Past Newsletters

May 2008

Mission Retreat

Good News For Africa held it’s annual mission meeting and retreat in April . This year we flew to Pemba in northern Mozambique. Pemba is a beautiful town on the Indian Ocean located in the Cabo Delgado province. GNFA has a total of 11 families serving in 4 areas of Mozambique. One of our teams is ministering in this part of Mozambique which is mostly Muslim with only a few churches.

Although several of our missionary families were out of the country, for those of us who were able to attend, it was great time for fellowship and meetings.

SCUBA ZAC!

While dad and mom were having meetings at our annual GNFA retreat, Zac was getting certified as a PADI scuba diver. By the end of the week, Zac and I were enjoying scuba diving in the Indian Ocean. We can hardly wait until we can be together with Joshua and Keri and make it a family event, almost … (Aleta is still content to stay on the beach reading a good book).

Florida visitors

Jerry Bliffen (Aleta’s dad and our forwarding agent) and Bob Bole (preaching minister at First Christian Church of Orange Park, FL) were able to spend almost two weeks with us in April. This was Jerry’s second visit and Bob’s first to Mozambique. Bob served as a missionary to the West Indies several years ago and is still involved in missions around the world.

We were able to participate in three different seminars during their visit: teaching and preaching and encouraging the churches. One of the seminars was held “in the bush” about 5 hours north of Maputo. Goncalves, one of our former Bible School students from 1998, was able to help with translation directly from English to the local dialect.

Towards the end of their visit, Jerry and Bob were able to spend two days on safari in Kruger Park Game Reserve in South Africa. They were extremely blessed to see lions, leopards, elephants, cape buffalo, hyenas, rhino, giraffe, zebra, hippos, and much more.

Can A Preacher Do A Funeral Service For A Non-Christian?

This seems like a straightforward question and one with an obvious answer. This question was presented at a recent seminar. From our cultural background, we would quickly respond “Yes”. A preacher can do a funeral for a non-Christian and it would give the church an opportunity to present Christ to the family. But in Mozambique, this question is loaded with cultural applications and problems.

To briefly summarize what we discovered upon further analysis of the question, we found multiple difficulties and responses to this simple question:

1. No - Perhaps the preacher is actively seeking out funerals of non-Christians so that he can take advantage of their need for someone to do the burial service. His sole motive is not to present the Gospel message, but to spend several days eating at the family’s home, whose cultural duty is to provide meals for all the neighbors, relatives, co-workers, and friends.

2. No - Perhaps the preacher will have pure motives but the family will perceive that because he is presiding over the burial, their non-Christian member will now go to heaven.

3. No - If the preacher presides over the burial, there will be traditional ceremonies also taking place that will be pagan. Thus, for the church to be involved is to condone the pagan ceremonies.

4. Yes - Perhaps the family members are considering their eternal destination and allowing the preacher to preside over the funeral will give opportunity for the Gospel to be presented and people will be converted to Christ.

Final answer: Maybe!

Our greatest prayer need: Wisdom and Discernment

USA TRIP

We will spend a brief time this summer in the USA from the June 10 - August 5. During this time in the states we will have much to celebrate! Our son Joshua is getting married to Tiffany Truscott on June 21st and Aleta’s parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 7th.

During this time we hope to meet with several potential missionary recruits. Please pray for God’s leading for these families.

HELP! If you have a dependable, late model, family size car that you would be willing to loan to us, please let us know. We do not anticipate driving great distances but we will need some transportation while we are in the USA.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership with us in Mozambique.

Together in Christ, Don, Aleta and Zac

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March 2008

He Is Risen! Jesu Wahanya!

We will begin our celebration of our Lord’s resurrection on Friday. The church that meets on our property will be showing the “Jesus Film” to the community. Although most everyone has seen this video many times, it is always a special treat for the Mozambicans. The video is in the local dialect of Changaan. There is not a lot of available material in the vernacular language, so the showing of the film is always a treat. Most people who do not speak Portuguese (the national language) and only speak Changaan are not literate. Since they cannot read the Bible for themselves, they look forward to the presentation of the Gospel via the video because it is easy for them to understand.

Resurrection weekend is traditionally a family time in Mozambique. All the family members will gather at someone’s home for a big meal and fellowship. This gives the Christians an opportunity to share their faith with the non-Christians in their extended family.

Sunday morning will be a special time too. Although there are not special “Easter songs” in their hymnals, there is always special music by the youth choir and other groups. The familiar trappings of our American culture such as Easter egg hunts, new clothes and making the kids dress up in itchy clothes is not found here. The emphasis is entirely on the Resurrection of Jesus.

