Malawi and Mozambique April 2014

Oh man! What an experience. It was totally not what I expected. I was under the impression I was just going along to see what the whole Malawi mission was about and act as support. Boy was I surprised at what the Lord had in store for me.

I flew from Cape Town on 2 April to meet up with the mission team on the 3rd in Johannesburg. I did not really know any of the brethren except for Rupert and Carl from Southfield assembly in Cape Town. Being a very quiet and reserved person I was a bit nervous of meeting the other brethren. When I got to the pick-up point we introduced ourselves and we were on our way to a very long journey to Mozambique.

We were told to brace ourselves for going through the different borders on this journey since it can take long and we could pick up some hassles. After going through the border of Zimbabwe, which went very smoothly I might add, we stayed over at Bubi village for the night where we already started to connect as a group. The next morning we were off to the border of Mozambique. After going through the Mozambican border, we realized that the Lord was really blessing us and keeping his hand over us for I was told this was one of the easiest border crossings they have had in the last couple of years.

When we got to Mozambique we stayed over at this lovely family's house. Johan, Anne and their two boys were very hospitable.  They made us feel very comfortable and at home. This would be our base in Mozambique for the next 4 days. After having an awesome meal that evening we went to sleep.

After breakfast the next morning we were split into teams. We then had a prayer meeting asking the Lord to bless and direct us and to give us the wisdom and for Him to talk through us. Each team would be going into the different villages. Myself, Dean Botha(from the Bluff assembly) and Allan Hemphill(our team leader) were combined into one team. All the other guys were split into their respective teams. At this point I was asked to try and give my input and preach at the different locations, even if it is just 5 min. As a group we took off to go meet our interpreters since the people we needed to go and preach to did not understand a word of English. This I thought was going to be a task and a half. How do you really get a message across to someone with an interpreter??? We got to meet our interpreter named Bonde. What a pleasure of a man. He was very friendly and could speak English quite comfortably.  Off we went to our first village.

After driving for a while we reached our destination. I was overwhelmed by the way they welcomed us with singing and dancing. They were really happy to see us. We greeted everybody and went into their little church. Most of the churches are built out of clay and mud and have grass roofs. For seating they all sit on a log or even just on the ground. They gave us their only comfortable plastic garden chairs to sit on. To start with they really praise and worship for quite a bit. They can easily worship and sing for about an half hour to forty five minutes. Then we formally introduced ourselves and started preaching.

Allan has done this Malawi trip a few times before so we thought  best that he should kick off with the first session. At this time I became  very very worried since all the way to this church I was trying to plan something to say but could not find anything. Here I was sitting with absolutely nothing to say. I even asked my other team mate, Dean, if he had something to say but he was in the same boat as me. As Allan started sharing his message the Lord laid a message on my heart. How happy I was but I was still very nervous since I have never preached or shared anything to anyone. Even at home at our assembly I do not share. I am always the quiet one who listens. After Allan finished I got up and shared what the Lord laid on my heart. It was only between 5 and 10 min but that was my very first ministry. All I shared about was the Lord Jesus dying for us on the cross and how much he really loves us and how he took our sins to the grave. They really responded well. After me was Dean. What was so amazing to me is that everything that we said tied in with each others ministries. There were also a handful of people that gave their lives to the Lord.

During the following 3 days we covered another 3 villages. What I really enjoyed about all the villages is that the people were very humble and grateful
for the message from the Lord. At one of the villages we even had 2 men wanting to be filled with the Holy Ghost. We prayed for them and will continue to do
so since at that very moment they weren't filled.

After our 4 days in Mozambique, we were off to cross over into Malawi and face another border crossing. By this time we were sure we were going to have
hassles at the border but yet again, the Lord blessed us since it went very smoothly. That evening we reached our destination, the Zambezi mission house. This was our base for the next 4 days.  Getting to know the Malawians, I realized they were just as humble as in Mozambique. By this time Dean and I were far more confident in ministering.  We found this crowd to be just as responsive to the Word of God for here too we had people responding to the gospel. How refreshing that was. Our last stop of the Malawi leg had around 400 members in the church. There were people peeling out the doors listening to the ministries as the hall we had was too small to accommodate everyone.

