You win some, you lose some

Although soccer is not the primary topic of this post, I must mention how sad I am that as of Friday, Brazil is out of the World Cup soccer playoffs. There’s something not right about that, being that Brazil and soccer are almost synonymous. But, you win some and you lose some. And that’s just what makes the winning so fun.

We’ve had a bit of exciting soccer action in our neck of the woods last week too when the Mucombedzi home team took on visiting short term teams.

The game may not have been World Cup caliber, what with pigs hanging around goal posts

and pedestrians wandering across the playing field (speaking of myself here—I had a home visit to make and it was a short cut--but I did try to stay out of the way).

It was a good game, even so. The players played their hearts out as the fans watched and cheered.

Well, granted, they were a bit distracted by each other at times.


I had to leave early but I think home team won the game. Sorry visitors, but it was fun anyway, right? ☺

Little did we know that there was more fun on the way this week. It started with a plan to take the nearby hospital’s mobile immunization team to a remote school for an immunization blitz on Friday. We all piled in the mission van and off we went to Vanduzi to pick up the hospital staff and supplies.

From Vanduzi, the staff nurse who accompanied us gave us directions. “First, you turn left here off the highway onto this dirt road, then it's about 10 km on dirt road.”

Now, dirt roads in Mozambique are seldom good and we were in a van built for luxuriously smooth highways (originally it was a touring van), so I was a little concerned. I was concerned because I knew the following things to be true:

#1: Dirt roads don’t get better as you drive further on them, they get worse. Much worse.
#2: Spare parts and tires for the van are scarce and cost blood, sweat and tears to come by (ok, almost).
#3: I was ultimately responsible for where the van went that day so if there was damage, I’d be the one doing the explaining and helping to come up with solutions.

I’m not a pessimist but I am a realist, and all the above thoughts were in my mind as we hit the dirt road to the Chinhamacungo and Ndengalenga communities. But I decided I'd try to be optimistic for a change.

That lasted for about 5 minutes when we came upon a broken bridge on the road whose detour led us down to, and through, a river bed with water in it. This water also served as the local livestock watering hole. As we approached with the van, a herd of cows scampered out and the gentleman with us said, "Yes, this spot is where we could get hung up..."

The water was muddied so it was hard to tell how deep it was, or how soft the bottom was. We looked and examined and debated for awhile, then Suzanne, brave soul that she is, offered to actually venture into the water herself to determine the depth and to see if the bottom was too soft to pass.

Before long, the good spots had been identified and it was decided that the riverbed was passable. So while the passengers crossed the bridge on foot, Kevin (the driver) drove through the water like a champion.

On the other side, we all piled back in and continued down the dirt road which, as we drove, became narrower and the ruts became larger and deeper. So much so that we even got stuck at one point. Good thing we had lots of muscle power inside to help the van get out. Heave-ho everybody!


The scenery became more and more beautiful the further we went, but there were bends and turns and forks in the road, and sometimes our guide seemed a bit unsure which one we should take. After one wrong turn, we found a kind local man who was willing to accompany us to our destination.

What we thought would be a quick easy trip to vaccinate an entire school turned into a major cross-country bush whacking adventure. We considered turning around at several points, but the further we went, the more we had committed to making the trip and the tougher the decision was to turn around and go back.

The good news is that we eventually arrived at the bush school.

Only to discover that it was quiet and empty. Instead of having 3 shifts of classes throughout the day, as most Mozambican schools do, they only have one. And that class was over for the day and the kids had all gone home.

Classroom #1

Classroom #2

What to do now? There was another larger school about 5 km away, but we decided not to chance it anymore in the van. We would have to make another trip another day with a more appropriate vehicle. And so we packed up and headed back home through the brush and ruts and waterhole.

Yesterday went better though as we went to do home visits to orphan homes and to homes of those who have recently lost loved ones. The visiting nursing team had been involved with these families over the past few weeks and had helped with household chores including carrying 20L jugs of water, chopping firewood and pounding maize. And now that their time is nearly over, they wanted to bless them with a few gifts.

Thankfully the driving was, for the most part, on tarred road. And we didn't get lost. And the people were all at home. You win some. Yay!