Since Mozambique is a severely impoverished country, there is no rush to the restaurants afterwards (no one can afford that). So when the service ends, there is ample time to greet one another and talk. Little by little, the congregation will walk back home, where the extended family will share another meal together.

Yes, Jesus is Alive and the celebration of our salvation through Him transcends all languages and cultures around the world. May the words spoken to the women by the angels at the empty tomb be our motto for this weekend and always: “He has risen just as He said…Go quickly and tell the others!”

Ministry Changes

I hate changes! I really do. I like routines. I like setting goals and working diligently to accomplish them. I am a one-track, one focus person. When we came to Mozambique in 1996, the goal was to establish a Bible school for training church leaders to equip them to evangelize Mozambique and build up the church. For the past 12 years we have done just that. I was a happy camper! Yes, we have had setbacks throughout the years like in 2000 when our fellow missionary Cecil Byrd was killed followed by the worst flood in 50 years. We have seen other missionary families come and go and their departures were always a time of adjustment.

This year is definitely one of my hardest. We are by ourselves here at the training center. A few weeks ago another family left the field for retirement. My other colleague Manuel Oliveira has accepted an offer to teach at another Bible School in Swaziland for two years. Now for the first time since our Bible School opened we don’t have students. Not because there aren’t any who want to study, but because I am not able to carry out this ministry by myself.

This year and next year will be a time of ministry changes. Did I mention that I hate changes? I love to teach God’s Word. My passion is to explain the Bible to church leaders and help them discover new spiritual truths. My joy through the years is to daily see their understanding of the scriptures grow by leaps and bounds. But, at least for the moment, the possibility of having a Bible school here at our center is on hold. I am not a happy camper anymore.

But I am taking this time to do some much needed maintenance on the property and to re-start my Changaan language studies. I am still meeting with local church leaders, preaching at their churches and holding occasional seminars. I am looking at the possibilities of using some of the local church leaders to teach in the Bible School next year. And I am praying for God’s direction in these changes. I am praying for His will and timing and wisdom. Please join with me in prayer in this matter.

Visit to the USA

We will be making a quick trip back to the states in June for 8 weeks. This will not be a normal furlough to visit churches and supporters, but rather a time of refreshment and renewal. We plan to meet with 5 prospective missionary families and talk about the possibilities of their future partnership with us in Mozambique. We also want to spend some time with our parents and grown children.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We praise God for your faithful partnership with us through the years. Together in Christ, Don and Aleta

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November 2007

Changaan Language Studies

When our Bible School ended this year and the students returned to their churches, I immediately began searching for a way to continue learning the local native language of Changaan which I had started a few years ago. Once again, God provided exactly what I was looking for. The German-Mozambican Cultural Institute was offering a three month course on Changaan. We are now in our last weeks of classes before the holidays and I am getting a better grasp on the language but still have a ways to go before I am ready to preach or teach in Changaan. Once these classes end, I will seek out a tutor to help me continue to comprehend the language. Please pray for God to open my mind to understand the grammatical rules, open my ears to hear the words and loosen my tongue to correctly pronounce the strange words (some include whistles and a blowing of air that reminds me of an angry duck).

Thanksgivings

We have so much to be thankful for. God always provides, especially in the darkest of times. Many of you have been praying for Caleb Gardner, the one year old son of a GNFA family in northern Mozambique. Caleb had come very, very close to dying due to infections in his respiratory system. He spent nearly two months in intensive care in South Africa but was recently released and the family has returned to the USA. Caleb has made remarkable progress but still has further treatment to undergo.

Another prayer request was for Amy Westerholme (also in northern Mozambique) who was in a very serious car accident with head injuries and also had to be flown out by emergency air ambulance to South Africa. She is completely recovered now and back in Mozambique.

We praise God for His compassion and answers to prayers for these two families. We ask for your continued prayers for Caleb and Amy.

We also give thanks for how our mission is growing via babies. Three families are currently expecting and one recently gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl. Please pray each of these families that their new additions will not have any complications: The Holtens, Rolands, Smiths, and Beens.

If you wish to read more about these families and others in the GNFA mission, please see our links page on our website: dhulseymoz.com

Challenging Times

Our teammates of 8 years, Manuel and Pam DeOliveira, are currently on furlough in the USA until next month. We are looking forward to their return but are saddened that they will be moving to Swaziland for two years. We praise God for the many years that we were able to serve together and will greatly miss their presence and partnership with us. Manuel has accepted a teaching position at a Bible College in Swaziland and I know they will benefit greatly from his expertise in teaching God’s Word and their devotion to God.