All locations we went to in both Mozambique and Malawi, none of them had chairs to sit on. The people sat on either the floor or thin log tree stumps.
This got me thinking of how easy we have it here. They were only too happy to sit there for two to three hour sessions at a time without complaining.

What really hit home for me after I shared my messages from the Lord is how happy these people were to receive this simple message. This is when I realized that these people don't really know much about the Lord. They knew the basic bible stories but not the deeper meaning of any of what the Bible is teaching us. All these people were so thankful to just and hear the basic gospel and principles explained to them. I would say that they really have child-like minds. How refreshing that was to me since it made me realize that we sometimes get so wrapped up in too much detail that we forget what the most important thing is. Just love the Lord God with all your heart, mind and soul and everything else will start falling into place. You can go to church everyday and read your bible for hours every day but if you haven't given your heart to Jesus and seriously fall in love with him the Bible will be like a good bedtime story.

I really look forward to going again and would seriously urge any brethren from the Assemblies to go on this trip. It will not only benefit the people you are ministering to but will quicken your spirit personally.

Lord Bless
Wayne Grove
Montague Gardens Assembly

Further Missionary Adventures

Five of us left Johannesburg (four had started from Durban at 6am) for Zimbabwe. We, Rupert Freese, Roland Minnie, Bruce Munro, Derrick and Peter Lord have arrived at Chimoio two days later after some easy (relatively speaking) border crossings. Our trip included 21 police check points travelling through Zimbabwe all without incident.

We were hosted in Chimoio by Johan and Ann Celliers. Wow what a welcome, fantastic hospitality and food and half a Springbok game thrown in for good measure, Johan testified to us how he had grown closer to the Lord, the Lord had really blessed him and now he had all that he had ever dreamed of.

Our Hosts in Chimoio Johan & Anne Celliers. Thanks Guys!

Ready for the Off at Johan & Ann's in Chimoio

One and a half hours of difficult dirt road through an army checkpoint (that cost us R240.00) and Roland and I eventually arrived at Morombodzi fellowship which sits on top of a mountain.

Morombodzi Fellowship

This fellowship is relatively remote. No hospital, no school, no police and miraculously no mosquitoes. No mall and not evens a shop but everyone was happy! The kids played in the dirt all day long and we ministered the word.

Why is it so much easier to minister the word to people who have nothing? 

We finished ministering at 9:00 that night. The drums and the dancing continued till 11:30. Thank the Lord for earplugs without which sleep would have been short as the children are awake and noisy from 05:00 am.

Luxury Accommodation

We continued our ministry and left at 1:00 to collect Rupert and the other brothers at a church close by (one and a half hours drive away). Rupert was holding a bible school there with the leaders in the area.Rupert testified how the Lord was revealing sin in some of the elders but then establishing a sound foundation in Christ in the Mozambique church.

As we build a foundation the Lord is gracious enough to reveal the sin that is stopping the growth in his church. Rupert had his own personal problems there as there was no hot water for a shower so he hadn't washed for two days. He had also left the pump for his airbed back in Chimoio so he had his own baptism into suffering but the Lord did His work and that is what we are looking for – not our own comfort.

Luxury Showers

I had my own choice to make the next day as Rupert was travelling a far way for two days with Elias and I was ministering in local churches. I had the nice new bucky and Rupert needed it as Elias needed a comfortable ride as his back was giving him problems. Not really a difficult choice in Christ but difficult in our hearts. The Lord works in mysterious ways as in the next church I ministered in Luke 18 and the rich young ruler who would not sell his goods (or lend someone his new bucky?) and follow the Lord!

Polygamy is a problem in Mozambique and Malawi due to past traditions of multiple wives and girlfriends. Cultural traditions are a real problem in establishing the foundation but unless they are dealt with the foundation is not strong as it is not from Christ.

