Melbourne!

Issachar and I are blessed! This year we got a surprise visit back to our kiwi home!

We had a week long stop-over at my sisters house in Melbourne and had a blast!

The cousins played until they were exhausted and my sister and I got to catchup over many hot chocolates and got some much needed shopping done!

While there and even better treat (well timed mother) we got to share in the celebrations of my nieces Aliyah-Rose's fifth birthday!

Also Aliyah-Rose has flown back to windy Wellington with us for week and Issachar is just loving the extra company as he resettles back into the kiwi life for the next few months.

OHIO Team is here!

We are so excited to host a team from Ohio again!

They were with us last year at our first annual conference and Felito's ordination!

This year they will be again serving and ministering at the conference in Chibuto and also village visits and outreach!!

Pessene

 

Today we went to visit Aunty Marta in Pessene. 

Its a long hours drive on the dusty and bumpy roads, but once we arrive, the hustle and bustle of city life is gone! No car horns or city noises, just the birds chirping, the goats munching on grass and kids laughing. 

The kids love to visit Aunty. They miss chasing the goats, but any excuse to kick off the sandals and climb a tree, any attempt to catch a bird or whatever. There are no toys, or parks or fancy computers to play with, but the kids are contempt. They run and jump and hang from branches, snack on the local fruit growing around and just generally have fun! 

Im drawn to the simplicity and I'm sure the kids are too.

Aunty is an old women who lives by herself in the bush! And has for many years. She survived the war of independence and civil war in Pessene. She has raised kids and lost them and a husband too. She was a goat herder until last year. She doesnt have much, but will gladly share what she has. She makes me laugh with her well intentioned advice but some randomly is right! Life is hard in Pessene, no running water or electricity or even baby wipes, the nearest clinic is too far if there really was an emergency, the better market is quiet a walk too. She charges her simple non-smartphone at the train station, which is hooked up to a car battery. But she is happy. Everyone in Pessene knows everyone and all are friendly and watch out for each other. 

Neighbors come and chat and the hours pass quickly. The food bubbles away on the outside wood fire and takes a while, but nobody really notices as we are all soaked up in catching up or climbing a tree and enjoying the freedom bush life brings!

Aunty with some of her grand-kids

Lunch 

Turning Dreams into Reality!

What an amazing and fun afternoon I had! 

Felito and boys spent the sun-filled afternoon working on the outreach sound-system while my girlieness came out!

A young bride-to-be phoned in a panic late last night. She was to be married on Saturday (today is Wednesday) but she still didnt have a wedding dress and a friend told her to ring us. IM SO GLAD SHE DID!

One of my dreams is to see brides have their dream wedding dress on their special day. 

For the majority of people, weddings are super expensive and take many years to save towards, others just give up or dont even try. By lending the bride a dress brings a smile and huge relief to them and to me. Just another way we can show the love of Jesus and bless others!

Veronica is from Xai-Xai. So she travelled three hours down to Maputo by public bus to try on her special dress. She arrived very nervous but left a different girl! A huge smile on her stunning face not to mention a weight off those shoulders. They were close to cancelling the wedding, due to not having a dress. While we had an amazing afternoon of arh-ing and goo-ing and just letting the girlieness come out. Was such fun! We were able to talk and pray with Veronica. After an hour we had narrowed the choosing of the dress down to three. Then after a two more hours of chatting and laughing Veronica had chosen her dress. Then it was time to choose the veil, which led to the conversations on hair amd makeup etc. 

Before she was to return to Xai-Xai we were able to pray with her and feed her. Am truely excited for this bride and so looking forward to the photos.

Thanks again to those that have donated wedding dresses, veils, jellewry! 

Its such a joy seeing my dream become reality and seeing the love of Jesus being given in such a special way!

God bless and love.

Anna

Issachar turns four! - a big boy!

Im a big boy, he says with a smile as big as his face!!

I was told when Issachar was born how fast they grow! It was no mistake, they sure do!

