October 2nd

Friends, family and supporters,

Some days are just better, yesterday the 1^st  was one of those. We were scheduled to visit a little church at in Phalombe on the border of Mozambique. They wanted us to come on Sunday but we are preaching at Mbulumbuzi so we decided we would go and meet on the 1^st.

Rackson had us up at 0430 so we would be ready to leave at 0530, I was already up already as the muslim call to prayer was at 0430. Bummer way to wake up I must say.

With all that we had to do we managed to be on the road at 0545 with the first stop being to pick up Collin’s one of the lead men from Njuli.

The first 30 minutes of travel was on good road but soon we hit some not so good road as much of it was under construction and we had to leave pavement and travel on dirt side roads. After about an hour we hit the Phalombe cut off and things went from bad to worse, wide dirt to narrow dirt wide bike path to very narrow bike and ended up on goat/cattle trails. Cows and goats can and do wander anywhere and so did we. After about an hour of hard travel we were there. We now know where the middle of nowhere is. Everyone talks about it, we have been there. It is a place where you cannot find a Coke (Taylor was looking for a Fanta) to drink. The last several miles was flat and barren and only a hut every so often.

We were met by singing and warm greetings as the pastor who asked us to come wasn’t sure we would come, he has experienced too many broken promises. I was very surprised at the turn out as it was a work day and better than 50 adults and a bunch of children were waiting for the man of God. We were a little early so we sat outside in the shade and listened to the singing. Rackson said they did not have song books so they made up songs about the goodness of God. As the attendance grew and while we were waiting Taylor was trying to get close to the children but they would have none of it, we were the first white people they had ever seen and they were very afraid of us, they tell their children that we would eat them. It is their form of teaching “stranger danger”. I still am trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that Sheila, Taylor and I were the first white missionaries to be the first to bring the Gospel to these people, the first white people to be in this village church. This is the village that Rackson and Collins have visited several times preaching and teaching and have a good core of believers. Rackson showed where he had to go to baptize the new Christians and all I can say is better him than me, snakes everywhere and crocodile’s seemed plentiful enough and water the color of mud. Rackson said he let Bro. Collins baptize(quickly) while he watched for croc’s Rackson is one smart fellow.

At a little after 0900 services started with singing of just one song and a prayer. Before I was asked to preach the pastor asked Taylor if he would teach the young and all the young got up and went out with Taylor and we continued service. Rackson interpreted for me and Collins for Taylor. Many in attendance were members but I know that good teaching is a must but that is up to someone else. I told them I only had one message and that was Christ crucified and that is what I preached. At the conclusion I extended the invitation and 10 precious souls came to the altar calling on the name of Jesus for salvation. The Word has power and the Name has power, power to save. I only wish I was a better messenger but I thank God for what little we have to offer.

The church had prepared a meal in our honor but Rackson told me he had made reason why we could not stay and so we prepared to leave and I must say after the children had got to know us a little better and that Taylor would indeed not eat them they warmed up to us and were just too sweet. It broke my heart to have to leave them. I know Sheila was sad to leave as she was the best looking blonde in the whole area. She got many long stares and I thought the women would go nuts when I kissed her just before I was to preach. A little teaching on husbandly affection is badly needed in village life.

As we drove away many of the kids ran after the van and kept waving and smiling. It was easy for them as the trail was so bad we could have walked faster than Rackson could drive. There were rocks sticking up all along our route that were about the size of a hatchet head and just as sharp. No wonder tires don’t last, we had to buy two just so we could go to Mozambique. I am afraid to check this morning.

We got home mid-afternoon and all I could think of was a shower and sleep and that is just what all of us did. It was one of the best days I have ever had and I was sad it was over but we will go back someday I pray.

Please pray for us as the field is white with harvest and we are few and weak. God give us strength.

We will be attending a funeral today, as Collins’ Mom passed away while we were in Phalombe.

Because of the Cross,

Bro. Chuck, Sheila and Taylor