to buy for and at $10-$15 per boy, I am getting started. Iris gives funds for pants and a shirt, anything else purchased for gifts has come from my faithful supporters. Every year you have blessed my boyz! Thank you and God continue to bless you and yours abundantly! I hope to have everything completed by December 1st.

Praying about taking 5-10 boys up to Beira to attend a Spiritual Awakening Youth Conference the first week of December. Transportation is $100 each boy round trip on the bus…which takes 17 hours each way. Pray for funds to come in to make this trip possible (a first trip out of Maputo for some of the boys).

Upcoming events: Outdoor Concert on our soccer field and the Annual Talent Competition!!

Signing off until next time…….Blessings to you and yours!!!

MUMPS/CHICKEN POX, RIOTS, AND EXPANSION!!!

2010-10-16T09:33:00.001-07:00

That pretty well sums up the last couple of months here at the Zimpeto Children’s Center! Mumps and chicken pox made their debut in August and chicken pox has been debuting since September. However, the outbreaks seem to be lessening. Whew! You can imagine how relieved our nursing staff is!

I am sure most of you (as the rest of the world) heard and/or saw on TV the rioting that occurred here in Maputo and Zimpeto. Below are some pix taken through our front gate. A private-owned bus was tipped over, pulled across the road to block traffic and set on fire. Gunshots were heard in the streets and the community over our wall. A little teargas swept thru our center a couple of times – Ugh!! The center was locked down for three days and fun was had by all….especially the kidz because there was no school – no teachers could get here. God placed His protecting angels around our center and one could strongly feel the Holy Spirit’s presence during this time. The government finally stepped in and announced there would be no increase in the rice, bread and fuel…which was the main reason for the riots.

The farm is expanding!!! While we will raise many kinds of vegetables here, the main focus to feed the center consistently will be on couve, beetroot and lettuce. The first crop we have acocmplished consistently in producing is the couve. The last four weeks, three times a week, the farm has given couve to our kitchen to fed the center. God has blessed with great abundance of couve here in the sand! One plant weighed 5 kilos…which is big by any standard!

The beetroot production consistently is next. We have grown some large ones, however have not concentrated to supply the center. Now focusing on this delicious food product is terrific!

Lettuce grows so fast here. It has a short growth period as the Mozambicans eat the leaves and do not wait for the heart to be hearty like in America. It is good and we are ‘sorta’ consistent with feeding the center. Salads are usually twice a week and we are hoping for three times a week as we planted LOTS of tomato plants and lettuce this past two weeks. Our very first crop of carrots is looking great, too. The watermelons are well on their way to huge, as is the pumpkin. American sweet corn is growing again, and the boyz are sure looking forward to it. I took some of the first crop a few months ago and prepared it for them. It is the first time they have eaten American sweet corn, as the corn grown here is field, or maize, corn. I boiled it just right, dipped it in butter and salt! Ummm, ummm good!! The first crop of bush green beans was great! I cooked up a batch for our kitchen staff and for the boyz…all are asking for more! Thx, Mom, for the recipe..eventhough I found no saltpork – I used bacon.

Thx for your time in reading my blog! It is quite lengthy this time as I had some ‘catching up’ to do. I will endeavor not to wait so long to update again. Blessings all!!

Farm Update

2010-05-26T14:20:00.001-07:00

Last week lettuce, cabbage, and beets were planted on the farm. The next day when we went to work there, we found the birds had come and eaten almost all of our seeds and plants! So……at that time we had three young men from International House of Prayer in Kansas City visiting us for a week. The pix below show their remedy for keeping the birds away! I must admit….after we re-planted, all plants and seeds are still in the ground growing rapidly. Today we planted AMERICAN SWEET CORN and WATERMELON! I was given a gift of seeds from America including squash, pumpkin, egg plant, and black-eyed peas, to name a few.

Youth School Assembly!