The third day we ministered @Gerald’s church in Pina just outside Chimoio on first principles. The fourth day we were at Bairro Cinco the main church in the centre of the township in Chimoio. The fellowship was small as most people were at work or at school but Jesus was there thank the Lord!

The bakkie we were using stays in Mozambique. It had been in for a new clutch before we arrived. As we used it in the first three days we realised that the low ratio 4 wheel drive lever had not been reconnected after fitting the new clutch. Johan arranged that his driver would take the bakkie back to the garage while we were ministering and then bring it back after it was fixed.

 As we were ministering our interpreter Ernest got a call from his wife to say that she had gone into labour and needed taking to the maternity hospital same 4kms away. Ernest asked when the bakkie would be returning and I said that the driver would bring it back as soon as it was fixed. He then explained the problem to us and as he finished the driver arrived with the bakkie together with Johan in another bakkie to take him back to work. We were able to jump into the bakkie, drive to Ernest’s house and take his wife to the maternity unit. Thank the Lord that when we are in him his plan is prefect!

We returned to the fellowship where everyone was having a quiet drink waiting for our return to continue with the ministering. It is all part of normal township life!

Lunch Break on the Road

We traveled to Malawi the following day and on Thursday we started ministering in the Blantyre area. The first day was at the Kaiya fellowship where we met with Thomas and had a blessed meeting in their brand new church.

The church does not have a roof yet but they had erected a tarpaulin sheet on poles. Without this we would have struggled as it was a balmy 35°. As we ministered the church filled up to the point where we were overflowing with spectators at both doors and all the windows. Testimony to the Lord work that the pastor was putting in and the evidence of Jesus in him. 

We then went on to Kulanga fellowships about ten minutes drive away where we ministered in a small township under a large tree.This was challenging as the congregation was split into three distinct parts separated by several meters but the Lord prevails.

Typical Ministry

We went back to Thomas’s house where we erected the tent. It had been a long day and at eight I was ready to call it a day when people started arriving. Thomas said that we were going to have another meeting. I had taken my malaria tablet and it had floored me and I could hardly stay awake let alone minister. Fortunately Roland stepped into the breech and ministered about the life of David. Two very grateful missionaries got to bed at 10:00.

The following day we had the awesome experience (again) of going up the mountain to the Gambatula fellowship. This is serious 4x4 territory with low ratio most of the way. Diff lock had been needed in April but this time the road was more compacted as there had been no rain since our visit in April.

Gambatula Fellowship

After ministering and lunch we left for Lousape which was down the hill and about fifteen minutes drive. The fellowship has half a roof so it is more fortunate then Kaia but compared to Karia it is dead! If a pastor selflessly serves the lord the church thrives. If the pastor gets in the way of the Lord’s work the church dies!!Fortunately the few people there actively participated in and receive the message.

Lousape Fellowship

On Saturday we joined up with Mike Giel and traveled to Scot in Palombe district. We ministered to a full church led by the pastor Mcinda who is leading a strong healthy church. We traveled through to Nomorgale that evening and stayed at Macnell’s house. We were due to minister that night and we started the service at 08:00. The band played and the choir sang till 10:15 and then Mike gave a short ministry to a church packed with young believers who were there for the concert given by the Israeli band. Mike ministered in the semi dark and it was very well received. We left for bed at 10:45 and the band continued till 02:30.

We started the following day at 09:00 with the band and choir and started ministering  at 10:30. Great ministering before and then after band. We eventually left at 4:00. On the way back to Blantyre we were flagged down by a group of people who said that a car had just knocked down two of their party and then drove off and would we help catch them! One of the party jumped in and we set off in hot pursuit. After a really fast pursuit we eventually saw the car which turned off into a tea plantation. We continued in hot pursuit and after 3 kms we overtook the car! It was driven by a woman with two kids in the car! We left the young man of the original party to sort out the problem.

We continued on the mission house where we were staying. We normally get sole occupation of the mission but this time the lady doing the booking had messed up and we had to share with two other people from UK. They had never seen the like of a mission team before. One of them had a couple of interesting comments on the team.

