Because Yahoo is not supporting their blog site, it has many problems (bugs), and Yahoo has publically stated they do not intend to support this site in the future, we have moved our blog to Google. We will leave the Yahoo site standing but future updates will be on the Google site.

Click on this link to go to our Google Blog - see you there and thank you for standing with us!!

http://adedrickmz.blogspot.com/

Dave & Ann

I have an old Dell laptop that is somewhat of my lifeline to the world. Ann bought it for me many years ago and it has worked like a champ. But for the last several months, it’s not been working well, slowing down and just generally ‘not cooperating’. I have tried all the obvious things and even tried some software that is supposed to “improve performance” and “speed it up” but they have actually caused more problems than they solved (sound familiar?). I’ve never trusted these ‘solutions in a box’ and these programs have simply been more verification that magic pills don’t usually work.

So, as I looked on the Internet I happened along a case where a fellow suggested cleaning the insides of the computer and graciously included step-by-step instructions on how to dismantle the laptop, clean it, and put it back together. At this point, it was working so poorly, that I had nothing to lose.

So, on my daughter’s dining room table, I took it all apart, and found that there is this little radiator-looking thing on the “CPU” or central processing unit that dissipates heat as a cooling fan blows over it. The computer has a self-protecting temperature device that regulates the CPU based on temperature, thus slowing it down to generate less heat when it gets to a certain temperature. There was a decade of dirt, hair, and lint on this little component. Using rubbing alcohol and Q-tips, I cleaned an amazing amount of crude off of this thing and – problem solved.

It reminds me of life – we spend a lifetime accumulating crud in the dark private places of our hearts and lives. God in His rich mercy shows us those dark places, illuminating them with the truth of His word, and at the same time provides us a way to clean out those dark places. It takes a lifetime and a willing, humble, and transparent heart to allow Him to work with us on such an intimate basis. And just the fact that He is willing to work with us is something to be embraced with great joy. There is a song we sing sometimes that expresses this, “how deep the father’s love for us, vast beyond all measure.”

“…God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth…..If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:5 - 9

Currently I am writing from Greenville, South Carolina, where daughter number four of four lives and attends nursing school. She has just moved to a new apartment and we have enjoyed being a part of that process and I have so enjoyed being able to just run to the store and purchase a small thing I need to fix this thing, or repair that thing. It really brings to mind how difficult the most simple thing is to accomplish in Mozambique and yet here so simple. We are a blessed nation, that is for sure, and even in the face of the current economic challenges, we must not lose sight of the incredible blessings we have.

Just before we left Philadelphia (daughter one) to head this way, we received word that Ann’s stepbrother had passed away in Radford, Virginia so we left early and attended his funeral. He had attended church in the morning, went to lunch with his mother, and then passed away from an apparent heart attack (57 years of age) in his home later that afternoon. Just another reminder that life on this earth is transient and short.

Arriving in Greenville, we were invited to attend our daughter’s boyfriend’s graduation from Furman College. Her fellow is a delightful young man who will spend the summer working in an internship with his home church near Atlanta and next year working with disadvantaged youth in the Greenville area. We were thrilled to attend the graduation ceremony but then it was especially exciting as the featured speaker was President Bush.

There was quite a bit of turmoil over his visit from some of the college faculty and from some of the student body so we weren’t sure what to expect. The security to enter the college stadium was heightened as you would expect and there was much police / secret service presence on the campus. As we sat in the stands, there was much discussion around us, as in the world of politics, everyone has an opinion and in many cases a passionate opinion. The beauty of it all is that people can openly debate and discuss those opinions, another one of those things we take so for granted here.

The Furman orchestra and the Jazz band entertained the crowd and the 650 graduates with a medley of music but most memorable was the Furman Singer’s rendition of “God of Grace and God of Glory”, serving as a reminder in all the pomp and circumstance of who is truly ‘in charge’.

At the designated time, we could see the many motorcycles with flashing lights leading the long line of cars heralding the arrival of the President. For a brief moment it took me back to Mozambique where we see the motorcades occasionally as the President of that country transits to the airport or other appointments with similar protection. The stands of people erupted into applause as the presidential limousine arrived and there was an absolute aura of excitement – the President has arrived here to speak to us. The same people who were a few minutes ago being openly critical of him were in the next breath excited and applauding because despite our feelings, there remains a healthy respect of the position and the office and I was surprised at my own almost giddiness at it all.

