So the month of March was a blur from start to finish. Setting up a camp in Maputo for a large group of volunteers that came from Auburn Adventist Academy I got to experience a taste of the culture. Looking back at my journal I can see a lesson I learned was to stay focused on what I was able to accomplish and not get discouraged by all the obstacles. That makes me think of how Jesus wants us to stay focused on Him and to disregard the distractions of the world. Easier said than done.
I just returned from a trip of a life time. I was stretched in many ways (sometimes in 106 ways). It was a large group and I got very little sleep but overall I was really blessed to be part of the project. Plus I had so much fun taking photos.
Strong forces of 80 mile an hour winds and heavy rain have hit Sacramento. We were with out power a couple hours early morning and at work (yes i went to work) we lost power and sent everyone home after lunch. These pictures are from our neighbor just a 1 block away no one was in the house at the time. I can’t stop thinking of all the powder in the sierra mountains suppose to get 10 ft today.
Last Sunday was another successful event for CARS ministry.More than 20 individuals came and were blessed and have already started sharing the news of our next event.Mark February 10 down in your calendars we need volunteers and also need to spread the word about CARS to people who need our help.
I’m not a video expert but I hope you enjoy what I put together. Look forward to hearing what you think.
My life long friend Joel and I decided it was time to let the world (cbs) know that we existed. We filled out the application and went to the casting call in Jackson, CA. Arriving an hour before the casting started there was still 177 couples in-front of us. The process was pretty easy show up with an application and a passport (or copy) and you took the photo’s (one group then individual photos) and then the 3 min video. One simple question was asked, Why would you be good for the Amazing Race? I think we did very good on the applications and ok on the video. If nothing else it was sure a blast to meet everyone in line and spend more time with Joel.
Alisa and I went up to WA to visit the family. Each year I’m reminded of all the things I’m thankful for and reality is that I have so very much to be thankful for this year. Outside of a very supportive family and a great challenging job I would have to say that having such a loving wife has made this an exceptional year. Thanks Alisa! God continues to bless.
With high hopes of posting updates daily other tasks became priority. The project went really well and brought home many stories and new friends. Besides finishing the church we also completed half of the Liberdade school. Those were the tangible tasks but besides those we also ran a STORM Co program (kids program) using puppets and skits. The STORM Co team from Australia not only put on a program but taught the local youth group how to put on a program in hopes that it will continue well after we have left. Dr. Hill lead the medical team and instead of just handing out med’s filled the patients hearts with love. Pastor Phillipe was there to pray with the families and invite them to church dedication on Sabbath.
Having a vehicle in the US is so common that most family’s have two or three or more in each house. In Mozambique however it is a luxury. Another project that we took on was restoring Pastor Smokey’s little Toyota. It kind of came naturally after working with CARS ministry back home. Well the car was a real disaster. Two tires were flat and had been repaired more than ten times each, the driver’s side did not have glass in the door and the rear view mirror was missing. There was only one windshield wiper and it had been adjusted so that it could clean half of the drivers and the passenger’s side. We raised enough money to change the shocks in the rear, purchased four new tires and replace the missing items listed above and do a major tune up to the motor. Sabbath morning when Pastor Smoky came to pickup his car he was so excited he couldn’t contain his joy. He shouted big thank you’s to God for the Maranatha angels who helped give him a new car. To help you understand how special this car was to him and his work. There are three pastors who have cars. Two of them are owned by the Union making his car the only pastor in Mozambique to own a car. It would have taken him, six months of full salary to do what we did, which would have never happened.
Another neat thing that we did was purchase a motorcycle for Pastor Phillipe so that he can get around to his twelve churches and eight companies. I can’t imagine how he could reach that many congregations with good transportation let alone on a public bus. He was also overjoyed and speechless.
After work we went to Kruger Park and to Swaziland to play. What a relaxing enjoyable way to end the project.
I can’t wait to tell everyone about Mozambique and how they can also make a huge difference in the lives of so many not to mention your own.