I was reminded this week though that our adventures do not even compare with those of Mozambican monitors who provide leadership to pastors in even more remote areas than Chinhamacungo or Ndengalenga. These men, who receive training and discipleship through the mission, will take that same teaching to other pastors under their care. They will also follow up on orphan care programs being conducted out of local churches. But they do all this by foot or by bicycle. They forge not only livestock watering holes, if need be, but crocodile and hippo infested rivers as well, and they do not have the comfort of a hotel to stay in at the end of the day. But they do get some supplies which consist of a suitcase, a tent, a rain coat, a flashlight, and a few other items to help make their work of love just a little easier.

Rick, Pastor Ricardo (coordinator), Pastor Pires (receiving his supplies), and Dwight

And with that, I will close. It's Sunday and I need a bit of r&r before the new week begins. There are a few more van trips ahead and, I suspect, more adventure as well.

Have a great week. TTYL

PS: Check Dwight's recent blog update.

When We All Work Together

How happy we’ll be!

That may sound a bit simplistic, but the truth is: working together does make us feel happier and it certainly lightens our load. And we experienced some of that this week.

We’ve had good working relationships with local, district, and even provincial authorities for years now and have certainly enjoyed their friendship and facilitation of many aspects of the mission’s work. But as is customary here, government department heads get transferred to new posts on a rotating basis every 4 years or so. This past year happened to be the year for that, and we were sad to see old, familiar faces leave and their new replacements arrive. Now is the time for new working relationships.

First, the new Administrator and her entourage of 50 including the new District Health Director, Social Services Director, and others paid us a visit. This happened while we were in South Africa with Bero, but our team reported that she was very pleased with the various mission projects.

Then, we went to meet with the new District Health Director. Cooperation between the government health department and us is crucial and we needed his “ok” before we could continue planning some upcoming health activities. Sometimes, there is a huge stack of legal paperwork to fill out and submit which then goes for a stamp of approval before things can go forward. Other times, you get their blessing without much ado at all. I like those times better! Thankfully, this meeting was one of the latter. After spending quite awhile chatting with him about cooperative activities past, present and proposed future, he smiled warmly and essentially said, “Not only “may” you go ahead with your plan, you are invited to do so!”

Our next visitor was from Social Services. He was interested to know more about our program for helping orphans, widows and the handicapped. A group of ladies who were in the office doing crafts with Alta at the time, moved out onto the lawn so we could meet inside. After briefing him on the program, he commended the mission with, (again in essence because I’m not good at verbatim), “All the approaches that we advocate as ‘best practices’ that work best for healthier individuals, families, and communities, you are already doing. We are very impressed with your programs. And empowering these women too, that’s wonderful!” Then he went on to explain how government programs could benefit the families we help as well. I told him that if wheelchairs are available, I have a few people in mind already!

(Women's group monitors learn crafts which they will then teach to other women.)

Dan Jones, with Mercy Air U.S.A., visits an orphan home and captures a few local scenes.

And a few little onlookers as well.

Apparently, the families we help now also have the attention of Mozambique's First Lady. She has sent someone to build traditional but “energy saver” stoves in their homes.

These clay stoves help conserve heat and therefore use less firewood or charcoal. Less work for the people who use them and less stress on environmental resources too. ☺ Apparently the First Lady is slated to pop in here for a visit next week too!

Other news:

Last week, Rick Neufeld and short termers Chris and Corissa transported maize for hunger relief in a remote community across the Zambezi river. First, they drove it 5 hours north,

then loaded it onto a boat,

which took several hours to deliver the supplies. They escaped crocodile and hippo encounters on the river just fine, but on the way home they had vehicle trouble. Ah well, it’s all part of the experience!
Some of the mission’s sponsored students attend higher grades at schools in surrounding communities. Here are some photos taken this week of kids at the nearby Pina Community School.

These girls attended the mission school until Grade 5 and are now in Pina for Grade 6. We’re very proud of these girls who stay in school!


A group of Mercy Air South Africa and Mercy Air U.S.A. visitors are here for a few days visit as well.

I see I’m not the only one with a fascination for photographing kids making funny faces.

