The need for a “peace-child” to bring lasting peace and stability
The story tells us that the only thing that brought two cannibalistic tribes into a peaceful coexistence was the offer of one of their children to be raised by the other tribe and vice versa. This child was called a peace child, and this practice opened the doors for the missionaries to share of God’s Peace Child who came to earth and established peace between God and man and between man and man (Peace Child, by Don Richardson). O how we need the revelation of God’s Peace child in hearts in our broken world.
As many of you may have heard, Mozambique in the past few months has been spiraling out of control with political conflict resulting in armed conflict and violence with many innocents suffering as a result. Ironically Mozambique’s level of trauma has hardly made it onto the world stage, simply because it is so bad everywhere else.
Resting and Relaxing as they catch up on news from each other.
The fall-out for us has meant many hours driving through Zimbabwe to get to destinations back in Mozambique and/or South Africa. It has resulted in us being away from the mission for much longer than planned at times, and worst, it resulted in us having to cancel an intensive training time for our pastor/trainers. The instability in country has caused many of those in training to not want to leave their homes and families, or travel due to attacks on some of the roads. At least one other of our monitor/pastors has had to hide out in the bush with his family because of the military reprisals due to them living in traditionally RENAMO controlled areas. Sadly it is these times of training and encouragement that help these men and women keep on keeping on through difficult times so now we are working hard to find ways to visit these men and their schools to provide spiritual, administrative, and emotional support.
Concluding a class on spiritual gifts
The cancelling of the intensive training time meant we were able to attend the Mercy Air Annual General Meeting and Strategy Meeting time. This was a huge blessing and now that the Kodiak has arrived and ready to serve, there is a desire to see how we can be mutually benefitted by its service.
Bo Nilsson (board member and businessman) and Allan Luus (Mercy Air CEO)
Meeting of Mercy Air’s International Governing Counsel with representatives from Sweden, Switzerland, and South Africa
Immediately following these meetings, Lynn and I returned to the mission through Zimbabwe which ended up taking us three days. We were there just in time to host the inspectors from Maputo who came to do the final inspection on our airstrip. We were so grateful when they ticked off every box as satisfactory and a week or so later issued us with the NOTAM (Notice to Airman) of its open status. This has been more than 5 years in the making and has taken lots of time, money and perseverance. We cannot adequately express our appreciation for all who walked with us through this challenging time.
Final Inspection of our runway taking place
The morning we dropped the inspectors off at the airport, we flew the mission Cessna to South Africa for its annual inspection. There is always lots of work we can do from wherever we are, so besides the maintenance on the aircraft and inspections from inspectors from Maputo, we were able to achieve many other important objectives.
Mozambique Inspectors Paulo and Alfredo with Holger Zeissler and John Herbert of Mercy Air
We fly back to the mission tomorrow with grateful hearts and a sense of urgency to prepare for the year ahead which is full of opportunities to make the “peace-child” who is also the Prince of Peace known to so many in this beautiful country. Thank you for your ongoing financial and prayer support and may His enduring peace hold your hearts during this special time of the year!