1st week in Mozambique

If I didn't know it before I left the US, I can say it now - a week after we "got on the plane" and began this journey - that I am COMPLETELY CONVINCED that God is FAITHFUL!

Two verses have rattled through my head this week - Zeph 3:17 and Ps 91:1-4 (ok, 5 verses). I don't know how else to describe this week except to say that God has COVERED us through the journey. There have been so many times where things could have been difficult, challenging or scary. But because "He shielded us with his wings and sheltered us with his feathers," we were protected. We've felt his love and his delight in us each day. Let me share a few examples:

1. We literally SAILED through security with 14 checked bags, 12 carry-ons, 4 adults and 3 toddlers. That, my dear friends, is a MIRACLE! No bags lost, damaged or stolen. No charges for excess weight or oversize. In South Africa, we even managed to "sneak" through 3 bottles full of milk - while the people ahead of us in line got chewed out for bringing a bottle of water. Security allowed us to keep the kids in the strollers and roll them through, while saying to me, "Take good care of your girls, they're beautiful!"

2. The girls slept through most of the LOOOONG flight from Washington DC (Dulles) to Johannesburg, South Africa. Hallelujah! There were a few rough moments, but they were moments - not hours! In fact, the flight was fairly empty, so we managed to procure 10 seats between the 7 of us!

3. Our night in Johannesburg at a guest house was absolutely delightful. The couple who runs the place are believers and, in my humble opinion, SAINTS! They made us feel so welcome. What a blessing to be able to get off the plane, run around on some grass barefoot, eat some food on something bigger than a "tray table", take a much needed shower, sleep laying down instead of sitting up, and fulfill Jordan's dream to "go swimming in Africa."

4. We had absolutely no trouble with customs in Mozambique, and our team leader (as well as a few other missionaries) met us at the airport to help gather the mountain of luggage and move us into our housing here in Maputo). These delightful co-laborers have poured out their life and love to us in the midst of a difficult and busy season in their own lives and ministry.

5. Our lodgings here in Maputo are INCREDIBLE! We're really "suffering for Jesus" by living in a house that has 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms (grin). It's been a refuge - a place to recover from our flight, and prepare for the next leg of the journey to Beira. We're literally across the street from a grocery store and pharmacy - the location is ideal. In addition, we've "inherited" an "empregada" (woman who helps with housework and childcare). She's wonderful and has not only helped us figure out how to do life here, but also become our resident Portuguese professor.

6. Our girls have remained relatively healthy, and have recovered pretty quickly from jet-lag. They've slept through the night for the last two nights - Praise the Lord! Eden's had a fever for a few days, but thanks to Brian's otoscope we discovered a raging ear infection - which we were able to get anti-biotics for and she's now on the road to health.

7. We're building good relationships with our teammates here in Maputo. Our field director and wife have been here the last few days and have proved to be quite encouraging. What a gift, to have people gathered around to help us build a good foundation for ministry and to help avoid common pitfalls. We've appreciated their invaluable wisdom! It's so comforting to have someone available to answer the 50 million questions about life here, and to guide us through things like, shopping at the grocery store, buying a cell phone, etc. ad infinitum!

My hope, dear friends, is that you are encouraged to "not get weary in well-doing" and to remain faithful in your prayers as they are WORKING! The prayers of many righteous people are availing MUCH! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for being "companions of the road" on this journey! May you, along with us, continue to experience the joy of GOD, and may you, too, find "rest in the shadow of the Almighty."