Musings from Mozambique 

Saturday, January 9, 2010

HI Friends-

I made it to Fresno and started my month of debriefing. So far, it's okay. The first day I was a bit overwhelmed by it's location in the middle of sprawl-vile. It's tucked behind some offices. At the end of the long drive is a Denny's and around the corner you can literally find Office Max, a 7-11, and Rite-Aid. You get the picture. I'm amazing that you can have several lanes of traffic going in the same direction and it's not even a major road. Talk about culture shock! I made a mistake of going to WinCo last night for a few groceries and just about died. Aisles and aisles of processed foods..just ready to eat. It took me some time to even find a small block of cheese that wasn't already cut into slices. I saw things I haven't seen for years and found that fascinating...I admit I did get excited about the prospect of making chocolate cookies though!

My debriefing has been fine. I spent the first couple days just going through all the tests they have and filling out paperwork. I won't get into details. I have enjoyed meeting other missionaries and pastors who are here too. I especially glad they are open to getting together. Some of us got together to play cards already last week. There are more plans for games. I was pleased that there are Settler's of Catan players on campus.

Tomorrow a few of the women are coming over and we are going to start a Bible study together. One of the ladies has a Bible study with her and she is suppose to be keeping up with for her church. We are going to try to do it with her. I am glad for the study and the fellowship.

Here, we are suppose to help around campus. I easily volunteered to do yard work. I started yesterday and loved it. I don't think they quite understand how much I love dirt and being outside. I think they will quickly learn. hehe.

So far, there is nothing to report about "what is next". Trust me, when I know...you all will be the first to know.

I ask that you continue your support as I go through this debriefing. Gone are the days of motorcycle trips to the bush, but it's another kind of adventure. Please join me this month to pray for "what is next". I have often thought I have been so blessed by you and still think I have the best supporters in the world. I know I couldn't have made it in Moz without your prayer, love and encouragement. Also, please don't forget I am still working and receiving financial support.

I remember when I started the process of even applying to organizations back in 2003/2004. I remember 10 of you started as my prayer and accountability group. You supported me to go to Echo's Agriculture Mission Conference. You were there when I told you about applications I had to fill out and asked you to help me...and I put out many "pie deals". I am sort of back in a similar place. I am in search mode. However this time there are few more knowns. I know FH and opportunities with them. I want to be certain that God is leading me to wherever I go.

I returned to the US totally dried out spiritually. I am even too embarrassed to share how dry I am. This time in Fresno I hope will bring life and nurishment to my relationship with the Lord. Without a few repairs and refreshment of this relationship, I won't be going anywhere far. This relationship is the key to everything.

Please join me in prayer for this month. Please pray that my relationship with God is refreshed and that He clearly opens the path to what is next.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

Blessings from Fresno,

Laura

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Hi Friends!

It's a Boy! or that is one of my friends wrote on her FB update on Christmas. I loved it!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I know I am a few days late with the Christmas greeting, but I think that we are still celebrating His birth. Hmmm.. or at least I am. :-)

I made it back to the States last Tuesday. I am still feeling out of sorts from jetlag, and the blast of culture stress combined with the Christmas maddness. While I am physically here, I really feel I am in sort of a dream world. I feel like an alien and in some sort of la la land this past last week. It's been very strange.

Christmas was great. My parents and I spent the afternoon at my brothers. It is nice to be close to family.

I called my househelp, Baptista, on Christmas. He promptly asked me if we had killed a turkey for dinner yet. It would be hard to explain that we buy the turkey already dead, packaged and ready to go. So, I just said, yes, we're going to kill a turkey. It was so nice to talk someone from home-there in Moz. I really needed to that call, though it made me miss them something horribly.

This afternoon, I finally got my other bag which had been gone missing since I left Mozambique. Normally, I don't worry about late bags, but when you've already packed 3.5 years of your life into two bags...missing one bag is like missing half of your life's belongings. I could've done a little dance when it arrived at my door!

Somethings that have already struck me about being back in the States...

• Quiet...things outside are so quiet (at least where my parent's are)...there are no noises of neighbors pounding their corn, or bells of bikes going by, or goats milling past. It is just quiet here. It' seems very very odd to me...
• It seems like we need a billion types of tooth paste for our teeth. I got overwhelmed with the selection in the grocery store...Do we really need so many kinds?!
• I know families of 7 who live in house smaller than the average garages I've seen. The garages are much better built too. Heck, these garages even have a permanent roof and not plastic sheeting on top!
• A hour of church seems so short after several years of 2-4 hours of church each Sunday. One hour?!

Okay, just about everything is different!....

I know many of you are wanting to see me...and I want to see you too! I do appreciate the respect that you all have shown by giving me some space. I really have been in a weird fog. I've been sleeping 9 hours each night, and even yesterday had a three hour nap during the day. I can't wait to get through this initial adjustment time so I can enjoy my time in the States with you all.

(woohoo!)

Thanks for being part of this journey! I can't wait to connect!! :-)

In Him,

Laura

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Dear Friends—

This will be the last email for a while from Moz…This week was full of goodbyes. I cried as I left Gorongosa on Thursday. Tears came when a coworker called me yesterday from Gorongosa to say they already miss me. I talked to my house help, Baptista, last night. He put his whole family on speaker phone. His wife talked to me, his kids were asking for me to buy cookies for them. It made me miss them already so much. Baptista told me the savings group at our Baptist church saved $3200 this past year and they have plans to create a second group this next year out of demand. Very cool!

It is hard to say goodbye. But, I know in the closing of this time, there is another chapter waiting. I know the Lord is in control and is guiding me. This helps a bit to say goodbye. It was time to close this chapter. I may be back in Moz, God knows I love it.

I will communicating with those of you supporting me financially about what to expect in the future. The next three months I will still be receiving support at I go through debriefing, etc. I don’t have plans to settle long term in the States and would like you all consider joining me in praying and continuing with me into the next chapter. I will be communicating with you as I seek to figure these things out.

Good news is the monstrous final project for my class is now DONE and turned in! Praise God for that. Unless totally fail the class, I am DONE with Grad school! The relief hasn’t set it yet…I want to see my grade and I probably need a few hours of sleep. I was up until 2am last night finishing it.

Tomorrow I leave Beira at 1pm and arrive in Seattle on December 22th at 11am.

See you back in the States very soon!

Blessings from Moz,

Laura

Friday, December 11, 2009

Hi Friends—

While I hear many of you in the cold and even snow, I woke up to it already being 90F in my room with humidity that makes it seem like a 100F sauna. It better rain soon to cool things off. I can barely think today. It didn’t help I was up until midnight trying desperately to finish my final project. A few pages left to go, but they have been the hardest! I know I’m almost there…I need a burst of energy and creativity!

Everyday this week I visited savings groups that are distributing funds. They are fun times! Yesterday in the community of Tazaronda, there was a woman who really touched me. She received about $40 in savings. She said she had never saved that much money before in her life. Her whole body showed how excited she was. While I know it’s hard for people to save their money at home, I forget how hard it really can be. The group yesterday was one of the most emotional groups I’ve visited so far. I filmed some of it. It’s too bad my internet is too slow to send it too you all today.

I can’t believe I have less than a week now in Gorongosa. I feel a bit numb and it still sort of feels I’m just going home for the holidays. It really hasn’t hit that I am leaving-leaving! Last Sunday I said goodbye to my church with tears. This week I’ve said a few more goodbyes…Next week more. Time is flying.

To a degree, I am ready to go though. I am tired and tired of goodbyes. I am already out of my normal Gorongosa routine, so things are different. I am living out of my suitcases and staying at the FH guest house. My former life here is gone.

Looking forward to going back to the States… I look forward to rest and Christmas at home. I’ve been trying to make a list of things I will look forward to when I get back to help me get through the goodbye and balance all the things I’ll miss about Moz. A few things on my list are: REST, relaxing evening with pizza and a movie at home, using my dividend at a REI garage sale, seeing family and friends, broccoli, Bible studies and Christmas Eve service, and getting my graduate diploma. I really look forward to buying a pair of running shoes, and then putting myself through a several months of suffering while I get back into shape.

What I’ll miss about Moz….I won’t say…I’ll start getting teary-eyed. I love Gorongosa and Moz.

Attached are some photos from this week: Savings group member listening to someone read out loud in Sena how much she saved, Coming back from a group with chickens that were given to me and Tomo, view of Mt. Gorongosa from a church in Tambarare, Three savings groups are building this house so they have a permanent place to meet (in Mapombwe).

Blessings from Gorongosa,
Laura

Friday, December 4, 2009

Hi Friends—

Happy December! I’m not sure how December came so fast or how this Friday seemed to coming flying.

December! Yiikes. I just about freaked on December 1st, realizing how short my time is here in Gorongosa. Since last Friday I was sick for a couple days. I started feeling it coming on Saturday and by Sunday I had a fever and felt like a train wreck. Since then, I’ve been cleaning up the wreck and I’m left only with congestion. Praise God that I’m feeling better.

My routine has been: study study, say goodbye, visit saving group, study study…(oh, include making tons of coffee in between.)

I visited one groups this week and they distributed about $3800. They worked hard and were so excited. So fun to be part of the groups in this phase of their cycle!

My studies are coming along…I am overwhelmed by the sheer amount of time it is taking. I figure I have about half of my final project done. Ugh. It seems to never end!

This weekend I am visiting another group that is distributing funds on Saturday and Sunday I saying goodbye to my church. The following Sunday from my church many are traveling to a wedding at our daughter church in another district. Two weekends left in Gorongosa! I keep trying to deny this…but it’s smack in front of my face.

I find I am in a strange place. I wasn’t expecting this but when I moved from my house last weekend, I have since felt I have moved from Gorongosa. My mind has not arrived in the States either. Only yesterday when I talked to my sister-in-law I started to think a bit about coming home and what that meant. I’m in a very strange place indeed. I’m not sure it’s a good place or bad place, but just seems to be.

I have appreciated people supporting me in my class through encouragement and help. Some have helped me research some things. As they have helped me I have not felt so isolated or like I’m on my own doing everything. It’s what I have needed lately. Thanks guys! I am very grateful for the rally of support this week.

Well, I’m going to close this.

Thanks for all your support and love!

Love from Moz,

Laura

Friday, November 27, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend! There is a lot to be thankful for!

I’m thankful for 3.5 years in Gorongosa and most of that time in my house. God provided me a great house, great co-workers, great town, great neighbors, great workers and even a great little dog (who now belongs to Baptist) There are many things to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving day I was moving and sorting. I decided to get Take away (from the Pouzada for those who know Gorongosa) and ordered my standard beef plate to mark Thanksgiving. I opened a can of cranberry sauce that I somehow had hoarded and shared it with my house help and guard. They liked it, but it seemed more like jam or jelly that you put on bread to them. They thought it was a bit strange just to eat it with a spoon.

Yesterday I was preparing to vacate my house. Today I had my own Black Friday, but as a seller. I sold or gave away everything in my house. I only have what I need for the next 3 weeks and am spending my first night at the guest house.

I will say that it was stressful selling my things. Oh my, it was a mob at times. I’ve realized I have a really hard time with the cultural things that relate money and things here. It’s hard to explain in an email, but trust me…it’s stressful.

Tonight it seems a bit quiet at the guest house, but I am okay with this. Today there were so many people and kids at my house! I am exhausted. Tomorrow I turn in the keys to my house to the owner. Baptista is finishing up cleaning the house tonight. We hear someone had already rented it and will move in next week.

I find myself a bit worn on the edge emotionally tonight. I trust a good night’s sleep will help.

I’m going to call it a night!

Giving Thanks,

Laura

Friday, November 20, 2009

Hi Friends—

Though I am sitting with a jacket and sock on, I am so glad the rains finally came this week! Within a 24 hour period it went from about 100F to 70F. Yes, with that sort of extreme change, 70F feels like about freezing point!

Wednesday after Tuesday’s rain, we went to visit a group that was distributing their funds. I am sure if they are not the most remote group we have, they are certainly the most difficult group to reach. It was a kind of adventure that a Hunter would appreciate. Ask my brother or parents what a Hunter adventure is. They will tell you that it is a sort of adventure you can easily lose one or two of your nine lives and yet somehow you make it home with burs and stickers, tired and happy. Our trip to this group and back fits into this category. It was a classic Hunter adventure!

I don’t think people knew that it is dangerous to dare me to do something…because I will try. And so I tried to cross the river and up the hill on the other side of the bank…Okay, so I crossed the river okay, but the mud was so slippery that I made only half way up the bank. It took all four of us to pull my bike up the hill. The mud was so slippery, none of us really had any traction. The others were more sensible and walked their bikes through the river. Tomo is still talking about that day. It left a mark on all of us!

And so after crossing streams, mud holes and down hills that would great for sledding, we arrived to the group’s treasure’s house. The group cleared a spot under a mango tree for the event. They may be the most remote, but they have money! They saved about $2720 USD this year. This group is on the border of Gorongosa National Park. Some had stories of old, before the civil war, of all the elephants and lions that were in the area. These days, the animals take refuge in the park and rarely leave.

Both groups I visited this week already were registering members for next year’s cycle.

Thursday morning I visited a widow friend from one of the saving groups. I once stayed the night in her community and Mae Sophia was my host and made sure I was taken care of. Since then she and I have had a special relationship despite our communication difficulties. I don’t speak that much Sena, and she doesn’t speak that much Portuguese. That morning we were able to communicate fairly well for a couple hours. Her daughter finally came back from town and help with translation. It was a special time to pray for each other. I hung out with her while she prepared a special meal for me outside. We talked about the weather, church, her family…in our own special language! She is a strong lady and an example to me.

School work is coming slowly. I am distracted with moving and relationships…like the little girls who were playing kitchen on my porch this afternoon. They graciously offered me their masamba (greens) and xima made from grass and mud. How can I close my door to look at a business analysis? I sort of have a passive aggressive thing with my class. The timing of this busy class is horrible for me. It’s worse than being forced to eat brussel sprouts! Pray that I can dig in and overcome the distaste. I need to class to graduate in December!

Please pray for my pastor’s wife Olga who is in the hospital with asthma. I just found out today she has been in the hospital since Tuesday. As an asthmatic myself, I almost cried hearing this news. It is not fun when you can’t breathe. It is a horrible feeling. When I found out, I gave her one of my inhalers to see if that helps her. She is the second person this week with major asthma issues. One of our drivers last week also had major asthma issues. Please pray for them (Olga—pastor’s wife and Taylor (FH driver).

I will close here for tonight! Attached are photos: 1-Rui demonstrating what sensible motorcycle riders do in face of a small river, 2-Jacinto and Rui--posing near the river bank after we pulled the last bike up the bank, 3-The group (Nova Vida) meeting under the mango tree..hmm, in the middle of no where. 4-President of the group demonstrating part of what he saved (he saved 11,000Mts ($440 USD), 5-Group (Mangu) registering members for next year’s cycle.

Thanks for all the prayer, support and love.

Love from Moz,

Laura

Friday, November 13, 2009

Hi Friends—

I am so glad its Friday! This week went by so fast and there was so much to do.

Two groups distributed their funds this week without hitch. They both were in celebration mode, and rightly so. They did a lot of work to get to this point! Next week there are two more groups. A typical distribution day includes in order: prayer, message by a pastor, overview of what has been saved and history of the group, distribution of funds to members, opportunities for the invited guests to say something (like me), close in prayer…then food! …Lots and lots of food with Coke and maheu (corn drink).

This week we received disturbing news from a couple of groups in the community of Mucodza. While we knew the animador has been the weakest of the group, we learned that his behavior is really hurting groups. There is a list of offenses. We learned that he was making up his reports and stopped assisting one group. So, this week, we had the groups make a written statement of what has been going on and next week we are rescinding his contract as a volunteer with FH immediately. It is sad indeed. We feel deceived by him. We have asked a neighboring animador to help these two groups through December. Tomo will have to personally oversee the preparations these group have going to distribute their funds in December. Gratefully, the groups have already identified the person they would like to become the next animador, and we have noted this secretary to be Biblically literate, active, and responsible. Hopefully, he will work out and can start in January. Please pray for this whole situation. It’s not fun. Pray for the groups that whatever damage he did to the groups can be restored.

Yesterday, however, was a day to celebrate. Baptista’s (my house help) wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl. They are thrilled and I am too!

I would like to ask for pray. I am totally worn out tonight from studying late many nights in a row. And I am not accomplishing the amount of work I need to in order to finish my class work. This has been totally frustrating. On top, this week has been miserably hot. My outside thermometer read 106F at one point. The humidity matches the temperature. I am really struggling with the class and balancing everything else. Of course my class is the capstone for my degree…which means about 1.5 more work than other classes, or that is what I am seeing! I need about 48 hours in a day…and an AC would be very welcome! Pray for some supernatural energy and strength to get through these next weeks of class—and everything else. I also need an attitude check!

Wow, the week was another roller coaster! I am so looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow!

Attached are some photos of the week… Baby pictures, serving up maheu, transporting my goat back to town,

Thanks for your prayers, support and love!

Blessings from Moz,

Laura

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Hi Friends—

This week was taken over by animadors! And I love them! ļ

One saving group distributed funds this week for the first time in the community of Nhademba. They started saving in May and saved about $1000 USD. That’s a lot here and for how little time they have been savings--and also considering it’s their first cycle. Usually, groups are weak the first cycle as they learn the methodology. The second cycle groups usually grow in their saving. This group did a great job.

Friday we had our last animador (volunteer) training for the year. It was mostly reviewing end of cycle processes and MATH! We also looked at Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and how important groups are and God’s role in our groups. Friday night the majority stayed at the FH Guest house so we could leave early (5am) for Gorongosa National Park. Like I wrote yesterday we had a bit of a worship service, which was very sweet. We sang, one of the pastors in our group gave a small message, and we prayed for each other and our trip. Sweet moments.

This morning, they were like a bunch of kids at camp. It didn’t take even 2 minutes after leaving the guest house this morning for them to break out in song. They sang all the way to the park gate…almost an hour. I wish I could send you a video clip of part of it. We were like a party bus. They were so excited.

God organized everything just perfect. We saw many animals. We had a park guide with us which added a lot to the experience. He was able to explain a lot about the animals. For me (for all of us) the highlight was seeing a couple lions. I have always wanted to see lions. They are something symbolic to me, somehow they represent Gorongosa. In an odd way, I feel this helps me close my time in Gorongosa. I’ve finally seen the lions! And they really cooperated with us, and let us take photos and get a real good look before walking back into the bushes. I only wished my camera had a real zoom.

The park folks were great. They gave us a presentation and they showed some videos of the park. They gave us a great deal on lunch, waived all the fees, and gave us the guide! They really helped make the day special for us.

I’ve learned that no party is without maheu (a drink made from corn). And so, to make sure the team felt like we were really celebrating I had my house help make us about 5 gallons. We had it after lunch. And we finished it off on our way home!

Photos: Lions!, whole savings group team at the park gate, 5am party bus, looking at what route we took in the park, Serving up maheu!

Tonight I am going to do a bit of class work and head to bed early.

I thank God for today and the time we had together as a savings group team.

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, November 6, 2009

Hi Friends—

You’ll hear more from me after this weekend. We had an animador/volunteer training today. Tonight the animadores are staying the night at the FH Guest house and I heard they are planning a church service tonight…One of the pastors is going to give the message, another lead music…They seemed to have it all planned out.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Dear Friends—

This week seems like it was a month in some ways. Everyday something different happened which created a roller coaster of emotions. Luckily, as I hit Friday, the roller coaster was ending on an up note!

Monday, we assisted the distribution of funds by one of our groups. It’s the first payout of the year (only about 35 to go!) It was of a group I first met when I first arrived in Gorongosa in 2006. Next year will be their 5th cycle! Amazing. They are experts. They saved about $2500 USD this year. The member who saved most, saved about $760 USD. There was a lady who saved about $240 and was ecstatic. She said she earned all the money herself, saying that her husband didn’t help her with a single metical. She was excited and proud. When they invited me to say a few words, I found tears falling. They surprised me a lot. I was giving my last words to them as a group…and realizing this was enough to move me. I told my coworkers who were there, that I was expecting tears in December, but in October?! That seems a bit early still…but I guess not. Sheesh, if this is how the next few weeks go, I’m going to pass out on that plane home from exhaustion!

Tuesday morning I got a call from one of our animadors (volunteer), Jeremias. He called to let us know that his son died the day before, and the funeral was later that morning. So, I jumped on my motorcycle to set out to find Tomo who was visiting a group, to make sure he didn’t miss the funeral. Funerals are never fun…His son was about 4 years old. They don’t know what happened really. It happened pretty quickly. He had a fever on Sunday and on the way to the hospital on Monday he passed away.

Funerals happen fast as there is no mortuary. When we got to the grave site, people were still digging. The whole process is about a raw as you can get. The people attending witness everything from the coffin being lowered. Friends of the family (men) take turned shoveling and burying the coffin. It seems like such a symbol of solidarity. The grave marker set, there is a prayer and everyone is given a branch of a flower to plant in the fresh grave. Then, the whole crowd walks silently back to the families house. At the house, there are people will buckets of water waiting. Everyone must wash their hands and then they sit waiting for a prayer. After the prayer, everyone lines up to shake the hands of the family and give their condolences. A plate is set out on a bench for people to make a contribution for the family. Afterwards, people are free to leave.

Death is raw here. It happens so often, I find it easy to become numb when you hear of deaths. It must be a response to try deal with reality. Man, life is truly a vapor.

This week started out rough. On top of these things, I found out my class started Monday and not on Thursday like it says online. I thought I was being cool and ahead of the game when I went to my class site, only to find out I need to get my butt in gear and was a bit behind. So, I’ve been playing a bit of catch up. It’s a strategic management class, and I see it’s going to be rough. I’m not going to sleep much before it ends! At least it is my last class, and this is its saving grace!

On the up side…I also received an email from a coworker in Peru asking if I might be interested in working there. The job description sounds great for my heart and personality. My heart sort of jumped at the description. I love the vision that they have. Please pray with me regarding this opportunity. I still am not sure where this leaves Mozambique. My heart is here too! God needs to clarify these things. (I pasted part of his email below)

I am also meeting with African Inland Mission this weekend. There are some things I really like about them. (I sure like all the missionaries I have met that are with AIM.) I am not sure if this would lead to anything, but I am just scoping and asking questions. The question in my mind regarding them, is can I work holistically (looking at physical and spiritual).

Please pray that God makes it clear where I should go. I don’t really want to make any firm decision until I’ve gone through debriefing if I don’t have to. In some ways I feel I might mess up something if I try to jump into anything too quickly. I need time to nurture my own relationship with the LORD. I need His assurance in these future steps.

Today I came to Beira. I am saying goodbye to another friend here. I tell you Beira is feeling very empty these days! I realized this trip will be my last before coming back to leave. I am doing things that I have put off forever…like go to a real tailor to get a nice African outfit made. I also am meeting my host family on Sunday afternoon to hang out with them. My time with them is truly short.

Anyways, that is all for this week. I am going to grab my cup of coffee and start studying for the night!

Thanks for being part of this journey with me. I can’t wait to catch up with you when I return to the States.

Blessings,

Laura

Since our last conversation, I’ve been thinking about our program needs here in Peru and where the FH Peru field is headed.

I’m envisioning a program where a staff member spends time in the communities working with a church member from each church. The church member is involved in the savings group on some level (doesn’t have to be a financially contributing member) and also teaches a curriculum of money, health and business management courses with biblical principles and gospel teaching. The staff member monitors and guides (disciples) the church member and works with them to teach, visit, train and generally love on the other members of the group, with a focus on their economic wellbeing.

This project aims to strengthen the discipleship aspect of the Peruvian church. Very little intentional discipleship takes place and churches are largely only equipped for evangelism. In addition to this, the communities see the evangelical church as only concerned with their spiritual needs (saving souls) and have rarely or never been invited to something in which they feel serves their needs. I’ve seen this work in a powerful way in Pucallpa (as I would imagine you have as well) and it changes people’s perspective of Christ.

…we are looking for someone who has experience working with ASCAs and who is interested in intentional discipleship of the church, through small group and one-on-one discipleship. ..Are you open to considering Peru as a next step?

Look forward to hearing where God is leading you,

Paul

Economic Development Coordinator

Food for the Hungry Peru

Friday, October 23, 2009

Hi Friends---

Give me about 8 weekends and I’ll be gone from Gorongosa… This reality hit a bit hard this week. This afternoon, I didn’t feel like doing the computer work I should be doing…and took off on my motorcycle to visit a savings group animador/volunteer at his store. I mean-- I did have something I needed to find out from him…but I really just wanted to take the moment to spent time with him…to hang out. Hanging out time is becoming sparse…and I don’t think I’ll remember long term what was that computer work I needed to do…but I will remember our conversation. Mozambicans make it hard to leave Mozambique!

Next week starts the firsts of the "lasts"….I will pay my last rent to my landlord, and I start my last graduate class Thursday…the "lasts" are beginning…

This week went fast, partly because I slept through Tuesday. I woke up with a random fever. I felt pretty okay otherwise, but just tired. I was supposed to visit a group distributing their funds, but on top of the fever, it was raining… that option was quickly was deleted from my plan for the day. I feel great now. It really was a random fever. Very weird, but I am glad it’s gone!!

I later learn that the group of 17 members saved a total of about $2,440 USD. The member that saved the most saved $560. Nice job. Monday there is another group that is distributing funds in the same community. It should be a fun day!

Next Wednesday is the Presidential election here. I am expecting lots of campaigning over the weekend and marches going on. Campaigns stop on Sunday at midnight. Please pray that the elections go with and without incident!

I was relieved to find out what one of my class requirements was changed. As part of the final project, we were to video ourselves presenting our final project and email to our professor. I began to stress about this, because internet isn’t always easy here…especially trying to send a huge video fiIe—that could be impossible! I emailed the professor to let him know the challenges here. He emailed me back with great news…that this requirement doesn’t exist anymore. They had just changed it this week! PLT! This takes at least one stressor out of my December. I am so happy about this! God is good and merciful!

So, now…just how do I pack 3+ years of memories into two suitcases? I still am not sure…and trying to figure out the logistics of this. I remind myself that I’m not coming home to settle and don’t need to bring more things that will just have to be put away in storage in someone’s garage…It will be very hard to let go of some of the things that have meaning and memories though. It’s amazing just how connected we get to our things… Moving like this always reminds me of this. It’s also a reminder that life is not built on things.

