Found again?
Uh... the car might not be in Isoka, Zambia.
Is that good news or bad news?
Well, the good news is that when Mikael spoke to the Provincial Police Commissioner he was NOT happy to hear that his colleagues in Vila Ulongwe were "charging" us /officer/day to help us recover the car in Malawi. And, that according to his info, the car isn't in Isoka Zambia... but just near the Tete border in Zambia. And the Mozambique Police have already asked the Zambian Police to return the car to the Mozambique border where the Moz Police can take it into custudy and return it to us.
So, that is good, right? Well a representative of Interpol called us for details on our car that was in Isoka Zambia. So, is it or isn't it? Who knows? Why won't they just bring it back?
Patience. 1 Month yesterday. 1 Month of having the car stolen and finding rides and depending on others and the grace of God. Of course, it is good to depend on the grace of God! Just uncomfortable to lose your independence.
I keep reminding Mikael that it has only been ONE month... we have been in Mozambique for 10 years and have probably 5 or so to go. One month out of 15 years isn't sooo much. One month out of a lifetime isn't so long. We are still learning lessons. Plans are still not very firm for how to procede. But, we have hope...
My Dad used to say, "A little struggle in your life is good for you." I'm sure it comes from Romans 5:3-5 ...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
So, struggle and sufferings are healthy and we should rejoice that we are not alone in these times. I read the verse to the kids when we were "struggling" through a power cut. They thought it was pretty crazy, but if it is in the Bible, it is true. And if we get to grow in perseverence and character and patience and HOPE, it must be ok.
Yolanda is my proof of this blessing. See, she is new to Tete and comes from Maputo. Her kids are in school with mine. She has been taking on the main part of the taxi service. We drive the kids about 10 km to school and their schedules are not all the same. So we "share". But I can't take my part because I don't have a car. And, you know what, when I sms her a message saying "God bless you!" and thanking for all her help, she sends a message back saying, "We have already been blessed. Our families getting to know each other is proof of God's blessings." and she said that it is a good friendship when you don't have to count who is giving the most.
I've also had to depend on Sara, Kira, and even Caroline and Marta have pitched in to help. We are blessed. We used to have a missionary network to help each other out. Now, we have a school moms network. I prayed before returning to Mozambique that I'd have some well-educated Mozambicans to develop friendships with. Yolanda is just that. God bless her... another answer to prayer.
So, we go on... persevering and hoping. I'm writing this from our home computer today. We had internet installed... we were hoping for broadband. By some twist of luck we became eligable for wireless phone and internet... at 128kbps we have a connection anywhere within 50km of Tete, Chimoio, Quelimane, or Beira... all the major cities of central Mozambique... for the same price as those with a cable. Cool. Faster to install too!
Keep praying!
Is that good news or bad news?
Well, the good news is that when Mikael spoke to the Provincial Police Commissioner he was NOT happy to hear that his colleagues in Vila Ulongwe were "charging" us /officer/day to help us recover the car in Malawi. And, that according to his info, the car isn't in Isoka Zambia... but just near the Tete border in Zambia. And the Mozambique Police have already asked the Zambian Police to return the car to the Mozambique border where the Moz Police can take it into custudy and return it to us.
So, that is good, right? Well a representative of Interpol called us for details on our car that was in Isoka Zambia. So, is it or isn't it? Who knows? Why won't they just bring it back?
Patience. 1 Month yesterday. 1 Month of having the car stolen and finding rides and depending on others and the grace of God. Of course, it is good to depend on the grace of God! Just uncomfortable to lose your independence.
I keep reminding Mikael that it has only been ONE month... we have been in Mozambique for 10 years and have probably 5 or so to go. One month out of 15 years isn't sooo much. One month out of a lifetime isn't so long. We are still learning lessons. Plans are still not very firm for how to procede. But, we have hope...
My Dad used to say, "A little struggle in your life is good for you." I'm sure it comes from Romans 5:3-5 ...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
So, struggle and sufferings are healthy and we should rejoice that we are not alone in these times. I read the verse to the kids when we were "struggling" through a power cut. They thought it was pretty crazy, but if it is in the Bible, it is true. And if we get to grow in perseverence and character and patience and HOPE, it must be ok.
Yolanda is my proof of this blessing. See, she is new to Tete and comes from Maputo. Her kids are in school with mine. She has been taking on the main part of the taxi service. We drive the kids about 10 km to school and their schedules are not all the same. So we "share". But I can't take my part because I don't have a car. And, you know what, when I sms her a message saying "God bless you!" and thanking for all her help, she sends a message back saying, "We have already been blessed. Our families getting to know each other is proof of God's blessings." and she said that it is a good friendship when you don't have to count who is giving the most.
I've also had to depend on Sara, Kira, and even Caroline and Marta have pitched in to help. We are blessed. We used to have a missionary network to help each other out. Now, we have a school moms network. I prayed before returning to Mozambique that I'd have some well-educated Mozambicans to develop friendships with. Yolanda is just that. God bless her... another answer to prayer.
So, we go on... persevering and hoping. I'm writing this from our home computer today. We had internet installed... we were hoping for broadband. By some twist of luck we became eligable for wireless phone and internet... at 128kbps we have a connection anywhere within 50km of Tete, Chimoio, Quelimane, or Beira... all the major cities of central Mozambique... for the same price as those with a cable. Cool. Faster to install too!
Keep praying!
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