The first was one of amazement at the work and the commitment shown by the team members and that guys from the UK would never do that! The second was when we were all sharing one evening after returning from our different churches we were having such fun in the lounge sharing our experience and laughing and joking that he put his head around the corner and asked what we were drinking that we were all so happy! He did not understand the joy of being in the Spirit when a team is of one accord!

Team on Fire for the Lord at Lake Kyle

We returned home with joy in our heart after having done the Lord’s will. 

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Further adventures of a missionary (July 2013)

The three of us (Rupert Freese, Peter & Adrie Lord) set off for Malawi on 7th July 2013. We flew from Cape Town to Lilongwe in Malawi. We met the two Malawi brothers – Fredson & Macnel and drove to Kazuni Lake. 

The cigarette lighter on our vehicle was stuck in its socket so we could not charge our GPS so we had to use it sparingly. As a result we missed the turn to Rumphi and the journey took eight hours instead of six. We arrived at the gate of the park where we were to sleep at nine at night to find the gate locked this time. So instead of going through the gate we drove through the big hole in the fence into the park.

We drove to the area of the staff quarters and honked our horn but there was no movement. It was cold so nobody wanted to get out of bed! Fortunately we knew this time where the chalets were and we could drive straight there. Again no water in the chalets just like the last time.

The next day we went to the CHILOMBO church. We ministered all day about repentance from the dead works, how it is nothing that we can do that brings us to Christ we must just submit to him and let him do the work in our lives.

We were surprised and honoured at the reception that was accorded to Adrie. They were really pleased to see the wife of one of the believers. It was to them as if we were proud of the fellowship there (which we are) and we wanted to bring our wives with us to show the strength and the commitment of our new brothers in Christ. Adrie has put her own impression of the visit in a separate article in the blog. (access the article via this Link)

We returned to the game park at 6 having ministered all day to a church that was packed with eager believers. The  hunger for knowledge the ease with which they received and the wonder on the faces as they get the revelation is a true joy to behold and makes the whole trip worthwhile.

Still no water at the game park. After a strong word two buckets arrived- one for the toilet and one to be used to wash. The luxuries of missionary work!

We ministered at CHILOMBO for two full days to a full church on both days on how repentance of sin will not bring us to salvation. Only a turning away from the world and the acceptance of Christ as our Lord and master will result in us being born again.

After Chilombo we drove for nine hours to MalawiLake where we spent one night in a lodge on the Lake shore before travelling to Blantyre the next day.

In Blantyre we were hosted by the Mc Grath Family in their cottage. What a blessing on the mission trip and a big thank you for their selfless hospitality.

We started ministering at the Blantyre mission church of Chilimbaon Friday morning to 22 of the senior believers from all around Malawi and North West Mozambique. The ministry was to be on repentance from dead works, the ministerial gifts of Christ, and end times.

I wrote this when our ministry was in the planning stage as we arrived at Chilimba. The Holy Spirit had a different idea. We never got on to end times. There was a rift in the local fellowship and a whole day was spent on ministry on problems in a fellowship and how they get sorted out and that there is only strength in unity. We ask all readers of the blog to pray for this rift in the Chilimba fellowship to be healed as it keeps rearing its ugly head.

The believers braved same very cold and unseasonably wet weather for the first two days and listened with rapt attention to the Word that the Lord had for them. We give thanks that the Malawiwork is maturing and that young believers filled with the Holy Spirit are being raised up.

The believers sleep on mats on the dirt floor of the church while they stay there for bible study. The toilet is a long drop. The washing place and urinal are one and the same tiny building next to the long drop. Food is cooked for all 22 people by 3 woman on a fire in open ground. Water is collected in large pots from a tap some 500 meters away.

Most of the believers are subsistence farmers who in worldly terms have nothing. The average income of those present at the bible study is R500/month and they keep their whole family on that!