Anyways…I think this is it for today! Attached are a few photos… Sr. Tomo with his wife and 2 of his 6 children (I just met his family on Sunday); Pr. Rui, one of my favorite animadores, in his store and the group in Nhambira that distributed their funds on Tuesday.

Much Love from Mozzy,

Laura

Friday, October 16, 2009

It’s Friday! I am so glad, I’m exhausted. I stayed up a couple late nights working on work reports…last night it was midnight. Tonight, sleep will come soon and quick!

This week was good. We started out with banana bread and juice at work to celebrate Tomo getting his license.

Tomo did much of the training this week (5 communities). I just added a few comments here and there. I really didn’t have to be there, except I wanted to officially announce my leaving in December and let people know what is going to be happening in these months and next year.

Pr Rui, one of our animadores, shared a verse with me. He read it from his Shona Bible. Then someone else read it using a Portuguese Bible...and then I read it in my English Bible when I got home as well! He gave me Isaiah 41:10-13 as a gift I prepare to leave.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

I had told another animador on Monday about my leaving, and Thursday when I arrived for training he had prepared a meal for me. He said," I don’t know what is going to happen in these months, but I wanted to make sure we did this for you. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity."

…They sure make it hard to leave. Mozambique, Gorongosa, and all the animadores have a firm place in my heart. God blesses me through them. They are lovely and there is still so much work to be done…

Monday I visited a savings group member to get "his story" as a success story for FH. Marcos attends the Baptist church mission just outside of town, so I have seen him at my church. His church is a daughter church. He also participated in the Firm Foundations class. Monday I had a great time interviewing him. Wednesday, he knew I was heading back to interview another member of his savings groups and deliberately called me to ask me to come to his store after I was done. It turns out his wife was sorely disappointed she was not there when I visited on Monday. I arrived and they took me to their house and had prepared a meal for me. They were excited and they are sincerely a great couple who just seem to glow with joy. They made me feel like a queen. When I left, they gave me a whole Chiquita bunch of bananas to take home.

I enjoyed all the visiting I did this week. I wish I had more opportunities to meet one on one like this. I’ve attached Marcos’ story and photo of him and his wife, a photo of his housing compound from a distance and photo of his family. Also, attached is a photo of Pr. Rui reading his Shona Bible. I also attached the story of Mateus and a photo of him with the bicycle he bought with his savings last year with his family. Enjoy. They are amazing people who I feel privileged to know.

This week is making it hard to leave. I enjoyed all the time I spent with people in the houses and communities. I love Gorongosa. (Hmmm, God, can I come back in work here again somehow…?)

Blessings from Moz,

Laura

Friday, October 9, 2009

Friends-

Geesh, the hot season is here. Today it was 103F outside…90F inside my house… It’s been at least a 3 quart day (that is drinking 3 quarts of water). Arrived is the season of wanting two bucket baths—cold baths-- a day...At least the evenings, while still warm, are cooler and usually with a breeze..

At the moment, we are having a bunch of small short power outages…who knows why. Such is life…and I had to comment because the power just came back on…we’ll see how long it lasts!

This morning I on my motorcycle by 6am to visit a savings groups with potential repayment problems. I had to put on a serious face and really encouraged them to get their loans paid. I shared how God wants us to live free and these groups are to be a blessing….and reminded them when we don’t repay our debts we become slaves (Proverbs 22:7). We had a good conversation about what they should do. The group wants to distribute their funds in December. I told them if they really want to distribute then, they really need to work together and the leaders of the group have to work hard to get there… I think they were responsive. I’ll check in with them in 2 weeks to hear their progress I’ve warned groups over and over about giving big loans…and the dangers of debt….but I think it’s still so tempting. It seems to be a universal money issue…look at the debt issues in the US. We are to live free…

A sad note this week was when I found out a coworker was dismissed. We knew some of the issues involved, but it was still a discouragement to us to see staff go.

Calavete’s daughter was back getting treated in the hospital again. She is doing better. They are able to come home, but just go back for treatments and to spend the night. Graça told me that they keep saying it was Sepse…It’s sounds serious, but I am no doctor and don’t understand it all. Pray for complete healing.

We finished 5 trainings this week. They were short and sweet. We had to really modify our schedule to make room for campaign and election disruptions… This month it’s been a review of the role of the commissions in the community, roles of group leaders…and we gave them a nice list of Bible references of topics related to savings (we looked at Proverbs 6:6-11 to see what we can learn from ants!). We have five more next week to finish off the training for the month.

Tomo texted me today saying he officially has his motorcycle license in hand! Woohoo! He was at the FH office getting checked off there…to make it all official! We can celebrate!!

That is it for now…I’m afraid of another power cut tonight...so I’ll finish while I’m still ahead!

Blessings to you each!

Love from Mozzy~!

Laura

P.S. I’ve been forced at looking ahead…It looks like I’ll be spending most of January in Fresno for debriefing. I am looking for a car to borrow for some of the time…even if it is a weekend or two. Any of you know someone who might be willing to lend me their car, please let me know.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Hi Friends!—

Tonight I am thinking of how God has been caring and protecting me here. For all the ups, and downs, twists and turns…He’s been faithful. Tonight I am reminded of his care and provision here. I just got off the phone with a friend in Beira (who I just stayed with last weekend). Her world just turned upside down thanks to TIM (This is Mozambique). The owner of the flat she has been renting has not been paying the mortgage, and last week bailiffs showed up at her door with the situation-- saying that they are going to seize the house. The short story is she has to move out this weekend. She only has another month left on her contract, so this is the LAST thing she was thinking that she would be doing. She is doing okay, and found a temporary place to move her things…but talk about STRESS when you least need it! TIM has a way of keeping life from being uneventful….You just never know when TIM will be at your door!

I feel horrible for her, but at the same time it has reminded me of the good things God has done for me here in Gorongosa. I’m not sure what to do, but thank him and be grateful for this. Please pray for my friend Lynsay in her situation though.

This week was a bit of a roller coaster. Monday I returned to Gorongosa to participate in a "goodbye" meeting for some staff of another program whose funding/project ended. It’s at least the third time I’ve experienced this. Projects end, staff get laid off, we grieve…then other projects begin, some get rehired…and so the cycle seems to continue. It sure can be emotionally exhausting though. I certainly don’t like this, but it seems to be normal part of "life" for development organizations from what I’ve heard.

Wednesday, many of my coworkers invaded my home to see the things I am selling. It was a bit stressful to have so many people looking and asking about things I’m going to sell. I was asked to make a list of things I’m selling so that people could save and plan to buy them. I obliged, but it has added some stress and has pushed my emotions at times. This month I am beginning to officially tell animadores/volunteers officially about my leaving. I have been dreading this. But, I don’t want them to be surprised.

Yesterday, I woke up grumpy only to be met at the office by deafening music from across the street. We could barely talk to each other in the office because it was so loud. I don’t mind Thriller, but not at so man decibels! When a coworker went to ask the folks to turn down the music…they ignored him and I swear they turned the volume up. I was told that the police or government would not do much about these kinds of things until after elections. It seems they are turning a blind eye on many things until after the elections. I was not in the mood for it, so I went home for awhile to work. In the afternoon, I took off to the campo to meet with a couple animadores….A nice ride on the motorcycle in the campo can do wonders for the mood. ƒº Today was much better.

Today I spent the day with Tomo planning out the year for the saving group program. We have funds until next September. I think Tomo is nervous about being the point person for savings groups, but we are trying to prepare him. He found it interesting to learn to take the budget we’ve been given and make an implementation plan. Talking about next year with him made it very tempting for me to want to come back… I sure will miss being part of things here! I am excited though for what will happen next year. Please pray for Tomo as we begin this process to transitioning things over to him. He will have another staff working with him, but mostly to help with computer related things, like reports—or that is what I am expecting at this point. He still will be the main person implementing the program.

Anyway…that was my week. I am certainly glad today is Friday…and Monday is ANOTHER holiday! ƒº

Tonight I am chilling out with coffee…and later will be working on my sermon for Sunday!

Thank you for all your prayer, love and support. I have not been good in expressing this…I love you all and appreciate what you do for me!

Much love from Mozzy,

Laura

Wednesday, September 28, 2009

Hi Friends—

My Friday update was put on hold until today. The reason? We had a holiday weekend and so I enjoyed it! Friday I was able to escape to a Beach about an hour away from Beira with some friends. It was a nice break! I loved the hour long walk I had on the beach without seeing anyone. It was very peaceful and relaxing! Saturday…I did my normal errands in Beira—like buying extra airtime and stocking up on Peanut Butter and coffee. I then took a lovely 2 hour nap before meeting with a Mozambican friend for coffee. Sunday I went to church and visited my host family in the afternoon…went to English church in the evening. Sunday was a goodbye party for another missionary in town who is leaving, and so we went for Indian food! Overall, I felt it was a proper holiday weekend! ƒº

Last week we finished our trainings for September. I felt a bit of relief and sadness (as it will be my last full day of trainings with the groups). I was pleased with how the trainings went in general. It was a great month. I pray that some of the principles about stewardship will stick with them and help the groups.

I am in the middle of trying to plan for next month. It’s a bit complicated with schedules, new fiscal year (trying to figure out budgets!), elections, and groups beginning to distribute funds. I just don’t have a clear vision of how to properly "do it all". I have the next couple days to complete my monthly schedule! Yikes. Feel free to pray for this, that God will make clear what needs to happen and in what order!

Sunday I will be preaching at my church—some thing related to missions. This week I will be preparing for this too!

It’s all good.

Attached are some photos from last week’s training and beach trip... (happy cooks adding Moringa to our lunch, Tomo training, typical scene at a training—with calculators, and two beach photos)

I hope you are starting your week well! Thanks for being part of this journey!

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, September 18, 2009

Hi Friends—

Tomo did well on his driver’s test yesterday and we are pretty sure he passed. His instructor said he passed, and that usually is a very positive sign. He will get official results next week, but we are pretty sure he passed. Once he has his physical license in hand…I’m taking him to lunch to celebrate. Woo hoo!

This week I held down the training-fort while Tomo was in Beira. I am still constantly amazed that few savings group members have heard of Stewardship. I really should not be surprised, but can’t help it. The groups continue to work through the income and expense lists. It has been enlightening exercise for some as they see how much they may spend monthly on things. In the trains we also discuss priorities as they make financial decisions and also how the way we spend out money can honor God (being good stewards).

In part of the training, I ask them what they are going to do with the savings they are accumulating…Their answers are positive: tin for roof, bricks for new house, water pump for irrigation, expanding fields, school expenses, bicycle, motorcycle (yes, really!), investments into their businesses, wedding… One savings group member said that he never hoped for the things he now has like a TV, motorcycle, and a store. He says it has all been because of savings groups. Many say that of all the programs FH has brought, this one is changing their lives the most. (Sweet! Praise God!)

This week I have been looking at the schedule on when savings groups will distribute their funds. We have two next month, four in November…and a whooping 28 groups in December. Hmmm, yeah, I’m still not sure how we are going to manage to assist all 28 groups in December. I’m glad to have a couple months to figure this out.

Very randomly, I bought a goat this week. It wasn’t planned. At one training the animador had bought two for 600 meticais—the maximum allowance we gave her for buying a goat or chickens for trainings. She didn’t think it through very well… We don’t need two goats for 600MT, but one for 600Mt or less… She already paid for the goats, but I can only justify the goat we ate with finances. So, instead of leaving her hanging, I personally paid for the goat and she is going take care of it. I figure that in November or December we could eat it at one of my good bye parties. I didn’t go broke…It set me back a whole $10!

It was cool this week when I was at a training to hear about one of the orphans the FH is looking after. She had been suffering with some sort of rash/blisters. The orphans in our program have special right to go to the hospital for free. I was pleased to hear that the volunteer in charge of her took the initiative to take her to the hospital to take care of the issue. For me it was very nice to see our program at work. (Good job guys!)

I’ve been asked by folks here to make a list of things I am going to sell off when I leave. People want to know, so they can start saving. So, this is going to be a task I have this weekend. It’s not fun, and I don’t particularly like to think about getting rid of my things, but know it is good to give people time.

This week my energy level has been a bit more stable. I am tired, but feel a bit more stable than last week. Although I will say last night when I had to prepare for devotions at work today, it felt my head was spinning! I suppose after 3 full days of training in Portuguese…it’s okay to be tired.

Calavete’s daughter, Priscilla, is doing well.

Attached are some photos from this week. There is one of Paulo constructing his new house (thanks to savings groups), Paulo doing a math problem in front of the group, Silvestre doing math with his phone and calculator, and Joaquina doing math… My photos of trainings are quite the same…people working in groups and doing math/accounting!

I hope you are doing well. I will look forward to catching up with many of you when I return.

God Bless,

Laura

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Hi Friends—

These Friday updates have turned into Saturday updates lately! Yesterday it was all I could do to get myself out of bed and at work on time…and the first steps into my house after work led to my bed for a nap. I was exhausted! So, there was no chance that I would be able to write anything coherent yesterday, even if I wanted!

Three full days of training=fun and tiredness. This week Tomo was with me. It would’ve been hard without him! He helped with a lot of the teaching and organizing. These trainings have been teaching me a lot too. As the savings groups go through the budgeting exercises, I am learning what their priorities are. It was shocking in one training the conversation the group (all men, except me) talked about what people pay for sex. We included it on the "expense" sheet and it turned into an interesting conversation when the group had to cut some expenses back as part of an exercise.

They said well, we can lower that cost, but it would be hard to eliminate it. They just said, oh, for this exercise we’ll cut it out….but we know it will exist. It seems to be such a common thing and can cost a lot of money that could be supporting their families. I held my tongue and just emphasized what is means to be a good steward. (It was not the time to address this…and from what I see it is part of a larger cultural issue.) It was a bit shocking, but interesting to learn. It helped me see the depth of the issue. They can spend $50 a month or more…which is a heck of a lot for these parts.

I was reflecting on the list of monthly expenses the groups put together. They had things like cost of going to the mill to grind corn, kerosene for their lamps, cost of having people work their fields, etc. So many things we would not have on our list. Interesting stuff…at least to me!

Little Priscilla is doing better and is out of the hospital. Graça and Calavete says that her stomach still is bothering her and hopes to go to Beira to have some tests done.

Tomo spent this week here working with, but next week will be back in Beira looking to try to get that motorcycle license. Please pray for favor. I’m not sure what we’ll do if he can’t get it next week. Ugh. Pray that the transportation people will be nice and fair, and Tomo does the test well with confidence.

Pray that I will have the energy to finish next week’s training well on my own. I have been feeling fatigued and need energy for next week-- and beyond!

Political campaigning starts tomorrow for the presidential elections. I am not sure what to expect, but I’ll be laying low when they kick off… I expect there will be many people out and potential for clashes. I hear that police are preparing the cells for more arrests. Pray that people will campaign peacefully! Elections are at the end of next month.

One cool report I got from my guard Neves (who was part of the Firm Foundation’s class). He was able to witness this week to a friend and used some of the things he learned in the course to explain who is God and Satan (apparently his friend thought Satan was more powerful than God), how the Bible was written, etc. Pray that he and other who went through the class will use their knowledge and material to expand His Kingdom.

I am going to close for now! Attached are a couple photos of my house-help’s (Sr. Baptista) family with the new house they are building and Pedro, Sr. Baptista’s son, with his homemade toy plane (which I thought was awesome!).

Blessings,

Laura

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Hi Friends—

I hope you all will have a great Labor Day weekend. We actually have a holiday Monday too! Sweet…though I have no idea what I will do besides a bit of work.

This week started the marathon of day long trainings. We had two this week, three day next…and so it goes. It was very interesting for me this week. I learned a lot too! It was sort of a surprise, but really shouldn’t be, to learn that most of the people in the trainings this week had never heard of the word stewardship before, which was one of main topics. I love stewardship, though I feel in the States, at least, it gets hijacked many times to talk about tithing and just money. We are stewards of all that God gave us…which you can see in Genesis means creation too. For believers, we are stewards of the Gospel. Parents are stewards of their family and children. We are stewards of our time, service, money, bodies… you name it. Anyway, short story is…the word stewardship is a totally new term for savings groups.

Along the theme of stewardship and savings groups, we did an exercise to look at expenses and income for a typical household. (Thanks Smita and Chalmer’s Institute folks for creating great lesson material!) You can call it budgeting 101. They groups enjoyed the exercise and it was the first time they had looked at finances this way. Some things I learned is that one of the more rural communities where we trained this week an average income is about $150 for a FAMILY for this time of year. I can only imagine their situation in January/February in the height of the hunger season when fields are being cultivated, but there is little/no harvest. The other community were we trained gave me insight to how much people can spend on drinking, smoking and womanizing. They said that people could spend $80 in a sitting and estimated someone could spend $320 a month on just drinking. For a smoker, if they smoke every day, could spend about $30 a month. Womanizing or prostitution…they could spend $10/day…for a whooping $300/month. This same group calculated the average monthly wage as about $300….so you can see the problem. If they really do participate in all these vices at the level they calculated, those expenses are much higher than their income.

We talked about income as being like roots which sustain the plant/house, and expenses like branches. Basically if your income is less than your expenses you have to either deepen the roots/increase your income or prune back the expenses….or your household will suffer. We looked at all the expenses and prioritized what they would need to cut back to live within their means –and sustain their families properly.

I was glad they mentioned drinking…many people spend the money they get at harvest on drinking, especially. I was more than glad to address these vices and how they fit in to budgeting and stewardship…

The rest of the day of training we spend on math…how to calculate the payouts at the end of their cycle, how to fill out the group registers, etc. When I’ve asked them what they want to learn next month…they told me, " We want more math and Bible" Sweet! Yes, we can do that!

Some of you heard that my coworker’s (Calavete) youngest daughter is in the hospital. She had some terrible fevers, and diarrhea and it was not the normal Malaria. The doctors were concerned and are having her stay at the hospital. As of yesterday she is doing a bit better and was able to sleep through the night. Calavete told me she will be in the hospital until Monday. Please pray for complete healing.

Please pray for Tomo and his motorcycle process. It has been such a frustrating process full of corruption. They want bribes…and even I’ve hear someone say that they won’t accept bribes directly because they know that anti-corruption people are around…so bribes have to be given indirectly. What a mess to try to work in! Last week, he tried to take the test, but the motorcycle was breaking down. I am so thoroughly frustrated with the situation. I am at a loss to know how to deal with this situation. It is affecting our work a lot at this point. Please pray for this process. He is going to trying next week to take the test using a FH motorcycle since the school’s motorcycle is not working properly. This whole situation is the biggest thorn in my work-side at the moment. Ugh.

Anyway, that is all for now. Have a great Labor Day weekend!!

Blessings from Moz,

Laura

Friday, August 28, 2009

Hi Friends--

Savings group volunteers/animadors proved that they are experts this week during our training. I was proud of them as we went through the training how much they are learned and grown over the last couple years. They are truly experts in their own right.

We had a fun time that last couple days together in training. We all learned a song about savings groups that one animador created….actually he created several songs about savings groups. Sometime I will have to try to record them.

They were excited to receive Bibles that we were able to get for them. (I was also super excited about giving them the Bibles!!). I made sure the Bibles had a concordance. (Imagine reading the Bible without any tools at all or even what you learned in Sunday School. Where would you start? I know that I am spoiled with my Bible study programs and Study.) Anyway, we taught them how to use their concordance and had them look up verses related to savings groups and leadership. (stewards, debt/loans, jealousy, counsel, humility, etc) They looked up these words in groups, read all the verses they found in the concordance, and answered a few questions. (What can learn about God and his character? What do these verses say about our relationship with others, and what does this mean for me—how can I apply this in my life?) The studies created good discussions.

Also, we did a simple household budgeting exercise which they listed all the sources of income and all the expenses a typical family in Gorongosa would have this past month. We looked at what we could do if the income was less than the expenses. We talked about priorities and how savings group members make decisions on how they use their savings at the end of the cycle. We talked about the hunger season that occurs December and February each year, and what savings groups can do to better manage that time. They really enjoyed this exercise. One animador says he is going to do the exercise to see how his business is doing. We are doing the same exercise with all communities next month in our trainings. Next month our training will include stewardship as well as some more accounting/math that the groups will be facing as they close out their group cycle this year.

We looked at the status of the program together…Did you know we have 740 people in 42 savings groups in Gorongosa? (In January this year we had 28 groups!) In July they saved an accumulated value of $33,976! I think they were a bit shocked how much money there really is being saved and they enjoyed getting the big picture.

It was a great time! It makes me feel more at ease leaving in December knowing that these guys are experts. They did great with all the math and accounting. And for me, I am glad to know for sure that each one has a copy of the Word in their hands as well.

I am going to close for now!

Blessings from Moz!

Laura

Friday, August 21, 2009

Dear Friends—

I have managed to drink a couple cups of coffee tonight and still am hanging on. This morning I was up at 5pm to catch a chapa (minibus) to Beira. Early mornings are always HARD for me! I am ready for bed and its only 7:30pm!

This week whirled by. I found myself a couple times stressed out about coming back to the States. In a moment the stress leaving almost outweighed me wanting to come back for R&R. We’ve managed to maintain a cool for the last couple days. I am officially leaving Moz on December 21st. …the ticket is in process of being purchased. First stop is WA for Christmas and New Year’s with family….Looks like I will be debriefing for the month of January in Fresno, CA. (Does anybody know what there is to do in Fresno?). I freaked out with the idea of debriefing for a whole month, but have since mellowed out. I need R&R, and time to retreat with God, and this may be the time before I dive into too much activity and whirlwind of being back in the States.

I learned from HR today I have 35 days of vacation accrued. Oops, I didn’t know I had that many. I am thinking of officially taking December off, but staying just to attend the parties and festivities of the savings groups as they distribute their funds at the end of their cycle. Maybe I can sneak a long weekend somewhere…??

This week was training, training, and training…I didn’t east dust this week, but Tuesday I got totally drenched by rain. It was really cold too! Tonight I need to organize things for next week’s training with our volunteers, and get ready for September’s marathon training. I feel behind in getting all the sessions planned out. Since coming back from SA, I’ve had no desire to do any work at night….but I need to! Planning sessions during the day is difficult because the current trainings we have going on and there are more distractions around.

Preaching last Sunday went well. I am glad to be back on the preaching list at my church after a few months break. Did you know we are stewards of God’s grace?

Also this week, I sat with several students from the Firm Foundations class to explain how the manual works. And also, I wanted to teach them to use their concordance in their new Bibles. We had a blast and sat around until it was almost dark looking over the manual and Bible. I realize afterwards how lucky I was to learn some of these basics things (like looking up words alphabetically) and use a Bible from school/Sunday school. I was amazed again at the lack of knowledge of things I take for granted. We are getting together again in two weeks for more practice. Very fun!

This weekend I am getting things ready for next week’s and month’s training, and also saying goodbye to another friend who lives in Beira. Sigh.

Attached are a couple fun photos from the week. If you are on Facebook, you’ve already seen them. My house help, Baptista, lent me his electric kettle after mine died this week. It was very kind of him, but not the safest arrangement. He took parts from three kettles to make one working kettle. He could be the next MacGyver! Another photo is of my lunch yesterday. It is sorghum and little-bitty birds—sparrow sized birds. I ate several of them, but could not stomach the heads… They were definitely the smallest birds I’ve ever eaten! I

I am going to close for now!

Blessings from Moz!

Laura

Friday, August 14, 2009

Hi Friends!

Cough, Cough... I am still recovering from the dust I ate returning from training in Tazaronda about 25km away. On the way back I found myself behind a tractor grading the road and kicking up a thick dust cloud I never have seen before. I could barely see in front of me. I was so glad to pass him, but it took me a while for my eyes to recover.

The week went by fast. I attended training about orphans for one day. I left Tomo to attend the whole three day training while I went off to train a couple savings groups. This month we are teaching savings groups Biblical principles in conflict resolution using some Peacemaker material. It been good. Everyone experiences conflict at some point or another. If they aren't, they are living alone! Its great stuff.The website of some of the principles we are teaching are at www.peacemaker.net

Today I met with my supervisor, Halkeno, to talk about savings groups after I leave. It seems there is a little bit of money to continue with it next year under the Bring Hope program. We discussed the how and who. I am glad to see that it will continue. It may mean that I will be training someone as early as October to take over.That's, like, a bit more than a month away!!

We also talked about the possibilities of me continuing with FH in Mozambique. It seems that I could stay, but the likelihood of staying in Gorongosa is low. The position they are proposing would be interesting in a short term (communications.getting the story out of what we are achieving in Moz). It seems like a position that could take me all over the country traveling. Short term, it would be interesting and fun. Long term, I need a home base, a routine, and feel part of a place. We had a good chat. I still need to hear clearly where God wants me..

Can you believe it's been three years? I realized recently I officially pasted the three year mark. Time passes so fast!

I will be sharing the message at church on Sunday. The month's topic is stewardship. We are going to be teaching the same topic to savings groups soon, so it comes at a great time. It's always nice to study one topic for two things. Next Tuesday, I am trying to get the Firm Foundations class together. It seems some of them would like more instructions on how to use their manual. I also would like to teach them how to use their concordance in the new Bibles they received.

I am grateful to God recently. After a very long spiritual dry, I feel things are beginning to get watered and a bit greener. It is much welcomed.

Hmmm. I think that's all for now. I am going to go make my ritual coffee!

Have a great Friday!! Thanks for being part of this journey. I appreciate you all very much, and I don't express it nearly enough!

Love from Moz,

Laura

Friday, August 8, 2009

Hi Friends—

Seeing the rice fields and huts from the airplane made me happy last Sunday when I returned to Moz from a week in J’burg. I enjoyed J’burg and the luxuries of hot showers, electric blankets, espresso coffees, and a decent haircut. But a week was enough and I was ready to go home…I thought of my househelp, my guards, coworkers, friends at church, friends in Beira and little dog Scrappy (thanks for naming him Dawn!)…and I was more than ready to see everyone. (I won’t say I was ready to get back to work though!)

I spent Monday in the office finishing up things with finances, and Tuesday I spent more time sleeping than working. I had a headache and generally felt I was fighting something. I felt good enough to catch a ride at 5:30am to Gorongosa with a coworker Wednesday. It’s nice to be back.