In March we welcomed a new couple to GNFA to work with us here in Maputo, Dennis and Linda Messimer who have been missionaries for 30+ years in both Belgium and South Africa. Their plan was to complete the remaining 7 years of ministry, before retirement, here in Machava. But they have recently informed us that they will not be staying after April of next year. They are unsure of their future direction but feel that things are not working out for them here. Please pray for God’s direction for them and their future ministry.

SO….. we are facing some new challenges here without other missionaries working by our side. We do not have plans to leave Maputo anytime soon, but we will have to re-think our ministry capabilities regarding the Bible School. Preaching and teaching in area churches will continue unaffected. We look forward to seeing what new avenues of ministry God will open for us. God has always been faithful in providing financial resources as well as colleagues in ministry and we are certain that He will continue to do so.

Please pray for us that we will have vision, wisdom and unwavering faith in what God calls us to do here in Mozambique.

Personal News

Aleta continues to teach 3 & 4 grade at the Christian Academy School in Maputo where Zac is in 9th grade. We are thankful for the school and especially for Zac to have a quality education with other Christian teenagers.

The new acting ambassador of the US Embassy and his wife are hosting a Sunday evening worship time in their home. We praise God that not only do we have a Christian in such a high position of government but that through their ministry we have fellowship with other Christians here on a weekly basis and can have a very enriching time of worship in English!

Another family has started a youth group on Sunday afternoons in their home that gives Zac opportunity to have time of fellowship with Christian peers. One of the downsides of mission work is that our children don’t get the same type of experiences that youth in the USA get with church youth groups. The lady leading this youth group was at Johnson Bible College with us (way back when) and grew up on the mission field herself.

We recently were able to get broadband internet!! It is still not quite the speed of what we have in America but we are very happy to finally have a faster internet connection.

Please pray for Keri as she has her good days and depressing days teaching English in China. At times she gets very homesick (we aren’t real sure where “home” is to her) but she is hanging in there and seeking God to provide for her daily.

Josh is doing well at Atlanta Christian College and is looking forward to finishing up in another two semesters of studies. He and Tiffany are engaged but have not set a date for a wedding yet.

Our final GIVING of THANKS is for you, our partners in ministry. Don and Aleta

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September 2007

Cultural Insights

This is our 12’th year in Mozambique and yet I think I will always be learning new aspects of the culture here. I would like to share with you one such example.

One of our Bible School students named Ananias shared with me a prayer concern recently. Ananias is a 32 year old evangelist in a fairly new church in a town called Chibuto in Gaza province about 3 hours north of Maputo. He is from Inhambane province, still further north of Gaza. Ananias is an outstanding man of God who desires to serve the church and bring others into the saving relationship with Jesus Christ. He has shown himself to be one of the best students we have had, not only this year but since the beginning of our Bible School in 1998.

Ananias and his brother own some cattle that their deceased father (also a preacher) left to them when he died. They placed their cattle in the care of a young teenager who tends to a larger herd each day. One of Ananias’ cows gave birth to a calf a few months ago. The teenage boy enjoyed tending to the young calf and even playing with it.

One day the mother cow perceived the teenager as a threat to her calf and attacked him, goring him with her horns and stomping on him. The injured boy lay in the field for hours before he was found and rushed to a hospital but sadly it was too late and he died from blood loss. A messenger was sent to inform the family of the “pastor” boy. When Ananias was informed, he too left immediately to see the family.

The boy’s father was enraged and threatened to kill the messenger as well as Ananias and his brother and had to be physically restrained by other family members. After gaining self control, the father demanded payment of three heads of cattle. One was to be killed immediately as a sacrificial offering to the spirit of the boy. One would be killed in a week’s time when the entire family would gather for the boy’s memorial service. The other cow would continue to live as a replacement for the family’s loss (a type of punitive damage payment).

Although it was clearly an accident and in no way the fault of Ananias nor his brother, Ananias agreed to the family’s demand and made arrangements for the three cattle to be delivered to the grieving family. Friends of the family made a futile attempt to explain to the father that the guilty party was the boy who should have known better than to play with the calf in the presence of the mother cow.

Meanwhile local police informed the boy’s father that should this case go to court, he would probably be thrown in jail for extortion and since he had no means of paying back the two cattle he planned to kill, he would remain there for a very long time.