While they have nothing they have Jesus in their hearts. It begs the question why do the more developed countries who have (compared to them) everything continually bemoan their lot in life and still do not have Jesus in their hearts! We need to be poor in worldly things and rich in the Spirit! 

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Further adventures of a missionary (July 2013)

The three of us (Rupert Freese, Peter & Adrie Lord) set off for Malawi on 7th July 2013. We flew from Cape Town to Lilongwe in Malawi. We met the two Malawi brothers – Fredson & Macnel and drove to Kazuni Lake. 

The cigarette lighter on our vehicle was stuck in its socket so we could not charge our GPS so we had to use it sparingly. As a result we missed the turn to Rumphi and the journey took eight hours instead of six. We arrived at the gate of the park where we were to sleep at nine at night to find the gate locked this time. So instead of going through the gate we drove through the big hole in the fence into the park.

We drove to the area of the staff quarters and honked our horn but there was no movement. It was cold so nobody wanted to get out of bed! Fortunately we knew this time where the chalets were and we could drive straight there. Again no water in the chalets just like the last time.

The next day we went to the CHILOMBO church. We ministered all day about repentance from the dead works, how it is nothing that we can do that brings us to Christ we must just submit to him and let him do the work in our lives.

We were surprised and honoured at the reception that was accorded to Adrie. They were really pleased to see the wife of one of the believers. It was to them as if we were proud of the fellowship there (which we are) and we wanted to bring our wives with us to show the strength and the commitment of our new brothers in Christ. Adrie has put her own impression of the visit in a separate article in the blog. (access the article via this Link)

We returned to the game park at 6 having ministered all day to a church that was packed with eager believers. The  hunger for knowledge the ease with which they received and the wonder on the faces as they get the revelation is a true joy to behold and makes the whole trip worthwhile.

Still no water at the game park. After a strong word two buckets arrived- one for the toilet and one to be used to wash. The luxuries of missionary work!

We ministered at CHILOMBO for two full days to a full church on both days on how repentance of sin will not bring us to salvation. Only a turning away from the world and the acceptance of Christ as our Lord and master will result in us being born again.

After Chilombo we drove for nine hours to Malawi Lake where we spent one night in a lodge on the Lake shore before travelling to Blantyre the next day.

In Blantyre we were hosted by the Mc Grath Family in their cottage. What a blessing on the mission trip and a big thank you for their selfless hospitality.

We started ministering at the Blantyre mission church of Chilimba on Friday morning to 22 of the senior believers from all around Malawi and North West Mozambique. The ministry was to be on repentance from dead works, the ministerial gifts of Christ, and end times.

I wrote this when our ministry was in the planning stage as we arrived at Chilimba. The Holy Spirit had a different idea. We never got on to end times. There was a rift in the local fellowship and a whole day was spent on ministry on problems in a fellowship and how they get sorted out and that there is only strength in unity. We ask all readers of the blog to pray for this rift in the Chilimba fellowship to be healed as it keeps rearing its ugly head.

The believers braved same very cold and unseasonably wet weather for the first two days and listened with rapt attention to the Word that the Lord had for them. We give thanks that the Malawi work is maturing and that young believers filled with the Holy Spirit are being raised up.

The believers sleep on mats on the dirt floor of the church while they stay there for bible study. The toilet is a long drop. The washing place and urinal are one and the same tiny building next to the long drop. Food is cooked for all 22 people by 3 woman on a fire in open ground. Water is collected in large pots from a tap some 500 meters away.

Most of the believers are subsistence farmers who in worldly terms have nothing. The average income of those present at the bible study is R500/month and they keep their whole family on that!

While they have nothing they have Jesus in their hearts. It begs the question why do the more developed countries who have (compared to them) everything continually bemoan their lot in life and still do not have Jesus in their hearts! We need to be poor in worldly things and rich in the Spirit! 

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A missionary trip to Malawi perceived by a woman, 7-17th July 2013

My first impressions of Malawi was “So many people all milling around along the main road.” Time is of no essence in Malawi – no competition or pushing for our patronage as we stopped at different street vendors to buy supplies.