On the 1 June was Issachar's fourth birthday and also a big holiday as its Children's Day! The calendar was in our favor and it fell on a Saturday.

We were able to invite some of the family around and celebrate all things kids. It was a long and busy day, but seeing Issachar and the other kids smile and enjoy their chicken meal and chocolate cake, the effort was worth it!!

As Issachar grows and develops, I am truly amazed! He is a gift from God, which Ive learnt not to take for granted, but his sweet and caring heart and all-go energetic all-boy has been demanding but so much fun! He is such a sweetie, loves animals and loves to share almost anything, sensitive to the Holy Spirit at such a young age really leaves my mouth open and listening to his heart-felt prayers both brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes! He loves anything with green jelly and marshmallows and we have a blast cooking and reading stories together! As you can tell, I am proud of my son and I love my so so much! bless you my boy!!

Winter is here

Please keep us in your prayers!

Winter has hit hard this year. With temperatures plummeting down to 10C and sometimes colder once the sun goes down. This is very cold for us!

Its hard for families to keep warm and they bring their fires and coal burners in the house to warm up. This time of year is dangerous due to many kids getting burnt from fire or hot water. Its even worse this year as the hospitals are shut. Majority of doctors and nurses are strike and have been for well over a month. The army has moved in to help with a&e, and waits have just about tripled with people waiting well over 12 hours just to be attended and medicine isnt being restocked. 

Also with the cooler weather the vulnerable are prone to colds, flu and bronchitis is particular strong this year. 

Issachar has already two cases of nasty bronchitis, please join us i prayers that this stops!! 

On a happy note the clearing of the edge of the land is almost done and we can begin to start building the fence in Chibuto!

Thanks again for all your prayers and support!

We love you!

Issachar with two of his much loved cousins and their new warm fleecy jackets!

Issachar with some of his cousins and their new warm winter fleecy jackets!!

Easter! We were brought for love!

Walking around Maputo it was hard to imagine that Easter was coming. There weren't too many adds for chocolate, let alone easter eggs, marshmallows. As having grown up in NZ, I do miss the traditional chocolate marshmallows filled eggs and even the creme egg, so not seeing them really does my head in.

I know that chocolate isn't the real meaning of easter, don't even know how the egg and chocolate idea came about. But I do know that I am forever grateful for what Jesus did for me and for everyone else.

This year, we drove down to Johannesburg to hold a seminar at the PalmRidge church over the long weekend. They had a rough beginning to to year, when their sound-system was stolen and really needing some encouragement.

Winter is on its way to Africa, the nights seem longer the birds don't sing as loud in the mornings. Even though the sun is shining, the breeze is chilly! It can look deceptive when looking out of a window. With winter brings the dry, dusty season, usually no rain! Which means building, more outreaches and house visits and lots of cuppas with family and friends.

The border crossing into South Africa can be hectic and stressful and at other times you can pass with very little trouble, it just depends. This Easter the que was long, thankfully it wasn't raining nor was the sun beating down in full strength. We got our stamps and we were off. The trip is about six to eight hours. We are so grateful for our new mazda, as it makes the long trip comfortable!

The people came out on Friday morning, walking from all round the township. Wrapped in their warm winter clothes. The kids bounced, the youth waved and the women hugged! Felito ministered, Jesus came, there were tears as hearts were being mended, forgiveness flowed and the Holy Spirit worked in their lives.
Saturday was a day of worship and fellowship. Lots of dancing to warm the body from the chilly winds and kids playing with each other and as usual the hospitality of the church with warm food to fill the hungry.
Sunday was the day, the day our King arose! Today the atmosphere was filled with hope. Felito spoke again, reminding everyone of the truth and simplicity of Easter. Not to get caught up in the trails of life, but to be thankful and remember it was for love we were brought and for love we now have a new life! We are encouraging them to have a one on one relationship with Jesus and its so much fun hearing testimonies of those that are grasping the concept. 

Issachar with cousins in Johannesburg