2010-05-26T14:02:00.001-07:00

Today marked a tremendous breakthru given by God. Our ‘high school’ had its first School Assembly! Let me explain: we partner with another school who has leased our school facilities for their high school program in the afternoon. Our 8th-10th graders attend here, but our 11th and 12th grades are at the partner school within walking distance to our center – kinda like an ‘overflow’. History has informed us the founder of the partner school (who is no longer living) used to have a witchdoctor perform rituals at the school where these children have attended (and ours attend) at least once a month. In the past month a strange thing has taken place with no explanation: For no apparent reason, many of the school girls are fainting. In one week’s time, a total of 30 girls fainted. No one is hurt, they just faint. The boys are not affected at all.

We, as a Christian Center have been praying for our Lord to open a door for us to be able to bring God into the equation. Finally, the Mozambican Headmaster consented to a School Assembly once a week. Today was the first – 800 students!! It was fantastic and so orchestrated by God. The enemy did try to use a few of the girls to distract from what God was accomplishing.

One of our worship bands did the music and Steve, our Director, stepped forward to tell the students about our center and the faith we stand for. He also told them we would like to introduce them to our Jesus Christ if they did not know Him already. So, the foundation has been layed, and we are trusting God for a mighty revival at the school as time progresses. Baby steps first! We will be victorious!! Your prayers for the future of these students – as they are the future of Mozambique - greatly appreciated.

April Happenings!

2010-05-04T10:31:00.001-07:00

Hello all - another month gone! Unbelievable.....however, it has been another month that we have been privileged to have a deeper encounter with God and see his miraculous handiwork!

Ten new children joined us here at the center this month. We are so grateful God has given us the room and resources to accept these kidz. He sees that we have enough beds, blankets, food, and clothes through donations to keep accepting children who have no place else to go - except the streets. We had one eight-month old girl become one of God’s angels. Now she is watching over us all.

Easter was such a blessing. A drama was presented by a group of young people of all ages during our church service. From the 'Last Supper' to the 'Resurrection', the re-enactment of this part of Christ's life once again served to remind us all of His mercy and grace towards us. The message following was inspiring and everyone left the service uplifted in the Lord.

April is the Hospitality Team month to gear up for the coming visitor season! 2009 was a slow year for visitors due to the worldwide economy. 2010 is booked! We are excited to share our Zimpeto Children's Center with people from all over the world - and they are coming - Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, America, England...and that is just a few of the countries we receive visitors from. I am so excited to see everything God has for these people and how their lives are enriched forever! Of course, the deposit they leave here is incredible.

The conference I was part of in Beira, The Mark of a Woman, was divided into two sessions in the morning: 9am-11am +/- was a church service, and 11am-12pm +/- for classes on Intercession, Leadership, one for Business Women, and one for all the rest of the women attending the conference not involved in any of the other three groups. I spoke to the Intercession group one day, to Leadership the next, and to the rest of the ladies next. Then it was lunchtime, siesta time, and then back to church for the evening service.

On Saturday I went to the church children's orphanage. I had a great time with the kidz, spoke to the teenagers for a little and then taught them two new dances to dance in praise before the Lord. I must admit - after a hectic week of the conference...was nice to 'let my hair down' and be a kid! I asked myself "What have I done to deserve such fun, and riches, and blessings from my Lord?" The answer I received was "I know the desires of your heart and I love you." He is soooo good to me!!! The Pastor has invited me back for the Youth Conference in December. Please pray with me for God to provide a way for me to take 10 of the youth from here at the center with me - the roundtrip bus fare each person is $100US - to fly each person is $225US. God knows.

As April comes to a close, I am looking onward and upward to May and the beginning of plans for Children's Day. For those of you who are new to my newsletter, Children's Day is a National Holiday here in Mozambique. School is out and the day is treated like Christmas! Each child receives a gift of clothes and the dorm parent also buys gifts for each boy. For my dorm (camarata - 26 boys ages 15-18) among their presents is usually a carton of milk, peanut butter, toiletries, school supplies and some sort of 'fun' item. If you would like to contribute to this day, $10 covers the cost for one boy. You can donate online through my partner, The Cause, at www.thecause.org – or – mail to: The Cause, 365 NE Greenwood Avenue, Suite #1, Bend, Oregon 97001. You will receive a receipt for tax purposes.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers! God Bless you and yours.