Rupert showed a side of his character that I doubt many know about – he loves to drive at exceedingly high speeds over treacherous terrain – must be his chance to relive his youth. By the grace of our Lord we arrived safely at Lake Kazuni. 

Rustic is an understatement to describe the accommodation with no water, electricity or candles. Wind was howling through gaps in the reeds and open hole windows. Further, with the constant sifting of fine debris from the equally shabby grass roof, not much sleep was enjoyed. Must say the sounds of hippos; almost all through the night right next to our rondaval; made up for the lack in the accommodation.

Meeting the fellowship at Kazuni and seeing the church the built was an experience. We counted 85 children under the age of 10. ± 8-10 children per family. We were so warmly welcomed and their singing to the Lord was wonderful. Our meals consisted of goat meat and rice which was served in the leader’s house (two rooms) with chickens happily hatching eggs in the corner.

They asked about Alex and François and told us they have arranged a wife for Alex Peter and Rupert taught on repentance from dead works and I so enjoyed watching how through acting and repetitive teaching over a period of two days the understanding seemed to come. 

The woman each have a baby in arms and a toddler at their side so how much they receive of God’s word is questionable. Everyone at the meeting  ±120 people got fed in order of rank. The Azungus (white people) first as honoured guests and children last.

On our way to Blantyre we overnight at a place at Lake Malawi, Palm Springs resort. Fredson and Macnell said they thought they had arrived in heaven that evening, as we enjoyed a good hearty western home-cooked meal. I am sure the running hot water, electricity, decent beds and a room sheltered from the cold night air contributed to their remark. The next day we left for Blantyre…again, the challenge to avoid potholes, dogs, goats, pedestrians and other livestock. Rupert’s driving skills are really one to be admired by even a Formula 1 driver. Through the Lords protection, the only life along the road that was lost was that of a single chicken.

In Blantyre the church building has just been completed with a brand new roof in place. Words cannot explain the condition of even the road leading into the township to the church. If Sam (owner of the car rental company) had not upgraded Rupert to a 4x4 (free of charge) I do not know how we would have managed. Again, the Lord undertook for his children doing his work.

During the four days of Bible School it was as if I was in the time of Paul writing to the Corinthians. The same issues had to be addressed. Men elevating themselves, selfishness, family conflict and splitting the fellowship into two camps. On the fourth day the Holy Spirit took over. Men were breaking down and the Lord’s love for a contrite heart and broken spirit came shining forth.

Surely it can only be the love of Christ that constraineth men to carry out His work. 11 Corinthians 5v14 and 15: And henceforth no longer live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again. 

Please sisters in Christ these men need all our support and constant prayers. 
Your sister in Christ

Adrie Lord

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A missionary trip to Malawi perceived by a woman, 7-17th July 2013

My first impressions of Malawi was “So many people all milling around along the main road.” Time is of no essence in Malawi – no competition or pushing for our patronage as we stopped at different street vendors to buy supplies.

Rupert showed a side of his character that I doubt many know about – he loves to drive at exceedingly high speeds over treacherous terrain – must be his chance to relive his youth. By the grace of our Lord we arrived safely at Lake Kazuni. 

Rustic is an understatement to describe the accommodation with no water, electricity or candles. Wind was howling through gaps in the reeds and open hole windows. Further, with the constant sifting of fine debris from the equally shabby grass roof, not much sleep was enjoyed. Must say the sounds of hippos; almost all through the night right next to our rondaval; made up for the lack in the accommodation.

Meeting the fellowship at Kazuni and seeing the church the built was an experience. We counted 85 children under the age of 10. ± 8-10 children per family. We were so warmly welcomed and their singing to the Lord was wonderful. Our meals consisted of goat meat and rice which was served in the leader’s house (two rooms) with chickens happily hatching eggs in the corner.

They asked about Alex and François and told us they have arranged a wife for Alex Peter and Rupert taught on repentance from dead works and I so enjoyed watching how through acting and repetitive teaching over a period of two days the understanding seemed to come. 