The family was also concerned that the boy’s father would offend the spirit of Ananias’ father who had given the cows to his sons. The offended spirit would curse the entire family and bring much pain and suffering to all concerned.

So while the three cattle were on the way to be delivered, the dead boy’s family urgently sent a messenger to Ananias to inform him that they had changed their mind and did not want any payment of restitution for fear of jail and even worse the fear of witchcraft by the spirits.

Ananias visited with the family of the boy and expressed his sorrow for their loss. He assured them that his father was a Christian as he was and that no evil would come to them nor would they take the matter to the courts. Ananias had the opportunity to share his faith in Jesus Christ and explain to them the hope of eternal life. To further extend grace to the family, he asked that they would please accept the momma cow and calf as a gift of love and condolence for the loss of the boy. The family was amazed at Ananias’ generosity and intrigued at the kind of faith that would compel him to be so kind. Indeed the seeds of the Gospel had been planted through this tragic story and one “ignorant missionary” has learned yet another insight into how this culture thinks and behaves.

Bible School News

The Bible School students have now finished their studies and eagerly returned home to be re-united with their families and resume their ministries with new understanding of God’s Word and a fresh vision of how God has called them to serve and grow His kingdom. Please keep these men in your prayers and Satan definitely wants to discourage them and the churches. Pray that they will remain humble servants of God and depend on Him each day in their various ministries.

God’s Care Amidst Trials

In the span of one week our GNFA missionary family has encountered life threatening situations and seen the powerful hand of God protecting them.

Shawn and Sarah Gardner serve in Nampula and have three young children. Their youngest son, Caleb, is one year old. He recently recovered from a bout with malaria and then suffered a severe respiratory infection which continued to get worse until he could barely breathe. He was kept alive only by the aid of a hand pumped ventilator for 6 hours until he was able to be air evacuated out of Mozambique to South Africa. After more than one week Caleb is still in the Intensive Care Unit but the infection is subsiding and his recovery looks promising. The costs of the emergency air evacuation in itself was $23,000 and the total cost of treatment is expected to exceed $50,000. If anyone desires to help with their expenses, please let me know and I will give you the information needed.

Chad and Amy Westerholme are another family serving with GNFA in Cabo Delgado. A few days ago Amy and her daughter Maggie were traveling in their pickup when a wheel came off and the vehicle flipped over and over. Maggie was only bruised but Amy had severe cuts and some broken bones. The medical facilities in that area were unable to treat her properly and they too were air evacuated to South Africa. Amy was removed from intensive care unit yesterday and expects full recovery.

Please pray for these two families as well as all the families of GNFA. Mozambique is still a developing country and the medical facilities and expertise are severely lacking in many ways.

Family News

Josh has returned to Atlanta Christian College. It was great to have both he and Tiffany (his fiancée) with us this summer. Please pray for them as they continues their studies at ACC.

Keri left for China in August to teach English in a public school in Zhengzhou. The first week was a bit hard for her but she seems to be making adjustments to the new culture, language, work and friends. Please pray for Keri that Christ would be glorified both in and through her.

Zac has begun 9’th grade this year at the Christian Academy of Mozambique in Maputo. Aleta is teaching 3 and 4 grade (in the same classroom). Please pray for them as they travel 30 minutes each day to and from school.

Don is playing catch-up on all the things that fell behind while the Bible school was in progress and plans to start studying Changaan again. Please pray for Don that God will enable him to comprehend and retain this local African dialect and become proficient enough to preach in it.

Prayer Requests

1) Caleb Gardner and Amy Westerholme

2) The Bible School students

3) Continued health and safety

Thank you for your prayers and partnership in the ministry. Together in Christ, Don

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July 2007

Short Term Summer Mission Ministries

What Did You Do Last Summer!!! Remember writing those school reports back when? Summer is not even over yet, but already I could write enough reports for an entire classroom of school children. We have had a richly rewarding summer here in Mozambique and there is more still to come!

First to arrive was our son Josh and his fiancé Tiffany (see "photo gallery"). Having grown up here, Josh already speaks Portuguese and the local African dialect (Changaan). This was Tiffany’s first trip to Africa. They are both students at Atlanta Christian College and doing an internship this summer for college credit.

They have already taught the book of Colossians with the Bible School students and shared in a leadership seminar (see photo). Josh and Tiffany spent several days painting in the guest house as well. They will be teaching the book of James starting next week as well as doing another seminar and some preaching before they are scheduled to leave in early August.

