Welcome

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.

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

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

MARIA

'Precious Time' with Maria

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".

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.

Conference Time

Do see Dawn's blog for details of what the ladies did at Dondo after introducing themselves at the conference.





Dave and I spoke at the first day of the conference - there were 120+ pastor's and mothers. The day started with loud worship, and I mean loud! This was led by an old friend pastor Ezequiel an then when the conference speaking started Pastor Bonga proudly used his new radio clip mic.





The pastors were very keen to hear all that we had to say and ahd many questions including contentious issues such as homosexuality and women in leadership. The mothers were very happty when I gave a biblical argument for women in leadership, as were the pastors with my traditional biblical explanation of homosexuality and a Christian attitude towards homosexual people.

As we came to an end I invited people forward for prayer for healing - everyone came! Dave and I were quite busy for another 50 minutes!

After the conference I met with Pastor Bonga and Boniface to discuss the building and financial needs of Inhamizua and Dondo and the general situation. They are both very opotmistic but the needs are great. YWAM currently send 5600 pounds every two months (some of which we provide) for normal running costs - they really need at least 6000 pounds. I hope to see engineer Mario Tuesday or Thursday.

The living conditions are appalling and yet everyone is so happy and encouraged by our interest and support. Please continue to pray for this vital work and for the nation of Mozambique.

Fun & Games in Dondo

Today i was again woken by the Mullah - chanting his prayers from the mosque at about half 5, not sure of the exact time but i know it's way before i want to get up would be ok but he has an amplifier. I normally get up about 6.30 - 7.00 as breakfast is at 8 and I get a chance to have a quiet time in the sunshine before then. Today we had some cake for breakfast which was left from yesterdays celebration which was a real treat, tea and cake - how British!

We all went to Pastor Bongas church, we were due to go at 9am and they came to get us about 9.45am - I was a little surprised as i always add at least an hour on to whatever time we're given but i was fooled this morning!

The conference began with some wonderful lively singing and dancing we all introduced ourselves and said why we had come to Mozambique. Pastor Bonga used his gift from England, a cordless clip on microphone, you could tell he was over the moon with his gift as it is the latest in technology here and he was a real trend-setter!

After introductions Ruth, Anne & myself left Martin & Dave to continue with the 1st day of the conference, which i am told went really well, and we travelled on to Dondo. We spent the day playing with the children, balloons, parachute men, tennis balls, ring-a-ring a roses, relay races and just fun things. We had some rice and fried fish for lunch, I must say i am starting to crave some home-cooked food. The food here is wonderful, saw papaya today, pineapple, mango, giant advocados, fresh fish and veg, it is just cooked in a way we're not used to. Ruth struggles with the food as even at home she only eats certain things and at the moment has an ulcer in her mouth, she is ok with bread and rice but today they went out and brought her a bag of chips for tea - a real treat ! i have no idea where the chippy is but they really tasted like chips from home, we have had chips before this week but not quite the same as these! - Jane, thanks for message, it's definately fish n chips with you next week!

Dondo is dusty and dirty and very basic but the children have more than most and Alice who works there is a saint, she lives there with them and is a mum to all, a remarkable lady. One girl, whos' photo i will post when it finally works from my phone, has hugged me every day i have visited and i just walk round with her in my arms, her name is Douiche. I left the dusty ground of the orphanage with her and walked to a small area of beautiful pink flowers and grass with a little African hut behind on the YWAM base opposite, i sat her down and took her photo in these stunning surroundings and showed her, it was beautiful, she was beautiful. I sensed God's presence, how he often lifts me out of the mire and carries me to beautiful places, safe in his arms, it was a very special moment, i hope she sensed that too, I believe she did and knew she was loved and beautiful, it was a captivating moment.

Tonight we are resting at the base, Martin & Dave are at the conference tomorrow, as is Anne who is giving a talk on Aids. Ruth and I have know idea what we are doing but whatever it is it will be at least an hour later than planned!!!!

Inauguration Day

There were great celebrations at the inauguration of Pastor Boniface's new church - what a privilege to be part of them!