The woman each have a baby in arms and a toddler at their side so how much they receive of God’s word is questionable. Everyone at the meeting  ±120 people got fed in order of rank. The Azungus (white people) first as honoured guests and children last.

On our way to Blantyre we overnight at a place at Lake Malawi, Palm Springs resort. Fredson and Macnell said they thought they had arrived in heaven that evening, as we enjoyed a good hearty western home-cooked meal. I am sure the running hot water, electricity, decent beds and a room sheltered from the cold night air contributed to their remark. The next day we left for Blantyre…again, the challenge to avoid potholes, dogs, goats, pedestrians and other livestock. Rupert’s driving skills are really one to be admired by even a Formula 1 driver. Through the Lords protection, the only life along the road that was lost was that of a single chicken.

In Blantyre the church building has just been completed with a brand new roof in place. Words cannot explain the condition of even the road leading into the township to the church. If Sam (owner of the car rental company) had not upgraded Rupert to a 4x4 (free of charge) I do not know how we would have managed. Again, the Lord undertook for his children doing his work.

During the four days of Bible School it was as if I was in the time of Paul writing to the Corinthians. The same issues had to be addressed. Men elevating themselves, selfishness, family conflict and splitting the fellowship into two camps. On the fourth day the Holy Spirit took over. Men were breaking down and the Lord’s love for a contrite heart and broken spirit came shining forth.

Surely it can only be the love of Christ that constraineth men to carry out His work. 11 Corinthians 5v14 and 15: And henceforth no longer live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again. 

Please sisters in Christ these men need all our support and constant prayers. 
Your sister in Christ

Adrie Lord

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Mission to Northern Mozambique June 2013

The purpose of this trip to Northern Mozambique was two-fold, first to visit and encourage the believers of the three fellowships in Nampula, confirming them in the foundation and secondly to travel further North to Mossuril, to accomplish the same purpose in the believers there.

Our journey began with a day’s lay-over in Johannesburg where we were hosted by the Botha family; Sean, Peta, Helen and Estelle (please forgive me any miss-spelling) who’s warm hospitality and rich fellowship stirred our hearts and in no small measure contributed to our readiness for the task ahead.

Nampula City is one of the larger and more populous of the cities in Mozambiqueand like much of the country is sadly lacking in basic infrastructure, sanitation and a good lick of paint! The roads are honey combed with pot-holes that require serious driving skills, made more dangerous by what seems like thousands of crazed motorbike taxis who pull out in front of oncoming traffic without a care, zigzagging between obstacles at breakneck, kidney jolting speeds.

We began our stay visiting the first fruits of the work in Nampula, a fellowship in the suburb of Namekope 1. Approximately 18 months previously Rupert and Kurt had visited Namekope 1 at which time a wonderful outpouring of the Spirit resulted in many being transferred out of the darkness and into the light. Gloriously in the interim young people full of the Holy Ghost began evangelizing the local area founding two more fellowships, one in Namekope 2 and the other at Saua- Saua.

The Lord is saving and using young men and woman to build His church in Mozambique. They demonstrate a wonderful eagerness and desire to evangelize their communities. It was a privilege to witness the book of Acts in action “… and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.

Elias reports that through-out the work in Mozambiqueyoung people are standing up and getting involved, proving their ministries and sharing the Gospel at every opportunity. The work as a result has become self-sustaining and self–perpetuating to a far greater degree than ever before.

Before visiting Namekope 2 and Saua–Saua we traveled two and a half hours north to the historic town of Mossuril. The national Highways are usually in good repair but the drivers are a law unto themselves. En-route a large horse and trailer overtook our vehicle passing us in the lane for oncoming traffic and continued in that lane around a blind corner. Two blind corners later the truck collided head on with a minibus full of passengers. We arrived moments later a midst scattered debris and a large dust cloud, expecting the worst type of carnage!