Short Note

2010-04-13T11:33:00.001-07:00

With the winter season upon us here in Mozambique, cooler temps shall prevail!! Hallelujah! Nice cool breezes in the day and wonderful cool evenings…now if I can just discover a way to keep all the mosquitos (moszies) away, this could be close to what Heaven is like. ;-)

If you have read this blog in the past month, you will certainly agree March was a roller coaster month. However, whatever the good news/bad news is that may come our way, we end the day knowing our God is in control – so we rest in His grace and mercy.

The center was blessed with a wonderful Easter service and continues to move forward looking upward! Several new children have become a part of our family, and a few others have been re-united with their families. God is so good!

Next week, I will be traveling up North to Beira from April 20th – April 26th, to speak at an International Women’s Conference. The theme is: The Mark of a Woman: The History of the Woman and What They Leave Behind. I am so honored to have been invited to share on this topic. While there, I will also speak at a Youth Conference. Please join me in prayer for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit during this time; and, that the Lord will use me as His instrument for His Glory!

My dorm of twenty-six 15-17 year old boys is doing great! School is out for a week beginning Monday and the boys have been studying hard. They are so welcoming the break – and they deserve it. Already beginning to make plans for Children’s Day on June 1st (is like Christmas here). I will explain more about this day in upcoming blogs. My guyz have been challenged by the older dorm to a futbol (soccer) match this Saturday! I have warned them that I am not a ‘gracious loser’, and have encouraged them to get themselves organized!! It will be fun and I am making pom-poms to cheer them on!

That is it from here at this time. Please check out the prayer request list. Blessings to you and yours, thanks for taking the time to read this blog and for being a part of this ministry.

USS NICHOLAS

2010-04-01T13:44:00.001-07:00

Excellent job, guyz!! Reading of your ‘pirate’ adventure on the internet. Prayers with you always! Well done….be safe.

Naftal with Jesus

2010-03-23T21:47:00.001-07:00

1am Wednesday morning, Naftal went to be with Jesus. Thank you so much for all your prayers and interceeding for him. Continue to pray for the little boys in his dorm, as they will be told today, and the tias who cared for him, and for his American mom here, Laura. The whole center is affected by the loss of one of our children.

Naftal Update

2010-03-23T04:52:00.001-07:00

Naftal has contracted malaria. He is in constant pain and the medical system is failing him. Next week there is a ‘planned’ biopsy…however, anything can happen between now and then. On Wednesday, March 24th, many of us here at the center will fast as we stand in the gap for this little guy. You are welcome to join us – if not in fast, then continually in prayer.

Blessings…

P. S. Fernanda continues to grow. What a miracle!

Update on Naftal and Fernanda

2010-03-21T11:17:00.001-07:00

Naftal is not showing improvement. He is in great pain and the treatment he receives is slow and sporatic. There is nothing more we on earth can do for him. Please pray for his pain to subside so he can rest and sleep and that the Holy Spirit will show itself to him for comfort and assurance of God’s love for him. His father visits every day and also needs our prayers for courage and strength as he battles this illness with his son.

Fernanda is a little 15 month old girl who, up to now, has weighed 13 pounds and kept losing weight every day. She is beginning treatment for TB this week. Following is an update from Erin, the American nurse who attends her. Please continue to pray for both of these children.