I am beginning the process of leaving…I am beginning to mentally prepare me for the next few months. There is marathon of training, and another graduate class before leaving in December. I decided I need to make a list of who I need to say goodbye to and make there is time for proper goodbyes. Goodbyes are super important here and I don’t want to miss anyone I should. And when I think of leaving…it hurts. While I know I need time at home for R&R, the thought of leaving….well, makes my stomach turn. I mean, where in the States will I ever be mobbed by kids and walked home. Where will I find Baptists that dance and have a sort of African "mosh pit" during worship on Sundays that kick up dust clouds? Where will I hear the beautiful African voices of my coworkers at devotions? Where will I munch on sugar cane, and buzz down a path on a motorcycle to meet a savings group? Sigh. I plan to dig in and soak in the next few months!

My Facebook status this week was simple, "okay, don’t ask me what I am going to do after December, Talk to God, He knows more than I do about this…" At the moment, my brain overloads and melts when I think of what is next. I just don’t know! I am pretty sure I won’t be in the States forever though. Nothing is clear yet. Outside of having Christmas at home, sleeping until noon for a couple weeks, walking my dog, using my REI dividend, and playing killer games of Settlers of Catan… I don’t have a "plan".

I was reading Oswald Chamber recently. He wrote: If when God said, "Go", you stayed because you were so concerned about your people at home, you robbed them of the teaching and preaching of Jesus Christ himself". I have never thought how if I don’t "Go" where He is calling me that I would be robbing those who I stay with. Hmmm, at first thought you’d think the people I am suppose to go to are the ones getting robbed because I would be not there. Hmmm...

I want to shout to the sleepy Church in the US to wake up and "Get going"…Stop robbing yourselves…

Anyways, before a sermon gets started, I will close!

Thanks for all your prayer, love and support!

Love from Moz,

Laura

Monday, July 31, 2009

Hi Friends—

I know you haven’t heard from my in a couple weeks as my church team was visiting. They arrived the 17th and left the 27th. During that time, they taught pastors, CDP promotores, played games with kids, and helped little Laurinha with some physical therapy. I’ll attach a few photos. The Firm Foundations class graduated! It was a bitter sweet time for me. Bitter to see the class end, but it was very sweet to see the participants dance when the received their certificate, study material and Bible. They were so happy. Pray that they will be given clear opportunities to teach others.

For me it was an encouraging time to see the team pour into Gorongosa. I am not sure what else to say! It was an uplifting time.

Monday, I flew back to South Africa with the team. My friend Dawn, who was on the team, stayed behind and we spent several days tromping around Johannesburg. It was great to spend some time with her. She left for the States yesterday and I leave for Moz on Sunday. I have one more full day in J’burg.

I have been using this time to shop, run errands, and unwind. I also have been reflecting on my time in Moz to present, and what may be next.

I thought it was interesting to follow my emotions. I think living overseas can do some things to you. I choked up inside when I shook hands with the hair stylist today. I sat in the chair the rest of the hour pondering my reaction. How funny it is. I have been looking forward to a hair cuts for several months. I’m not sure what it triggered, but I’ve never choked in the States getting my hair cut, so I must attribute it to the mysteries of living cross culturally and diving into a world that most in Gorongosa could not even imagine.

In my thinking of the future, I came up with no clear answers yet. I’m sure when it’s clear, I’ll be announcing it to the world! Lol.

This week I have enjoyed the guest house we are staying at. It is an apartment with electric blankets (winter here!), large flat screen TV and comfy couch….it very homey—just what I need for some R&R! They even have a couple dogs at the house, so I am getting a bit of my fill of dog hugs! ƒº

Anyways I end here….

Blessings from J’burg!

Laura

PS: I’ll be back in Moz Sunday…

Friday, July 10, 2009

Hi Friends!

Happy Friday! I am glad it’s Friday partly because I am looking to sleeping in tomorrow. And partly because I know my co-workers will be back from Beira next Monday and it’s been too quiet around the office the last few days. They were all at CDP training.

I was suppose to be in Beira too, but stayed behind to give a saving group training. In the end, it worked out that my training was cancelled. It was raining and cold, and the church we meet in is pretty leaky. None of these things would make for a good environment for learning. I’ve taken the advantage of having everyone gone to catch up on administration stuff I like to put off, and begin planning for August and September trainings. August training will be focused on peacemaking/conflict resolution mixed with some time to do a bookkeeping review.

I am getting ready for my church to come next week. This time next week, they will be here! Woohoo! There are lots of details to take care, but we’re almost there!

Yesterday I found out Pastor Franque passed away. He and another pastor really are responsible for bring the Gospel to Gorongosa. They were imprisoned by the Catholics (oddly enough), beaten, and accused of witchdoctors. They were the only pastors that would go out in the middle of the civil war in Gorongosa and make visits. I was able to interview him last year. In my book, he is a hero of the faith. I remember him telling me of almost getting killed in the civil war, just missing get shot. He told me a story about praying for healing for someone when a group of witch doctors confronted him. He was told that he should not heal because they had put a curse on the person and they should die. He told me several stories of being confronted by witch doctors. I am sad to see him pass away, but it’s comforting to know that he is with Jesus. He left a great legacy in Gorongosa. His legacy challenges me to have courage.

This week was FREEZING! Well, it had been about 65F during the day, but raining. Yesterday I had 5 layers on. Today was sunny, thankfully. We were getting worried about the Sorghum harvest. The rain was ruining the Sorghum. I hope the sun stays for awhile so everyone can get their harvest in. It probably will be cold at night…It was about 55F last night. It’s cold when your house doesn’t have heat or insulation! Trust me!

Anyhow, I am getting ready for my evening coffee.

Thanks for being part of this journey here.

Blessings from Moz,

Laura

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Hey Friends—

This week I had the pleasure of helping to host a team from Iowa. The week went pretty smoothly. For us in the field many things were given to us without much notice, but I was proud to see how our team responded. They enjoyed the team and I think as FH staff we learned a bit more about working together….It was good for us.

I learned some things about myself and how I need to chill. I got so wrapped up in wanting things to go well I stepped on some coworkers toes. Mid-week I found myself realizing what I did and had to humbly ask for forgiveness and to say I was sorry. My co-workers were gracious, and I certainly learned some things both about myself and culturally too. Man, it is tough to admit wrong, and suck up pride to apologize and ask for forgiveness. Some of my weak areas were bared open. It was quite humbling.

I enjoyed the team and spending time with them. I was asked to accompany them, which I gladly accepted. I have been missing hanging out in fellowship with other American/Western Christians. I appreciated being able to have time with them. The team leaves for Beira tomorrow and then life will be back to "normal".

Also, I have been slowing forming a relationship with a neighbor dog despite my reason that says I should not. I just get too attached to animals! I’ve attached a photo of the dog who I have been feeding, petting, and sort of taking responsibility for… I am a sucker for animals…especially dogs!

Next week we have one more training on Tuesday to finish the month. (Tomo did great I think last week on his own, so that is great!) This week I have to finish the lessons we are teaching next month such as servant leadership. I plan to be in Beira for several days to restock on things and visit friends, and plan for next month.

I hope you all had a great weekend. Thanks for your partnership and love!

Blessings from Moz,

Laura

P.S, The photos are of Mt. Gorongosa with Sunflowers in front, the dog I am feeding, and sorghum that is almost ready to harvest…

Friday, June 19, 2009

This week zoomed by and still is not over. There is no end to this week…no weekend! We have a team that arrived today and at the last minute…it was dropped into CDP hands to run!! ARGH. Please pray for us as we take on the team this next week. There is so much to do and no time! It will be a crazy next 10 days. As a result, I am getting ready to have to hand over the savings group training to Sr. Tomo to do by himself---not the ideal for him. It really deserves 2 people to do it right and not to be totally worn out at the end of the day!!! Not so happy to do this to him, but may be forced too!!

This week went by fine, great actually. It’s just next week I’m worried about!!!

We’ve had our CDP director from the States here for a few days. I’ve enjoyed getting to know her and felt encouraged by the time I’ve been able to hang out with her. I feel blessed by her visit.

I am sorry this is short. I need to head to bed so I can get up early tomorrow!

Blessings to you all!!

Love form Moz,

Laura

Friday, June 12, 2009

Dear Friends—

Coffee has long since brewed and consumed. I just watched a movie and am trying to "chill". After getting in the habit of studying, I’m not sure what to do with my nights anymore!!

This week blasted by with three all day trainings. They were good, but challenging. We are supposed to do a "pre and post" test every time we do training to measure learning (the tests are mandated from up above). I found that the test I created is much too difficult… the Portuguese is too difficult. It’s not really the material. This weekend I think I need to create an all-oral test. When people say you need to do these tests, they should at least give you some ideas how to work with an illiterate audience or very oral society. I heard when I asked about this that other field interview people one by one. Nice, if you have more available staff that can help you. It’s not convenient to interview your whole class one by one when you have a full day of training. Time very much becomes a factor…also considering you are lucky if you start within an hour of your scheduled beginning.

Aagh…this is one little thorn I have….Paul had his thorn…I guess I have to live with mine too!!

The training is actually quite fun. I was reflecting how we are teaching literacy—finances and math. It’s a challenge and I love it. It is fun, but tiring. Gosh, yesterday I dropped into my bed! It’s challenging language wise for me because I teach in Portuguese but many times it gets translated into Sena. I find when I get tired my Portuguese gets sloppy—which makes it difficult for everyone. I am so thankful that Sr. Tomo is working. Last week he just listened to the trainings while I gave them. This week I gave him some parts and so we ended up tag teaming. I think we realized we needed each other to get through this week’s training. Even with both of us, we both ended the three-day training run a bit tired.

I loved some of the images in my mind of this week of savings group members hard at work. We gave them some problems to solve---math. I heard one guy mention that kids in 10th grade don’t learn what they were learning. There were a few moments that I felt we were in school. Math isn’t easy, be we’re teaching it and what amounts to basic accounting!!

I wish I had more to write, but my week was about trainings. I don’t have a very exciting life really. Next week we have two more days of training. We also have two days of training ourselves! It should be a busy week!

Tonight was reflecting on my time so far here. Sometimes I wonder if in 50 years any of what I am doing will have made an impact. It seems like so little. I was reminded this week, just to obey and be faithful. We aren’t expected to be "successful", just faithful. God has the rest.

Anyways, I need to close and get to sleep! Thanks for being a part of this!

Blessings,

Laura

Saturday June 6, 2009

Hi Friends—

I need a t-shirt that says I survived this week. Yesterday was a 12 hour work day and the rest of the week was crazy as well. If I had tried to write an update yesterday, you might have only received a one liner…" tired…need rest." I figured you’d want more than that, and I definitely have more to share about the week.

We had two days of survey work and about 95% done with the interviews. There are a few people going out today and Monday to finish the few remaining surveys. Man, I will be sooo glad to finish this and get back to a "regular" schedule. I found this survey did not make me a better person. I struggled with frustration and impatience!

We also started our training marathon with savings group commissions (secretaries and presidents of all the groups in each community). We had two this week and both finished well. Thursday’s was a lot of fun. We had an active group and I think they took away a lot about strengthen their group regulations, dealing with repayment issues, and filling out the group registers correctly. We also had a lesson on Moringa and added fresh moringa leaves to our lunch of beans and rice.

I read a bit of a children’s book about a monster ruling over a village to start a discussion of God’s Story and our part in it. It was fun. I also made a paper crane in the same lesson to make a point about how fun creating is and that we are "co-creators" with God.

I liked our discussion about how to deal with a member who dies and leaves an unpaid loan. One group was ready to ask for the payment from the surviving family. I asked them if it was themselves that died, how they would want their family to be treated. It turned into a discussion on how the group can balance getting their money back and care for the family. We spent a lot of time talking about this and other points that should be in their group regulations. I emphasized that a group should be a supportive group to the members and families, and that maximizing their money is not the only goal. We are to care for each other. I really hope they take this to heart.

It was fun to include a small lesson on the nutritional properties of Moringa and to answer questions on how to prepare/cook it. When the beans were almost done we took time out to demonstrate how to prepare the leaves and together added the leaves to the pot. It was the first time any of them had cooked or eaten Moringa. There was a lot of interest. They gave Moringa a thumbs up and liked the taste. One member said he was going to go home and teach his wife how to cook it. Yay! I liken eating Moringa to taking a multivitamin. It’s full of good things. The farmer and gardener in me is having fun promoting Moringa in part of our training. It is easy and fun. FH and other organizations promoted growing Moringa, but nobody ever was told what to do with it or how to prepare it. I hope that they will all go home and begin to experiment with it---and then teach their neighbors. I love the picture I have from this week of everyone huddled around the cook pot to learn how to prepare and cook Moringa. It makes me smile.

That is all for now. I had a great night of rest and a much needed slow morning. Today I am taking it easy….and not doing a lick of work!! Woohoo!

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, May 29, 2009

Happy Friday!!

This week whizzed by…It has been very busy here. This week we had organized to do 3 days of surveying for a baseline study. It meant organizing for three days two loads of cars of people, sandwiches and soda for a day of interviewing savings group members and orphaned children. We have 1750 orphaned children we will be helping in our program and have to survey about 20% of them for this baseline study. Saving group members are easy to track down. But, finding the children on the list? I think the task is a bit like asking cats to come to be interviewed! We sent lists out into the community a few days earlier to local leaders to let the families know to be present. While many did show up, locating children seems to be the most difficult task! We have two more days next week. Pray that we can get all the surveys done!!

Next week begins our month marathon of training. We have 10 full days of training in June. I am not nearly as organized as I need to be. We are cooking in each community and so it means food logistics on top of training. Sr. Tomo starts officially on Monday, without motorcycle license. It is great he will be able to help out, but a shame he wasn’t able to get his license. I am hoping that at the end of the month there will be time for him to take the test.

My spiritual walk has been dry and…well, very dry. It’s frustrating.

Please pray for my relationship with God. In some ways I feel I have to go back to the States in December to restore my relationship with him. It’s not like it is gone or anything. But, being here presents a lot of questions for God. Why do you let so many people live in such poverty? Where are you God with those here who have to bribe doctors to get attended to? My house help’s young son has a huge abscess and has been crying all the time the past 2 weeks. Why is it that we in the States could get antibiotics, while this one has to have the strength to see the infection through with barely a Tylenol? Why do people have to live on less than 2 dollars a day while others have so much excess? There are so many questions for him and the Church. Where are you church? How can we sit comfortably in our pews while all these things go on? I will need some time when I get back to the States to process these things and work with God on our relationship.

On Wednesday, I went to the hospital to visit Laurinha and a son of a savings group volunteer. Laurinha is totally burned on her stomach—with good third degree burns. It was hard to see her, but her mom has so much faith. She is amazing and an example to me. Laurinha is stabilizing, but please pray that these burns heal without infection. It was an overwhelming visit. I prayed for Laurinha and turned around to see a mother kneeling with her child to be prayed for. I prayed for them and turned around to see another mother and child kneeling wanting to get prayed over. One after another--all kneeling in front of me with their sick children or asking me to come to their hospital bed to be prayed for. I don’t know how many mothers and children I prayed for. It was many. It was such a privilege, but emotional. It is all I can do to pray and not break down. A few times it took I my strength to finish praying. I prayer was simple: heal these children, demonstrate who you are, be glorified, and may each know you…love on these children and their families.

Okay…that is enough of one week! I really need to get that coffee going!!

Blessings from Moz!

Laura

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Hi Friends—

This week went by fast. The biggest accomplishment was passing my class. The end was perfect because work is taking off with no end in sight for awhile. It will be fun, but we’ll be hopping especially through the end of June.

This week I tested my abilities with my new motorcycle…I learned if it does tip over…I do have enough muscles to lift it up again. I got lost going to a church for a meeting and ended up where motorcycles can’t really go…a path with huge rocks and holes. I actually got stuck in a hole and had to tip the bike over. Unfortunately it fell on my foot which is black and blue. I am hobbling a bit, but it will be fine. I’ve just tried to stay off of it as much as possible this weekend.. In the same trip, I had to ask where the church was...in sena…and a boy led me there. So that was another accomplishment…using sena in middle of no where to ask for directions.

Last week I had meetings with saving group leaders in four community. They went pretty well. Next month we have 10 full days of training. I could use some prayer for these days. There is a lot to do to prepare for them.

Next week we are doing a baseline study, and will be in survey mode. It will be good to get it over. I know it is a way to measure or impact, but I find they also take away from other activities. I am trying not to see the survey as a hassle. But we are getting swamped and for me, this is not an ideal time. Oh well. What can you do, but do and finish it, and move on!

Sr. Tomo has not been able to take his motorcycle test, but we are asking him to start next week working. We just can’t wait any longer. Until our schedule is freed up to take the test, he will use a bike, and get rides from me. It is a shame, but not much I can do about it.

Oh, those of you on FB might have seen I played a prank. I changed my relationship status to engaged for one day to see what people would do. I am really not engaged, not close. But it was a fun prank. I guess I lack proper entertainment and this prank was a result….lol.

Update: Isabel, my pastor’s daughter, is continuing to get better each day. The sores are healing and I heard she was able to sit up. She has not been able to eat solid foods yet though. I am thankful for the improvements. My pastor was beside himself not knowing what to do. We thank God for the improvements and healing.

This afternoon I received bad news that Laurinha, my namesake, fell into a fire and burned her stomach very badly. She is in the hospital. Since I am in Beira, I have not been able to see her. It is sad because her parents asked me to take to the nurses to give her some good medicine. It is frustrating that they can’t get it normally and have to bribe them or use influence of others. Ugh.

I am heading out to dinner with some friends tonight in Beira.

Enjoy the long weekend there.

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, May 15, 2009

Hi Friends—

I am glad it’s Friday, and already have that cup of coffee in hand. I wish I could call it good for the day, but I have the last push to finish my class. I just have my final paper, and I will be done…not later than Tuesday. If I get some God-given superpower, I could finish earlier.

This week was busy. There were two day of training with the new Savings groups commissions, and also a staff training for two days which I had to take care of logistics for. Over all the week was fine, but just busy and intense.

Please continue to pray for Isabel, my pastor’s daughter. She is still not doing very well. I visited her in the hospital today. She was asleep, but her parents told me that she was able to eat a bit of porridge today. Up to today, she had not eaten anything since Monday! She is covered with sores all over her body, eyes, throat, etc. She is basically raw all over. They say it was a reaction to over medication. I really don’t know. It is a very serious though.

I have had a lingering cold for a couple weeks now. Generally feel I need rest and can’t wait for next weekend. I am heading to Beira for R&R, and stock up on coffee supplies—you know, the important things!

I will keep this short and close.

I thank you for being part of this journey!

Hi All— Quick Update: Monday, May 18

Isabel, my pastor’s daughter, is doing a bit better. She still has a long ways to go. She had so many blister/sores that she is literally raw in many places. Her face is especially raw, and to me reminds me of a burn victim. For those who have met her, you’d have a hard time recognizing her. She continues to be in the hospital. Please continue for healing and comfort.

Blessings,Laura

Friday, May 8, 2009

Dear Friends---

Last week I didn’t manage to do a Friday update last week. There was just too much going on.

I started off this week sick with a bad cold. Last Sunday was the first time I stayed home from church here. I called my SS partner to ask him to take over Sunday school…and went back to bed. I had to force myself to do school work. Monday morning, just my luck that I had planned to make a visit at 6am…that means getting up around 5am to get ready and then a 40 minute motorcycle. It was also my luck I had a fever and it was raining to boot. I dragged myself out of bed so I could keep my word. If they were a community within cell phone range, I would’ve called to cancel. It turned out to be a good visit despite. I am slowly getting better. I think late nights, early mornings aren’t helping me, but there hasn’t been much I can do.

Today I am still with a nice cough and sore sinuses. Tomorrow, I already told my house help to not to come early…I plan to sleep in and try to rest a bit.

Last week we had 12 new cashboxes delivered from the carpenter. As of this afternoon, they are in the eager hands of the community volunteers/animadores. 12 new boxes represent 12 new groups starting up. This is exciting! I also was able to meet and set up our last volunteer/animador to complete all our target communities. Yeah.

This week we started training the community cell groups. We had two trainings this week, with three more next week, three more the week after that….until we train in all communities. This week’s training was fun. It is so nice to integrate the Bible. We looked at what the bible says about debt and what is a covenant. They signed an agreement with FH, and off we go. We are really starting!! It is exciting.

Please continue to pray for Sr. Tomo. He was in Gorongosa all week practicing on the motorcycle. He is hoping to take his driving test next week. Please pray that it might all go well with him. I don’t think he every really thought he would be riding a motorcycle. I think this is opening his vision up. Anyways, I am really hoping he can pass the test next week and start work. I really really need his help.

My class is in its last 2 weeks. I see the light at the end, though there is still a lot to do between now and the 19^th. I will be so glad to be done!

This afternoon I had a chance to visit the house of one of our volunteers. I dropped off the last of the cashboxes and sat with his family. I had such a lovely time. It reminded why I like Moz and that I love trying to connect with people in the campo. I often get stuck in the office or on the computer these days. I was reminded I love hanging out in the campo.

Tonight if I didn’t have homework, I would call it an early night. I asked my house help to make dinner for me tonight, knowing I would be tired. I might not have running water, but it is nice to have someone to help around the house like this.

I hope you all are well. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

Blessings,

Laura

Saturday April 25, 2009

Dear friends—

I am saying goodbye to another friend this weekend. My friend Marina leaves Monday to go back to England. I know it’s time for her to go, and God has plans for her there, but for us, it’s another one gone.

Last week went by quick. I started riding our new motorcycle…which is bigger than the one I had. So far, so good... I hope it never tips over because I am not sure I have the muscles to lift it back up! It’s heavy. (I am going from 125CC to 200CC.)

I visited an animador this past week said he has eaten Moringa twice with his family after eating it for the first time at our training the other week. Moringa leaves are like a multi-vitiman and have tons of good vitimans and protein. I was happy to hear! His kids give Moringa thumbs up when I asked them if they liked it or not.

Friday I took an early bus to Beira. I was so tired last night that I just fell into bed. I am so not a morning person and getting up at 5am for a 6am bus is not my style!

Good news is that Sr. Tomo passed his theory/written test this past week. He will be in Gorongosa to practice a couple days and will take his driving test this week. Please pray for success. We really need him to start and have that motorcycle license!

I am going to close now! I just wanted to give a brief update!

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Much love,

Laura

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Dear Friends—

I tried to muster up energy last night to do a Friday update, but failed. I had two days of training, and last night didn’t set foot in my house until 9pm. When I did get home, I was absolutely exhausted! There was absolutely nothing more I was able to do, except fall in bed! Even if I tried to write yesterday, I am sure my words would be incoherent!! Ha. Today I slept in until 7:30 and having a slow morning. I love slow Saturday mornings!!

The training went well and overall I felt satisfied. There were a few things were left undone because we ran out of time. I had to prioritize some things. The animadors are very participatory and so that was fun. I had them do some tests just to see their level of understanding of certain things. I was able to get a glimpse of their strengths and weaknesses. I learned a lot and should help me plan future trainings.

Please pray for Sr. Tomo who will be the support official for savings groups. We told him he needs to get his motorcycle license by the end of the month. It’s possible. He is taking the written test next week, and after that can take the driving. I am a bit stressed by all this. I have been through the system and know that there is lots of corruption in the system. So, I am praying that Tomo can pass everything without having to deal with bribes, etc. Please pray for him and this process! I really need him to start working and be able to work with a motorcycle!!

Yesterday for devotions I had everyone look up verses regarding debt and savings. Then divide into groups to talk about it. I think looking at the scriptures together was an eye-opener for people. Pray that what they learned will be applied in their lives and groups.

I was glad this week that my studies had Easter break. I don’t’ know how I would’ve completed the training and school work, so have this break was very timely!! Today I am back to the books!!

That is it for now! Thanks for all your support and prayers! I love you guys and appreciate all you do for me and us here in Gorongosa.

Blessings,

Laura

Good Friday April 10, 2009

Dear Friends—

Happy Good Friday and Happy Easter! Praise God for the resurrection of our Savior Jesus!! I wish each of you a great and meaningful weekend. He has risen!!

How was this week? Short…we had two days off with Mozambican Woman’s Day on Tuesday, and we have today off for Good Friday.

Other highlights include…

· What do you do when a cute hungry sweet little kitty decides to adopt you? You first give it food and milk of course! I was so close to keeping it…and ignoring the fact I am STILL allergic to cats. It was too cute and I am a major softy. I made a quick call to a friend for strength. Lucky a coworker came and took it home….about the time I was getting used to the idea of having it around and was planning to keep it outside (yeah right…now that’s lying to myself!). I am so pet deprived. God so help me!!

· I said goodbye to a friend on Tuesday who was heading back home permanently. It was hard for us, but I am happy for her. She plans to get a nursing degree and come back to Africa. I guess she can do that! J

· Tonight I was planning to make homemade cinnamon rolls…I got part way into the process when I noticed that my flour was full of little larvae. Okay, I am pretty relaxed about things, but I drew the line and aborted my mission. Tomorrow I’ll have to get more flour and start again. I just wanted to make something special for Easter…

· I am in week 4 of 8 weeks of my class…I have too many late nights after midnight than I’d rather admit. I am glad for these holidays to sleep in.

· We have a rooster shortage in my neighborhood, and so I am getting fresh eggs from my hens instead of chicks right now. I told my house help we should borrow a rooster from someone for a week. (okay, that was a random comment!)

· Next week we have our kick off for saving groups. Please pray for our training Thursday and Friday!

People have been asking me what my plan is for this year. My initial contract is up end of July, but I am planning to stay longer to finish the savings groups program we have going. My goal is to make it home for Christmas. I am thinking I will make just barely in time for Christmas because I will be finishing another class, saying good-bye, and in transition. And I imagine I will be sleeping/resting for the first initial weeks back. 2010? It is still blank….I am not sure of anything yet. (Please pray that God will reveal his plan). I am open to coming back to Moz, I just know that I need some good time in the States to get recharged before starting anything new. I am not planning to settle in the States long term...so be warned of this already. But, it all really is up to God.

Okay, I am going to try to finish some more homework before hitting the sack.

Blessings,

Laura

Friday April 3, 2009

Hi Friends---

Staring blankly in the refrigerator (a few moments later reminding I needed milk for my coffee) and putting coffee grounds in the cup and not the French press are some of the effects of late nights studying recently. Yikes. I just completed 2 of 8 weeks of the class! I like the class, but I can’t wait for May 19^th when my class ends and I can get some sleep again.

