Francois is on his way to visit a new Church Plant work south of us. The town he is heading to is in a marshy area that can only be accessed via a boat or on the back of a motorcycle and truck and boat. He is using public transport again and I want to ask your prayers especially for the long and uncomfortable trips he has to make!
He left this morning (this was written Monday 5 Nov) at 2h30 via a motor cycle to the closest town. It took him about an hour to get there. I was worried about him driving a motorcycle in the dark on a gravel road, but praise God, he made is safe and sound! He is now on a chappa (taxi bus) to the provincial capital. It will take them between 6-8 hours to get there. Then his travelling gets interesting: from the city he has a choice. He can either do the 8 hour plus trip by outboard motorboat via the Indian ocean to the marshy area where the Maindo people live. Often the outboard motor has break downs and that in the middle of the ocean is apparently not such a nice experience. Also, sometimes the tides are to strong for the small boat and it can’t manage to move forward against the stream… So the other option is to go via a open truck for a 2 hour trip on a barely recognizable “road”, then with a motorbike or cycle across a river and a ways on. Then with either a dug-out canoe or a lansha (a small boat with a locally made sail) on a river to the town where our team lives at the moment. Or something like that! Interesting! (Note: the last I’ve heard he left the city with a boat!)
Francois will have to do this trip only once in awhile, but for our team that are in the process of settling there, this will be their only way in and out to get supplies and make contact with the world outside. The Maindo team consists of two young couples (no children yet!). They are a strong team and don’t seem to think their situation is difficult or unique in any way! They told us they live temporarily in a pensão (that’s like a guesthouse) until they can get permission to build temporary houses on the land they receive from the local people. However, at the recent conference, we saw their pictures and the “guesthouse” turned out to be nothing but a “fancy” ruin! They live in the most basic rooms, without windows, without paint and plaster in many places, without running water or a real kitchen or bathroom. Jungle camp at its best (worst?)! They truly are troopers!
Pray for Francois as he meets to local leadership again, officially opening to Church plant work under the Maindo people. Pray then too for the Maindo team that has many, many challenges ahead as they learn the language and built relationships in order to bring the Gospel to this least reached people group. Pray especially for good relationships with local as well as tribal leaders.
Pray too for me and the kids who are again “alone”! 🙂 In truth, we are not alone. God is with us. And more! There are now some believers around us, men of God who is taking special care of us during the times when Francois is not here. We feel totally secure and cared for. Pray however that there will be no unnecessary challenges or accidents.
Today, I opened the Bible Francois used as a teen and young adult. Gal 2:20 (underlined) struck me again : I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
May my life reflect the death of Self and shine with His life in me! May I not live for myself, but give it up for Him.
NOTE: This picture of Francois in a dugout canoe with two guys was taken years ago here in Mwinikaland! Hopefully Francois will have some photos of his trip when he returns… Will keep you posted.