Here's my latest update on baby Fernanda:
Thursday night we brought Fernanda to the front of the church to be prayed over by missionaries, educators/tias, older youth, kids, Mozambican pastors, and visitors. We were at our wit's end, nothing was working, and she had just lost 300 grams (14 ounces) in one day. The whole church lifted up her name in one voice and prayed with all their heart for healing for this one little baby girl. We prayed for over 20 minutes. Many kept praying after I had no more words or tears left. Fernanda, wide eyed and alert, just stared around at everyone with their hands outstretched, touching her, calling out her name.
Friday a few of us missionaries started gathering daily at 3pm to pray over her while many of you all around the world got on your knees and joined us at exactly the same time. We weighed her Friday and for the first time we had an utter halt in her weight. She didn't gain weight, but she didn't lose anything. She started having an appetite and eating all her food. Saturday she gained 60 grams. I shared with the tias our joy, excitement and expectation to see God show up and help little Fernanda. I told them about all of you interceding all over the globe for this one little girl. They were amazed and in awe. That night the two tias that were on shift together gathered and prayed over her. Today (Sunday) she gained........510 grams (that's over 1 lb)!!!!! She is now 14 lbs 6 ounces (6.54 kg). We have not changed a single thing in her care.....she ate everything again today and has still been crying out for more food. She has life in her eyes and is much more comfortable today. She has started bonding with one of the tias on this shift. The tias are excited and amazed at the work God is doing. We are too!!!
We have been praying for healing, comfort, fever reduction, a ferocious appetite, weight gain, bonding with the tias, healing of her mother, to bring the family together-back to unity and closer to God using this event, for wisdom, for Fernanda to be plucked out of the mire and set on the firm Rock of God so that she can grow old and have a family and take in orphans and babies that are near death like herself and love them with the LOVE of GOD back into His arms....so she can cry out and tell of the miracles He has performed in her life, how He has changed her and saved her, set her apart for GREAT things! Praise the Lord for hearing our prayers and answering them! Continue praying for tomorrow as she starts treatment, for no side effects from the harsh medications and for grace and favor with the Mozambican medical system as we attempt to navigate it (they can require us to come 5 days a week and wait hours each time to receive her daily meds as all the other patients have to do for the entire 6 month treatment period). Pray for her continued weight gain, fever reduction, comfort, bonding to the tias. Pray also for encouragment of the tias/drawing them closer to our Heavenly Father as they see his mercy, grace, love, and power through this experience.

"I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD." -Psalm 40:1-3

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all you iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." -Psalm 103: 1-5

Thank you for the prayers for Fernanda. Keep them coming!!
In His hands,
Erin

Latest Update on Naftal

2010-03-17T21:06:00.001-07:00

News is not good for Naftal. He looked much worse today than he has all week. Wednesday Doctor Olivier confirmed there is a secondary tumor in (on?) his heart. Also, it looks like there is a tumor on each kidney rather than just the one we thought. This is obviously not good news. They are now thinking of starting with chemo before surgery to try and shrink the tumors. Continued prayers…..

BEETS!!!

2010-03-17T05:59:00.001-07:00

Today we pulled our beets to sell to the kitchen! As you can see from the pictures, we are pretty proud of them. Next we will plant our lettuce, cabbage, onions, carrots, and cucumbers. What an accomplishment – in the sand even!!

Wash before delivery!

The corn is as high……..

and the trees are growing, too!!

Naftal Update

2010-03-16T13:43:00.001-07:00

To everyone who is praying for our precious 8 year old little boy who is in the hospital, thank you.

Naftal did NOT have surgery on Monday. He was scheduled for a "echo-graphia" on Tuesday morning because of their concern for his heart. Meanwhile, he has not been treated for anemia or his labored breathing nor had any of the fluid removed from his belly which I understand is possible. He is having some tests done, but no results have come to light yet. Please continue to pray that they will treat some of these symptoms while they are waiting on the best option for surgery. The good news is, he had a little sparkle in his eyes today and ate all of his dinner! This is amazing in itself.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!

2010-03-12T06:22:00.001-08:00

I interact mostly with teenagers here at the center, however, anything that happens to a child of any age here affects us all. Following is an urgent prayer request for a little boy in Laura’s dorm.

One of our precious boys, Naftal, who is eight, is in the hospital for his 11th day. Two weeks ago he began complaining of symptoms that sounded like malaria but then his stomach just got bigger and bigger and he was obviously jaundiced. We took him to the hospital last Saturday thinking he likely had a liver infection.

This past Tuesday he was finally diagnosed with Wilm's Tumor, a childhood cancer of the kidney. In the US, the prognosis is quite good but we have no idea what it will be here in Mozambique.

