November Update - long over due

Hi ya'll

Its a shiner of day! Things have been muddling along.

Paulina has been officially on school holidays now for almost three weeks and she also just passed her school exams, so she has enough credit to go into the next grade. We were all filled with relief and happiness at her passing. She was so excited as it meant a reward. A trip into town to eat grilled chicken!!
We have had a visit from Social Services which went well. We haven't had official notice, but we got the paperwork required for Paulina to apply for ID and passport. Her ID is in process and due the second week of December, and then for the passport which means a WHOLE family trip to SA hopefully in January!! The excitement is building while we are planning this special and momentous trip.

In less than a week we have two teams from WorldRace come to stay with us for the month of December, which means an extremely full house and busyness and fun!

Felito has come back from Outreach at Mazivilla which went amazingly well. Lots of people healed and walking closer to King Jesus. (photos to come)

On negative side, Jiametos son, David has been admitted to hospital. He has some sort of infection with his fever spiking every couple of hours and with vomiting and diareeah. He had a blood transfusion after his blood tests came back as he was anemic. His fever hasn't spiked as high since blood transfusion. Have done loads of tests, and are awaiting results. Please keep him and his family in prayer. Jiametos wife also has malaria.

Was so sad going into children's ward, wish I could do more. We leave feeling so drained and almost frustrated at the standards and lack of care and compassion.
In the same ward as baby David we Saw two cases of infected scabies and childhood leprosy and also a little girl with a massive swollen tummy, its not worms, so she has had a test to see if its a tumor. Poor thing is in pain and cant hardly stand as it unbalances her. They are from Inhabane, which is about 6 hours drive from Maputo and have no family here. Mother is freaked out. We prayed for them. Please keep these dear children in your prayers too.

Feltios sister, Raquel, had her baby yesterday late morning. She had a boy, its number six for her. She is exhausted after over 28 hours in labour, she also nearly had a c-section but he finally came and weighs 4.5kg. Baby and Mum are doing well, but ask for prayers as she copes with a new born. Im now hurriedly making another baby quilt as the other one is just too pink.

God bless every one of you. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers! We love you all!
Jesus, He is the REASON for the SEASON! bring it on as we celebrate our maker and King.

Transport Strike

Today has been a strange one. One could almost feel the tension in the air when we woke up.

The weather has been up and down. Wet season has hit hard and early and already there has been flooding.
The local governments have prepared for the worse.
Wet season is both blessing and curse. The rains bring much needed water to the farmers and herders, and the flowers come out in full bloom. The dry land comes alive with radiant colors and with large areas of brown land comes to life with green lushness. But with wet season, there is a dark side, a curse some say, all the flying insects and snakes and just yucky bugs in general. In particular the mosquitos seem everywhere and so many of them. The main hospital in Maputo have set up a temporary clinic just for blood testing for malaria and a ward for those who are very ill with malaria. Our church in Maputo have lost two people from the same family who both had complications from cebral malaria.

But just as hard and fast the wet season has hit, so has the anger and frustration towards the recession. The government continues to speak positive but all around us the evidence is proof that people are struggling and suffering.
More and more people are struggling to buy the basics. The lucky ones with the salaries that stay the same while all around them the prices of food, gas, clothing, education, medicine increases in not so friendly jumps.

There have been rumors going around and today was the day. The people have had enough and the strike was on. Today people refused to use charpas which are the local public transport due to the rising cost of the fare. Two years ago the strike for the same thing turned into nasty riots which last for four days with army coming in and taking charge. People were killed and injured.
So far, today, no body has been killed but a few have been injured. The police are out with their guns, trying to calm, but people are angry.

We ask that you keep us and Mozambique in your prayers. We needs Gods peace and wisdom.