Coming or Going!?

Since our last blog, we have made two trips as a family, I (Melvin) have been to visit our work in Mocuba in the north of Mozambique, we have been blessed with visitors from Northern Ireland, we helped host a church leaders' retreat and I (Melvin) had the privilege of being at a conference with over 200 church Mozambican church leaders in attendance.  These have been busy days.  Sometimes we have felt overwhelmed, sometimes tired and yet we are comforted as we experience the hand of God upon us and in our every circumstance.


Trip to Mocuba in the North of Mozambique (Melvin)

I flew into Quelimane and was blessed to have a Samaritans Purse worker give me a lift to Mocuba (2 hours drive).  I stayed with our good friends and co-workers, Juca and Elina Fernando and their family.  I had the privilege of teaching an introduction to 'Integral Mission' to a group of Church leaders and Church planting trainers and was able to visit a couple of church plants in the bush on the back of a motorcycle!  It was especially touching to see a young girl of maybe 8 or 10 years leading praise at one of these groups.  It was very apparent that her heart was full of joy!  Please pray for each new worshiping group that they may be established on the Word of God with mature leaders who will lead by example.  Pray especially for the Fernando family as they serve these Churches through encouragement and training.  Praise God for Elina who just this week has begun a two year course in nursing.  This is something that Elina has desired to do for years.

(Juca and Elina and their daughter Milka are pictured here with Adolf, Florencio and Joanita who stay with them, attend school and help in the home).

(A Church Plant - the girl with the green top in the front was the one leading the worship)

Return Visit by Ian and Sharon Thompson



As a family we were so blessed to have Ian and Sharon back here with us for almost a month.  Now they need a holiday!

Sharon was a great help in the home and Ian taught an intensive 10 day foundational course in electrical safety and installation to a group of Seminary students.  On the last day of the course, the students wired a church building with Ian's supervision.  We praise God for all that the students have learnt and pray that they will continue to learn more of this discipline and practice their skills to the glory of God.

Besides the course, Ian's 'to do' list seemed to get longer as everyone realized how 'handy' he is ... from fixing electrical problems on our compound to car mechanical issues to working on a Pastor's motorcycle to fitting a security alarm to running a taxi service (photo below!).

 2,300km Road Trip

(Along the road).


While the Thompsons were with us we took the opportunity to make a trip to visit missionary friends from Northern Ireland who are working with AIM in Central Mozambique.  Considering the distances and the time spent in the car, the children did very well!  Image the number of potty stops! It was a good opportunity to experience more of Mozambique and get to see the great work that the McCorkell's are involved with in 'Chiedza ChaMwari' (translated 'The Light of God') close to Espungabeira, Manica province. 

 (First time to see a white baby!)

(The Thompsons, Kellys with McCorkells and their neighbours outside their home).


Church Leaders Retreat and Pastor's Conference

As a misson team we have desired to bring the leaders together for encouragement and fellowship for some time.  God's timing perfect.  When we heard about the Pastor's Conference hosted by Editora Fiel, we prayed about the possibility of having the retreat during the days leading up to the Conference.  This worked out well as the leaders could benefit from both the Retreat and the Conference on the same trip to Maputo. We had 15 leaders participate.  Three came from Inhambane Province (central Mozambique), one from Zambezia and one from Niassa (northern Mozambique).  
Please pray for these men, their wives and families and their respective ministries (idea: print out this photo and put in your Bible to refer to in your quiet times).  Pray that God would provide all their needs and that we as missionaries would be sensitive to God's leading as we seek to support, encourage and build capacity in Igreja Evangelica Palavra Viva (The Living Word Evangelical Church).  

Left to right, back row: Raul, Belmiro, Carlos, Francisco, Alberto and Oracio
Front row: Belarmiro, Beto, Juca, Daniel, Dinis, Abel and Tomas
Other participates absent from photo: Jorge and Nelio
Missionaries: Paulo and Melvin


Bonus Photos!

 (Look Abigail, you are looking the wrong way!).

 

(Joshua helping daddy put up  a mosquito net in the guest room).

(Using Abigail's own words .... 'look at me!')

 (Abigail with her friends Laura and Luana!)

 (Running from trouble or running to it?!)

Family

Thank you so much for your prayers for us as a family.  We have been sleep deprived due to Noah waking for feeds & the twins teething etc.  We have also moved the twins into 'big beds' this week.  Ian and Sharon helped us paint their room! So lots of change is happening in our household.  Pray that we get back into a routine of sleep.  Pray for wisdom for us as we try to bring up our three children to honour God. Life is busy but we are blessed!

 Our mission team.  Ian and Sharon are now part of the furniture!

Smiles from Noah!


We really value your partnership! You are a blessing to us and the ministry here!