Unless you think that all they did was work, they were able to do a two day safari in Kruger National Game Reserve and Tiffany is taking a Scuba diving course (see photos). 

First Christian of Seminole and Central Christian Church in St. Petersburg sent a group of 20 High School and College age youth and sponsors the first two weeks of June. They did an outstanding job ministering to the Bible School students and with several area churches. They presented a series of Bible story skits and then taught the students how to use drama as a ministry within their churches (see photos). Each day they ate lunch with the students and had a time to share personally with each other and learn of each other’s cultures.

They also preached in the churches where we visited. One of the highlights of the trip was when the bush church gave an offering to the visitors. The leaders of the two churches were called up front where the received the love offering: some beans, roots, and a live chicken! (see photos)

We ask you to pray for these two church groups because we have already received some messages that a few of the sponsors are seriously considering, praying and pursuing the possibility of returning as career missionaries.

Scott & Tammey Gribble (missionaries with us from 2001-2005) and two young ladies Kaylin and Shannon (a student and a graduate from Summit Bible College in Nebraska) came for a month-long visit in June-July (see photo). They prepared a manual (in Portuguese) for teaching Sunday School lessons to various age groups using cultural and locally available aids to enhance the Bible stories. Even now that they have returned to the USA, the students are still talking about what they learned and how they will begin to implement this ministry upon their return to their villages and churches.

More to come!

Christ’s Church Mandarin of Jacksonville, FL will be sending a team in August. Several of these visitors have been here before and we look forward to their return as well as introducing the new ones to Mozambique. While here they will teach in the Bible School, do a leadership seminar, preach and visit several churches.

Bible School News

Our second year students finished their studies last week and returned to their families and ministries. It was a blessing to have them with us again and study with them again in a more in-depth manner. The churches in Mozambique have some truly amazing men leading, teaching, and preaching God’s Word. Please pray for them as they return and begin making adjustments once again to the ministries that God has placed before them.

The remaining 14 first year students have another two months of studies with us. I am sure they are now anxious to conclude their studies and return to their families. We ask that you pray for them as well as they finish strong.

Prayer Requests

1) Bible School students as we continue teaching God’s Word daily

2) Continued health and safety

3) Wisdom for working with the churches

4) More laborers for the harvest field of Mozambique

5) Our daughter, Keri, as she prepares to leave for China in August for one year

Thank you for your prayers and partnership in the ministry. Together in Christ, Don

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May 2007

GNFA Mission Retreat

Last month, Good News For Africa mission held its annual retreat/meeting. The three day meeting was held at a lakeside hotel on Lake Malawi. GNFA has a total of 12 families currently serving in Mozambique and all but two families were able to attend. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, meetings and relaxing by the beautiful lake. It also provided everyone a chance to catch up on what each of the other teams spread throughout Mozambique are doing.

Larry and Mandy Renfro, missionaries in Malawi, were also able to join us for a few days. Larry was an elder of our main sending church in Seminole, Florida before they became missionaries. So their added presence was an extra blessing for our family and provided them an opportunity to meet our co-workers in GNFA.

We returned to Maputo refreshed and excited about what God is doing throughout Mozambique. We have some amazing co-workers but we always need more. The ministry opportunities are unlimited but the laborers are few. We ask you to join us in prayer for more families to join us.

Please see the photo page for pictures of the GNFA mission and the Renfros.

Chibuto, Xai-Xai and Maputo Churches

Recently we have had several churches seek us out requesting help with their churches. Some new contacts for ministry are right here in Maputo while others are in the next province of Gaza. All of these churches are relatively new churches and have been struggling to grow without the aid of a missionary. They recognize that reaching Mozambique for Christ is primarily the work of native Mozambicans but they often lack the Biblical knowledge and direction needed to accomplish the huge task before them.

Whenever I am approached by a church to help, I always enlist the aid of one of the Mozambican church leaders that I have been discipling. My desire is to help in whatever ways possible without making the churches or leaders dependent upon missionaries. Many times these churches have strong roots in denominational doctrines but God has opened these new doors for ministry and we are excited about the possibilities of seeing the churches grow in maturity and be transformed into New Testament churches.

Already, the church in Chibuto has sent its young preacher to our Bible School this year for training and studies in God’s Word. The other churches have already expressed interest in sending some leaders for next year’s school session.

Please see the photo page for pictures of the Chibuto church.