I am doing okay besides that. I get a bit worried about Baptist, my house help. His health isn’t the best. He was able to get a x-ray of his chest…and was looking for someone here to read the x-ray. I think he ended up having to bribe someone. He was recently told he had to give bribes to the nurses and techs to get attended faster. Imagine having to bribe someone to get a medical checkup. Ugh.

Please continue to pray for him. I am glad he was able to get the x-ray, but obviously there is more to him getting well that that. I am concerned about him. He is doing okay, but does not have the strength he had before.

The training I had planned for the animadors/volunteers is being moved to the following week. I didn’t pay attention to the calendar and next Friday is Good Friday…and there is no work. And it is an important date for the church here. The following week will be better, but I don’t like having to keep move the date back and back. We had to start sometime! Agh!

We had interviews this week and am hiring someone to help me. We are asking him to finish his motorcycle license before giving him a contract. Pray that Sr. Tomo can do it all quickly. Without it, I will be without help and that is a frightening thought!!

I am heading to Beira this weekend to say goodbye to a friend whose contracted ended and is moving back home. I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye, but that is the nature of this work…People come and go all the time. Sigh.

Good news: I visited with Teresa and Laurinha. Laurinha is doing well. She plays and smiles a lot! I am glad she is on the upswing! It makes me happy.

I am going to end there. I need to get dinner started and then it’s off to study.

Thanks for your prayers, love, and support!

Blessings,

Laura

Friday March 27, 2009

Dear Friends—

I am getting coffee going, and getting ready to study tonight…

This week went by fast. As you know we had a co-worker who died last Saturday. His funeral was Sunday afternoon. It was not fun, as you can imagine. He leaves behind 7 children and a wife. In the office we are okay considering. We do miss our Rui. He was a great guy and great worker.

I have good news about little Laurinha. She is doing much better and is playing. When I was at the beach I received a call that she was in the hospital. Her mom, Teresa, told me that Laurinha was not eating anything and the situation was very serious. She said the nurse that was attending her that Laurinha might last through the next day. Teresa said that she prayed and cried to God. Teresa was at our Tuesday study with Laurinha and gave a power testimony that God saved Laurinha. Praise God. Laurinha is still underweight. And I am keeping tabs on how she is doing.

Please pray for our CDP staff who are feeling crunched. They are very behind in their work, for various reasons. They are working hard, but are feeling a bit frustrated and discouraged that they can’t seem to get on top of it.

I survived my first week back in school. I am taking an online graduate class. I like the class so far (financial management), but not liking that I have to work or study every moment of the day-- and feel guilty when I take a break. I am glad it’s only for two months and the end of May it will be done. Then I have one more in October…

We are beginning to start up the savings group program. Next week we will be finalizing hiring someone to work with me. April 9-10 we have our first volunteer training! I am excited to get started, but ask for your prayers that I may manage this program well.

Between school and work, there isn’t much else going on! (unless you count all the coffee making too!!)

Thanks for all your support and prayers! You are great!

Love from Moz,

Laura

Saturday March 21, 2009

Quick Prayer Update:

Just received that a coworker in FH just passed away tonight. Sr. Rui, our beloved guard at FH had been in the hospital for a couple weeks with problems with his lungs. Please pray for his family and arrangements being made for his funeral.

Please continue to pray for my house help, Baptista. He is sick and I tried to send him to a private clinic. But, when he got there the doctor was not there. So, he had to come back! Ugh…So frustrating.

Thanks,

Laura

I am SOOOO tired of sickness and death.

Friday March 20, 2009

Quick prayer update:

Good news: My pastor’s daughter who was having panic attacks went to a private doctor last Saturday. Since then she has been doing much better. Instead of 2 attacks which was happening since the death of her son, she only had one this whole week. We are hoping that the medication and care at this clinic will continue to help her. The pastor was very encouraged about how she was doing.

Prayer request: my house help, Baptist, is sick again. It seems to always the same thing. (fever, stomach pains, muscle aches…etc) He was sick last fall, in January and this week with the same thing. I am worried about him. I am sending him to the same private clinic tomorrow. I pray that he can get a clear diagnosis and treatment. I don’t think the hospital here knows what is going on. I just returned from his house to pray with him.

Praise and Pray!

Blessings,

Laura

Wednesday March 18, 2009

Hi Friends—

You didn’t hear from me last Friday because I was at the beach for the weekend and left my laptop back in Beira! I had a really nice time with 4 girlfriends over the weekend. We rented house on the beach that had a pool, and great couches…as it turned out. I really needed the weekend away. The weekend beach trip helped get perspective. I was able to have some quiet time. It just wasn’t long enough!! I really appreciated the girlfriend time.

I arrived back to a harsh reality. There has been a lot of things at work happening. A lot of things are out of my control, but I am affected. I am finding that I am tired…a general tiredness from being here for over two years with both cultural and organizational stress. Friends in Beira with other organizations have been suffering with the same. One friend is continually sick and is totally worn out. I know I am not abnormal. As a result, my resilience to things is much slower than under normal circumstances. It’s easy to get overwhelmed.

I talked to my supervisor yesterday about some of this and asked him if I can work from home at times, come to Beira to work if I need to, etc…I asked for flexibility. He was open to anything. For him, it is a matter of getting work done. So, I might set myself a new type of schedule to see it if helps. I am trying the max to take care of myself and find a way to work through this time.

Pray for my thinking. I am very hard on myself and right now I feel I am not doing my job very well and am slow, and have made some bad decisions. Yesterday my supervisor asked me to meet with him. In my mind, the worst case scenario began to work itself out…oh, he’s going to ask me to leave at the end of my initial contract in August. oh, he is going to tell me to shape up and get myself organized. It wasn’t any of this at all... He just wanted to update me on some things. My mind had already gone to the worst...I was prepared to get fired! I often do this and it is not productive! Please pray that God will transform my thinking patterns.

I just started a graduate class this week (hope to finish my masters this year still!)…which means all my evenings and weekends are full of studying, reading, and papers…until May 19^th. So far, getting started with the class has been frustrating. I had been given the wrong login information to my class online. My internet connection is giving me problems downloading some of the class documents…and I am using the "high speed" internet in Beira. My professor is in CA and 9 hours behind, so it has been hard to coordinate with him a solution. He emails me when I am sleeping… I am spending ANOTHER night in Beira in hopes of getting a solution. In Gorongosa, it would be impossible to download these documents with my slow internet, so I feel I have to just deal with another night here. Please pray that this gets resolved and I can settle into a study routine. (I am getting home sick for Gorongosa as well!)

The good thing is that I am feeling God with me, and know he is in control. I can only do what I can do, and am relying on God to carry me through. I am much more open to Him, and feel I am holding everything in my palm open to him, and not tight fisted. I think I was stubborn to how I wanted things done, how I want to live, etc. I am learning that I have to be totally open to him and how he wants to guide me through this time.

Thanks for your continued prayer and support.

With love from Moz,

Laura

Attached are a few photos from the weekend. I barely took photos. The group photos we took are on my friends camera, which I will have to get copies. When there are 2 or more cameras I hate to add mine to the pile. Marina is the friend standing in front of the house we rented.

Wednesday March 4, 2009

Hey—

I just got a call from the father of the baby who was named after me. (if you remember Teresa with the baby in the Firm Foundation’s class). Laurinha has been very sick for the last few days with a cough. Teresa did not come to class yesterday, and called me later to ask for money to go to the hospital. This evening got a call that the baby is very very sick, possibly gravely sick and they’re heading to the hospital.

My co-worker, Maria, in child development program is also in the hospital with Malaria with her daughter. They both are sick. I just heard from her today that last night they had to sleep 3 to a single bed…Ugh!

Calavete’s wife, Graça, also has been sick with malaria for the last week. She is getting better, but it sure hit her hard.

Please pray for Laurinha, and Maria and daughter. And pray for Graça’s continual healing.

I am entirely tired of dying babies, and sick people, and horrible medical facilities. I already attended a funeral for newborn yesterday that died because of complications that the hospital was not set up to handle…and lack of midwives. Ugh.

Thanks.

Laura

Thursday March 5, 2009

Hey—

Things are bit more encouraging today. There are so many people sick. And there is still hunger on top of that! We should be coming out of the hunger period in the weeks coming as people are able to bring in some harvest. This year was bad, and I am it sure not helping people to stay healthy! It’s hard to hear about people not eating for a couple days. Sigh.

I went and visited Laurinha with Pr. Grabriel this afternoon. We prayed for her and talked with her mom, Teresa. Last night Laurinha was coughing so much they went to the health post. This morning they went to the hospital. She said she is doing a bit better and is at home, but I’m still concerned. I looked at the syrup they gave her…basically liquid Tylenol. I hope that is enough to make her feel better and start on the mend. It worries me that it’s just Tylenol and not something more. But, then I am not medical expert to know what she really needs either!

They did a malaria analysis (almost standard procedure here if you have any fever at all) --She doesn’t have that. The cough and fever concern me. She looks like she had lost some weight. Her mom seemed encouraged today though.

I learned that Laurinha is eating massa (a corn porridge) as well as nursing still. (Laurinha was born last June, so she isn’t a year yet) Massa has no nutrients at all. I might try to see if it’s possible for them to add some peanut powder or ground pumpkin leaves to her massa—something---to give it some nutrients. If she’s not eating right, that can’t be helping anything. I learned that the local catholic priest, who Teresa’s husband works for, has not paid them for three months. Ugh. So, I don’t know what food they can afford or how bad off they are in this hunger period. I’ll have to investigate.

Please continue to pray for Laurinha. I plan to keep tabs on her.

Maria (co-worker) and her daughter are getting better. Maria was definitely better when we visited today. Her daughter is still receiving liquids via IV, but Maria said she is doing a bit better. Malaria! Ugh.

I hear that Graça is getting better as well. Praise God.

Today is a more encouraging report than yesterday. Praise God. It’s easy for me to feel overwhelmed when things seem to happen at the same time like this week.

Thank you for all your prayers. I have told them that people in America are praying too! It means a lot to them.

Blessings,

Laura

Friday March 6, 2009

Dear Friends—

Thanks, first of all, for your prayers during this week.

Quick updates:

Laurinha: is getting much better. I talked to her father tonight, and she has improved a lot. Praise God!

Maria and daughter: Maria is feeling better, but her daughter is still in the hospital. Maria talked about the bad care she had last night…the main nurse drinks a lot and it is common for him to show up drunk or leave during work to get a drink. Appalling! I didn’t hear the details from last night, but it sounded like this nurse was on duty… Ugh.

Calavete’s wife, Graça: is still improving but not 100%

We just got information that another coworker’s (Felix) wife has celebral malaria. He went home to care for her, and we don’t have any more recent updates from him.

Last week I had dinner with the peace corp volunteers in town. I hadn’t seen them for several months with my travel/their travel, etc. Jared said that he had a fever last fall for 3 weeks, at times it was over 104 degrees. It took them time to figure out what it was…and turned out to be several things at once, like malaria, bilharzia, etc. I don’t remember the mix. Ugh.

After hearing this, and seeing the folks sick this week, I was reminded to thank God for my health. I get colds with runny noses, get tired, etc…but I have overall have had good health--considering. It is something not to take for granted. It really isn’t here. And I am thankful for God’s protection. It is something to be truly thankful for.

As for work, it is going slow. But, I want it to go faster. We are waiting for the final budget (the part that will compliment the funds you all have raised) to get approved to get started. I am chomping at the bit to get things going. I’m not sure why the delay. I am feeling frustrated with the delay. Please pray for this!

I am going to finish my coffee. Ha, I already took a nap. And now, I need to get a couple things done before hitting the sack tonight.

Thanks for being part of the journey. Thanks for your prayers this week especially.

Love from Moz,

Laura

Friday, February 27, 2009

Dear Friends---

I am going to get my coffee going! It was quite a week for me, even though nothing dramatic happened.

This week we had three days of training for our child development program. It was good, but I was tired. I am not sure why I was so drained. It didn’t help on Wednesday when I had to translate and also give a small session on savings groups. At the end of the day, I was so tired I almost burst into tears at the training. I quickly left training, got home, and then cried. It was barely controllable. I was tired to the Max. I am not sure all that is going on. I know there are some work stresses, etc, but it was a bit extreme reaction. I decided to begin taking iron pills again, just in case. I stopped taking them last fall when I had stomach issues.

Yesterday, my coworkers went to a funeral of a brother of a coworker. I stayed back, and got the permission to rest a bit. I worked some and then, took about a 3-4 hour nap. Yeah, it was a major nap. And I slept great last night. I am hoping to go to bed early tonight and work on getting the maximum amount of sleep I can get, to see if I can get past this tiredness! Ugh.

One thing that has been on my mind this week is Isabel, the pastor’s daughter. They had a prayer time for her at church on Sunday night. It was an experience. While we were singing, she had to sit down. She looked a bit nervous and her leg was shaking a bit. She said her heart was pounding. After we prayed, there was a long discussion. It was clear to everyone that it was an evil spirit that is tormenting her. She needs more prayer to be liberated from it. These are people from our local conservative Baptist church!

This situation is challenging me so much. I love Isabel and care for her. I understood she was experiencing panic attacks. I am not experienced in knowing what is a spirit- or not. This is where growing up in the States is a total hindrance. We don’t generally concern ourselves with spirits. This is the influence of our secular culture in the church, I believe, and is part of Satan’s plan to deceiving a nation. I am not saying that everything is a spirit-- and this is where the challenge is. I am becoming more convinced that what the church taught me in the States isn’t the half the reality. I want to downplay the spirits. But, here it is impossible to ignore and not face. This is challenging me A LOT!

Saturday night the women in my church are going to pray for Isabel again. I am planning to go. Please continue to pray for Isabel.

This week during one of break at the training, we saw an episode of Animal Cops Phoenix. The staff’s reaction when they saw the vet care pets get in the States was intense. They commented, "Animals in the US can go to the hospital, but we are lucky to get medical care here for our family, forget about animals." The fact that animals get medical care blew them away. I didn’t have the heart to say that animals can get chemo, get medical insurance, dental care, and even go to the beauty salon. What a stark and sober difference in realities. While I totally love animals, I felt very humbled by the extreme care we give our pets in the face of the extreme need for basic medical care for people here.

I’ll close here! Thanks for your ongoing support and love.

Blessings and Love,

Laura

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Dear Friends—

Friday I was all ready to send you all an update, but we had no phone or internet network. Let’s saw it was offline evening with no phone calls. It was probably just as well, I needed to work on a sermon and Sunday school for Sunday.

Yesterday I tried to meet with the group that had their box stolen, except no one showed up. I talked with the pastor for a bit, and came back. I still am still working to make sure each person gets the amount they saved. Once they have received that, I will probably officially end the group. I thought it might recover but that isn’t the case. I returned sad that the group is in bad shape.

Also, please remember my pastor’s daughter, Isabel. Her very young son died suddenly a couple weekends ago with what they think was malaria. The situation is complicated. She has panic attacks and has this death has made them worse. I am worried for her. Please pray for her and her family. They have been through a lot of stress. Some rumors are that the child was cursed by someone, and it is creating stress and conflict in their lives and in the church as well. I won’t get into the details, but please please pray for Isabel. She is a sweet girl.

I am beginning to process this year. There is a mass exodus of missionaries and all my closest friends are all leaving between end of March and May. It is hard to hear them begin to talk about returning home. However, I know it is time for them and understand. A couple of them seem to be constantly sick and plain worn out all the time. It is beginning to hit me how much I will miss them and what it will mean for me. Ugh. I am not looking forward to these next few months of goodbyes. Double ugh!

My friends here are officially calling me technically challenged. Since coming here…I’ve gone through two computers, and am on my third. In the last three months, I’ve gone through three cell phones. Yikes. I bought a cell phone last year and after a month it would not text message—which is the best way to communicate with people here. I had it repaired once, but then after a month it stopped texting again. So, instead of getting it fixed again, I bought a new phone…but this one does not do caller ID and the software on it does not working well. I can’t return it. It was almost worse than the first phone without text messaging. And so in extreme frustration and perhaps a fit of culture stress, I bought my third cell phone. So far, so good. I am selling my funky software phone to someone I know who doesn’t care about all that stuff…don’t worry I am giving him a good deal. Selling the phone that doesn’t text will require even more of a discount since it is the most important feature on a phone. It’s made me so happy this week to have a working phone finally.

Yesterday my house help lost a part on my French press rendering it useless. It was hard not to feel frustrated and angry that he lost the part. French presses can only be found in South Africa, and not in Beira, so it is not easy to replace. It was a good my sermon this morning was on forgiveness. I had to eat my sermon yesterday. Actually, it is not the end of the world. I have another French press that I lent (very reluctantly, I must confess) to our new child development manager. Coffee is serious business. It shouldn’t be. I mean there are so many things in the world more important than coffee. I am humbled realizing how tight a grip it has on me. Yikes. I know my house help feels horrible and was outside this morning desperately looking for that part. I hope we find the part, but in the scheme of things…I need to chill!

This week I have be tortured again by the lack of missionary presence here in Gorongosa. I am glad FH is able to do something, but there is so much discipleship to be done. Traditional religion with witch doctors, magic, polygamy, and curses are central here. It is a huge issue. And when I ask why people—missionaries-- don’t stay to live here…nobody has an answer. They just pass by or maybe spend short week here. A new pastor working with FH here confirmed it again…most missionaries stay in the cities and close to the cities. Ugh! The more time I hear this, the more determined I am to stay where missionaries don’t want to live….like Gorongosa apparently. Ugh. It hurts to think about all this when I see the spiritual needs here. It’s not unreached, but very un-discipled with pastors with no real training and some are totally illiterate. Aagh. It bothers me to no end!

Anyways, I will close this for now. Please continue to pray for Gorongosa!

Thanks for being part of this journey!

Love from Moz,

Laura

Monday, February 16, 2009

Dear Friends-

Last week I had a couple people from the States visiting in part of a vision trip-to exposure them to Mozambique and what FH is doing here. One of the visitors was Donna Partow (www.donnapartow.com). She was accompanied by, Alisa, an FH staff from our advocates department. One purpose was to give Donna a vision for our work and how she might partner with FH in her ministry. Donna and Alisa were lovely visitors and encouraged me personally. They left yesterday, so I am left feeling a bit tired from hosting, but also a bit alone after being with them constantly all week.

Today, I slept in and rested just a bit before working. I am working on another budget proposal for savings group, for 2010. There could be a potential donor. We'll see. I am neck high in number, figures, and formulas. Fun. Fun. It's due tomorrow.

I am wrapping up finances from last week's visit as well.

Blessings to you all!

Love from Moz,

Laura

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Dear Friends—

I know, I know…I didn’t email a thing last Friday!. It’s just that I had work to finish that night and had a nasty cold. It was all I could do to finish the work and go to bed. I am feeling much better this week, thought a bit congested still.

The last couple weeks have been busy. We have a couple visitors coming next week for a vision team from FH/US and I offered to organize it. So, I’ve been neck high in those details and also trying to get ready for savings group program to start up in March.

It just feels like so much on my plate and it is normal for me to be up until 11:00pm and then at work by 7:30am again. I know--I can’t sustain this routine for long. I am already feeling the affects tonight. I am so tired!

It’s been nice to be busy though and at least have some goals/objectives. Last year I felt I was on my own a lot with fuzzy goals. I do like having a few more things clear this year. I just wish there was more time to do everything.

Today, I met with the savings group that had their cashbox stolen. I am meeting with them again in two weeks. I was hoping they would find courage to continue, but I am seeing the group is not healthy, and better to help them recuperate their funds and close the groups. There are several members interested in continuing, but I think we could find other groups for them. It is disappointing and it’s hard not to feel like I couldn’t done more last year to prevent this situation.

I also met another group today that is doing great. It is a group I never visited. I felt I had to bushwhack with my motorbike to get there, the road was so over grown! It was a fun adventure though. I’ve been in the office too much!

One praise: Our Tuesday Bible study completed the Old Testament…We are onward into the New Testament. We started last March, so they have gone far! We celebrated with banana bread (which they consider cake here) and juice. When we complete both, I plan to make certificates and do something bigger. I am so proud of them.

This weekend my host family is coming to visit, that is why I am writing tonight. They arrive tomorrow and we’ll come back to Beira together since I have to be in Beira Monday. I am excited to have them.

I will close this email and finish my coffee. I am not laying on the floor, but did take a nap when I got home from work in the bush!

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Love to you from Moz,

Laura

Friday, January 23, 2009

Dear Friends,

This week zoomed by. It was also a roller coaster. I found myself hopeful, excited, sad, losing my cool, frustrated to tears, and back again. Each day was different, and fortunately the week is ending on an up note.

I am so excited about how the bake sale and silent art auction went at my parent’s church. Last work I received was that they raised about $3800! Those are some cookies! Thanks Gini, Faith, and Neil for donating paintings to be auctioned. Wow, it was such an encouragement to me and others here. Thanks FPC and all involved! You rock!

As updates about the bake sale were coming in, I began working on a final budget and plan. That is were the first turn on the roller coaster took me on a ride. There is another program who is giving some funds for savings groups and CDP. This is where I found out that instead of being able to work until December, the program could only go to end of September. It’s hard to explain, but it caused a lot of frustration. Please pray that the planning and implementing goes well, that God is glorified.

I found out I really have to take two classes to graduate and get to start a financial management class in March. Ugh. There isn’t much I can do, but just do it. I will have another class in October, and then can graduate. I will end up with the MBA in International Development.

This year there will be a ton on my plate this year!

On the good note, it looks like I will be able to train another FH field in Africa this year. The details are yet to be totally worked out, but would be a 3-5 day training. I imagine it would either be in Kenya, Congo or Ethiopia. We are looking at August. I see it as a fun opportunity and good experience.

Thanks for your continued support and prayers.

Have a great Friday!

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, January 16, 2009

Dear Friends--

The sun this week was almost unbearable. Yesterday I was in the campo working trying to help CDP catch up on field work. We walked from house to house gathering information for the children’s report to their sponsor. I drank a good 1.5 Liters during the day and ended up drinking another 2.5 Liters when I got home…I can say without doubt yesterday was a gallon-day! Hot and Humid! I am sitting in front of a fan dripping. Ugh!

I would love some of your winter freeze!

The work we did in the field getting information about sponsored children and families was interesting. Mucodza were we were working, and many rural locations in Ggosa, are in an extreme hunger season. They are waiting for crops to grow, and some are surviving on wild roots and many are not eating every day. It is not a famine, but this of year there is always more hunger than the rest of the year because they survive on agriculture. This is the time most things are growing, and there is little to eat. This year seems to be especially bad, and it has not helped that there were not many mangos this year (one of their survival foods—cooked green mangos) One small child that was just watching us do our work sitting with a group of kids could not stay awake. I could tell he suffers with malnutrition. I felt horrible for the little guy. Please pray these rural areas and the families that live in such harsh areas.

I am excited to say that we found some funds for savings groups within another program called Bring Hope that focuses on care of orphans and those living with AIDS. These funds plus the $5225 that you all have raised so far, put is in a good position to do something. (Any of you planning to donate to the savings groups and haven’t yet-- this would be a good time to do it.) We aren’t at the full budget of $31,000, but I am certain we have enough to begin with something. Yeah. So these next few days I will be focusing on putting a final plan together. I offered some matching funds from my support reserve last year, and this offer still stands. I am making sure I have these funds in reserve, but if I do there is no doubt where to use them. Please pray that this planning goes well, the whole program goes off well and is a blessing!

I am also going to be talking with someone within FH about training some of their other fields in Africa on the savings group methodology. I have no idea when this might happen or where they are thinking the training might be. It could be a fun opportunity.

This Sunday we are starting the Firm Foundations course (Chronological Bible Study) at my church for the young adults/jovens. Please pray that it goes well. There are three of us heading the class up—knowing that we all won’t be able to be there every Sunday and need a team to facilitate it. And sure enough, next week already I’ll be in Beira....

This next week will be packed. I will in be in meeting Thursday and Friday in Beira—some will be a bit stressful. I need to get some personal things done as well!

Thanks for being part of the journey! It is so great to have you along, and I’d never make it alone!!

Blessings from Gorongosa,

Laura

Friday, January 9, 2009

Happy Friday! I am so happy it is Friday in a way I can’t express!! I celebrated the week by making tortillas and having tacos! I celebrated the week just because I made it through…not that anything was accomplished really.

I am happy to report that Baptist is back at home after being in the hospital all week. He continues to feel better. The other man from my savings group is still in the hospital and may have to be transferred to Beira for further care. Despite this, he was doing better as well. Praise God.

The biggest challenge this week was trying to be the communicator between our new CDP manager in Beira and the staff. It was stressful and frustrating at times.

Also, my weekend guard decided to resign and so I am left looking for a guard. I knew it was coming. He is working another job and it was becoming too much to have two jobs. Fair enough, but I still have to find another guard. This situation just added to the week.

I talked with our programs director about savings groups. So, far we haven’t raised the amount we need. Last time I received a report we had about $2000 raised. There is chance that we can find some funds elsewhere through another program. I am going to try to meet with this program manager to see how he is thinking of working in the district. I ask for favor in his eyes and that we can collaborate and combine forces.

Good news, I talked with an animador I have not seen in a while. He says that his 4 groups are still meeting and savings. And the groups are getting money together to start 3 more groups in the community on their own. That is way cool.

I am still hoping to finish my Master’s with one more class. However, this week I heard from my school I might have to take two. I sent them an email I received saying that I could take one more class instead of doing a thesis. The email was from way back in 2006, and I’m not sure how much weight is carried. I really don’t want to take two classes. A thesis sounds like almost as much work as that!

Anyway, I am getting a cup of coffee and going to watch a Mozambican film my coworker gave me. I plan to escape tonight and not think of the week.

Blessings,

Laura

Monday, January 5, 2009

Okay, first days back to work after holidays are difficult. But not usually like this…

First day back at work:

7:30am: We find that the person with the keys to the office is sick and recovering from dysentery. We visit him and pick up the keys.

8:30am: We find that one of the offices flooded over the Christmas break with over an inch of water. It smelled bad and we found a dead frog in the mix…

8:30-10:30am: Mop up the flooded office, which is dry now but still reeks.

