Saturday, 14 June 2008
Friday, 13 June 2008
Home Safe and Sound
All five adventurers returned safely to England this morning! Dave and I had the unique experience of three flights all leaving on time and arriving early. It's good to be back home but what a wonderful experience we have hadand we have good memories and part of us still would like to be in Beira.
I am publishing all my photos on the web and you can see them by following this link:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/martinsaxby/CasaReOMVisitJune2008
It begins with a few pictures of Maputo, Dave and my first port of call but then mostly of Beira. Our visits to Inhamizua, Dondo and Gorangosa. then the wonderful inauguration service at Pastor Boniface's church - Body of Christ - Macuti. What a joy and a privilege. Then many pictures of the conference and finally our farewells.
I am publishing all my photos on the web and you can see them by following this link:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/martinsaxby/CasaReOMVisitJune2008
It begins with a few pictures of Maputo, Dave and my first port of call but then mostly of Beira. Our visits to Inhamizua, Dondo and Gorangosa. then the wonderful inauguration service at Pastor Boniface's church - Body of Christ - Macuti. What a joy and a privilege. Then many pictures of the conference and finally our farewells.
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Last Post from Beira
Today has been a rewarding day. Having got our flights confirmed we were able to go to the conference with peace of mind.
The worship was fun with Pastor Ezekiel his usual exuberant self. Apparently the teaching was much appreciated and we rounded off the conference iwth a visit from about a dozen local government officials.
I'm sorry posting pictures has been quite difficult but when I get back to England I will put all my pictures on the internet and anyone will be able to look at them. I do hope you will do so as they will convey something of what we have experienced.
We went for a final coffee with Simao, Isaque and Isabel this evening and they told us how imporant it is that epople visit from England. For them it demonstrates our love for them and is as important as the money we give. They felt the time we spent with the children and the Pastors was invaluable. It is wonderful to be appreciated so much, and humbling.
We value all your prayers and look forward to sharing with you on our return.
Please come back soon for the link to the photographs - hopefully they will be posted by Saturday lunchtime - provided we're not still stuck in some airport or other!
Martin
The worship was fun with Pastor Ezekiel his usual exuberant self. Apparently the teaching was much appreciated and we rounded off the conference iwth a visit from about a dozen local government officials.
I'm sorry posting pictures has been quite difficult but when I get back to England I will put all my pictures on the internet and anyone will be able to look at them. I do hope you will do so as they will convey something of what we have experienced.
We went for a final coffee with Simao, Isaque and Isabel this evening and they told us how imporant it is that epople visit from England. For them it demonstrates our love for them and is as important as the money we give. They felt the time we spent with the children and the Pastors was invaluable. It is wonderful to be appreciated so much, and humbling.
We value all your prayers and look forward to sharing with you on our return.
Please come back soon for the link to the photographs - hopefully they will be posted by Saturday lunchtime - provided we're not still stuck in some airport or other!
Martin
Message from Anne & Ruth
Anne - It's been really great being with such a caring and fun group. We look forward to seeing you at the weekend, planes allowing! I have been deeply affected by the effects of AIDS on Mozambique, seeing the children in Dondo is deeply moving, they are so happy despite having few material things. The accomodation still needs a lot doing to it especially water provision and a new kitchen. Children are ill but well cared for by Alice, she has not had a day off or holiday for two years, what a saint. Love you lots Anne.
Ruth - Sorry i havn't written a blog - they are now making me do it! i don't really know what to write, it has been a real culture shock for me, i have always wanted to visit a third world country but had not really thought of the effect it would have on me, and it has been profound. I am looking forward to seeing you all and sharing with you when i get home, once i have had time to collect my thoughts as at the moment they have put me on the spot! Love Ruth
Ruth - Sorry i havn't written a blog - they are now making me do it! i don't really know what to write, it has been a real culture shock for me, i have always wanted to visit a third world country but had not really thought of the effect it would have on me, and it has been profound. I am looking forward to seeing you all and sharing with you when i get home, once i have had time to collect my thoughts as at the moment they have put me on the spot! Love Ruth
Excessive Happiness!