Summer Visitors

The next few months will be quite busy as we have many visitors coming on short term mission trips and college internships. The visitors are always a blessing to the Bible School students, the churches and to us. We ask your prayers for them as they travel and that God would open their eyes and hearts to His leading in their lives.

Josh Hulsey and Tiffany Truscott will be the first to arrive. Many of you are aware that Josh is our son and spent most of his life growing up in Africa. Tiffany is Joshua’s fiancée and this will be her first trip to Africa. They are both students at Atlanta Christian College and will be fulfilling a college internship program while here this summer. This will involve teaching and preaching among other mission activities. They are scheduled to arrive on May 24th and will be with us until August 7th.

Two High School and College age groups from Florida will be arriving the first of June and will be with us for almost two weeks. First Christian of Seminole and Central Christian Church in St. Petersburg are sending a group of 20 for a short-term mission trip. They have put together some Bible story skits and will do some teaching and preaching both in the Bible School and with local churches. Their visit with us will be from June 1st through 14th.

Scott Gribble, who was a missionary with us from 2001-2005, will be bringing some students from Summit Bible College in Nebraska for a month-long visit arriving on June 13th. Scott’s wife, Tammey, will also be joining them during the final week in Mozambique. We are trying desperately to figure out a way to keep Scott and Tammey here and not let them return to the USA  We have really missed them and are glad to have them back once again, if only for a short while.

Christ’s Church Mandarin of Jacksonville, FL will be sending a team of 8 for a short term mission trip in August. Several of these visitors have been here before and we look forward to their return as well as introducing the new ones to Mozambique.

Personal News

Zac is finishing up his 8th grade schooling at the Christian Academy of Mozambique where Aleta teaches 3rd and 4th grade. They are ready for the summer break and I am ready to have them home each day. While visiting a Church in Inhambane province lately, I was able to go scuba diving a few times. I am always amazed at God’s creation in the ocean. This time was no exception.

Prayer Requests

1) Bible School students as we continue teaching God’s Word daily

2) Continued health and safety

3) Wisdom for working with the new church contacts

4) Safe travel for all the summer visitors and that they will be led by God in ministry

5) Our daughter, Keri, as she prepares to leave for China in August for one year

Thank you for your prayers and partnership in the ministry. Together in Christ, Don

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March 2007

Church Buildings Project

We celebrated the inauguration of the first two church buildings at Manjakaze and Liberdade. Both church buildings are 85-90% completed. The only part remaining is cosmetic plastering of some of the walls. But the churches have begun meeting in these news buildings now.

Manjakaze is located in the province of Gaza, about 4 hours drive north of Maputo. It is the village where the first president of Mozambique, Dr. Eduardo Mondelane, was born and raised. His extended family still lives there. In fact, his sisters are members of the church and his grandson is one of the church leaders.

The Inauguration Day at Manjakaze began with 26 people being baptized in the local lake (Now that’s the way to kick things off!). Even a heavy rain storm did not dampen the excitement. God provided a break in the rain for us to cut the ribbon on the front doors. The building was soon packed and overflowing with members and visitors who praised God for the blessing of their new building. A special offering was received to help complete the plastering for the remaining walls and build some benches. After a full day of worship everyone enjoyed a traditional meal of rice and beans, some chicken and fish.

Liberdade is located here in the province of Maputo and only about 15 minutes from our house. This church began as a house church but out grew the living room. A church member donated some land and they constructed a grass wall and tin roof structure which served as the church building for a while. But now they too have a big new building to meet in.

The Inauguration Day at Liberdade began with the cutting of a ribbon and the unveiling of a church sign above the main doors. Special music was provided by several visiting choirs and preaching of God’s Word. Even the local government officials came to celebrate with the church members and they send an “official Thank You” to the churches in America who have been such a blessing to the community and the people of Mozambique. The church leaders presented Don with a dress shirt and Aleta with a Capalana (a traditional wrap-around cloth to wear over your skirt).

The remaining two church buildings are nearing completion. Barrame is located on the borderline between Gaza and Inhambane Province (about 5 hours from Maputo) and Inharrime is located in Inhambane Province (about 6 hours from Maputo). Both churches have the walls constructed, the roof in place, and are now awaiting the doors and windows to be fitted. I have not yet been able to visit these two locations to take photos but when I do, I will certainly post them on our website.

Bible School for Church Leaders

Our Bible School has begun with 24 students from 9 of the 10 provinces represented. This year we actually have two programs running at the same time. The group of first year students total 15 and the remaining 9 are students who have studied with us in the past and have returned for a second year of studies.