Everyone introduced themselves in the service and later gave a prophetic word received with loud applause. Their choirs sang, (so did we) gifts were exchanged and God was glorified. We then had a splendid lunch in the church. Tonight we all go to Pastor and Amai Bonga's for an evening meal.

Tomorrow the conference begins and Dawn Ruth and Ann go to spend more time with the children at Dondo.

Bumpy Day

Blogs will be short I think as the computer and broadband are having problems!

Yesterday was very long as we went by chappa (mini bus) to Gorangosa the wildlife park - 4 hours plus bumping there, 4 hours bumping around the park searching for lions and elephants and 4 hours bumping back. We were all very tired but thoroughly enjoyed the day. We did see a crocodile, lots of boar, monkeys, birds, umpala and other deer type creatures plus lots of beautiful scenery.

I will try to upload a photo in due course.

Today is a very imporant day as we go to inaugurate Boniface's new church building - they are all so excited and it is a great privilege to share with them on this great day.

The conference begins tomorrow - please pray for all the pastors to be blessed and for God to use me for His purposes.

Deus vos abencoe - God bless you.

A Lightening Tour

Here are a few images from last night and today. First of all, to prove Dave and I made it here we are with Boniface and Pastor Bonga!







Our first visit was to Inhamizua where, as well as meeting the boys, we saw Victor the goat,
named after Victoria last November.







Then to Dondo where we were greeted by the children singing and holding up signs of welcome.




Ann has been asked to do a sessions for Pastors wives on HIV/Aids, Dave and Dawn are doing bits in the Inauguration service for Pastor Boniface's new church and all of us are well out of our frying pans!

That's all for now - the computer is soooo slow!

Love from us all to everyone back home.

Martin

Here at Last

We'll here I am on the computer at Casa Re-OM. Having arrived last night I slept reaonably well with no night time visitors that I was aware of. Today we have visited Inhamizua, Dondo and the Iris Ministries orphanage at dondo run by Heidi Baker's organisation. It has been profitable and Pastor Bonga now has his eyes on a new type of kitchen burner as seen at the iris Dondo orphanage.

I hope to see the Anglican Vicar of Beira tonight and to disucss various issues with Boniface and Pastor Bonga about progress and priorities.

Pastor bonga's car sounds on it's last legs and is going into the garage on Monday.

More from me later - others want to get on the computer - thanks for all your prayers!

Arrival!

It is 7.05pm and we have just had a phone call, Martin and Dave have arrived in Beira!!!!

They are just waiting in baggage claim so hope to hear more soon

 

Patience - one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit

Thanks to Victoria for publishing the last blog. This is now me in the hotel bar on my mobile using the free wi-fi.

I'm relaxing now with a G&T in the middle of another thunderstorm. It was one in Frankfurt that delayed us in the first place, another in J'burg and now another here at Maputo.
It has been very frustrating and I have never spent so much time waiting around not knowing what was happening. I was tempted at one point to turn round and come back home.

A kind lady from Soth African Airways eventually srted our flight tomorrow and pointed us to the shuttle bus to this hotel.

Moto - don't fly Lufthansa they book you on non-existent flights.

But God is god and DV we'll be with our party tomorrow evening! Keep praying!

Martin

Are we nearly there yet?

 

On Monday 2^nd June Martin and Dave left Rugby at 3.30 to go to Birmingham airport, all ok checking in but unfortunately their flight to Frankfurt was delayed due to a storm in Frankfurt.

 

They arrived in Frankfurt later than expected and ran through the airport to catch their flight to Johannesburg, fortunately Lufthansa were holding the plane for them so was running an hour late, they got to the plane in time for the later take off, but unfortunately they couldn’t take off because of further storm warnings!

The plane took off an hour and a half later and they settled down for their long flight!

 

The plane landed in Johannesburg on Tuesday morning, and it was looking tight to catch the plane to Beira, the girls had already landed and were doing their bit to hold the plane so the men could get on! Martin and Dave got to the gate but were told it was too late for the flight as the bus had already left to the plane.

 

Lufthansa arranged for the men to have a night in a hotel and then catch a flight to Maputo on Tuesday morning and a connecting flight to Beira Tuesday lunchtime.

 

Tuesday Morning, Dave and Martin get to the airport to catch the flight to Maputo, it is delayed by 20 mins, we receive a text in England please pray we make the connecting flight to Beira.