I was woken this morning to the sound of crys, initially i thought it was the Mullah again but recognised familiar phrases, "Release him!" and "How long?" "How long?", (a plea as often used in the Psalms) it was the prayer meeting downstairs, which finished with a beautiful gentle chorus of Hal-le-lu-jah, Hal-le-lu-jah, i listened for about and hour and was in awe. It had started with a real plea, crying out, begging God, they were persistant, wrestling with him till he answered, (a real Jacob moment) it reminded me of the song "Hallelujah" sung by Leonard Cohen & Rufus Waintwright, amongst others, 'It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah' they were so honest in their pleading with God, i realise how often when i am upset or angry with God I don't cry to him, i cry against him, I give God a watered-down version of how i feel or run away all together, I was taught a valuable lesson by listening this morning. I also compared it to my feeble 15-minute rushed prayer in the mornings, and even then my mind so easily wanders, i am hoping to take away some of their fervour, i need it and here it is in abundance!.
We went to the airport to confirm our tickets, we were supposed to do it 72 hours in advance but forgot, thankfully Victoria reminded us and they had not sold our tickets on to anyone else! We set off to the conference and again began with lively singing and dancing, i am so going to miss that, they have no inhibitions about dancing and singing to their God, they do not care who is looking or what they look like, it is just them and God, i have found it such a joy.
Martin gave his talk on Spiritual Warfare, i have heard since how much it was enjoyed and how they have really valued this time of learning. Us girls went to Dondon taking sweets, toys and smellies, which they loved, we had a fun time, it is not important that we did not speak their language, a smile, a dance, playing catch, a kiss, a hug need no explaination.
I held a baby named Maria, she not only has Aids but has also contracted Malaria, i held her and sang, "Maria, I just met a girl named Maria", she grabbed my finger tight and stared deep into my eyes, each time i stopped walking she cried, she knew she was being held and loved, i walked for an hour with her till the bus came for us to go. We did no painting, nothing practical but that hour i will always remember, i truly believe in the short length of time she may have left, that was very precious time for her too.
We went back to the conference just in time for more celebrations, singing and dancing, they just don't keep still, i envisaged heaven with every tribe and tounge dancing and celebrating, us English will look so stiff in comparison! you should have seen Martin! he looked like he had been to Salsa lessons, he picked up the rythmn and was off! (I know u won't believe me Jackie but he sure could dance today!) Itwas a real celebration, I was reminded of the film Patch Adams, a true story of a doctor, who was unorthadox but treated the patient as well as the disease and used humour as a very real medicine. They tried to throw him out of medical school, one accusation they made against him was that he practised 'excessive happiness' the board overturned it and suggested the Dean himself should try some of this 'excessive happiness', Patch Adams went on to open many hospitals for people who could not normally afford medical treatment, to me the family of God here practice 'excessive happiness' it is uplifting, infectious and a real joy to be part of. We finished by having the Lords supper, at least that was what the translator had led us to believe, the whole room were given a bottle of fanta each and a huge sticky bun! - we each ate ours, which was a bit of a struggle, i had experienced many different Lords suppers - but this was a feast! Apparently it was not Eucharist just a get together of Gods family, it had got lost in translation!
We have just all been for a coffee and a cake and are off to bed ready for tomorrow. It may not be possible to post now till we get home. Martin has gone to brave the cold shower, very courageous with a cold! Ruth is sitting on the balcony and Anne is in her room after having just sent another text! - no stopping her now, we have all got on wonderfully and it has been a fantastic adventure and journey, i feel i have grown along the way, i hope i have.
We will visit Inhamizua tomorrow, we have sweets and medals for all the boys, we ran lots of races the other day and had sides racing each other for prizes, tomorrow Martin will tell them how they are all winners because they are all on Gods side and they will all have a medal to remember how loved they are.
Yesterday i felt that i would be leaving with a sense that i could have done more, things i now recognise would have been good to bring, bracelets for the girls, little perfumes, things that make each one of us feel special, and the boys too of course - it felt a bit like the end of Schindlers List when he realised he could have done more, he could have sold his ring, his car etc... i had the 'if onlys', but God brought to my mind the last line of the film Babe, .........a true re-assurance "That'll do pig, that'll do".