These men are already serving as pastors/preachers, evangelists, deacons, and youth leaders from 5 different church groups. The average age is 36 with the youngest being 18 and the oldest being 61 years of age. All but four are married. They are dedicated men of God who have made the difficult decision to leave behind their families and churches to study God’s Word over the next several months in order to better prepare themselves as God’s servants.

Together they speak 13 different languages (Portuguese is the common language which we use in the Bible School). The average level of public school education is 7th grade but some have completed 12th grade. For the older men, returning to a classroom is hard work but their dedication, maturity and hunger for God’s Word makes up for their struggle.

It is an honor and joy to help our brothers in Christ prepare for serving God’s Church in Mozambique. Through these men and those who have studied with us in the 10 years since we began the Bible School, we feel we are able to effectively plant churches and reach Mozambique for Christ. Thank you for your partnership with us in this great ministry.

Armory Explosion

Perhaps you heard in the news about the huge explosion that took place last week in Maputo’s ammo depot on the north end of town. The explosions began about 4pm and continued until 11pm. In recent years the area has grown into a large residential area and many people were affected by the blasts. So far the official count is 117 were killed and over 450 were injured, some very seriously with loss of limbs. There is an ongoing investigation into what caused the explosions to begin but it is suspected that the recent high temperatures of 100+ degrees played a part in the catastrophe. The arsenal of weapons included missiles, grenades, and various bombs some stored there since the civil war of the 1970’s.

One of the church leaders I work with lives in the area and his home was hit by a bomb that was hurled out of the depot. He said it was the size of two drawer filing cabinet and needed 4 men to lift it out of his home. His roof and a wall were damaged but no one was injured. Other neighbors were not as fortunate as he told of body parts laying around his neighborhood and homes completely destroyed.

We live approximately 12 miles south of the weapons depot and yet the percussion of the blasts shook our windows, doors and roof severely for hours on end. Only later did we learn that a few of the rockets actually landed just a short distance from our home in an adjoining neighborhood.

We ask that you would pray for the families who have suffered losses and injuries as there are no government social programs to aid these families in the recovery process.

Dennis and Linda Messimer Join GNFA

We are excited to have the Messimers join our mission and work with us here in Maputo. They have been missionaries for many years serving first in Belgium and then for the last 18 years in South Africa. They are a sweet couple and will be a great asset to our team. Please pray for them as they get settled into their home and begin learning Portuguese.

Thank you for your partnership with us in all the various ministries. Together in Christ, Don – Aleta – Zac

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February 2007

Church Buildings Project

The first two church buildings are almost complete. They are both awaiting doors and windows to be made and installed. Recently I visited Manjakaze, the site of the second church building project about 4 hours drive north of Maputo. The construction process is progressing rapidly. (See photo page of second church building in Manjakaze).

While there I was visiting with the church family on Sunday, a visitor stood to make an announcement at the end of the offering time. He said that he did not have any money to give but was so moved by what God is doing in the village that he wanted to give another type of gift. He told the church leaders that at his home he had 120 nails and that he wanted to give them to the church to help nail down the remaining roofing sheets. I thought of the widows offering in the Bible and how Jesus must be pleased with his sacrifice of love.

It is humbling to see the offerings that are given in some of the rural churches. Along with the many coins given were cashew nuts and some homemade wicker baskets. We serve an amazing God who touches the hearts of his people to give what they have in order to further God’s kingdom.

In the coming weeks we should begin construction on two more church buildings in Gaza and Inhambane provinces. Both of these churches are several hours drive north of Maputo. As I am able I will take some photos and post them on the web.

Again I ask you to please pray for the building progress: Both physical construction and spiritual growth.

New Church Plants

The Church in Manjakaze has grown and matured in the last few years since it began. Now they are reaching out into 3 more areas. To reach the various villages requires the leaders to walk or ride a bicycle about 15 miles. One of the new areas where they are planting a church is called Ngoiocoio. .

Last weekend we held a two day seminar in Ngoiocoio. There is no church building here, not even a grass wall structure. But this did not stop the seminar from taking place. God had already provided a huge shade tree and all the people just sat on the ground in it’s shade. I realize that in America it is winter time but here it is summer time and the temperature was around 100 degrees. The shade tree was a great relief.

When we arrived at noon there were already about 100 people waiting for us. The people came early that morning and waited for our arrival. The program began immediately and we finished preaching about 3 p.m. After lunch of rice and freshly killed pork, we had some time to relax and visit before we started again as the sun was setting. By now over 200 people had arrived and the second service ended about 8 p.m. No one was leaving because they wanted to hear more of God’s Word. I was asked to preach again and this time the service ended at 11p.m. followed by supper of rice and freshly killed chicken and much needed sleep.

