The picture above is of our first day of class of our new seminary program. The program is called "Africa Text" commonly but is a three-year program used by a number of evangelical denominations here in Africa. I think I've used my tag line before that this program was developed 'in Africa for Africa' as so many things just don't translate well - for example, taking a book full of examples aimed at middle-class America just doesn't translate well here. If you use an anology to a deep snow, it just isn't something that will translate in the tropics, for example. At the conclusion of the three-year program, a student has sufficient training to be a pastor, assuming he or she also meets other Biblical mandates, such as good testimony and life-style and is recommended for such responsibility by their church.

We have another class in progress, currently in its second year, and extension classes going on in three other locations in the northern part of Mozambique. It is a priviledge to be a part of this program. Each student was charged an entrance fee, but the fee is small and doesn't cover the cost of the program. The fee is graduated, increasing each year. We had 20 people signed up but only 10 showed up, with four that we know couldn't come because of illnesses or other reasons. As the students left, I asked them how it went and they were all smiles except worried about all the TPC (homework in Portuguese - trabalho para casa). This is a truly a dream of ours being fulfilled.

After class, we had our monthly meeting with church leadership - a four-hour meeting today. Much to talk about. We did well for the first two hours without an interpreter, (or 'interupter' as some have said!), but into the third hour, the brains just weren't staying with the language and we had to ask for tranlsation a few times. Still, it is progress for us and encouraging.

We are three-days away from our one-year arrival point (should we have a cake with one candle on it?). It is hard to believe because the time has passed so very quickly. I need to take some time to seriously reflect on what we have learned in the past year. Some of it has been very very good and some of it very very sobering. But, by definition, it is all good.

" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

As promised in my last entry, here is a closer photo of the T-3 construction crew. Wonderful men who did this work with great joy. Study their faces - these men are part of the reason our hearts are so firmly planted here in Mozambique - wonderful joyful people, each with a unique story about how the very Creator of the universe meets their needs and works in their lives. You are a part of their story and they are grateful for the opportunity to do something so wonderful for the Kingdom.

Blessings to you!

Dave & Ann

We have finished the pre-school construction and we are so pleased with the results. The above picture is of all the workers, plus the pre-school director (Isabel on the left), Ann, and Pastor Daniel (in the back). I have another photo of the workers themselves, whom we have become quite attached to. They are a joyus group and it was always fun to visit with them and listen to the chatter, the singing, and the constant correction of our language! I'll have to post it just because it really gives you a view into their personalities. Delightful men.

Now for the opportunity news: While we were "getting the keys" yesterday, the "chefe" from the ministry of social welfare showed up to inspect the facility. We have occupancy approval, but we learned we don't have license of our pre-school program (our tw0-year old application for this license is what started this avalanche). She stormed through the facility, talking rapidly, waving her finger in the chest of Pastor Daniel, and generally blessed him out - up one side and down the other. Turns out we were supposed to have submitted a new license application (and fees of course!) to the ministry and while the structure is fine, we must request their approval to start. Our other 'licenses' are from other ministries. Culturally, this was a very hard thing for Daniel, to be belittled in front of all the workers and all of us. We talked afterwards - I have had the same thing happen to me many times in my life, and tried to share with him that it is a reflection of the person doing the belittling, not himself - so try not to take it personally. Daniel is a great speaker and he gave a very gracious closing discussion that seemed to disarm this woman, but it is clear we have more of a battle a head. So, we are all working on this new license application and plan to submit it this week. I have also encouraged Daniel to do what he can to develop a good business relationship with this department, as it is very important for the long-term. So, more challenges ahead.

The other challenge - I'm about $5000 short on this project and they don't do deficit spending in the missionary business. So pray with us that this money will come rolling in for project 8800-40332, Mozambique T-3 Preschool. (OMS International, PO Box 1648, Monument CO 80132-1648). The overages were a surprise, but unfortunately, a part of the way business is conducted here (as we come "up on the learning curve!").

As an aside, we've been driving around the last couple of weeks without an air conditioner in the vehicle - hot as blazes - like being in an oven all day. So, we finally made time to drop the car off for repair, praying that we'll get it back truly fixed and with all the same parts on it. We took it to a reliable place, but then found out they sub-contract the air-conditioning. Wish I knew the "who" so I could cut out the middle man - maybe we can find out through this process. In any case - another new experience for us and so we have borrowed a car (rented) from the school for what we hope is only a couple of days. We enjoyed talking with the people at the garage and as always, told them about who we were and what we were doing. No meeting is by chance....

Blessings to you on this glorius day.

"... for the LORD made them joyful, and turned the {heart of the ministry chefe!} toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, ...." Ezr 6:22

We are back in Maputo after a wonderful couple of days in Swaziland for our team retreat. We listened to some great sermons, dealt with some difficult issues, prayed much, did some good group bible study, met some wonderful people, and generally enjoyed the change of pace and setting. Of note was meeting some folks from a group called Shatterbox, who provide relief housing and supplies in conjunction with Rotary Club. Wonderful people doing a great work and something we need to check into for some of the relief work needed in Mozambique in relation to the floods everyone is worrying about north of us.

Today was consummed with 'catching up'. We met with US Embassy people again about the security upgrades we want to implement for our school and have more administrative homework to do to prepare for this. Our goal is to have everything in place to be able to start the work as soon as school is out. We're not sure where we will squeeze the time in, but we will certainly try. We have a plan for preparing the project plan and just need to sit down and do it but we have quite a bit of homework we must do first. Belarmino is working on a bid for some of the work, and we will have to use local companies for some of the other work.

We visited with the people next door to the seminary today with Belarmino and agreed on the scope of work for repairing the damage to their facility done during construction. The work will begin in early March and will last two to three weeks. So, that new project is off and running. It is mostly some concrete repair, painting, and fixing an electric security fence. Easy things to resolve but important for us to complete.

After a short meeting with our church leaders, we went to check on the T-3 pre-school construction progress. The projection is that we will finish tomorrow or the next day! The above picture shows the entry to the passage way between the pre-school and the church. Belarmino is on the left, Pastor Daniel in the center, and Juka is on the move on the right. It is a wonderful facility and we are very pleased with it.

The only thing left to do is general clean-up, installing some glass in the windows, a little finish carpentry, and we are done. The crew will then move to the job next to the seminary in about a week to 10 days. Thursday, we have to pick up the government officials for their final inspection of the facility to receive their final "blessing" to open the pre-school. This final inspection was a surprise to us today and is a bit of a cause for concern as we thought we'd come through that gantlet already. Pray with us, as parents come daily to the church wanting to know "when is the pre-school starting back up?"

I'm amazed at the tremendous amount of administrative work that has come our way in the last couple of weeks. Truly overwhelming and we are praying that God will extend our days. All of it is good stuff, needed stuff, but never-the-less, we look at each other and say "do you want to add it to your list or mine?" Another cup of coffee please...

"So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." Ps 90:12