10:30: a coworker has to take daughter to the hospital with symptoms of malaria…

10:30-12:00: talk with co-workers…try to get our heads around this year.

12:00: Get a call from my house help, Baptista, who has been sick the last few days, and was calling for help. I found him at the hospital. It’s not malaria, but he said he was really cold and started to shake violently as he was on the way to the hospital to get an appointment. He is spending the night in the hospital. We don’t know what he has. They tested him for Malaria, and it’s not that.

I also ran into a man from one of the saving groups in real back shape in the hospital, possibly gravely sick. He was on a mattress on the floor. He has been there for four days and had not been attended to. Apparently, those who can attend to him arrive tomorrow. We prayed and he told me he had a song in his head: "Jesus is passing through here, Where ever he has been, everything is transformed, all sadness leaves and joy comes." I left fighting tears.

1:00pm: Go buy juice and crackers for Baptista and savings group member in the rain.

1:30-2:00pm: lunch and help a neighbor with some things Baptista needed done.

2:00-3:30pm: try to do some work.

3:30pm: Visit Baptist and Savings group member. Baptista was doing a bit better, but with high fever. The man from the savings group was able to get a bed—off the floor.

4:30pm to now: raining hard….collecting water from the roof

Please pray for all the people who are sick. There are lots and the hospital was packed. (Thanks to the rain, there is now a surge of sicknesses like malaria…)

Tonight: prepare for Bible Study tomorrow.

Thanks for praying!

Laura

Friday, January 2, 2009

Dear Friends—

Happy New Year! I hope that you all are having a good entrance into 2009. I am certainly glad to see the New Year start.

I am back in Gorongosa after traveling to Malawi for Christmas. I’ve attached a couple photos from that trip. I went with a couple friends to the southern part of Lake Malawi to Cape MacClear. Once we got there (after two full days of bus and open truck travel)-- it was a time to relax in hammocks, read, and hang out. It was relaxing--except the cut throat game of Monopoly. We treated ourselves to a nice place on Christmas who also had a small sailboat and windsurfer. Marina and Brooke took some time on the sailboat. I took a few hours on the windsurfer in bliss. It’s been years since I’ve sold my windsurfer when I moved to GA—way back then. I haven’t windsurfed since then, so it was great. There is something great about just being out on the water with just your board and wind. It was a great way to spend Christmas.

Christmas evening we went to a Christmas Brai (BBQ) on the beach with other tourists like us. It was one of the most unusual Christmas meals I had. --Grilled fish, beef and chicken with rice served more African style. Afterwards a local "band" played for us with their homemade drums and guitar. After our dinner Marina, Brooke, and I curled up on the bed and read the Christmas story, ate chocolate, and pulled our Christmas crackers (to get our crowns!). Not a bad way to remember the birth of our Savior.

I am happy to ring in the New Year.

Things I learned this year:

· As much you love Africa, "it can kick your butt" (quoting a friend here). I found myself challenged especially emotionally and spiritually in ways I’ve never experienced.

· Roommates are great. I miss mine! I thought I was doing fine living by myself. After having Carolien live with me for a while, I see how great it is. It really isn’t ideal that I live by myself, but at the moment there isn’t much choice (Roommate wanted!—any takers??)

· God redeems it. My weaknesses and all kinds of circumstances are redeemed. I’m not sure how He does it, but I am so incredibly grateful. It’s easy for me to find fault and where I didn’t meet the mark. It’s nice to know that God knew that I was going to miss it and still chooses to use me anyways. What patience and compassion... Wow.

A couple of next year’s goals:

· Graduate! --And finally have that Masters so I can move on! I think I’ve decided to take the last class in lieu of completing a thesis. I just have not been able to get far with my thesis.

· Figure out what is after my contract in August….I am open to staying for 6 months to a year more with FH here, but think I won’t be renewing another 3 year contract. I am open to other options in Moz or other parts of the world. Life after august still looks pretty fuzzy still. I would ask for prayer for clear direction and vision.

Thank you for walking with me in 2008!

Much Hope,

Laura

Friday, December 19, 2008

Dear Friends—

I wish you each a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you so much for your support, prayers, and love throughout this year. I would not be here in Mozambique without your help and sacrifice. Thank you for allowing me to serve here.

While many of your are enjoying snow, we finally received rain. When it arrived, many went out and danced in it. It started on Tuesday and hasn’t stopped! Everyone now is going to their fields to plant. There is a spirit of hope that didn’t exist before. Praise God for this rain.

I had heard that the traditional authorities had gone to park to meet to do traditional ceremonies--asking spirits to bring the rain. I heard that before they even met that the wind and rain came. They got all wet and never did the ceremonies. There were many stories why isn’t wasn’t raining: the rain spirit was mad, God hates us—we didn’t do something he wanted, the people who recently constructed an antennae on top of Gorongosa mountain didn’t do the traditional ceremonies—so the spirits got mad, the people extracting gold in a community paid someone to prevent the rains so they could continue their work....oh the stories go on. Please continue to pray for the spiritual hunger that exists here.

This week I visited several savings groups who were distributing funds. Each was a party. It was great to see them receive the money they worked so hard to save. I also sat down with the pastor and a few members of the group whose box and money was stolen. I brought along another pastor to help. It was hard to hear the whole story. The treasurer and husband who was also the secretary of the church, seem to have stolen the money. They went to the police to try to accuse there sons of stealing the money. The police recommended that they go to a local diviner to find out what happened and they went. The situation has been disheartening to the church and group on various levels. The treasurer says they are going to pay back the money little by little. Pr. Bartolomeu, who came with me yesterday suggested that the group continue to save while they pay back the funds, and encouraged them to continue to "embarrass" the treasurer and be an example to the community. The group seems to catch the vision. Pr. Bartolomeu is going to talk with the treasurer to help resolve this. I will be traveling to Malawi when they all meet on Sunday. Please pray for this Sunday meeting and for this group! They have an uphill battle to get back on track.

I am traveling to Beira today, and leave for Malawi tomorrow. I will be spending Christmas there with friends and will return the 28^th.

May each of you have a blessed Christmas!!

Love to you,
Laura

Friday, December 12, 2008

Dear Friends-

I finally am home in Gorongosa for a bit before heading to Malawi for Christmas with friends on the 20th. It is nice to be home. I think after Malawi, I won't have any desire to travel for awhile!

It has been good to be back in Gorongosa, though there are some hard things to face and there are some decisions.

· On of my pastor's savings groups had their box with money stolen. I am waiting for the pastor to mark a time to sit with the group to find out what happened. It is certainly discouraging for everyone. The group had all their money in the box as they were preparing to distribute their funds the following week. I am still trying to process this, cope myself, and trying to find words to counsel and consol the group.

· It has not yet rained enough for people to plant and hunger seems to be affecting the rural areas especially. I am hearing of people living off of green mangos. When the mango season ends, I guess they will be turning to wild plants. Please pray for rain, enough for people to plant. It has not been raining much, and when it does rain it is localized.

· I am facing decisions what to do with my thesis. I am far from completing anything. I am in contact with my advisor who is encouraging me to take a class in March to graduate. I am considering taking the class, and not do the thesis. It's hard to think about letting the idea of the thesis behind, but I am thinking that is what I might need to do.just so I can finish my Masters. The class seems more and more the way to go. It's hard not to feel a bit defeated and humbled though.

· My contract ends next August. I am praying through what is next. I am open to staying here for more time, especially if we are able to continue with savings groups. But, nothing is totally clear yet.

Praise! I am thankful for the groups and individuals who are championing the saving groups vision. It is encouraging to hear of bake sales, and other events. Thank you all who are involved!! It is such an encouragement. (Information about this savings groups vision is on my website: www.fhconnect.org/sites/hunter)

Today our current national director and our incoming national director were here in Gorongosa. They were able to see the end of cycle/ distribution of funds for one savings group. It was a blessing to have them here and to introduce the new director to the program.

This week almost all groups are distributing funds. That means parties, speeches, and food all week. This is the fun part of working with the groups. It is so great to see them receive the funds they worked so hard to save.

Please continue to pray for my own spiritual walk. I still am experiencing challenges in my own personal quiet times and study. Argh.

Praise! Our Tuesday Firm Foundations class (chronological Bible study) are asking great questions about their church traditions and wanting to make sure they are Biblical. We had some great discussions last week and expect more this next week. We are almost done with the Old Testament. We should be able to finish the OT in January at which time we plan to hand out some certificates, etc. I am hoping to purchase some Bibles for the students to mark their achievement.

As normal, I am heading to get that coffee going and to relax..

Thanks for your continued prayer, support and love! I am so blessed by you all.

Love from Moz,

Laura

Monday, December 8, 2008

Hi Friends,

My thanksgiving was spent putting up tents in the rain in the dark with a hundred villagers curiously staring at us. Our meal was a can of tuna with bread and water. We gave thanks.

I am back in Beira after being in the most Northern province in Mozambique--Cabo Delgado. I was invited to participate in a "holistic community assessment" (HCA), which basically means we were camping in a community to learn more about it. We had a couple meetings with people each day using participatory methods, semi-structured interviews, etc. We were a team of 6 that divided into two groups during the day. It was very interesting… It is very different than where I am living. It is primarily a Muslim area that is synchronized with traditional beliefs. Here is a sampling of what kinds of things we learned…

· At birth, another mother is called to breastfeed the baby. The first milk is considered dirty. The other mother breastfeeds the baby for several days before the actual mother takes over.

· There are "magic" elephants, baboon, and rats that eat the crops and contribute to low production. These animals are actually people who turn themselves into animals to steal. The community is not able to do anything about the animals, because if they kill them, they would be killing a person.

· The mothers do stretches and certain massages to their infants and rub breast milk on the girls to protect them from bad spirits.

· Community members don’t know of anyone that has AIDS/HIV. They just started to hear about HIV/AIDS three years ago. (yet, the HIV/AIDS infection rate is 11% in the province)

· People from the Muslim neighborhood go to the Christian neighborhood to drink. (Muslims are forbidden to drink.)

· The main food and staple is cassava.

· The village was formed after independence under the villagization plan by the gov’t in 1976. The houses are built in straight rows and well laid out. (-very tidy looking after the random housing layout where I live!)

· The community Malinde is named after a man who moved there with baggage. "Malindi" means baggage.

· The community was of 2401 families. Of that the catholic church has only 250 members…there are no other churches. The majority of the populations is Muslim. There are three mosques.

Please pray for FH as they begin to work in communities such as this.

After the HCA we spent several days processing the information we learned with two other teams in the city of Pemba. Then over the weekend, we had a chance to go to the beach. The beaches are incredible...but I thought the water was too WARM. I did enjoy that the hotel we stayed in while in Pemba was across the beach and close to a nice joint where good coffee was served overlooking the beach.

Tomorrow I head back to Gorongosa. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. It has been hard to remember we are in the Christmas season. It seems worlds away!

Blessings,

Laura

P.S. I have more photos in my Facebook albums.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Dear Friends—

Another week swept by…. The elections here went smoothly as far as I heard. I spoke with my house help on Thursday morning to find out how things went in Gorongosa. The Frelimo party won just about everything.

This week I have been in Beira. I came a day before the elections just for safety, and to avoid traveling on election day, which was a public holiday. It was not a holiday for me. I was part of a couple days of training for next week. A group of FH staff will be going out to Cabo del Gado, the most northern province where we are just starting to work. We will be doing a Holistic Community Appraisal, basically camping in the community for 5 days to learn more about it…everything from agriculture, health, history, family and traditional beliefs. It should be very interesting. I return back to Beira, December 7^th.

This means, however, I will be not even in cell phone range on Thanksgiving. It will be just another work day for us. (I don’t even feel that the holidays are upon us. There is little hint here.)

I attended my host sister’s bridal shower today. (She is getting married next weekend.) Note to self: If there ever is miracle that one day I get married…I don’t ever want a wedding shower here! My poor host sister, Florencia, faced a cruel crowd. The game was that she had to pick a gift and guess who brought it. Of course everyone brought their gift in secretly and it was an almost impossible task. If she couldn’t correctly guess, the real giver of the gift was allowed to "punish" her.  People put mud and makeup all over her face. They brought things from home to put on her. She had to sing, dance, and make up a poem. She was a great sport. I am very sad I can not attend her wedding next week!

Please pray for me. I have struggled to feel motivated. I have been undisciplined. It has not been easy for me lately because of this. My time with God is suffering, among many other things. Ugh. I am hoping that this time in Cabo del Gado will help.

One praise: our new Child Development Manager arrived this week. We have been waiting a couple months for him. He is coming from Ethiopia and was working for FH there. Pray that his transition goes well. It is his first time working outside Ethiopia.

Anyways, I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and weekend. I will be out of email range for a week or so once I leave this Monday. I won’t be celebrating Thanksgiving physically, but in my heart! I will be remembering all of you!

Giving Thanks in Moz,

Laura

Friday, November 14, 2008

Dear Friends--

Tuesday afternoon I visited a mature savings group who just started their fourth cycle in August. They are the pros. I was on a mission to find out what they are doing when their savings. And they are doing amazing things: building houses, opening up food stalls, etc. I've attached a couple photos: one of Pastor Rui, who on his shirt wrote to the affects, "Thanks to savings" referring to the food stall. He opened it with the money he saved with his group. His brother Paulo, had 6000 bricks made and bought 20 sheets of tin to build a new house.

Next year I've volunteered to help teach the youth Sunday School at my church-- if they team me up with 1 or 2 more people. I know that there will be weekends I will miss, and I would like make sure I am training up others to continue the study long after I gone. We are thinking of using the same Firm Foundations Bible Study that we are using for the Tuesday group. It is all very organized and lays a great foundation. The Tuesday study has 10 more weeks to complete the Old Testament. We should be done in January and hope to have a nice celebration! The students are beginning to look forward to it. All the students will receive a certificate. I am thinking of buying Bibles for them or at least for those who had great attendance.

I am about to head to bed. I had my coffee and am sitting in front of my fan, trying to stay as cool as possible. Today was hot and it registered 95F inside my house which would be okay if it wasn't accompanied with really high humidity. We still need the rains to really come so we can cool of and people can plant. Ugh!

This morning at work at 5:30am to clean a small garden we have next to the office. We are hoping to plant mung beans, and corn. It was so hard to get up, but was nice to do some physical work.

Anyways, I will close this. Thank you for your continued prayers, love and support. It makes a world of difference. J Savings group Update: some savings groups packets were not sent last week. There were about 36 that were sent this week. Sorry for the delay. They really are coming!! IN any case the same information in the packets is found on my website: www.fhconnect.org/sites/hunter.

Also, I started a Facebook group, " Savings Groups for Gorongosa" if you are on Facebook, check it out. Prayer requests:

· Savings groups: many groups are distributing their funds this month and next. Please pray that it all goes smoothly.

· For the saving group vision, that the Lord is glorified through it all.

· Elections in Gorongosa and Beira are planned for Next Wednesday. Pray for peaceful, uneventful elections. Things are expected to be a bit tense.

· Our new Child Development Program manager who is coming from Ethiopia. His work visa is stuck in process in Maputo somewhere. We were expecting him last month. We need him here!

· FH staff whose contracts are slated to end at the end of December. Pray for encouragement and opportunity.

· I have had some serious motivational challenges and ask for pray to be more motivated. Thanks.

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, November 7, 2008

Dear Friends-

I’ll have to keep this short this week. This afternoon after I returned from work I started to feel sick. I took a nice nap, tried to think that it was the heat. But, because I have no desire for coffee today (Gasp!) I am pretty sure I am coming down with something. I do have a fever. Darn.

This week was HOT. It rained one afternoon and people thought the rains had finally come. Ha. It was just a trick. Today is hot and there are just a few wispy clouds. We really need the rains to come so people can plant, and so the temperature will drop to a reasonable level. It’s 93F in my house tonight with nice humidity levels. Ugh.

This week I visit a savings group who distributed their funds. It was their party that might have helped me to get sick today. I arrived there at 11am with the volunteer. We waited until 12:30 until everyone was there. Then, we had a little ceremony. Prayer, speeches, I give a devotion, and finally they handed out their savings. It was a party. A few ladies did a nice victory dance after receiving their funds. It was a great time. We finally ate lunch at about 3:30p,

My only issue was that I didn’t bring water with me and it was a really hot day. I felt it! I was about keel over by the time it was all over. When I got home I drank a quart of water, took an aspirin and laid down. The rest of the night I was pretty much a rag.

We should be proud of our elections-- regardless of how we feel about the results. There was no violence. We are hoping for the same here in Mozambique on Nov 19. In Gorongosa, the town is becoming a municipal, and will be electing the equivalent of a mayor. At work we are praying that the campaigns go well, with no violence or issues in the next two weeks. One coworker who lived in Zimbabwe said during elections and campaigning, you stayed home at night and never answered your door at night out of fear.

It was fun to be an American this week!

Anyway, I am heading to bed. It was a good week despite feeling a bit sick tonight.

Blessings to you all and goodnight,

Laura

Friday, October 31, 2008

Dear Friends—

These last couple weeks I saw absolute poverty. Absolute, absolute! FH/US asked us for some stories, and so with my colleagues I went out in the communities in search of stories that explains some of the reality of life here. It has been heart wrenching to hear the struggles of families and children. I won’t talk about all the families we interviewed.

· One girl walks 6 kilometers (4.7miles) one way to school …she’s 11 years. She just lost a younger sister. She and her sister were sleeping on a mat outside when a snake bite them both. She survived, but she didn’t. Her family thinks the snake was sent by someone who hates them and cursed them. They don’t know who.

· One 12 year old girl took over all the responsibilities that her mother had. She cooks, cleans, washing clothes, and cares for all her siblings. Her mother died a couple years ago. Her father is a disabled veteran, drinks frequently, and is not able to provide sufficiently for the family.

· A group of 5 boys without father or mother are pretty much left to themselves. The oldest is 17 and had had to leave 9^th grade to care for his brothers, 12, 10, 8, and 6 years old. Their father committed suicide, and their mother abandoned them. The oldest brother is trying to farm his father’s land and also works in other people’s fields for a small wage.

· A group of widows and grandmothers told me their situation. When I asked them what hope or vision they have for their children/grandchildren, they couldn’t respond. They told me they can’t see tomorrow. They are living just to survive today. One lady named Maria who is sick with TB. Her children have TB. And her house pretty much fell down, but she is too sick to rebuild it. It was shocking to see her house where she lives with her children. See the photos.

It is hard to fathom the depth of the poverty and situations that I encountered. I told someone that I need to look for happy stories next. Hearing these stories is hard on the heart.

This week I also attended a funeral for a sister of my tailor who also goes to my church. It was surreal to go to the cemetery and see many fresh graves. tough!

Please pray for my househelp, Baptista. He has been sick for almost 2 months. He is doing better then he was in September but he is still not feeling strong. He doing a series of tests and is suppose to go see the doctor sometime. (There is one doctor for close to 200,000 people!) I offered to pay for him to go to Chimoio, which has better medical facilities if he needs to. He is going through the process to try to be able to get transferred to Chimoio. At first it was his back, but that has gotten better. He is still complaining that his stomach hurts. I am worried about him.

Please pray the rains really come. It rained last weekend, but it was not enough for people to plant their seeds. The ground is very dry still. This year people have commented how hard things has been. The corn harvest was bad last year, and corn prices are really high. Many are just scrapping by and we haven’t even hit the peak of the hunger season. It really needs to rain so people can plant, and get a harvest as soon as they can.

It has been terribly hot as we wait for rain! UGH! Many go to their fields in the early hours and finish work by 10am or 11am to escape the worst!

Good news! You should be receiving information about savings groups in the mail in the next few days.

Thank God it’s Friday! Yes, I’m getting the coffee going. I plan to have it with the homemade yogurt with mango-- frozen dessert I made last night! J

Blessings to you from Mozambique!

Laura

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Dear Friends-

It's official! We finally have things finalized concerning savings groups, and can start working towards searching for funding. Woohoo!! You should receive things in the mail very soon. If you want a sneak peek, you may go to my website: www.fhconnect.org/sites/hunter. I also started a Facebook group to help promote the saving groups, though I need to work more on the site to make it useful!

Friday came and went! I was actually hanging out with a Hunger Corp visiting Moz and doing some much needed IT work. I headed back to Beira to use high speed, but in these days, very unreliable internet. I returned today mostly successful.

I am very impressed this afternoon. People say that the rainy season starts October 25^th, and guess when the first real rain started? Today-- in the early morning! Talk about punctual and predictable. It is so amazing to think about. How does God do that? Amazing!

Anyways, my trip to Pemba is postponed until the end of next month. Good in some regards, though I may have to miss my host sister's wedding because of it! L

Well, I'm going to keep this short! I am feeling a bit sore from learning that art of contortion on my bus ride back to Gorongosa today. In the back seat of the minivan, there were 4 adults and 3 children.and there were a total of 26 including children and a live chicken in the minivan. I was lucky that I didn't have to wait long at the bus stop before leaving. But, I was unlucky in that I had one of the worst seats. Oh well! It is just part of life and being flexible-in the most literal sense!! (I felt like a queen though when I decided to take a taxi to the bus stop for Gorongosa this morning because I didn't want to wait for a bus in the rain.)

Thanks for continued prayer, love and support! J

Blessings and love,

Laura

Friday, October 16, 2008

Dear friends—

The last 10 days I’ve been able to show my parents my bit of Moz. We had a good time. It was fun for me to see them experience Beira, and then Gorongosa.

They visited a couple savings groups, met people important to my life/work here, and few baboons at the national park. My dad did a great job preaching and teaching. He was well received.

My parents suffered through a few very hot days here...and we are not at the hottest part of the year yet! The only bummer was that my mom got sick our last night in Gorongosa, on Tuesday night. Wednesday we traveled back to Beira, where she was able to rest. Today she was feeling better, not 100%, but on the mend. We were thankful it happened on the last night of their trip and didn’t interrupt the various activities we had planned.

Some friends in Beira blessed us by lending their car for the time we were in Gorongosa. It made transportation a breeze. It was so wonderful!

Attached are four  photos of our time, including a reading of my indoor-outdoor thermometer!

Today I realized I have to travel next week already to Cabo del Gado, to help with a community assessment FH is doing there. With travel, I’ll be gone for almost 3 weeks! While I am excited to learn more how to do these assessments and be part of it, I don’t feel ready to leave Ggosa for another 3 weeks. I don’t feel I have had enough Gorongosa-time recently!

I am still in the process of finalizing a letter and documents regarding savings groups and helping. It is coming! I hope to get it in the mail very soon. Please pray for this vision of helping savings groups to continue in Gorongosa. It is a humbling task to come to you for help and to look for funds, especially in our economic times. I trust that the Lord has a plan, and we’ll see what we can do together.

I hope you are enjoying nice fall weather… things are heating up here!

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, October 3, 2008

Dear Friends—

This week I could’ve anywhere and working. I didn’t go far and was a slave to my computer. I think I will be ready for some good visits to the field in the near future! I get cabin fever if I don’t get out!

I have been working on documents to send to you all regarding savings groups and our vision to have them grow here. Soon, I hope to actually mail them to you! I get excited about what savings groups can potentially do and what they are already doing. If it was any other program that had a funding cut, I might’ve let it lay. But, I have felt these groups have too much potential to let go and that our work really isn’t complete. I realize in the life of our economy, it’s not the best time to look for funding . I don’t know what God has up his sleeve, but feel I am suppose to try!

So, here I am with a vision for a program, a broken economy, and hope. Feel free to pray for this initiative!

Please remember our staff here. We just finished ANOTHER round of lay-offs and salary reducing. Funding is not easy to come by these days. Many staff in Gorongosa are struggling including those who still have a job. It has been a discouraging week in this regard. It’s easy for me to trust in God when I have opportunities. Here, life is tough, good jobs rare, and like everywhere prices of practically everything are rising. Those who live already on the margin, are seeing the small margin shrink or disappear. Please pray for hope and encouragement for our staff—and they will really lean on the cross during this time.

My parents travel tomorrow to come here. I am praying that their flight is smooth and easy-- as long flights and time zone changes can be. They arrive Monday!

I am feeling better! I was so excited to make myself a veggie pizza last Sunday and EAT. WooHoo! Food never has tasted so better than this week! I am so thankful for a happy stomach. Praise God for allowing us to taste such good food in life too. He didn’t have to make a variety of food. He could’ve just created corn and nothing else. How boring is that! He shows us how he loves us and cares for us even with the diversity of food we have available.

Anyways, I need to end this and finish packing a head to bed. I am traveling to Beira tomorrow to make last minute arrangements for my parents and visit friends there. I finished my traditional Friday night coffee, so it really is time to get packing!

I have been moving from my old computer to my new, and not without hiccups. Please let me know if you want me to make any changes to your email.

Blessings to each of you,

Laura

Friday, September 26, 2008

Dear Friends—

It was quite a week! I am beginning to feel better. I am not eating like normal yet, but eating doesn’t hurt nearly as bad as it did earlier this week. I probably should not be drinking coffee, but have been drinking some…knowing I’d feel worse without it!! (true coffee addict) My cold that I had on top is getting better as well.

Yesterday I was able to visit a savings group nearby. They are doing okay. It was a group with mostly women, which I always love. They are great! Afterwards I visited the home of the animador/saving group volunteer. It somehow reminded me of Panama. It was on top of a small hill and had a great view of the surrounding area. Very humble place. He gave me a chicken as a gift and the group gave me some vegetables. So at the moment, I have a live chicken in the kitchen. I think I am going to give it to a pastor’s family I know tomorrow.

Today I went to the closing ceremonies for a small training FH did to train for Sunday school teachers to learn how to teach and work with children. One of my favorite and gifted co-workers, Calavete, facilitated the training. While I only came with the certificates I printed off, when I arrived I could see they had been learning a lot. Most churches here don’t have any children’s program at all on Sunday’s. Kids literally just wander the streets until their parents are done with the service. I could see that the churches who participated were motivated. FH is trying to help them start a children’s program. It was fun to see the end of the training, and how the students (9 grown men) wanted to practice playing the kids games they had learned. They had so much fun themselves!

