2009

We miss Elijah. He left for the U.S. May 20th to begin recuperating from Malaria. He's doing well now.

We and the workers of this mission property went to a training on `Farming God's Way` then came back and put it into practice by making a compost pile we'll use when we plant the seed in November.

We are using our new knowledge to train others now. The families are excited about how God is breaking the back of poverty. http://www.farming-gods-way.org/

Now for some animals of Africa. This spider has a 3 inch long body and long legs. Her web is VERY strong. (http://askville.amazon.com/SimilarQuestions.do?req=banana+spider+poisonous+kill+human)

Little Lizard!

Thieves stole from this property 2 months ago. We need to have a new batch of guard dogs (Gromet and Miss Piggy) to replace the aging ones - Roxie and Tipper.

Esther is doing a great job with them.

She is also a fun baby-sitter.

We thank God we could do some major repairs and updates to this house. Screens on the front porch now proctect Melissa from mosquitoes while learning Makua out there.

Everything in our house had to be moved or covered so the cement dust wouldn't destroy it.

Large cracks in the wall had to be fixed because the walls weren't built right. The foundation needs some work on one corner too.

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Besides a partial roof replacement to keep out the heaving December rains, we added a ceiling to our bedroom to keep the heat down in the hotest part of the year.

We invited some church leaders into the city for a the "Faithful Conference" put on by Dr. Charles Woodrow and others here in Nampula.

Dr Wayne Mack and another pastor spoke on marriage and challenged the socks of everyone!

These are some of those who received another compost training for farming God's way. We have heard good news that they have already gone home and made their own piles! Follow-through for them is very key here as some don't go the next step and still are looking for a handout.

One of the men who came to the conference, paid for his way by doing a bunch of sewing for us - curtains, clothes, tops, etc.

Check out the greenhouse! Pat Maddux (Mom/Grandma) is also working very hard to get the best setup to grow seedlings of herbal plants and fruit trees.

The delicate and tricky plant to grow is the Artemesia plant, which is very strong in fighting malaria here. FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_annua http://www.survival.tv/documentaries/malaria.php

The big day arrived for Antonio and Rabia to tell all to their family and friends. Over 200 were invited. The setup a tent on the property and made preparations for lots of food!

Some of the first arrive to greet the Antonio and Rabia.

People showed up from the church, the neighboorhood, family from a long ways a way, friends... Everyone wondered, 'What is this for?'

Antonio asked that a message be given from Mark 5 on the woman with the issue of blood healed, contrasting Jesus' healing with the witchdoctor's of their culture.

Antonio and Rabia then told their story, which no one had heard. Several years ago Rabia had an illness. They went to many witch doctor's. They promised that her dad and mom would bless her to get well with certain rituals. She never did get well. So she finally decided to completely trust God alone, live or die, and go to the hospital for a surgery. She's living proof of God's faithfulness and the false hope of African traditional religion. The details of this whole story are VERY amazing! The family is now pondering their testimony and God's message.

The church also acted out a song of calling a drunk to leave his old life.

We sat the the table of the `kings` of the family and brought out their best. Wow!

What a day of joy for them. They confronted their worst fears in exposing the hopeless of the religion of faith in their ancestors and healers. They no longer have the foreboding fearful dreams of their dead ancestors begging for food and clothing, and seeing their income disappear to put food at a tree for the ancestors `spirit` away and eat. They are no longer bound by drunkenness and immorality. They are FREE!!!

They are a transformed couple!