Naftal will have surgery on Monday to remove the tumor after which he will begin chemotherapy at some point. To quote Erin, one of our nurses, "This is a huge thing for any child to go through in the Western world where we have amazing technology, good monitoring, wonderful doctors, nurses, and support staff, and cutting edge medicines. Little Naftal is in a very infectious environment with medicine from 50 years ago, staff who are less than brilliant to look after him (most is done by the tia staying with him that is not related to him and is not in anyway medical), and little to NO monitoring with labs or machines or vital signs, and to top it off a heart valve problem which will complicate his surgery and anesthesia during."

In the natural, we have much to fear on behalf of Naftal. But we are trying to keep our hearts and minds set on the promises of God and not the natural!

Please join with us in praying for Naftal, for complete healing and protection of his body and life. Please pray also for his father who has been so present during this time, visiting every day and calling the Tias morning and night to get an update and pray over the phone with him. He even asked if he could stay the night with Naftal but was told he couldn't, only women are allowed to stay the night with the children (one clue as to the state of medical environment here).

Please pray for God's peace and presence to be a great comfort to Naftal who is in physical pain and doesn't understand what is happening to him. We love our little Naftal and want him home with us, safe and healthy and living life as he normally does!

You can see in this photo, he’s been in a room for 11 days with no machines and no monitoring. It's pretty scary.

More news to follow after the surgery.

MY BIRTHDAY!!

2010-03-02T06:49:00.001-08:00

Saturday, the 27th was my birthday and it was wonderful! I could never have imagined celebrating a birthday in Africa! I was joined for dinner by many missionaries at the center, and two couples from the American Embassy who have become friends.

The American Ambassador and her husband were dining at the same restaurant and popped over to wish me a Happy Birthday. Wow – that was a nice birthday surprise.

My first gift of the day was from a missionary who surprised me with a full propane tank so I could have hot water for a shower!! It is always the little things that count! Much to my pleasant surprise, during dinner I received text messages from some of ‘my boyz’. I think texting during dinner was deliberate - reminding me that I went out without them. I also received a terrific long letter from one of the boys I have ‘hung out’ with for the last two years. I marvel at how God catches me off-guard sometimes and sends a reminder of His love thru those around me! I stand in awe……

THANK YOU everyone who has emailed and Facebooked a ‘Happy Birthday’ message! As I read all of them, I see your smiling faces, I remember what great times we had during your visit here, and hope someday to see you all again – if not here, then you know where!! Please know that you are all in my prayers for God’s continued wisdom and guidance in your life!

AMERICAN SAILORS COME TO CENTER!

2010-03-01T03:12:00.001-08:00

Wednesday, February 10th two ships from America came to port in Maputo; the USS Nicholas and the HSV (High Speed Vessel)2. Many of the sailors volunteered to come and play with the children and do a few work projects.

The Music Program in the Babyhouse was enjoyed as much by the adults as it was by the children! Quite an aerobics workout!

The Farm Project was a little more ‘labor intensive’. Clearing property for expansion and building a compost bin in 100+F was a challenge for some.

From tall grass to garden

ground! Thx Guys!!

Of course, the happy-medium labor was painting! Praise the Lord, the outside of Mana Tracey’s house was painted and one of the rooms in the girls camarata…..

It was so wonderful to spend the day with a great group of people willing to spend a full day of their 4-day leave with us!! Our prayers are always with them!

Stay tuned – more to come re this visit!

Christmas update

2010-02-03T12:04:00.000-08:00

Would really love it if someone could tell me where the year 2009 went! Seems I just arrived in Mozambique March 2009 and the year is over already. I trust this update finds you in good health and the holidays were enjoyed with family and friends as we look forward to the greatest year in the Lord - 2010!!

We celebrated Christmas with the children at the enter on December 18th this year. It was a week early - took a little extra thought-processing to 'get in the mood', but we just pretended it was December 25th. Many missionaries were going home for the holidays, however, they wanted to be here with the children - thus the December 18th Christmas. On Christmas Day we had a 'mini olympics' for all the kidz at the center. It was so much fun! Everyone received a 'gold medal'!!