My parents are coming soon! They leave next Saturday and arrive two days later on Monday, the 6^th. They will come to Ggosa and we plan to visit the national park close by as well. It will good to have them here. Many want to meet them. My pastor asked me if my dad would preach while they are here, and he accepted! When they found out he agreed my pastor and others were very pleased. (no pressure dad!!) My parents are coming at a time that it is hot as rainy season approaches. Tonight, it is 88.5 degrees to be exact in my house…

Anyways, I am going to close this and try to eat the banana bread I made…and get to bed. I agreed to visit a savings group tomorrow at 7am! I missed my coffee tonight. If I was not leaving early tomorrow, I would make one and stay up a bit later. Oh well. I guess you can see that I am not completely better since my coffee intact has been reduced a lot this week!

I have appreciated the emails from you and how many of you prayed for me this week. I appreciate it a lot.

Many blessings,

Laura

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Dear Friends—

It has been good to be back in Gorongosa. Though I have been here for two years, I have been solemnly reminded this week at what people bear here to survive. I have also have seen the sweetness of people here and eagerness of our Firm Foundation class members.

I had not been here a day when I received an invitation to visit a savings groups. Just walking to the market I ran into several saving group members I know and a couple of my favorite pastors. Living and serving in Gorongosa is a privilege.

This brings me to this rare email. In the near future I am preparing to send to you an appeal and invitation to join me here on another journey.

As you may have heard, funds to continue with savings groups in Gorongosa and other districts in Sofala province ended. The groups were part of a food security program which ended at the end of April. Since then, we’ve looked for funds to continue in Sofala using some of FH’s internal network without success, yet.

I have struggled to know how to respond to this challenge. Trusting the Lord, I have sensed I need to continue this effort.

This appeal will not to ask for funds to support the program but to invite you to help us in doing some leg work to locate where we may find support. Each person is different. So, this may mean locating and contacting foundations, churches, or businesses willing to support such a program in Gorongosa. It may be organizing fundraisers. This part is open to much creativity.

I would be grateful to see a core of volunteers to help with some of this leg work so we might be able to see savings groups continue to grow in Gorongosa over this next year.

My position will be moving to work under the Child Development Program (CDP) from Agriculture. While, the program focuses on children (sponsored children like with World Vision or Compassion), the program also looks at developing the community and working with families and churches. There is flexibility to work with savings groups under this program. The best thing for me is that we can develop a holistic approach that also includes teaching Biblical principles. I plan to incorporate some of the learning I’ve done these past few months to incorporate discussions on local beliefs, Truth and transformation. J

Some of you areasked, "so, Laura, how much are we looking at?" In my current budget, we have calculated a bit less than $27,000 for 12 months. Savings groups do not require much input. Really, they just need a cashbox, a couple locks, and record books. FH does not provide any seed money to savings groups. Each save and lend out their own money.

However, to create new and healthy savings groups in the communities, groups need to be trained and accompanied closely during their first cycle. So, most of the proposed budget is for training and salary for one paid national staff. One of the objectives for this program is to begin creating a structure in which the local community can continue to create new groups and support existing groups long after FH leaves.

Again, I will be sending out more information to each of you with more details. If you are interested in helping, please let me know. I wish I could be there in person to explain more about this. It excites me to think about working with savings groups again and how they could impact the communities spiritually and physically. One savings group member told me that the groups have brought them life. I pray that this is the case, in the full sense of Life.  already

Thank you for being part of my journey in Mozambique. Please pray that the Lord may do what pleases Him in this next journey.

Many blessings from Africa,

Laura

P.S. Someone suggested I break down some of the costs…so here are a few of them!!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Dear Friends—

It has been a while since I’ve written you all sufficiently—and where do I begin!? As many of you heard and saw, that I made a trip to the States in August. The prime driver behind the trip was to attend and present at the Transformational Development conference in Oregon sponsored by FH and George Fox University. The other determining factor for going State side was to get a good dose of R&R.

The conference for me was a great encouragement. The small break-out session I did went well and was a good experience. The encouragement was not so much in what I learned new, by the confirmation of what I’ve been trying to do/ wanting to do, is on track. I left with more confidence, and with peace about what might happen after my contract is up next year.

Summer days in the NW with friends and family can not be compared to anything especially combined with wild huckleberries, mountain hikes, camping, good non-Starbucks NW style coffee, games of Phase 10 and Settlers of Catan, Columbia River Gorge views and blackberries. Life doesn’t get much better than that, except to have more time with everyone! My time in GA was great as well, but too short…way too short.

Next year: I don’t know what is going to happen. Honestly, I don’t know. There have been a couple moments I was sure that continuing to work in Moz with FH would be too much considering all the transitions that have been taking place. It has been exhausting. At the conference I was able to sit down with a former Country Director of FH in Moz. In our conversation, he admitted to considering leaving Moz when he was director. I asked him why he thought Moz was so difficult…He responded, "It is the spiritual oppression that exists." It helped put things in perspective for me. (I was hoping for a different and easier reason!)

There is still the "problem" of Gorongosa I fundamentally need to resolve to know where I’ll be next year. I don’t think my work in Gorongosa is done. This creates some conflict within myself at times. I feel strongly committed to Gorongosa until that hold, whatever you call it, is gone.

I will be emailing you more about continuing to work savings groups in Gorongosa under the Child Development Program and how you might join in with this effort. I am officially moving to CDP, and next week will be discussing my position with the program manager…next Wednesday.

This week I enjoyed getting back into the swing of things by visiting a saving group, teaching the Firm Foundation Bible Study, and catching up with some of my favorite people here. I smiled too, when I saw my favorite family of sheep wandering in my neighborhood.

I was relieved to know that my Portuguese was largely left intact upon returning. The bit of Sena I had suffered more, but not nearly as bad as I imagined it would, gratefully.

My roommate, Carolien, left back to the Netherlands the day after I arrive in Gorongosa. I was glad to have seen her before she left permanently for home. It has been quiet at home without her. I’m not excited about living by myself again. Ugh. Pray that some missionaries will not unpack their bags in Beira, like many, but feel called here. I’d love come company and fellowship.

I ask you to pray for this next year, and especially for what may be next. I am not in a rush to figure that out, yet. But, I need to begin praying through this.

Okay, I need to close this. It is past my bedtime…I’ve long drank my Friday night coffee and really need to call it a day.

Peace and Blessings,

Laura

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Dear Friends-

I made it to Gorongosa yesterday. It has been good to be back. My trip in the States was refreshing and gave me some much needed perspecitive on life here.

I have to keep this short. I am using my broken computer to send this…So far, my new and fancy computer does not want to connect to the internet here…I am fearing the worst…a windows vista problem. Tonight you’d laugh at me because I am not connected to a a monitor and so am squinting to see what is on my almost black screen. I learned that if I tip the screen way back, I can see things well enough if my nose is also 2 inches from the screen. I won’t be able do much without getting a headache from stranining so much! Lol.

I hope I can get my new computer connected here. If I can’t I may have to make a premature trip to Beira to try to resolve it. I hope it is not a Vista issue, but some simple setting I am missing.!!

It was great to go to church this morning. I went to the market in the afternoon and ran into many pastors and a few savings groups members. It was great.

Anyway, when I am able I will email again with more details from my trip home and my arrival in Gorongosa.

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, August 8, 2008

I made it to Nelspruit!

My DIRE/visa was not renewed, so I sent it by DHL back to FHI in Beira to take care of and sent back...not ideal situation, but the only way to leave the country. We stayed at immigration in Beira hoping they would pull through, until I had to absolutely had to get to the airport. Talk about a stressful morning! Pray that DHL delivers my DIRE back to Beira without incident...

Today I heard that it would either take too long to fix my laptop or not worth it. So, I may be in the market for a new one...

My doctor's appointment is getting stressful. The doctor I made an appointment to see was not even in her office today. I am heading to a day clinic, like walk in clinic tonight to see if they can help me with a physical. I sure hope I can do it here. otherwise my reason to come to Nelspruit was in vain, and I have to find a doctor in the states to go to...ugh.

It is good to see the Jordaan family though!

Anyway, pray that I can be seen by a doctor tonight...tomorrow I HAVE to get some time to work on my presentation, one way or another!! Pray that I get some more things on paper at least.

Never a dull moment (...wishing there were a few of those!)

Blessings,
Laura

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

I just wanted to let you know that my computer fell off a chair and the monitor is not working…well…It is not lighting enough to work on it. The screen is almost black...though I see faint outlines of what is on my screen.

I guess it is good that I am heading home! I will try to see if someone can fix it easily in South Africa while I am there…if not I will try in the States…and if it looks really bad or expensive…I will be needing a new computer….A Laura-proof computer…probably bullet and bomb proof, military grade, computer!!

This is NOT good timing as I have things to do for the conference to do still…LOTS actually. Pray that I can do figure out good ways to finish this work and get the computer problem resolved before the conference. I am feeling a bit stressed about the conference, so pray that I will calm down as well about this!

On TOP of this Immigration is taking time getting my visa back to me. I have to renew it before I leave because it expires when I am in the States. ARGH. Pray that I can get it by tomorrow morning to get on the plane.

I have not communicated with many I will be State-side. I am going to a conference in Newberg, OR, and then will be spending time with family, and some time in GA before heading back. I need some real R&R, and so will be in the States, but retreating a bit.

Thanks for your prayers!

Laura

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Dear Friends—

This week there has been a lot going on. I can’t wait until Friday to share this week.

I had some amazing discussions with people this week. Today I met with, Pastor Alberto Frank, the head pastor of the Assemblies of God church in the district. He founded the first protestant church in the district with another pastor. The Portuguese/Catholics literally held them tied up and persecuted them for starting the church. The district administrator finally told the Catholics/Portuguese to leave them alone. Their names, however, were listed with the authorities and if they caused any problems, they would be thrown in jail again.

Pastor Frank said during the civil war he and this other pastor were the only pastors out there in the district. Others were too scared and stayed in the village center. He said he should have been killed many times over, but God protected him. When asked why he didn’t have fear like the other pastors…he said he had to take the Word to the district, he was told to go by God, and could not just sit. He was called and had to go. He said that God’s power was made very real to him during this time in the war. As I heard some of his stories, it was clear God had a clear purpose for his life. He and the other pastors are very responsible for the advances of the gospel in the district.

He talked about witches coming to him and threatening him and his churches for healing people that they were cursing (and trying to kill through curses) There is a real battle he says, still. The two first witchdoctors to convert both died, creating more fear even of the spirits. He said that when one witchdoctor converted, that other witchdoctors visited him and tried to convince what he was doing was wrong. They said that if he left the practice, that the spirits would kill him. The converted witchdoctor didn’t care, and burned all his instruments and burned the house that he built for the spirits he had purchased. He died a little while after he converted.

When we were talking I looked out on his front porch to the mountains and hills there and remembered a prayer I had written in early 2007. Looking at the mountain and hills, I felt I was in my prayer. I was meeting with a fellow soldier—more a general-- in the battle. It was the most surreal feeling I can not describe. Part of the prayer is below.

Where he lives is known for the most famous and strongest witchdoctor in the district. Many people come from South Africa, Zimbabwe…far away to get this witchdoctor’s services. He mentioned that usually people come to him to look for a witchdoctor. We laughed when I said I came looking for the story of the gospel in Gorongosa. I was able to pray for him and his family before leaving. I would love to return and visit him again. He is one that legends are made of, and real hero, and example of obeying God in whatever circumstance. He reminded me of Paul…he was literally thrown in jail, and faced death.

I felt I had the biggest privilege to meet him and spend lunch with him. I met a true hero of the faith.

I just wanted to share this. It was an amazing day!

Blessings,

Laura

"Lord, don’t leave Mozambique behind. Strengthen your church! Satan wants to lay claim of this land and of this people. He already has a stronghold. But, Lord, I believe these are your people, dearly loved by you, and people that Jesus died for as well. This is your land, you created it all, in its mountains, rivers, and diverse forests. Take it back! Lord, do not forget your people here.

I am here, Lord. When I look at the task it is like counting the grains of sand on Mozambique’s shores. It is huge and I can not do it alone. Lord, send your Church warriors, those able to teach others to handle the sword of your Word. Teach them to guard themselves in righteousness and in truth, to wear the protection of salvation. Lord, don’t leave your people behind!

Lord, take me into your army. Train me to fight in direct combat, with the clanging of swords. Lord teach me to rush into the battle without fear in full confidence, fully armored in your Truth. Bring me to train and fight with your army that resides in these green valleys and at the foot of Gorongosa Mountain. May you be glorified here. Lord raise up your army here. Free your people here.

My heart churns at the sight of them being lost. I am just one, but you are the Master. You hold the universe at your hands. There are vast armies at your side. Dispatch them here Lord. Lord, for your name’s sake, take this battle. Remember your people here."

Friday, July 25, 2008

Dear Friends—

I have a new job…Logistics. Just kidding! This month I do need to finalize where I am going to work in FH. I’ve been in this after-agriculture program-state for several months. I am praying through it, but am leaning towards our child development program, because it would give the most flexibility to do holistic development (not just working with kids) and I really like the team they have. My second option is church strengthening. I was told that I need to finalize this before I go to the States in August. So, I am asking for your prayers in finalizing my position with FH.

I did work a couple days helping a co-worker organize food for a two day seminar on natural medicine. The organization giving the workshop had a truck, so I was it to run around to get things organized. The last day our FH motorist was coming back to Gorongosa on a tractor and it stalled. I had to run out there with a vehicle to rescue him. So, this week I was able to drive and people keep joking my next position with FH is logistics or district driver. It is an advantage to being able to drive. It helped this week.

With all this running around, my thesis work suffered. I interviewed a couple people only this week. One man we spent three hours with. He is part of the Catholic mission and has been through both wars and has many stories…and he loves to share them. He would start to talk and left little space to ask questions! He is great though, and I hope to go back a visit him again. He is a walking historian on Gorongosa.

Next week I am hoping to meet with the director of Agriculture and health, and meet with some pastors in a couple communities. Pray that all the arrangements work out!

I am heading to Beira tomorrow to say goodbye to Nic, who has been my supervisor since I’ve been here. He and his family are moving to Cabo del Gado, a province in the North, where FH is going to open a work. Pray that his moving going well. He is brave, as he is the first from FH to make the move. Others will be following. I am going to miss him tremendously. FH here will not have the same feel.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, July 18, 2008

Hey Friends—

I already downed my coffee, and overdosed on some no-bake cookies. Tomorrow I have a focus group and have not crashed yet…that will be tomorrow night!

This week I was able to visit the campo and get some interviews done for my thesis.

I interviewed a couple ex-witchdoctors. One who is just converting, the other has been converted for a while. The recent converted witchdoctor, named Maria, said that when she was sick, that the family spirits told her she had to work for them. As so for several years she worked with them. Her life is desperate. Maria was one of four wives. (yes, polygamy is very common here) Her husband left her because of the issue of the spirits. The other wives turned against her and encouraged her husband to leave her. She had 8 children, 4 died and the death all are attributed to the cost required by the spirits. She says she desperately wants to leave the work. She said the spirits are overwhelming. Her only dream? --that her children are healthy. Would she marry again? She said she wants to be the only wife and he must go to church. But, she says that her children’s health is more important than a husband.

I went several times this past week because I hear that she and the main pastor of her church are going to burn her amulets and witchdoctor instruments. It hasn’t happened yet, but may happen next week. I’d love to be present. I was able to pray for her specifically. I felt she is in a desperate spot and pray that God will meet her there.

I will end this with some tidbits of some of the conversations I have had this week…

Many blessings!

Laura

I interviewed an older pastor, Luis, who has lots of experience in the district…."Once, I prayed to take out spirits of a woman. Seven spirits left her. None spoke, but the last. The last spirit asked if I was Luis Mutudo, and I said yes. It said that it had heard of my name from other spirits at the mountain. It had heard of this Luis that takes out spirits. Luis said he responded by saying that it wasn’t him, but God that was taking out the spirits. God has the power. The spirit just wanted to see who this Luis was and left."

Here is a tidbit from another ex-witchdoctor interview, "One day a man from the church came to me and said that I should leave this way of life behind. He said that I should come to church, and said many things, and tried to convert me. I heard what he was saying, but I insulted the man. I said a lot of bad things to him. He left.

Later, another man from the church came to me. He was a friend. He didn’t try to convert me, but just invited me to church. At church, the preaching was on Mathew 11:28. It touched me. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". I was a point in my life that I wanted to die and had so many problems. After, the preacher asked if someone wanted to accept Jesus, and I raised me had. That same day, we arranged a time for me to burn all my instruments. I felt scared to burn them. It was how I made money. I was a bit scared. I thought that if this God doesn’t help me that I would have a serious issue with the man who recommended I burn my instruments.

"Leaving that life behind is like a beekeeper. He has to fight against the bees and reach in to the hive to get the honey. He has to suffer and have the courage to get the honey out. But, when he gets home he has a great thing and it is worth it. Leaving a life as a curandiero/witchdoctor is like that."

Friday, July 11, 2008

Dear Friends—

Tonight is a bit chilly and have been drizzling. While EVERY night is great for coffee, tonight makes for an especially great night!

This week I have been trying to get momentum in doing my field work for my thesis. It has been challenging to know how to start. This week I started talking with people to coordinate times to meet with individuals and focus groups. In the middle, I took advantage of visiting a savings group. The group I visited is doing well and we had a good discussion. I asked them how their savings group is helping them. Attached are a couple stories from that group. (The stories are still a bit raw, sorry for that.)

PCR Group Mangú, Gorongosa

July 10, 2008Salvador

Salvador, member of the group in Mangu, explained the history of his business. He started out buying bananas. He received some help few years from his family when they gave him a pig and goat. With the profits of the pig and goat, he was able to get 2000MT to start his business.

He started out buying avocadoes and selling them. During this time the profits he made from selling avocadoes he immediately would go out and buy dried fish to sell. Then he was able to begin selling avocadoes and dried fish. He said though that he was not able get enough of profits for his family to really benefit.

He says that PCR is helping him buy allowing him to expand his business. At the end of the month, he organizes the money to repay his loan. He says that there is always a profit that he is left with to help his family. Before it was hard to be left with a good profit to help his family, but with the help of PCR he is seeing bigger profits.

Falinha

She said she started out selling firewood. Then when she was able, she moved to sell sugar cane. Finally she was able to sell bananas. She would carry a large stalk of bananas that she would buy from someone’s field. She said at her age, it was becoming more and more difficult to carry such heavy loads.

She kept working at her business, and now with the help of PCR, she is able to buy bananas without having to go to the field. People come to her to sell their bananas and she is able to expand her business.

I ran into another member of another group which was the first group we had. They have about $3,500 saved and about $625 in interest. This is the most I’ve heard! They doing a great job. The member, Rui, who I ran into, said that he is going buy either a motorcycle or irrigation pump. In talking with him, he was convincing himself to buy the pump understanding it would help him longer term. Wow. I never would’ve imagined that they would be taking their savings to this level. I was so encouraged. (on a side note…Please continue pray that funds to continue with savings groups on a formal level might come. There are nibbles of interest. Ultimately pray that the Lord does his thing here!)

I am going to talk with some of their members for my thesis, so I am sure I will hear more stories.

Today I had my first "official" focus group with a group of women. We talked about success. I drew a stick figure and called him João, and said that he was a successful person in Gorongosa. I asked them to describe his family and farming. It was interesting to hear what these women saw as a successful family…

· João should build a house before he marries. He should have a house ready.

· He and his wife should not avoid relations with each other. They should be open to each other.

· Also, if he or his wife becomes sick, they should not leave or divorce the other. They should stay together and help each other if they are sick.

· If the wife is not able to work very hard anymore, he should not divorce her. He should still stay with her.

· When his wife no longer menstruates, he should not leave her or bring in another wife.

How is that for cultural differences! We had some good discussions. I realized I need to find a translator to help me out on a more formal basis. So, tomorrow I am going to talk to, Pr. Gabriel, a pastor friend who translates for me often at event to see if he can help.

Next week I am visiting some savings groups as a way to make appointments for interviews and plan focus groups. It is advantage of having these relationships to work from.

Anyway, I am going to finish here. Thank you for all your support and love!

Misses and love,

Laura

Friday, July 4, 2008

Dear Friends—

This afternoon I had a craving for pizza. After stopping a my favorite pizza place I started the walk back with my pizza in hand watching the sun begin to set, and feeling reflective as I thought about the last week and half.

Since last emailing you all, I have said hello, worked with, and then said goodbye to the team from my church. It was an incredible time to see how God works. They trained pastors, visited a savings group, taught the Firm Foundations class, did some physical therapy "magic", trained FH workers, and so much more… There is no way I can communicate completely how the week went. It was a great and full week.

For me, it was great to have people from home meet and work with those who I love in Gorongosa. I have been antsy to get back to Gorongosa to visit everyone and begin to unpack what the Lord did over their visit. I’m looking forward to getting on that bus tomorrow morning.

The image that stands out was the team with pastors and church members praying together for each other and Gorongosa. It was an amazing moment to experience. God is good.

Please pray as the Lord continues to work in Gorongosa, and for the team as they adjust and unpack their week.

Attached are a few photos of the week.

Blessings,

Laura

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Dear Friends—

It’s not a Friday but I thought I’d give you the scoop from the week. This week has been about preparing for a team from my church in GA arriving this weekend. I was out taking care of goat buying, etc.

Please pray as they travel this week. I am excited and nervous (that all goes well!).

Sunday I had the opportunity to attend a burial of a son of a church leader in my church. It was interesting, though obviously, very sad. I arrived about 10 minutes before the body was going to be taken from the house to the cemetery. When I arrived I joined the already waiting group of over a couple hundred people. Women sitting on the dirt, men sitting on the available chairs and benches… I heard some prayers coming from the house, a couple women left the house weeping, and after a couple minutes the simple wooden casket was loaded into the back of a small pickup truck. The family road in the truck and one person held the grave marker, which was a wooden cross with the name scribbled in black paint, in front. As the pickup made its way to the grave site, the rest of us followed. Some young women from our church lead some songs along the way.

At the gravesite, the pastor gave a small message, prayed and then the casket was lowered and buried. All the people attending were given a branch of a bush to plant on the grave site and they walked by. Afterwards we went back to the family’s house where people were waiting with water. Each washed our hands. I was glad to have a friend from church lead me around. I was not sure what to expect. The family formed a line, and everyone got in line to shake their hands. Before people went to shake hands, there were a few plates to give an offering for the family to help with funeral expenses and covering the costs of visiting family members. At the end the pastor prayed and everyone left for their homes.

Because the family is Christian there has been prayer at their house for 3 days afterward (taken from Jesus’ resurrection). A non-Christian family grieves for 7 days. It was a sober event, but interesting. Grief is something that transcending all cultures.

On a happy note: One of my students, the only women in the Tuesday Bible Study had her baby. Teresa had a healthy girl at the house of her pastor on Monday morning. I went to visit her with another pastor. Here the family is expected to have a party with food, and is a drain on finances. When we left she offered us a live chicken. (I gave to the pastor). The touching news is that they are probably going to be naming her after me…Laura.

Many blessings,

Laura

Friday, June 6, 2008

Dear Friends—

Imagine being 9 months pregnant and having to walk an hour to work in your field…or walking close to an hour to go to a Bible class. That is what one of my students, my only female student, has to do each week to get to the Firm Foundations class we are facilitating. Tuesday some students started to suggest that I visit their homes. Teresa was the first one. So, this afternoon I went to her house and had a lovely time.

She has four children and one on the way. She has been married twice. The first marriage dissolved after she didn’t have any children after a couple years. Here, children are super important as a way to keep the family going…and are keys to making the family spirits happy as well…so there is a lot of pressure for children. She first husband told her she had a bad spirit and that is why she wasn’t able to conceive. She married again, and has 4 children. She had two sets of twin girls and a son. One of the girls died. Now, she is due this month. She asks for your prayers as she says giving birth is not easy for her. Please pray that it all goes well.

She is a strong lady and strong the church as I have heard from others…and see with the strength she puts out to get to our class. I look forward to getting know her more.

This week there was a team from the States for a few days. It was good to have some fellowship for a few days. They worked with our child development program, and some pastors in some of the communities outlining. I wasn’t so much part of the work they were doing…but just mooching on the opportunity for fellowship mostly.

Tomorrow my housemate, Carolien, returns. I am looking forward to her return!

I hope you are well. I appreciate the love, support, and prayers you have blessed me with. I could not be her without you!

Love,

Laura

Friday, May 30, 2008

Dear Friends—

If we weren’t having power cuts during the day all week, I would be sprawled out with a coffee. Instead I’m trying to get work done still. I am getting coffee going as I write.

I wanted to let you know the situation with my guards sorted itself out. I am grateful. Hopefully this next month everyone will be happier.

Today I have a truth/lie day, well morning. We only had a couple hours including a tea break! It was packed. I am not sure if I learned much new, but it was good. I was surprised at the reaction to families when someone becomes a Christian and no longer participates in traditional ceremonies/rituals to their family spirits. They all said that families become very angry. And it causes a lot of conflict in families.

I’ve attached my notes for those who are interested.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Notes from Truth/Lie Event

Facilitated by Laura HunterPresent: 4 members of Baptist church, 4 members of Luz do Mundo, Pr. Zambo, Pr. Gabriel

We started late (cold, misty morning) and so we didn’t finish all that I would’ve liked too. We had 2 hours including a break for tea and snack.

Introduction: Genesis 1-26-31 (Man made in image of God, God gave earth to man to care and work, gave all plants and animals for food) John 10:10 (Jesus came so that we might have abundant life—physically and spiritually. God wants us to have life…gave us the tools necessary… (His image, resources, Jesus)

I used cards from my Phase 10 card game. I took out all the cards 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 for this exercise. I explained that 1 and 10 were extremes and 5 are neutral. I asked them the question. Then instructed them to pick a card, and place it face down on the floor. When everyone was ready, we all turned the cards over together.

Example I used to explain: Do you like coffee? I said I would say 10, yes. I love coffee. Pr Gabriel might not like coffee at all, and say 1. Mae Rosa might not care, and say 5.

I explained that the questions are directed at people in Gorongosa and their experiences.

Notes: They commented on Pita Kufa (spelling?) ritual when someone much take in a deceases wife. They believe if they don’t participate, they will die.

There is a ritual they do when a child is born (need to ask pastors for name again), that everyone does. It is to keep the child healthy and safe. If someone in the family doesn’t do it, they will responsible if the child dies or becomes sick.

They all commented there is great pressure to continue with ceremonies. A family may abandon a family member (not mention name in ritual prayers, etc) if they don’t participate. All said there is great pressure. When a Christian doesn’t participate, it creates a lot of conflict in the family.