We went to the airport to confirm our tickets, we were supposed to do it 72 hours in advance but forgot, thankfully Victoria reminded us and they had not sold our tickets on to anyone else! We set off to the conference and again began with lively singing and dancing, i am so going to miss that, they have no inhibitions about dancing and singing to their God, they do not care who is looking or what they look like, it is just them and God, i have found it such a joy.
Martin gave his talk on Spiritual Warfare, i have heard since how much it was enjoyed and how they have really valued this time of learning. Us girls went to Dondon taking sweets, toys and smellies, which they loved, we had a fun time, it is not important that we did not speak their language, a smile, a dance, playing catch, a kiss, a hug need no explaination.
I held a baby named Maria, she not only has Aids but has also contracted Malaria, i held her and sang, "Maria, I just met a girl named Maria", she grabbed my finger tight and stared deep into my eyes, each time i stopped walking she cried, she knew she was being held and loved, i walked for an hour with her till the bus came for us to go. We did no painting, nothing practical but that hour i will always remember, i truly believe in the short length of time she may have left, that was very precious time for her too.
We went back to the conference just in time for more celebrations, singing and dancing, they just don't keep still, i envisaged heaven with every tribe and tounge dancing and celebrating, us English will look so stiff in comparison! you should have seen Martin! he looked like he had been to Salsa lessons, he picked up the rythmn and was off! (I know u won't believe me Jackie but he sure could dance today!) Itwas a real celebration, I was reminded of the film Patch Adams, a true story of a doctor, who was unorthadox but treated the patient as well as the disease and used humour as a very real medicine. They tried to throw him out of medical school, one accusation they made against him was that he practised 'excessive happiness' the board overturned it and suggested the Dean himself should try some of this 'excessive happiness', Patch Adams went on to open many hospitals for people who could not normally afford medical treatment, to me the family of God here practice 'excessive happiness' it is uplifting, infectious and a real joy to be part of. We finished by having the Lords supper, at least that was what the translator had led us to believe, the whole room were given a bottle of fanta each and a huge sticky bun! - we each ate ours, which was a bit of a struggle, i had experienced many different Lords suppers - but this was a feast! Apparently it was not Eucharist just a get together of Gods family, it had got lost in translation!
We have just all been for a coffee and a cake and are off to bed ready for tomorrow. It may not be possible to post now till we get home. Martin has gone to brave the cold shower, very courageous with a cold! Ruth is sitting on the balcony and Anne is in her room after having just sent another text! - no stopping her now, we have all got on wonderfully and it has been a fantastic adventure and journey, i feel i have grown along the way, i hope i have.
We will visit Inhamizua tomorrow, we have sweets and medals for all the boys, we ran lots of races the other day and had sides racing each other for prizes, tomorrow Martin will tell them how they are all winners because they are all on Gods side and they will all have a medal to remember how loved they are.
Yesterday i felt that i would be leaving with a sense that i could have done more, things i now recognise would have been good to bring, bracelets for the girls, little perfumes, things that make each one of us feel special, and the boys too of course - it felt a bit like the end of Schindlers List when he realised he could have done more, he could have sold his ring, his car etc... i had the 'if onlys', but God brought to my mind the last line of the film Babe, .........a true re-assurance "That'll do pig, that'll do".
Last Day?
Today is meant to be our last full day but Jackie and Vcitoria reminded us yesterday we need to re-confirm our flights by visiting the airport. We hope to do this before the conference today but our tickets and passports are in the safe and Boniface is not here - will we get them in time? I think so, otherwise another few days in Beira until the next flight out!
I was woken this morning at 6.10am by what I thought was a great argument and shouting then realised it was a prayer meeting. Of coure this is preferable to the Mullah calling people to prayer at 5.15am but my bed was still attractive.
We are looking forward to this last day and to the privilege of serving 120+ Pastors. They are so spiritually hungry and influential. The things we can share with them can change the lives of thousands as they encounter more of the truth of the living God.
Please continue to pray for us.
I was woken this morning at 6.10am by what I thought was a great argument and shouting then realised it was a prayer meeting. Of coure this is preferable to the Mullah calling people to prayer at 5.15am but my bed was still attractive.
We are looking forward to this last day and to the privilege of serving 120+ Pastors. They are so spiritually hungry and influential. The things we can share with them can change the lives of thousands as they encounter more of the truth of the living God.
Please continue to pray for us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)