After the kidz ran through all the different challenges, the visitors and a couple of missionaries (one being me!) challenged one another to a couple of the games. With the temperature over 100F, we chose games requiring the use of water. Of course, by mid-afternoon buckets, cups/plastic tall glasses, bottles - anything that could carry water was being used...with more then one of us welcoming a good drenching. The temperatures hovered around 120-125F a few days in December.

Christmas evening the missionaries enjoyed a wonderful pot luck dinner and gift exchange. With so many different countries represented here, the variety of food and tradition is always exciting. We learn so much from and about one another.

Dreams Taking Flight- a background

2009-12-21T14:50:00.000-08:00

Dreams Taking Flight is a work program for the boys who live at the center, and for those young men who have been re-integrated with family. The program allows these youth to gain employment in the business community. Each is taught how to create a CV (resume) and then how to actually look for a job. They have never done this before. The first time they go with me, I do the talking to the prospective employer so they can actually see and hear what is said. At the next business stop, they are given their CV, they go in by themselves and talk to the prospective employer. There is such a gleam in the eyes, and a smile on the face, when a youth comes back without his CV in hand. Success is measured in such small steps in this new program. At this time there are three young men working at a bulk food distributor (like Costco in America) and one is working at the local grocery store. These young people are in need of transportation and lunch funding. The average pay is approximately $90 a month for 30 days work, 12 hours each day, with Sunday off to rest. Of course, buying food for the family, transportation cost and eating lunch takes up the majority of their pay. Funding to help transportation costs would allow more of the paycheck to go toward food, etc. for the family. For some families, this is the only source of income.

This program is invaluable and I am excited to see how God uses it to help change the lives of the boys for the better!

Dreams taking flight

2009-12-08T11:50:00.000-08:00

I talked a little before about Dreams Taking Flight but I wanted to give you a little picture into the potential that this program has. When these boys go to work they are not just earning a little extra spedning money, they are providing for their families.

One boy has a family including his mom, 3 siblings, an aunt and 2 cousins all living together. He has asked me to ask his employer if he can stay working with them when school starts. He will be in 10th grade and go to school from 6pm-10pm. He will work from 7:30am until 5:00pm to help put food on the table. For him, it costs about $12USD a week for transport and lunch.

Another boy now lives with his grandmother and feeds and clothes her. His cost per week is more because he lives further out in the bush - about $15USD a week. I could go on and on, but this is just a little example of how important this program is. To help break the poverty level of one boy of this generation, is such an answer to the call of God!

I now have 15 boys looking for work. Pray God opens more doors for employment!

If you would like to make a donation to off set the travel expense for one of the boys it would be such a blessing and an encouragement to these boys. If you would like to make a donation click here and in the designation box put "Dreams Taking Flight."

https://www.thecause.org/index.php?c=home&type=menu&section=5~donate

Missionary friends and Apple of Gold

2009-12-03T13:36:00.000-08:00

Recently, we had two fun opportunities to strengthen relationships of the long-term missionaries at the center. We get so busy here with all the different times people are busy, it is very rare we all get to be together for over an hour at a time. These two events we fun and blessed moments together.

First, we had a "girlz night out"! All of we missionary gals met in our long-term missionary building about 8pm on a Friday night. It was one of our Brazilians b-day, so we celebrated. We played games and had LOTS to eat (our Brazilians are notorious for cooking here), facials, massages, pedicures and manicures! It was so much fun!

Second, we did the first Apples of Gold dinner with Bob and Betty (missionaries from Canada) . It was Italian (had to use Bob, he made the manicotti). Actually, Bob and Betty did all the cooking, while I was in charge of all else. For dinner we had: Italian flatbread with the oil dip, minestrone soup, Italian green salad, lasagna, manicotti and Italian Cheese Cake. All the food was from scratch! We opened the evening with just the women present. I explained what Apples of Gold was and how we adapted it to here in Africa at the center, specifically. I say "adapted" because many of the ingredients we cannot get here, so we improvise. Betty had the recipes printed for everyone and demonstrated how she made the bread and lasagne. After she was finished, I spoke about Friendship. I used several of the girls here as examples in my life of Friendship, as well as "gal friends" from the bible. Betty also spoke of her Friendships here. After this hour of tim etogether, the men joined us for dinner.