A neighbor is able to build a improved house, how are their neighbors going to feel about it? (1=very very jealous, 5=neutral, 10=very happy for their neighbor)

Notes: If someone is successful, people think they used magic/witchcraft. They might have sent a snake (that steals), or magic drugs, or even have robbed others.

A person that builds a house may be killed after they build the house…using witchcraft primarily. If they talk to someone who is a witchdoctor by accident (witchdoctors are many times not known), they may put curse on them.

Someone may also kill them by putting drugs into their drinks.

This also occurs if someone has a good crop production. The said that those who work hard are seen as not doing the work honestly…but must have used magic, etc. The person who does not work becomes jealous. A couple people said that, "Laziness causes jealousy". I’d like to investigate this "laziness" to understand more what it means…

When the sorghum production is low, how responsible are the spirits or how much influence do they have on production? (1=totally responsible, 5=some responsiblitiy, but there are other factors, 10=not responsible at all)

Notes: Their responses puzzled me until they explained. People who said that spirits are not responsible or very responsible, stated that God is responsible. Nobody mentioned that man could have any responsibility. It didn’t surprise me though.

The others that said that spirits are responsible said that people either go to Samatenge, the rain god, or to their family gods through ceremonies. They mentioned that when it doesn’t rain, that the Samatenge must be called upon by whole neighbors and district, since it he is a more of a regional/district god.

Tea break

After our tea break, I told them a story of a man here in Gorongosa who over the years implemented things that FH taught him about Agriculture. He also implemented other things he learned from other organizations. After a few years his field were producing more than his neighbor. He began to fear being cursed and moved to the vila.

I asked them: What is going on? Is this good? What does God see? Is he pleased?

They commented how other people became successful, and when they lost two children, but when they moved to Chimio, they were able to have a child.

They agreed that God was not pleased with this. (there was much discussion in Sena at this point and I need to ask the pastors about it all…)

I asked what should the church do? Someone suggested that people could get together and pray with the farmer, about the situation. They said that the church should teach more on jealousy and that is it not good. They also said that the church could use drama and go into neighborhoods to teach that this is not good. (We compared Jesus’ words about abundant life with this farmer’s story).

We talked about how jealousy is not part of God’s kingdom, but of satan… (comparing how thief that steals and destroys…to God’s desire for abundant life)

Closing scriptures

2 Cor 1:8-10

1 Peter 4:12-16 (opposition should not be a surprise)

I explained that there is a war between God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom. Satan will do what ever to kill and destroy. He does not want us to have life. He is against God’s kingdom.

Ecclesiates 4:9-12. I reminded them that if a person converts and experiences opposition from his family, he should not be alone. We can help him. The church can be a source of strength. There is strength in numbers.

Our time ran out! I did not feel I got deep enough and just was still touching surface things.

Note on participation: Using the cards helped a lot with participation. Everyone shared and had opportunity to share why they answered like they did. Even the reserved shared. I was pleased how it helped everyone to participate.

The participation concerning the story of the farmer was not as even. Everyone still contributed though.

Blessings,

Laura

Tuesday, May 27,2008

Dear Friends-

Last week I found out one of my night guards has not been happy. Then this week I found out that the two guards I use had an argument. I won’t get into details. Unfortunately, I feel I contributed to some of this "confusion" (as it is called in Portuguese). So, tomorrow I am meeting with everyone to settle it all out. I know, in part, I have to apologize and recognize my part in making things worse. Then I want to hear from each of them what is going on. Then I will have to gain courage to work with them to come to an agreement. I feel sick to my stomach about all of it, not that it is a grave conflict, but that it will mean entering the world of cross cultural conflict resolution, something I will have to learn by doing in this case! Please pray for us as we all sit down together. Pray that somehow the Lord will get glory from it. I would like specifically ask for wisdom, discernment, patience, and courage.

Also, I will let you read what my mentor wrote about me working on my upcoming Master’s thesis. The very first comment was," We are interfering with the enemy here so we should expect some problems and hassle. We need prayer to assist us. You might ask for some prayer partners and tell them what you are doing." My thesis in a very small nutshell will be investigating the local worldview here, identify the principle beliefs that inhibit personal and community development, and how to respond…and it will have a special interest area in agriculture/creation. With this said, I would like to invite you to join with me in this as prayer partners as well.

Today, on my way back to Gorongosa, there was another reminder of how fragile life is here. I was able to catch a ride back to Gorongosa with an FH vehicle this time. We came up to an accident scene where we saw that a car hit and killed a child. It reminded me of a conversation some friends and I had over dinner this weekend. One friend spends sometime in an orphanage primarily for kids with AIDS. We talked about the life expectancy is about 45 years, and how 22 year olds here carry such big adult responsibilities. We talked how many funerals there are, and how much time people take off work to attend funerals. One friend who worked in Zambia said that because of AIDS primarily, that in the school she was working there was some discussion of only allowing teachers to go to 5 funerals a month. This was because of they were missing work so much. We talked about how all of us could count on one hand how many funerals we’ve attended in our whole life. The pastors I work with here talk often about how many funerals they have to attend and how it takes up so much of their time. Another friend who was an elementary school teacher in the States was asked by someone here how many of her students died at her school while she was there. She said she didn’t know how to respond, as none of her students died. In our conversation she asked us--how can we explain that our students don’t die like that? It was good for us to sit and discuss the reality here and how it affects us. My friend, Brooke said it well. She said, "In the States it seems that death is farther away, but here it is breathing down our neck everyday."

Sorry this is so morbid. Writing this does helps me process more the reality here.

On the light side….I was able to spend the weekend in Beira…mostly to rest. Sunday I managed to stay in my pajamas until noon and finish a book. I managed to get check off by FH to be able to drive their vehicles. I discovered that the most difficult part was not having the steering wheel on the right side, and gear shifts on my left side…and it wasn’t driving on the left side…but it was wiper blade and blinker. They are opposite than what we are used to. So every turn…I was putting on the wipers!. The FH driver who was with me got a hoot of this and chuckled each time I turned. So, next month when my church in GA comes….I will be personally be able to shuttle them around—with the wiper blades flip flopping back and forth all the time! Haha.

For those of you who are wondering. Today, my birthday was a normal day…but I have eaten two birthday cakes, and chocolate ice cream over the last couple days if that tells you how celebrations went.

Thanks for being a part of this journey. Your support, prayers and love allow me to be here! Thank you!

Blessings,

Laura

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Dear friends--

Well, it wasn’t a party, but it looked like one and I felt like partying. I was welcomed by Pr Rui, a savings group Animador, who was dressed in a suit for the event. Entering the church there were small homemade banners strung from one end of the church to the other. On each banner, had written on it, "PCR" (the acronym for savings groups in Portuguese) It looked like a "PCR" party in the making. Up front was a paper with PCR written on it with scripture referencing Hebrews…encouraging people to not stop meeting together.

Today I was invited to an event organized by one of our savings group’s volunteer/animador, Pr Rui. He wanted to create a commission in the community to help the groups with problems. Each group from the community sent their president, secretary, treasurer, and money controllers/counters. They took a vote and four people were selected to form the commission. The local leadership (secretario de Bairro) was present and was introduced. Pr. Rui wanted that the local leader and groups know each other. Since FH has officially stopped the program, they wanted to create a structure to help their groups with problems or conflict.

The hosting group, presented some songs about PCR…Singing such things as, "God bless PCR, God lead and guide PCR. It is for the grace of God we have PCR. God bless PCR and Africa." The local leader, the secretario de Bairro, commented many things, but he said clearly, "There have been many projects that have come into the District, but PCR has been the most helpful and the best".

The groups exchanged ideas and discussed questions and problems. Pr. Rui led the discussions. The event was very well organized.

It was most exciting that the whole event was the initiative of the animdaor and that each group contributed to the event. They announced how their contribution was used and it totaled about 1000MT or $50USD. There was a midmorning snack of bread/butter and tea. No beans for these groups.,.. they contributed enough to buy a goat, rice, and cokes for lunch. I was thrilled at the investment the groups made and what it represented. It was ALL their initiative. I was just an invitee and had NOTHING to with the idea or planning.

I wanted to share this story, because to me, it represents development in its best form and is encouraging. In another community, I know another animador has organized exchange visits and is organizing more between the groups in his community. These are all on their initiative and post-FH. There is still life to PCR after the program officially ended within FH.

Please pray for all the groups in Gorongosa, and the community volunteers who are leading and assisting these groups on their own now. Pray that other initiatives like this spread in the district and the fire continues!

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, May 9, 2008

Dear Friends-

Some of you have wondered where I’ve been. The last has been a whirl wind, but it included a relaxing trip to a beach in South Mozambique called Tofo. It was beautiful and one of those beaches you see in vacation postcards that make you envious.

The only thing that was difficult was that it was a very very long trip. It took about 16 hours to get there…2 buses and a small ferry. It was worth it. It was the first time I’ve been here in Moz that I felt I could walk on a beach or anywhere, really, without eyes looking at me. Nobody asking for money, trying to sell me anything, no cat calls or comments….just me, the ocean and my Creator. I was able to find some good time to sit and reflect on this year. Which I would say was a bit scarey in a way….When things are difficult, it’s easy for me to pack my emotions away and keep moving like nothing is wrong. Quiet moments with God force all those "neatly" packed feelings to the surface…and force them be dealt with. I am happy to say, nothing too dramatic happened. I did cry, pray, write, and just sit quietly watching the ocean waters break. All things that needed to happen.

I didn’t do much water activities, but did do some horseback riding on the beach…(and all the while on the horse kept thinking, "Ride like Lotta"…but realized I am just a horseback clutz!)

At the end of the weekend, I felt a bit more recharged and definitely found some peace that had not been present for awhile. I return excited to get working on my thesis…though the topic still needs to be narrowed and defined (and this gives me stress!) . I felt hope and expectation in a way I haven’t in a while…and peace. Ah, yes, peace…the kind you drink up and refreshes…the good kind. I could drink a lot more from that fountain! I felt how good God is.

Some of you have asked about my job and what is going on with FH. There is still a lot of changes and shift. But, I do know I am still going to be in Gorongosa. My job still needs to be defined. I hope to continue to work a bit with savings groups and pastors. The issue with this is that we technically don’t have a program that can cover my support costs, like my motorcycle, etc. So, they need to connect me enough to a program with funds to do this. I will let you know how it all turns out. Please pray for this process. Yes, it is a very ambiguous situation to be in. Meanwhile, I plan to focus on my thesis, sena, Monday Bible study, savings groups/pastors, and planning for the visit by my church in GA next month.

My roommate is doing well recovering in the Netherlands. I have not heard when she is returning yet.

Reality check…Monday on our journey home we were on the main road between the capital and Beira (the 2^nd largest city). The road in one part was just potholes—quite literally. You could see several layers of asphalt where they patched potholes over and over again. In places, some kids had an initiative to fill the potholes with dirt and then run after cars asking for money for their services. The road was so bad that buses and cars made paths off the road to go past the biggest and deepest potholes. It was a reality check considering that it is the MAIN road running north/south! You could compare it too our freeways.

Today I finally made it back to Gorongosa after being gone for a week. I am so pathetic…yesterday I was getting really homesick for Gorongosa, missing the life and people here. I was only gone a week and missed it. I enjoyed arriving and catching up today with people. It felt good to be home and home with people I love too. I guess vacations are good. They help remind us what we have at home.

Thank you for all your prayers and support in this journey. Attached are photos (Beach, boats with ferry-bus that we took, and the crew at the beach)

Love,

Laura

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Dearest friends—

This past week I wasn’t sure what to write on Friday. I spent several days in Beira for a training on a program to track savings groups. It was a great program and it was good to learn it. The ironic thing is that as of May 1 we won’t have funding to continue the program. Anyway, enough said…this has been a hard reality to face..

The cool thing has been the Bible Study on Mondays with pastors and church leaders. It has been great to see them learning the Bible.

Today on my ride back to Gorongosa from Beira there was a very sad event that took place. This afternoon it has affected my mood. Along the way we picked up two ladies with a child. I was in the front seat, so did not see what was going on. I heard one of them ask for the bus stop at the hospital in Gorongosa. A few minutes later, there is a wailing from them behind me. The chapa stopped because another lady in the bus could not stand the wailing and situation and wanted to get off the bus…

It turned out the child was gravely sick and died in the arms of the mother. I only realized the situation when I had to get out of the bus so the lady who was not standing the situation could get out. Then the ladies decided to get out, realizing their trip to the hospital was too late. They got out with the child who looked under 2 years old in their arms. The bus left them there to walk back to their village. It was a very surreal scene, very sobering.

Afterwards in the bus the driver was commenting how they should not have waited to the last minute to try to get to the hospital. One lady said that they probably went to a witchdoctor/medicine man before…saying that they probably made it worse. It was a sobering rest of the way home. I reflected much on the harsh reality people face here.

Anyway, I made it home okay. I need to prepare for tomorrow’s study and I think I may be meeting the new Peace Corp volunteers for dinner tonight.

Thanks for your support in this journey.

Love,

Laura

Monday, April 21, 2008

I am encouraged tonight as I listen outside my window. The brother of my guard is visiting and is explaining all he has learned so far from the Bible Study (Firm Foundations) we are doing on Mondays.

I just heard him try to explain the Trinity. "Really, there are three persons at the creation…Father, Son of God, and Holy Spirit…" Today we started in Genesis looking at the character of God and what he created the first five days. I heard a mix of Sena and Portuguese explaining how the first day there was light/dark…and how God is love because he created for us many plants for food. (He doesn’t get hungry or need food!). We don’t have to eat only corn every day, but he also created mangos, bananas and other things for us to eat. He is holy and perfect, so he can not make errors, and so creation is good-perfect…

Then he names the first five books of the Bible and explaining how they are the books of law. Then he went on to name the other books they’ve learned so far…saying they are history books.

It is very cool to hear the study reach past the pastors/ and church leaders who are attending. We have a stable group of 15.

I thought I’d just quickly share my encouraging evening! Yes, I got to play games with them…poor pastors! Ha! …they are now enduring Laura’s learning games/exercises… Some of you know what they are in for…J It’s been a LONG time since I’ve been able to be creative like this. Very nice.

God is good!

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, April 18, 2008

Dear Friends—

Abwera chixanu…Friday arrived! This week passed quickly and was semi-productive. I had a couple sessions of Sena, visited a savings groups, and had good long conversations with pastors.

With Carolien back home and agriculture/nutrition staff done with their work, it felt empty and quiet here. I knew it was coming. It has been strange for all of us I think. I can only believe and keep faith that the Lord has plans for each, and for FH. FH/Moz is facing difficulties at this end of our funding cycle with USAID. I hear there is no little/no money anywhere really. FH/US is facing cutbacks as the economy slows as well.

All said, God is good. I have been hearing Twila Paris’ song, "God is in Control’ and it is fitting for this time. He is!

I was clearly reminded why I’m here when I participated in the Bible Study Monday. We have 15 regular pastors attending. It was great therapy have been able to return from Beira in time to be there and help out. Clearly the Lord is doing something. This Monday is my turn to teach! Please continue to pray for this initiative, that the Lord has His way, and that those of us facilitating the study are strengthened to do our best.

I have been wondering and stressed thinking how to continue with pastors and savings groups, without an official program or funds. However, the pastors are answering this themselves. This week one of the pastor is organizing and exchange visits with a couple neighboring groups in his community next week. I was encouraged that they are continuing to work despite FH. It made my heart very happy. So, I am going to follow their lead and continue to support their initiatives. I needed some clarity as to what to do, and they are helping to make things clear.

I am not on the floor yet this Friday. I will be getting coffee going soon though. I had to be at a savings group for 6am this morning! And it was actually cold this morning and I had to bundle up a bit. It’s warm now, this morning was a reminder of the cold days to come!

After my Sena lesson, my head hurts. The combination of sounds and spelling is so unfamiliar. My tongue doesn’t know how to do it well yet!! Just a sample of Sena to give you a taste…you can see the topic I was studying.....Ndina nyampwanda na cifuwa…I have a cold and cough. . Manungwanu mbadidi….how is your health? Ndisa kupha manungo onsene…my whole body hurts….and this one is me after my lesson: Ndisava kupha nsolo…I have a headache or my head hurts. J

Please continue to pray for FH/Moz and staff here. Please pray that the Lord gives me the wisdom and strength to make good decisions and how to manage these challenges. Thanks for your continued love, support and prayers.

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, April 11, 2008

Dear Friends—

This week was all about my roommate, Carolien. Monday she was not feeling well and we were able to find her a lift with my supervisor to Beira. It was a good thing because she had acute appendicitis and was operated on Monday night.

I arrived Tuesday morning and have spent the whole week with her. Thursday was a difficult day and I spent most the day in the hospital with her. Yesterday she was feeling a bit better.

We heard yesterday that all the work with the insurance is done and that she has ambulance plane back to the Netherlands. It comes tomorrow morning. I will be so relieved when she gets on the plane, and even more relieved when I hear she is home.

I would say I learned a lot this week. I plan to go back to Gorongosa on Monday.

Please continue to pray for Carolien as she recovers.

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, April 4, 2008

Dear Friends—

This week I started Monday in Beira in the office, and ended in Marromeu…our farthest district…maybe 9 hours from Beira. Reaching Marromeu taking guts with the road being not paved and there being huge mud holes that could easily consume normal sized cars. It is a real test for even the best of 4x4s.

Each day, we spoke the savings group presidents and community volunteers about our situation and that we will be stopping our programs at the end of this month.

The groups were gracious and as understanding as they can be. I mean, what can they say when we have no money to continue. A lot of savings groups, I am sure, will continue…especially those who have some experience. I wish we could continue to walk with them. It is strange to be winding down work.

The pledge I offered from my support reserve is still out there for FH/moz. It seems that there may not be money to match it. Please pray with me about this pledge. It could be that it can fund 5-6 months with the hope we find more funds. I am not feeling sure about this option. I am going to be praying about this pledge over the weekend, for wisdom to know how to proceed.

I wish I could say that missionary life is glorious and about seeing people who joyfully received the Lord every day. It is hardly that on a daily basis. I wish I could say that things are going well, but you know otherwise. It has been a struggle. In these moments, I am learning the sovereignty of the Lord is an important key. It has been a huge lesson on how small I am and how small my understanding of the world is, and how big the Lord is. He is over all things and understands it all. Our God is good and BIG!

I led devotions with the groups this week. I spoke about Abraham and how he hoped against hope. In our view we can find us in impossible situations, but for the Lord all is possible. I hope it has encouraged the groups. It sure has helped me to remember for God all things are possible.

Please continue remember us here. It is a crazy time. I have been constantly tired this week as we traveled and met with groups each day. I would appreciate prayers for my mom as well. She was feeling better again, but just heard she was feeling bad again…but maybe this time a flu or something. Please remember my co-workers who are facing unemployment after this month.

My goal for Saturday is to rest…sleep as much as I can. Monday is a holiday (Day of Mozambican Women)! I am glad not to go to work on Monday!!! It is my turn to teach at our Monday Bible Study, so I will just be preparing for this.

Thanks for being part of this journey. Much appreciated!!

Just for sake of Friday night tradition and for the record…I already had my cup of coffee and I am on the floor writing this…and almost ready to pass out for the night in bed. It was an exhausting week. I am glad to be home tonight.

In Him,

Laura

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Dear Friends—

Cooler nights are finally arriving! The season is changing for the cooler!

This past week I organized an exchange visit for the savings groups run out of some my pastors’ churches. Those participating enjoyed the visit and got into the teaching I had for them in the afternoon. It was great to see them learn. They are all new groups and the leaders of the groups are still learning their role. Some of the women participating commented on the visit, and how in the group they visited…the women talked and saved a lot. They thought it was amazing that this group was run by all women. I love when women especially have their vision opened to what they are capable of doing.

The rest of the week sort of dragged along because I was fighting a cold and a fever. I am still not over it, and took the day to literally just rest. Tomorrow I will get stocked up on antibiotics—just in case. This week I will be traveling to each of the district where we work talking with members of savings groups and our volunteers. I will be with our savings groups’ coordinator and Ag manager to give the bad news that we don’t have money to continue working with them at the moment. I am a bit emotional about having to be part of the team that has to bring hard news. I have cried a couple times thinking of it over this weekend.

The good news, I was reminded that I have a reserve fund available through FH---from your support—that I can pledge toward savings groups. So, after some prayer, I decided to offer $8,000 of support I have in reserve towards continuing savings groups in Gorongosa—with the expectation FH (either in US or Moz) can match this. I just made this offer to them and have not heard back yet. Please pray that they are able to find funds to match this. $16,000 is needed to continue with savings groups in Gorongosa with a basic budget. So, while the program as a whole might not be able to continue at the moment, we might have a chance to at least continue in Gorongosa. Thanks in partly to your support!

I am still waiting to hear what I’ll be doing officially after our Agriculture funding is finished in April. Hmm, yes…this lack of definition does cause some stress. I know it will be defined in time. Meanwhile, I have been focusing on the Bible Study with Pastor/church leaders and learning some Sena. I am trying to make ways forward with my thesis, but this is proving more difficult than I thought. Please pray for my thesis…that it comes together soon! (Really, or if it would really be better…that I can see clearly that I need to just take one more course to get an MBA and skip the thesis)

Funny thing…my ride on public transportation to Beira was extra long yesterday. I was ready to get a bus at 6am…but it didn’t fill up to leave until 8:00am…and then once we were on the road we not only stopped for everyone along the way, we had to stop to put water in the radiator or get water. The radiator was not working properly. I am no car mechanic, but I don’t think a bottle cap is suppose to be a cap of anything in a car engine either… It took me 5 hours for a trip that usually takes 3.5hrs. I was glad to finally get into town! Life is never boring here!

I hope you are all well. Thank you for being part of this journey!!

Blessings,

Laura

Friday, March 21, 2008

Dear friends-

He has risen! Wow. This week as I reflect on the significance of this weekend and Christs’ resurrection, I am not sure why we settle for easter eggs and bunnies…and not have a full out Celebration and grand party for what Jesus did for us!!

I wish you all a very happy Easter and that we all will get the full depth of Easter in all its meaning and significance.

Today, I have off…and am REALLY enjoying the day off work. This morning I went to the market, and spent the rest of the morning listening to some fabulous talks from Regent College (Vancouver, BC-Regent) that a friend gave to me while I was home. I realized how much I miss this sort of Bible learning. It makes me want to Bible school....almost. I have to finish the Grad degree I started… !!

I put on some favorite worship music on and also listened to new music I received over Christmas (that was tuck away all this time). It has felt like a morning of major spiritual feasting. Yummy!

Tonight for dinner I promised to make spring rolls, so I made the wrappers and filling today as well. I am a bit excited about them. I am trying my hand at making homemade yogurt as well. And am looking for a recipe for Cinnamon Roll recipe to try this weekend. (Wait, I’m suppose to be a poor deprived missionary…hmm…yes, I forgot. We eat rice and beans everyday… Lol!) My roommate and I are creative cooks and enjoy experimenting. There is little fear in this house of trying to combinations.

The rest of the week went well. I happily spent time on my motorcycle yesterday visiting a savings group. I enjoy the campo, but lately it has been harder for me to get out there. Visits to the campo keep things in perspective and help keep me straight.

Bad news, is that at least one funding opportunity to continue savings groups fell through…I want to hope we will eventually find funding, but it is looking more and more dim—at least for the short term. Please pray for how my job will change after April. I will to go to Beira in the next couple weeks to sit down with folks and work through this.

Anyways, I am going to end this. I need to prepare a sermon for this Sunday. I am excited to share on Easter, but very humbled as well. Also, Monday I have my last training with some savings groups and pastors that I need to prepare for as well.

Thank you so much for your support and being part of this journey.

He has Risen!

Laura

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Dear Friends-

Hey, it’s Saturday. Friday I wasn’t laid out on the floor, but at a friends house playing Settler’s of Catan and catching up while in Beira. This morning I am getting myself ready to travel back to Gorongosa.

This week had some "big things": Remembering my mom while she went into surgery (she is at home now!), presenting a proposal to continue savings groups to someone from FH/US, talking with my country director about my job after April.

My mom is doing great and so I won’t add more the updates I’ve sent. I am just very thankful it went well, she felt loved by everyone, and that she is at home now recovering.

The proposal regarding savings groups went well. There is no promise for funds, but I think we are still hopeful. There are some proposals out there for funding that we are still waiting for. It was good to at least share with others what is going on. Last night over Settler’s, some friends gave me some good advice regarding savings groups. I was feeling discouraged that there might not be money to continue the program. They reminded me that there is enough knowledge in the communities for groups to continue and encouraged me to communicate this to the groups next month (when we are meeting with all the groups’ presidents and our volunteers). They reminded me that these groups are for the community and they will keep them going if they see it important. They reminded me what development is and not to be scared if FH can’t continue. I really appreciated their encouragement. I have REALLY needed it lately.

I am realizing how sapped I am by the transitions and uncertainties in FH--and I am not in the center of it. I sheepishly feel weak, disorganized, and pretty unproductive at the moment. I wish I could feel more on top of things. I am realizing that my response to everything includes feeling a bit melancholy and unmotivated. Frustrating!

I had a meeting with our CD Friday. He and others went to the States for a meeting last week with some churches about partnering with us. The meeting went well, at least from my perspective. He showed a presentation concerning church strengthening, and we chatted about my job, thesis, etc. It was all fine. I would be supervised by someone else. I don’t have any issues with this really, but represents another change. I realized that while what he was proposing seemed fine logically, that I emotionally was not very open if I was honest with myself. ARGH. Dang emotions anyways!!!

I visited with my host family in Beira yesterday. They are so great and such a support to me. My host dad and mom are thinking of coming to Gorongosa when my church is here. I am reminded that my Mozambican support network is such a blessing and is needed. Sometimes I think I can only process things with expats, but my host family is such a source of wisdom for life.

Anyways, that is all. I am ready for Gorongosa! I am glad to get back home today!!

Please continue to pray for FH and all our staff…from field level to leadership. Also Monday is our first real Bible study lesson with pastors and church leaders! Here we go! I am nervous and excited!

God is faithful!

Love,

Laura

Friday, March 7, 2008

Dear Friends—

It’s an normal Friday night for me…laid flat out cold on the floor until I could conger up energy to get my cup of coffee.