More news:

FINALLY, finally!—the Portuguese copy of our health manual has been sent off for final revision and translation of remaining portions. I am so thankful for Keren’s hard work helping me with input and to pull it all together to meet our deadline (to the best of our ability). While the Portuguese copy receives its finishing touches and the English copy is being edited, Keren, who can draw wonderfully, is busy producing the needed illustrations. Those who use the manual for years to come will be grateful I didn’t have to use my cave-man drawings in it. :P

Also, I got a “real” fridge this week.

Look, even Mushu was excited!

After 14 years (Maputo experience not included), of bush living starting with no refrigeration, then to occasionally having a cooler with ice, then to a propane fridge (that worked more or less and made smoke and had no light) to improvising with a small chest freezer, to this.

It stands upright, it has a light, it gets cold, no dragging propane tanks around, no more fumes and no more “surprise” defrosts when the gas runs out.


What a splendid gift. We are so very thankful!

I better close for now. We have last minute work that needs attention and bags that need to be packed for our trip home. We’ll be gone for about 7 weeks, primarily to attend university graduation ceremonies for both our kids, but also to take in a conference and attend meetings with those overseas who work together with us and who are vital to the work here.

(Corissa tests the waters in a local canoe.)

So long.

Right Where We're At

I read a story this week about a guy who had been in a very sorry state for so many years that he had pretty much given up all hope. Then a stranger who--unbeknownst to the suffering man was a Very Important Man--came along and asked this man if he wanted help. In the version in my head, I like to imagine that “the hopeless one” was mid sentence in his long tale of woe, having paused briefly to draw his breath, when the Very Important Man interjected and spoke life to him. And in that instant, the hopeless man’s life was completely and entirely transformed.

Later, when some people noticed that “the hopeless one’s” sad and sorry state was gone forever and asked who had helped him, he replied (my words here), “I have NO CLUE!” I love that. This guy received a gracious and life-changing gift, which he did not expect, from someone he did not even know. That’s God’s grace, and that is what God does.

He meets us right where we're at. (My paraphrase of the story: The Healing at the Pool, first part of John 5)

We were privileged last week to witness and partner with others in a similar type of scenario, albeit in a different era and in different circumstances.


Because we had very scant rainfall this summer, right when it was needed for everyone's maize to grow, there has been widespread crop failure and hunger. Areas north of us have been especially affected. Then February came, and with it, rain and more rain. Although those who wanted to replant appreciated the extra moisture, it resulted in engorged rivers and flooding of many low-lying areas.

The beautiful Zambezi river

Zambezi River and flooded areas

Requests for help with food started to come in and as we shared of the need with others, resources were given to help meet that need.

What follows is just the nutshell/photo version of the guys’ trip north to deliver food and meet with remote communities to address the often repeated cycle of food shortages. (Photos compliments of Rick)

Matthias and local pastors unload maize.

A local church service: the Women's section

Thatched village huts

Pastor Ricardo, Rick and local pastors catch a bit of shade in the heat.

Dwight greeting local pastors and community leaders (check his update)

One of my favorite kinds of photo

Kids leaning into a church service.

Two days later, the guys returned and landed right on the mission farm.

Next morning, it was time for the chopper to load up and take off again to return to Mercy Air, South Africa. Keren's family were able to get in on a chopper ride to Beira. From there they caught their flight to return home (Canada).

I rather like the bits of flying grass in this photo :)

Otherwise this week:

Malaria has been bad this season. So bad in fact that it's tough keeping enough antimalarials stocked in the clinic. Here, Andy is spraying insecticide to try to keep mosquito populations down.

This week we were able to meet with the District Health Director to discuss a few things like progress on Chitundo Health post and plans to expand the Mucombeze Health Post to a larger Health Centre which would provide better services to the community. It was a good meeting and we rejoice that there's a good spirit of cooperation between the mission and the Mozambican health authorities.

Also this week, a group photo shoot of the mission staff right after devotions. Dwight and I are working on promotion materials for a quick trip to Canada in April & May, so updating photos for brochures is one of the things we need to focus on right now.

And with one last photo, I will close.

"Please wake me for meals"

Although it's cool to get unexpected gifts from someone you do not even know, I do advise that you make sure you know your pilot :)

ttyl