My part was to "set the mood", so I prepared the room as a restaurant with six tables at odd angles covered with red and white checkered tablecloths. The centerpiece: a candle, and a gerber flower laying by the candle with tiny white wildflowers resting on it beside a golden apple. I had place settings to mix up the people and I called the names out for each table and seated one table at a time. One married couple was at each table. There was Italian music playing in the background and tiny white lights were hanging around at the entrance. Everyone visited over the appetizer of bread and dip. To begin dinner, Betty dipped the soup into bowls and I served. Next the salad, lasagna and manicotti was put on each table and everyone ate "too much" - but still had room for the cake! Everyone had a lovely time and we gave gifts to our Directors, Steve and Ros. After the holidays, two of the gals are going to do the second Apples of Gold and have already said dinner would be Tex-Mex! There are no Mexican restaurants here or in Nelspruit, SA....so I am really looking forward to it.

Dreams taking flight

2009-11-23T10:47:00.000-08:00

The Dreams Taking Flight work program began Wed. Nov. 4th. I took five boys to drop their resumes at four businesses. After arriving back at the center, I received a phone call asking me to come meet with the new owners of Cash-n-Carry (America's Costco). They wanted to know about the work program and the boys. I explained my goal to break the poverty cycle of as many youth in this generation as possible. Before I left, they asked me to pick five boys to begin work on Wednesday, Nov. 12th! Praise the Lord....He is sooo amazing! Please pray for this program and for more doors to open - there are 12 more who wish to go to work. Some of the boys wanting work have been at the center for eight and 10 years. Most of these young men have never had jobs in the public sector before. They are learning what a resume is, how to go to businesses and ask for work, and how to be successful in job interviews. It is also helping to build their self-esteem, character and integrity. To see their eyes light up and smiles on their faces after they have successfully spoken to a prospective employer representative is priceless!

Hello from Moz

2009-11-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog!
Check out what is going on in Mozambique!

I trust this update finds you excited for the coming holidays with church activities, family and friends. As for holidays here, Nov. 27th-Dec. 1st, I will be with two young missionary gals in South Africa where we will celebrate Thanksgiving together. One of them is having surgery on her foot (she is from England), so I will be "Mother". The other is going along for moral support and rest (she is from America). We have already talked about how we could make a little "American" meal.....hopefully we can find a small turkey - if not, cornish game hens will work, definitely mashed potatoes, yams and pumpkin pie!

Which then brings us into the Christmas holidays. I can hardly believe there are so few days left to do Christmas shopping - especially since we will celebrate December 18th here at the center. Guess I better get busy! Since South Africa is where we do most of our real shopping, this trip there will be my last opportunityy to buy for the boyz for Christmas.

It is re-integration time once again. Most of our older boys will be joining their families or moving to our Iris community in Marracuenne. My boys were re-integrated in July, so the only movement will be about eight of them going to the older dorm. I am excited to be receiving eight or ten 15 and 16 year old boys. This year we had discipleship classes - the classes with the new group beginning after the holidays, will be to develop leadership.

I am trying out new program during these summer holidays (Nov.-Jan.). It is for the dorm to "adopt a baby" once or twice a week. I go to the babyhouse and get a 2-3 year old and bring him to the dorm, let the boys know I will be "back in a minute" and they watch over him, play with him, hug him (which is so important here) and take care of him 'til I return. Since I just started this, I am not gone very long and it is so funny to watch these teenage boyz play with babies.

There are a couple of boys in the camarata that I have been praying for extra. I was so thankful to the Lord last Friday night when they both went forward at Som Do Ceu (Sound of Heaven youth service) to increase their faith and closer walk with God. Just like teens everywhere, for a 17 year to go forward in front of peers, is pretty awesome. In this case, there were about 150 'peers'. God is so good.

Keep checking back for more updates!