I wanted to let you know that Nyada is getting better. The following day her mom went to the hospital and that afternoon I gave her some money to get some medications. Today Nyada still has a cough, but doing better. Yay God.

Next week please pray for my mom and family back home as she goes into surgery on Monday morning, and of course for the doctors taking care of her! I wish I could be there.

Also, I would like to ask prayer for conversations I will be having with FH/US about savings groups. Bossumane, the savings group coordinator and I will be presenting a proposal to continue work after April. I REALLY would like to see these groups continue. From what I’ve seen, groups have spoken what they think of the groups by how they are working…the groups are getting bigger, and saving more. I want to listen to them.

Also, I would like some added prayer for Monday afternoon when several of us here have our first meeting for going through Firm Foundations, a chronological Bible study, with a potential of 50 pastors and church members. Monday will be our first meeting together. We actually won’t be teaching anything this week, but getting to know each other, and getting things organized. I am excited and nervous about this. It is a huge privilege to work with pastors.

Sena lessons are moving along slowly. I have been physically tired a lot recently, so it makes it harder for me to absorb things. But, I am learning. It is good. People here are so willing to let me practice and help me.

Anyways, that is all for this week’s update. I have someone coming for dinner and need to prepare! Oh, things are going well with my roommate. It is so nice to have another person here, especially to process cultural things.

Thanks for your prayer and support.

Blessings,

Laura

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Hi Friends—

I want to ask for special prayer for my neighbor’s little girl, Nyada. She has been sick over a week. They have taken her to the hospital, but have not had much success yet. Her mom came to me to ask for help to take her to see a witchdoctor. It was one of those, " I’ve-never-been-asked-for-money-to-see-a-witchdoctor-before" moments. I didn’t know how to respond and told her after work I’d talk with her about it.

So tonight, she told me that Nyada was waking up scared at night and would cry. They wanted to take her to a witchdoctor to find out what she was seeing. Nyada is about 14 months old.

My response…I want to help you, but I can’t help you see a witchdoctor. I don’t think God would like it and he would become jealous, but I know he loves Nyada and wants her better too. I can help you go to the hospital and pay for any medications, but I can’t give you money to see a witchdoctor. Can I pray for Nyada right now?

It turns out she had made plans to go to the witchdoctor in the morning thinking I was going to give her money to go. It sounded like others were going with her. So, I gave her some phone time/credit to undo those plans.

I hope that’s an okay response. I’ve never been in this place before. I was a bit stressed about it this afternoon thinking how to best respond to her.

Please pray that Nyada will sleep extra hard tonight and that God’s power can be revealed in this situation!!

Thanks.

Laura

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Dear Friends—

I am writing tonight instead of Friday because I think I will have some visitors tomorrow night. I suspect if I did not have a visitor, I’d be flat on my back tomorrow. I already am close to laying on the floor in a daze. Partly, it would because I have been busy and also it has been extra hot this week. You can sit in the shade and do NOTHING, and still beads of sweats roll down your back, face, etc. All we’ve wanted to do this week is not move. Of course we can’t but the idea would be nice. There is something to be said about siestas. I would fully endorse them, especially on days like this. Instead of snow days, can we get heat days instead…? The heat usually over a few days to week, then it rains cooling things off for a short time before starting to build up again. Lately it keeps building up…but no there is no rain to cool thing off.

Instead of a hot coffee, I chilled mine today…added come chocolate and milk…and behold…A yummy cold Mocha!!

Today I was reminded that I love the campo after visiting a savings group. I enjoy those visits. The group I visited was doing quite well, and so that was nice to see too. They are in their second cycle, and have doubled their number of members and have already passed the amount they saved as a group all year in 2007…and they have just started the second cycle in January.

Tomorrow I have my biweekly meeting with the pastors that are working with the savings group. It should be good. I am expecting to have some good conversations.

Today was fun too because we here had our first meeting with pastors, to explain to them about the chronological Bible Study (Firm Foundations material done by New Tribes) and that we wanted to work with their church leaders. We are calling it project strong church (Projecto Igreja Firme), if I have to translate literally. 24 pastors showed up. They welcomed it, but didn’t like one thing…they wanted to be included as well. So, after hearing their comments…and frustrations from past projects and organizations working in the district…we decided to include them as well. So, for our first meeting in March, we will be expecting about 50 people…pastors and a leader from their churches. It is exciting, but also scary at the same time. It is a huge responsibility to work with so many pastors…and I don’t want to let them down.

We are anticipating some photocopy expenses along the way. I am not sure how much that is going to be, and don’t expect that much. We are asking each participant to bring paper, a pen, and a Bible with them. (If any of you are willing to help with such expenses I would be open to that. I will be drawing from a personal mission fund to support costs that the group cannot support themselves.) This activity is not related to my FH work and is outside of work.

This week I have been feeling more stress with things going on with FH, and just the normal stress of living overseas. I have felt really tired physically this week....(though it doesn’t help that ants climbed into bed with me a couple nights forcing me to abandon ship in the middle of the nigh!) Please continue to pray for FH and staff here. Please also be praying for a proposal we will be giving to someone next week regarding savings groups. I will be traveling to another district with our savings group coordinator to present the proposal…powerpoint included. Please pray that we are able to articulate clearly how the groups are growing and how it is meeting a felt need. We are just hitting a good momentum.

My new roommate is lovely. It is nice to have someone to talk about cultural stuff. I have enjoyed her.

I also started learning Sena/chi-Gorongosa with a lady from church…It is so hard. My tongue does not want to pronounce words and protests often…ndizanorano ndimwe ani?...what is your name? Musaphala kupi? Where to you live? Musaphata kupi basa? Where do you work? Ndisaphata ku-fundação…I work for FH. My tongue often protests getting some of the words out. Let’s say we just laugh a lot!! J Such is language learning…

I hope you are doing well. Thank you for being part of the journey.

Many blessings,

Laura

Friday, February 22, 2008

Dear Friends—

Hey, it’s another Friday. I am not totally sprawled out on the floor with a coffee today. I did get the coffee…that is almost a daily evening traditional.

This week I received my roommate and so now I have company. She has been great.

It has been a bit of an adjustment, but it is a good one. So, tonight I made dinner and squash bread and then sat to talk about our day. It is nice to have someone to talk about cultural things and how to handle them. Also, we are beginning to share meal making…a nice plus for both of us. I am eating better, not just scrounging around and being lazy.

FH things are the same roller coaster. Me and the savings group coordinator are going to be working on emergency budgets for the savings group program. It is a time to be flexible lets just say that.

I do get stressed by all that I want/need to put on my plate….

This week I visited a couple savings groups, but found myself in the office working on BUDGETS and such things. We were told to be careful with gas as FH ran out of funds again in Beira to buy more. I am not sure what is going on there… So, it was just as well that I was in the office.

Today we had training for some of our saving group volunteers. It all went okay.

Pr Santos was place at a school close to town, so that is good for him. Pr Gabriel’s son is getting better. And Pr. Bartolomeu says his glasses are working well in school…He is in 3^rd grade. Pastor Zambo is in Beira talking to Bapt people.

I hope you each are well.

In Him,

Laura

Friday, February 15, 2008

Hmm…I bet you can guess what I’m doing… I continue with my ritual of laying on the floor and drinking coffee. I am tired, but happy kind of tired tonight…the best kind!

This week was my first full week back in Gorongosa. I visited a couple savings groups. I spent some time working about a couple budgets, and planned for a meeting that I had today with my pastors. We had a USAID visit, so I tagged along trying to understand what they are about and how they tick. I can’t say I know any more about them than before, but it was good to hear what our communities had to say to them.

I am going to be working more on budgets for savings groups. There is a huge need to keep them going as this second year they are expanding fast and meeting a felt need. Since our USAID funds are over in end of April, we are looking at what we can do. I hope we find some funds, somewhere. I may be working on this sort of stuff for awhile, and less focused on field work. Or I am getting that sense. The situation with FH is complicated and we all are have to be super patient and just hang on. Thank God is in control, or things would really be in trouble!!!

This week a couple pastors and I got ourselves a bit more organized to get a group of local church leaders together to go through a chronological Bible study. We decided on leaders, not pastors this time, because at the moment FH is doing some work with them. And also we see that deacons, elders and such leaders don’t get any training, yet they teach Sunday School and preach often. We are excited to start in March.

I found a lady to help me with Sena/chi-gorongosa that is from my church. I just need to coordinate times and get started... I hope perhaps next week!

My roommate arrives on Monday. We are coming back from Beira together. ( I will be in Beira to say goodbyes to some coworkers leaving FH). It will be so nice to have company. Carolien is Dutch, and is working on her Phd…looking at the role of church and traditional religion in resolving conflicts. I think she may be interested in joining in some Sena lessons. And maybe we can get scourage to try to do some sort of exercise. There is strength in numbers, no?! I’m sure having someone working on studying will positively influence me in mine! My goal this year is to finish my masters…I just have that thesis to do.

Today was way fun with the pastors. They are lovely. They loved the letter that my parent’s church wrote to them. They were touch and felt very encouraged. I gave them t-shirts from my church in GA, and they loved them. I know they appreciate knowing they are remembered by you all. They are looking forward to meeting folks from my church this year, and know they would love to meet anyone from my parent’s church as well. They are still talking about the trees, which are growing and getting well established with all the rain we are getting this year. The survival rate should be very high. I am happy about that.

The pastors do ask for prayer in the following areas…

Pr. Santos: He was a director of a school in the campo. He got notice he was transferred to a school in town. But, today he got word there really is no position for him there. So he is currently without school…pray that he can find a position close by. School is just starting up for the year.

Pr. Gabriel: His son Isaac, is having health problems and is losing weight. They went to the hospital, but are not sure what is going on exactly.

Pr. Zambo: The Baptist church is starting another church in another community a long ways off. They are needing to build a building to meet and don’t have any bibles yet. Zambo is helping start it, but will need someone to work there permanently.

Pr. Bartolomeu: He is back in school (completing 3or 4^th grade) and has eye sight problems. He wants to be able to see to learn.

I have eaten so much corn on the cob this week. I can only eat so much, but that is what is in season and what people are giving. One savings group member gave me a welcome back gift of honey. They are so giving and hospitable. I have much to learn…

Blessings to you,

Laura

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Hi Friends—

I am so happy to let you know that my lost bag arrived, with EVERYTHING intact! All the money was there and coffee. Praise the Lord. I am so impressed and grateful the Lord protected it.

Unwinding muscles are a good thing. I felt a few loosen up when I got back to Gorongosa and was able to meander to the market, saying hello to people I know along the way. I saw, at least two pastors, several coworkers with FH, 1 savings groups member, and a savings group volunteer on the walk. I was greeted on the road by a pastor’s daughter who was carrying a bucket on her head and nursing her baby (at the same time!). We greeted with a kiss very carefully so not to tip her bucket. I had a good chat with my favorite shop owner, and favorite lady at the vegetable market. Nice to be home!

I had to smile when some kids greeted me with a familiar, "How are you" in English and "good morning tee-cha" (though it was well past 4:30pm and I’m not a teacher). You gotta love when they practice their English.

I went to the office and just chatted with people until the end of work, trying to catch up.

It was a hard welcome back to Beira last week. This week accounting had no money for some reason, and we were all paralyzed. I was suppose to come back yesterday on a FHI vehicle, but there was no money to buy gas. Today was the same, so I took local transportation just so I can get home. I left a couple bags with a coworker to bring up another day. I was itching to get home...

I was not sure if I was going to be able to make it back today. In Maputo there were some mobs forming when taxi and minibus prices rose. The same was set to happen in Beira today and there was some worry that mobs would form as well. But, luckily the government stepped in. They are putting the rise on hold in Beira until something can be worked out. Price of gas, as well as many other things, increased recently and so caused the taxi and minibus owners to do the same. The government is figuring out what to do. People depend on public transportation so much here, and they already live on the edge in so many ways. I know an increase would hurt people.

I was glad that it was a normal day and so I jumped on a minibus for Gorongosa. At the bus stop waiting to go I ran into a friend from church in Gorongosa who was returning as well. It was nice to have the company. I think the bus took about 4 hours to get to Gorongosa with a stop at a bakery so everyone could buy good bread if they wanted…how is that for service! Bread in Gorongosa is fine, but just a bit heavier. I can’t tell you how many people were on the minibus, but it was full with one person sitting perched quite uncomfortably on top of the bump between the driver and passenger seat.

Yesterday I woke up with a stiff neck. Usually it takes just a few hours to get over, but I am still stiff tonight. Geesh, I must be getting old or something. Someone said it could be stress from the hard welcome to Beira. It could be. If that is so, then I should be getting better soon now that I am home. It felt SO nice to get back in Gorongosa. I felt myself relax some.

Some reality checks for me in Gorongosa is that there has been too much rain. Harvest this year will not be very good. One girl said there will be "hunger" this year. Cholera and Malaria type diseases were bad in January with all the rain. It definitely didn’t help that people had to go into their field often in the rain.

I got home after my walk to the market to find that my house-help had some corn cobs from his field ready. What a nice Gorongosa welcome. My house is just fine. Some people who stayed a few nights in it left some starbucks mugs and coffee. How nice!

Anyways, I need to close this and get to bed. Thanks again for being part of the journey.

Blessings,

Laura

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Hi there—

I met a missionary here working for AIM. He mentioned working with a pastor in Gorongosa, so I asked him what he has been doing. This pastor is one that FH has worked with in the past. I have not, and don’t feel real comfortable around him…mostly because he starts asking for money.

Anyways, I wanted to share this give you an idea what kinds of things go on in Gorongosa, and that you might never stop praying or remembering the church here.

Blessings,

Laura

Thursday, January 30, 2008

Hey Friends-

I made it back to Mozambique this afternoon. The travel back was long, but fine.

I only am missing one piece of luggage that went missing in J’berg. Other passengers were missing theirs too. So, the first thing I had to do back in Moz is go to the Lost and Found office and file a report. Please pray that the bag comes. It was a backpack that I wanted to have as carry on, but they needed me to check it in. Unfortunately I was bringing back some US dollars for someone and some that money was in this bag. I forgot to take it out when they made me check it in, so it lost with my bag. I am praying that the bag with the dollars will come intact. They say I could get it Saturday, when the next flight comes in from J’berg. The lost bag contains most of my coffee supply…(lol!)

It is good to be back in Moz. I am staying at my friend’s house and there are other single missionary friends staying as well, so we have a full house. Very fun. J

It feels good to be back. The time I had at home in the States was great. I am seeing how the time refreshed me and gave me a new perspective on things here. God was very gracious. It was awesome to see many of you. Please continue to stay in touch!!

It looks as if I will be here in Beira through the weekend, since I have to wait for my bag. I hear Monday is a holiday. Nice timing that… I am looking forward to going home to Gorongosa though. I have missed home there and routine.

Blessings,
Laura

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Hi Friends—

We finally celebrated Thanksgiving, St Nicks Day, and Christmas in Gorongosa. Some English speakers working in the district came over. We ate a lot and then watched Polar Express afterwards. We almost believed it could be snowing if we didn’t look outside. It was a good time to celebrate and eat some good food.

This week I was on a quest for a live turkey and found one. I was reminded how packaged our meats are in the States. We take all the fun and work out of it! I really appreciated my house-servant/help who killed the bird and cooked it. We grilled it and it turned out fabulous.

We had the normal mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, blueberry bread (Thanks to the Harters for sending dried blueberries….I saved them for a special day like today.), Brownies, banana cake, mango chutney, and coleslaw type of salad.

Attached are some photos from today… It was fun. We sat on the floor because I don’t own enough chairs... I cleared out my second room and we called it the Parlor.

In good Thanksgiving style, I’ll still be eating turkey tomorrow.

Giving thanks,

Laura

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Wow. Things have been changing slowly.

There still continues to be frustrating decisions…like one recently to hire someone last Friday to work in our office here…and on his first day on Monday, someone in Beira calls to say there is no money for him (those who interviewed and hired him personally…) and so the person is let go.. The worst is that it was one of my pastors…Pastor Zambo. I was glad he was able to get the job, and felt horrible when I heard he had to let go. I felt very frustrated with Beira. Our relationship with pastors is fragile as it is…and this doesn’t help!! Thankfully, Pastor Zambo seems to have taken things in stride. (That all took place Monday).

Our district leader is gone for a training all week, so we are feeling freer and more normal. A group of us decided to give him more time to change, and to go two by two to address things with him, instead of meeting as a whole group…(and him feeling ganged up). I think it’s a good approach. His heart is in the right place, we just need him to chill out.

I found out that the staff I thought were fired, were not. They told our HR a different story, and because of that, our manager could not fire them. Nic came up yesterday and talked with all the parties one on one. He meet with them all together today, to discuss what the Bible says about things. I was glad to hear this. He told them he would not give the official warnings he came with. He is still not sure how to handle the sexual harassment that happened in the past. He is certain it’s been curbed.

I am a bit relieved my coworkers are still with us. I think Nic demonstrated a lot of grace and it speaks loudly.

I heard that two churches are going to be partnering with the work that we will be starting in Gorongosa in the Church strengthening program. It is super news and means a lot. There was A LOT of debate about having them partner with us or not…long story…but I am glad FH finally came to their senses and embraced these churches’ desire to be part of things here. While I have not heard officially, it may mean my fellow Hunger Corp may be staying, along with our CDP manager. These partnerships hinged a lot on them. I hope that this news does mean all this. It certainly is positive.

I hope that some of these things means that we’ve already faced our hardest days, and things will improve.

My devotions are returning back to normal, thankfully. And the dreams I was having are no longer. I still am having vivid dreams (thanks to the anti-malaria med, I think) but they are normal and not interrupting me.

I am so thankful for some of the movement I am seeing. Just when you are stretched out and think you can’t be stretched more, God stretches you a bit more…All to say that he is always right. He gives just what is needed for each day. God is good. I am thankful that this week seems to be less stretching and I am feeling I can take a breath of air.

I know its Thanksgiving for you all! Have a great Turkey day!!!

Thank you for letting me share these things with you.

Blessings,

Laura

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Hi Friends—

I hope this finds you well and ready for Thanksgiving! I won’t be celebrating until December 8^th…mostly because my schedule won’t allow and I’m trying to coordinate others here.

I am thankful today that I was able to clearly help someone and think I really might have saved a lady’s life. I was on my motorcycle heading out to visit a savings group. Up ahead I saw something in the road, and thought it might be a goat or plastic bag, or something that had fallen off a truck. I was just a few feet away when I saw it was a person lying in the road. As I zipped by they moved a bit. I was a bit shocked to see it was a person laying in the middle of a major roadway. I did a u-turn and went back. I was not sure if the person was drunk, so I called a co-worker who was coming behind me. I felt a bit scared and stood guard worried that if a car came they would be easily hit. A pickup truck full of people came. I waved them down, trying to get them to see that there was a person in the street. They stopped. It turned out they were a bunch of missionaries from South Africa. They helped me and helped the lady off the street. (I thought the person was a man and perhaps drunk, so was a bit cautious in approaching). The lady had some mental issues. The missionaries gave the lady some bananas. I talked with the missionaries a bit and traded emails before my co-worker finally showed up wondering what I was doing flagging down random trucks.

I felt God had let me pass at a certain time to aid the lady…and later sent the pickup load of missionaries to stop and help as well. I thanked God how it all worked out.

The maddening part is that when I stopped there were other Mozambicans who were walking on the street nearby who did NOTHING to help the lady, who clearly was in danger of being hit. That really bothered me afterwards.

I finally made it to my savings group. When we ended our meeting I saw my tire was flat….major bummer as I was a good 25km away from town and about 8km down a dirt road. I was thankful I was stuck with people I knew and that there was cell phone reception out there. I was able to call and have someone come rescue me and my bike. We made it safely back to town.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week. God is good.

Blessings,

Laura

Monday, November 12, 2007

Hi Friends—

I want to give you an update on how the meeting with my country director went last Friday.

Overall, I found it encouraging. We were talking what I might be doing after the Agriculture program shuts down here in April (when the funding goes). We agreed I could stay in Goronogosa. I might be split between other programs like our Child Development Program (but continuing with some savings groups and work with pastors). We will see how it plays out.

He was fine with my asking if I could take work time to study Sena. This will help me get serious about learning. Up to now I have been more talk than doing!!

There is still that will be going on in the next year, so nothing was final. I just wanted to share where and how I’d like to continue to work, so my position would fit me.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Blessings,

Laura

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Hi Friends—

This week I visited a couple savings groups. We had two days of meetings for the Agriculture Dept. It was good to hear what it is going on in other districts. I had a block of time to talk about what I am learning and even ask them some questions about truth/lies that are in their communities. It turned out to be a lively discussion on some local beliefs.

It was a draining week in many ways and suppose that is why I am feeling especially exhausted.

I’ve had some issues with my house-help that I had to sort out. We did, but I was a bit stressed and frustrated for a couple days. It’s just that FH was hiring him for a couple days to cook for our meetings without telling me or my house-help telling me. I normally don’t mind if he goes and cooks for FH meetings, but this time he didn’t finish his work at my house. I was able to talk to him and brought the issue up at a staff meeting. I think it’s resolved.

The worst thing is that we discovered a serious situation with some of our staff locally. I can’t go into the details. But the problems are severe enough that my boss asked me to go to Beira next week while they sort things out. He does not want me to be seen as connected to any of it. I really appreciate his care and concern. I was planning to go to Beira anyways late next week, but I will be going back on Monday and staying for a week rather than just a few days. The situation is difficult and I am not sure what it going to come of it.

This weekend though we have a group from the States. Several from a church in the States and a staff from FH/US are here to learn about what we are doing here. It has been good to have them here, though I feel I am not all myself this weekend. I am feeling especially exhausted. I just got done taking a good hour and half nap this afternoon while they went to see the Park. I needed it. I know I’m ready for a break when I watched Black Beauty this afternoon (to escape a bit) and cried. Now, I know I am more sensitive than I used to be, but these tears were more a sign of exhaustion and stress from the week. So, I am glad that my boss is sending me to Beira early. I am looking forward to the break and change of scenery.

Last Friday I found a kitten at our office and took it home. It is causing me allergy problems and I am going to get rid of it. However, with the events of this week, it’s been hard to think of giving him up. I’ve enjoyed having a companion at home. I did it too myself! I know better than to pick up kittens and puppies. I am such a sucker… And now I have to gain the courage to give the kitten to a coworker. It will be best for my health and because I will be gone so much when I go home from Christmas. Just how do you give up a cute kitten? LOL!

Good news is that Agriculture has funds to work at least until April. We were told the program would close in January, but it’s changed back to the original date. Please continue to pray for FH/Moz. I hope to be having a meeting next Friday with our Country Director and current supervisor to talk about my position and what they are thinking.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support.

Blessings,

Laura

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Hey there—

Imagine dancing so much that there is a dust cloud and drums so deep that every beat feels like your heart beat….

I spent the night in one of our communities at one of the churches that has a savings group in Tambarare. It was a wonderful time. One of the pastors I work with come too. His wife and another woman of his church (and member of a savings group) came this morning for the service.

I arrived yesterday midday and left this afternoon. I found out that when I got there that a group of youth from another community-Nhademba- were coming over to have an all-night vigil. It started about 3pm with a service...Lots of song, dance…and I preached. Then, I waited for the evening to begin. I hung out on a reed mat with other women watching the sun go down and the stars come up. It was great to be part of their lives and just observe. The women mostly speak sena/chi-gorongosa, so we were not able to communicate very much. It was great to be a part of them though.

I learned some things about the church and the community. The church began in 1997 after the civil war. The community is named after an area that was really fertile. They say it still is fertile, but not as much as before. Many of the folks that I talked with say that they moved to the area after the war. They were in town before. Some remember FH handing out pots/pans and blankets back in the day.

The service began about 8pm…lots of dancing, praying and singing. They had planned out the whole evening and the youth spend the whole night at it…. After I preached for the second time…I called it an evening and headed to bed. Mae Sophia, the widow I wrote about before, was in charge of me. I spent the night at the house of a savings group member in one of his huts. Mae Sophia and a couple other women slept with me. We laid out a mat and slept on the ground. I brought my sleeping bag, but they were just covered with their capulanas. It was midnight when I went to bed. I never was good at late nights…

At about 4:30am people were getting up already. I hung in there until 5:30am, but felt like I was being a sloth and needed to get up. A couple other women I learned were waiting for me to get up and got up at the same time. It sure wasn’t enough slept and not good sleep…I could hear the singing and drums at the church all night!

The pastor talked about how the church did a great job planting churches, but now the churches are in major need of discipleship. This church is an Assembly of God. They were the first protestant church to come to the district and have the most history. He said that they did "zero" discipleship, and that the church converted people and that was it.

For at least 3 hours he and I sat with a group of youth answering questions about the Bible. They are hungry to learn. We all sat around a little table with a couple kerosene lanterns. It had a feel of secret underground meeting to me. It was amazing to sit and answer question after question. There were some good questions in which you could tell they were reading the Bible. The lack of basic Bible knowledge is amazing, but their hunger is amazing too.

Pastor Bartolomeu said that when the war was going on the renamo soldiers from Zimbabwe would go to their churches. And they danced differently. Pastor Bartolomeu says that many churches do not know how to dance properly…dancing fitting for church. Some sings songs that have nothing to do with God, and dance improperly. They are trying to change this. They say to the church they can’t dance like the "military".

I heard more about Mae Sophia’s situation. Her brother-in-law wants to take her in as his third wife. She is not wanting that. Sophia even talked to one of his wives and said that if she had told her if comes she would kill him. She believes Sophia uses witchcraft and would be a threat. Sophia does not want to be a third wife and is probably going to start over in Tsiquir. She really wants to do what is right. It’s just all her options are difficult ones. She is very brave I think. She wants to continue to attend church here and attend the savings group here, but is wondering if the distance will be too much. Please continue to pray for her. She is a great woman of God and very involved with FH. She is one of my favorite people, even though we can barely speak to each other.

This morning they had their normal service….more singing, more dancing, and I preached again…and sang a song. They were sweet and several people came to help me back up. I think they learned quickly that our music is different…and I am not great at leading…It was fun though.

I got home at about 4:30pm today. I am content, but soooo very tired. It definitely great to see a bit of life from some of the people we serve.

Anyways, I’ve attached a couple photos of the church.

Blessings,
Laura