So, more ceremony and everyone is seated, and then the band begins the presidential song and out he comes, walking through the students, waving to the crowd, and proceeding to the platform to a standing rousing ovation – the President is here among us. What a privilege to be a part and that feeling was clearly how the majority felt. It was as if political affiliations and opinions were suspended for a short period of time as this one graduating class was honored in this unique fashion.

One of the leading class students gave an inspiring speech challenged the class for the future – it was their time to make a difference. I wondered what she was thinking as she spoke immediately prior to the President of the United States but if she was nervous, or otherwise un-nerved, it was certainly not apparent. Then the President spoke and challenged the graduates on the need for a “culture of responsibility”. It was an honor to be there and to see the man I have prayed for nearly daily, as I have for every president since I’ve been a Christian. The Bible admonishes us to pray for our leaders and I have taken that seriously all my life, not just those in government but also those closer and in authority over me. God works through those in leadership and what better counselor could we ever hope for our leaders than the One who spoke the very universe into existence? God can move the hearts of whomever He chooses and the mandate to pray doesn’t have conditions or party affiliations.

After the speech, he departed the stadium to thunderous applause and then once again a few minutes later as the motorcade departed the stadium area. We then returned to honoring the Class of 2008 as they walked across the podium and received their well-earned diplomas. A beautiful campus, a wonderful day, and a reminder of the importance to pray for our leaders. The future is in our young-people and I pray that some of the brightest and the best in this new class across this nation will rise up to serve, casting aside the hedonistic temptation of the culture to seek self-satisfaction. In God’s economy, it is more blessed to give than to receive and we are to love others more than we love ourselves – Jesus’ teaching that remains as radical and fulfilling today as it was 2000 years ago.

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1 - 4

We are in the Philadelphia area this holiday weekend visiting with our eldest daughter and her husband after a whirl-wind visit to the Pittsburgh area. The days and nights in Pittsburgh were filled with opportunities to meet with friends who make it possible for us to answer God’s call to Mozambique. We so enjoy sharing about what God is doing in Mozambique although we found the time far too short as we left without talking or meeting with everyone we wanted to see during this short furlough period. Our prayer is that those we may have missed this trip will understand and know that we will see them on the next trip.

My daughter lives in town-down Philadelphia with her husband and we have enjoyed our time here. Yesterday, we went to South Philadelphia to the Italian market area and the flow and pace was so familiar and similar to that of Maputo. Venders crowded the sidewalks as we inspect the fruits and vegetables, purchasing some produce for later in the day. In one shop, we picked up fresh pasta from a man who had time to talk with us a while. Like so many, his thoughts were on the economy. He quoted his frustration with the rising prices of flour, oil, and other raw materials he needs to operate his shop. He further expressed his frustration with how many try to ‘spin’ what he knows to be true in his life. It was a conversation not so unlike ones I had a few short weeks ago in Maputo. This man, also talked about foreign currencies and the impact on his business, and was quite knowledgeable on the overall global economy that we live in today. And yet, in his frustration, he had a calmness that reflected his faith. In a way it was like listening to the heartbeat of the world as he spoke. We are certainly more alike than we are different across this planet – that I have certainly learned. Our concerns are not so different and we are all searching for a way to fill that emptiness in our lives that eludes those who have not surrendered their pride and all that they are to the one who wants our hearts.

Today, we enjoyed an inspiring church service in my daughter’s home church in downtown Philadelphia. It is an old and magnificent church where the worship focuses on the Creator and the gospel story. As one of the leaders in this church prayed for the service, it was as if the words came from my very heart, and I knew that I was where I needed to be this day.

However, I am concerned as I read of the problems back in Mozambique because of the deteriorating economic situation all around Mozambique. Our friends in Mozambique say that the border into South Africa is closed to pedestrians walking from Mozambique into South Africa because of the violence against the Mozambicans entering the country who are now being blamed for the steadily increasing difficulties in South Africa. What is this thing with mankind that we always seek to lay blame when things get difficult? We seek a scapegoat – a biblical term relating to a goat on which the priests of old would lay the sins of the nation and then turn the goat loose in the wilderness - a sacrifice for the sins of the nation.

We must come to the point – do we believe He is who He says He is, or do we not believe? We can’t do it half-way for he seeks our hearts, wholly and completely, each and every day. And the blessing is that each day is new and for each day He gives us breath, we receive another chance to turn our cares over to Him. Each day he gives us breath is a gift…

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7