 

Tuesday lunchtime Martin rings home to say the flight to Maputo was 2 hours late so they knew they would miss the connection, however when they go to they desk they discover the flight they were booked on to go to Beira never existed as the company it was booked with had gone bust!! They have been looking at various options, when Martin asked a lady if there were any trains she laughed!

 

It is 4.02pm in England we have just heard they are in a hotel in Maputo and should hopefully get on a flight 4.30 Mozambique time tomorrow and arrive in Beira

 

The Girls have arrived safely and had a good night; we look forward to hearing more from them.

 

Please continue to pray that there will be no more difficulties with the flight tomorrow and that they will all be reunited as a team

 

Here is hoping the next blog says they have arrived!!!!

Final Preparations

On Sunday the team came to the front of church where they shared something of why they were going and what they hoped to achieve - we were then all prayed for. Before that we showed a powerpoint that Victoria had prepared of photographs she had taken last November, ending with a picture of Gabriel who died earlier this year. As we watched the pictures and listened to Leona Lewis sing "I'm always there" from "Footprints in the Sand" we were movingly reminded of what our link with Casa Re-OM is all about - being there for people in need.

Bags are now packed and we shortly head off to Birmingham and Heathrow airports - we meet up at Johannesburg and all fly into Beira together arriving at 12:40 Beira time - 11:40 UK time - I think!

Saturday Night at the Movies

Well it's Saturday night and i'm all packed and ready! It is a really exciting time, having had the privilage of visiting Casa Reom before i am not really apprehensive as i sorta know what to expect. Our cases are full of football shirts for the boys, kindly donated free by Second Sports, balloons, games, water bombs, gifts and of course ...cuddly toys! We all met together this morning to finalise plans and pray that God will bless and protect us on this adventure. We were all given mosquito bands to wear on our wrists and ankles while there, a sort of African tagging system, in addition to sprays etc. we had already bought, for which i am very thankful as i remember the bites from last time, i think they like us fair skinned critters.
Martin reminded us that we were all responsible for looking after our own tickets and passport, at which point i thought it prudent not to mention the school ski trip, where i watched everyone, including my son, board the plane without me as i had left my passport at home thinking i was on the students collective passport! oh how i remember the brave face i put on as they left without me and i returned home.. thankfully i was able to get a flight the next day but i won't make that mistake again! - Please God, remind me if i have forgotten anything, on this whole adventure i am depending on your guidance.
The reality has sunk in that i really am going back to Africa, we have a commissioning service tomorrow for the team and i pray that all fears may be relieved for those who may be anxious, i know this is the start of an amazing journey for everyone and all those who have experienced this before have been changed from within, i am looking forward to church tomorrow, but church next week!!!!!........... i have never experienced such joy and humility as i did in Pastor Bongas church .. to me they seemed to have very little to sing about but the joy and faith they exuberated was humbling and infectious .. i am so looking forward to re-visiting such a spirit-filled place. I am ending my Saturday evening at the movies, i have been lent a dvd of last year's visit to Casa Reom and will watch with anticipation and delight of what God has in store for us all on this journey.

Two Days to Go!

With just two days to go the team met to run through final preparations and details for the trip. There were lots of questions and some remaining anxieties mostly dealt with through information and laughter.

Visit to Casa Re-OM by members of St. Matthew's & St. Oswald's

In June 2008 5 members of St. Matthew's & St. Oswald's in Rugby UK are visiting the mission project we support in Beira Mozambique. Casa Re-OM works with street children and has orphanages at Inhamizua and Dondo as well as a base in the centre of Beira. The intrepid travellers are Ruth O'Connell, Dawn Leverton, Ann Love, Dave Hopkinson and Martin Saxby.

The picture above was taken by Martin when a team visited in 2006. It shows Pastor Bonga negotiating with some locals about preparing the land at Nhamatanda for the boys to farm. Other pictures from that visit can be seen on the slideshow to the right.

Two of us set off from Birmingham and 3 from Heathrow, late Monday afternoon arriving in Beira on Tuesday afternoon. Please pray for the team and visit this blog regularly to hear our news and to see our photos.