Miraculously no one was killed; the driver pictured with Elias does not know how he escaped death with only the odd scrape! It is a reminder of the keeping hand of God upon us as we travel. The roads hold many dangers and considering the large distances traveled over the many years on these missions with very few incidents, give witness to the Lords goodness and keeping power.

Much of Northern Mozambiqueis heavily influenced by the Muslim faith and Mossuril was exclusively Muslim until a young man named Paive moved there. Paive along with another young man began to evangelize the local community. Mossuril is the seat of the district governor and has a hospital and a school; as a result there are a large number of young educated men and woman who are teachers, nurses and government administrators.

It is among these people that Paive found good ground for the seed of the Gospel. This was the only Christian Church in the town, perhaps in the whole district. This is the first time Elias had been able to visit them. We were warmly received, they anticipated our every need, gladly extending themselves to ensure we were comfortable and lacked nothing. This generous spirit enriched our entire stay with them and was evident in both the men and the woman.

Having such a large group of well educated people in the congregation provided the opportunity for more in-depth ministry. The Lord has begun a good work and we have every confidence that He will finish it! Like Nampula the church in Mossuril has begun evangelizing in the local area and a second fellowship is in it’s infancy a few kilometers out of town.

The Sunday morning meeting provided opportunity for the Gospel and over 40 people responded with heartfelt and sincere cries to God for transference out of darkness and into light! With great joy we were able to conclude our stay with an afternoon baptismal service in the very waters where once Arabs and then the Portuguese loaded the enslaved onto ships.

Traveling back to Nampula on the Monday, Elias received news that some men had tried to break into his home the previous night. Fortunately his wife heard them and screamed, alerting neighbors and frightening the intruders off! It was quickly settled that two young men from the Chimoio fellowship would sleep over at Elias’s house until his return.

With every blessing and advance there is an attempt by principalities and powers to undermine the work through attacks on the Lord’s laborers. We must never stop praying for each other as we labour together and I ask we specially remember Elias and his family before the Lord as often as possible, they need much grace.

Tuesday found us traveling along a very sandy gully masquerading as a road to Saua- Saua before crossing the river via a “rock” bridge, often on three wheels. This area is being evangelized by a young man from Namekope 1 named Jucinto. He walks this road twice a week, a 60km round trip.

The people in this area are predominantly involved in ancestor worship and have proved to be very resistant toward the Gospel. Jucinto faithfully used of the Lord has however established a small fellowship of believers. Land has been obtained for a church and they have begun making the 1000 bricks they will need. Preaching here provided new challenges, requiring 3 languages (English, Portuguese and the local Makuwa language) and two interpreters! The Lord was gracious and the word was warmly received and much was achieved in the short time we could be there.

Our last day of ministry took us to Namekope 2, a wonderfully joyous group of believers with a good understanding of the Gospel. A sister named Sara having moved from Namekope 1 began evangelizing in this area. At first, among her family but later the community at large. She has a wonderful spirit, full of the joy of the Lord and has demonstrated a gift for evangelism. She is supported by another young man who oversees the fellowship named Olivia. This young fellowship meets under a tree but is looking to the Lord for ground for a building.

Believers from SA donated funds to assist the work in Nampula and this was put to good use through the purchase of a bicycle. This bicycle was duly presented to Jucinto so that he could travel more readily the long distance from Namekope 1 to Saua-Saua. The bicycle was joyously received and will be put to good use in furthering the Gospel in the area.

What became so obvious during this trip is how much the work in Mozambiquehas grown and become more established. Young people have made strong commitments to the Lord and are at the forefront of the work, displaying a great fervor and capacity for evangelism. It was evident that sisters are very active and have a liberty in Christ Jesus.

It was wonderful to renew fellowship with our Brother Elias and it was amazing to see how hard he works and with what passion he applies himself. Pray the Lord continues to restore his body to full health, keep his family and give him wisdom. We also pray for the work in Mozambiquetrusting the Lord to establish each believer on that one true foundation, the Rock Christ Jesus and for the many brethren who labour with the Lord, together building His Church. Amen.

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