Sunday morning I awoke to an offer of hot tea and sugar. I thought the brew inside the thermos looked weak but didn’t say anything. After finishing the cup of tea, my host apologized that he did not have any tea bags. As they say, “It’s the thought that counts”. :-)

Sunday worship brought lots of joyful singing and special music, the Lord’s supper, offering time and more preaching. When it was time to leave we were asked when we would be able to return again. The spiritual hunger is so great in these remote areas. The people are so darkened in their understanding and there is no shortage of witchdoctors who teach ancestral spirit worship to ward off evil in it's various forms of sickness and poverty. It pains my heart to see people with witchcraft cords tied around their bodies and on their babies.

Please pray for the church leaders of Manjakaze and the new church plants.

Bible School for Church Leaders

Our Bible School will begin in a few weeks and we are looking forward to the arrival of the church leaders from various parts of Mozambique. This year we will provide two venues of classes.

One will be for new students which will provide them with a foundational understanding of the Bible and teach them how to study God’s Word on their own. This course will run through September. The second set of classes is for church leaders who have been students in our school in years past. This course will last for only 5 months so that they will not be away from their churches and ministries longer than necessary. Our desire is to provide them with a refresher course in some studies of God’s Word and cover other topics that we did not have time to teach the first time around.

Please pray for Manuel, Dennis and I as we teach and disciple these men. Pray for the men that the Holy Spirit will guide them in their studies and in their personal relationship with Jesus. Pray also for their families and churches they leave behind.

Keri Returns to USA

We enjoyed having our daughter Keri with us for a few months but she returned to America in January to begin her preparations to go to China where she will teach English as a Second Language. We hated to see her leave “home” again, but know that God has big plans for her in China. Presently she is living in Jacksonville, Florida with Aleta’s family. Pray for Keri as she begins this new chapter in her life. Pray for Dad and Mom too as we release her into God’s hands as she begins serving God in China. We will miss her but are very proud of her desire to serve our Lord. (See photo page)

Thank you for your partnership with us in all the various ministries.

Together in Christ, Don – Aleta – Zac

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January 2007

Happy New Year!!!

2007 will mark our 11th year as missionaries in Mozambique and we are grateful for what God has done here. What a wonderful experience it has been and we look forward to another great year full of God’s blessings. We are grateful for your partnership with us in this ministry, for without His people it would not be possible.

As we enter into a new year I want to encourage you with a scripture verse. Romans 12:12 says “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”. We don’t know what the year will bring, but we do know in Whom we put our trust!

Church Buildings Project

In the December update I mentioned how progress was slow due to various reasons but we now have two church buildings almost complete. The builders have worked hard to get much accomplished in the past few weeks. The excitement amongst the members, as well as within the community, grows alongside the construction. We anticipate the completion of the first two church buildings before the end of January. Please see “Photo Gallery” on web site for the latest pictures of construction.

There are still two or more churches that are anxious to begin construction on their buildings. Everyone is excited to see what God has in store for the churches in 2007. But constructing church buildings is really the easy part. The spiritual construction always takes longer as evangelism and discipleship is a continuous process especially in a country that has been held captive in spiritual darkness for so long.

I have already begun meeting with church leaders to probe their thoughts and spur their vision with this question: “What are the plans for follow-up, evangelism and discipleship of all the visitors that will come on Celebration Sunday?” You see, when the building is completed, the church plans to have a day of celebration and invite all the community to come rejoice with them in God’s provision of this new building. But they had not thought about “follow-up” with these visitors.

The church leaders are now making plans to teach the members how to follow up on visitors. We want to equip each member so that he or she will feel confident sharing their faith and have knowledge of the scriptures to evangelize and disciple the many curious visitors who will be present on the day of celebration. We are studying Ephesians 4:11-13 together to understand God’s plan for church growth. (In case you are not familiar with this passage, please take a moment to study it for yourself).

For me, it is more exciting to see these church leaders plan the spiritual construction of the church and aid them in developing each member to maturity in Christ.

Please pray for the building progress: Both physical construction and spiritual growth.

Bush Seminars

In December I was able to teach in 3 weekend seminars held in different locations with a church group that is wrestling over traditional man-made doctrines and denominationalism vs following the New Testament example of church organization and doctrine. All of these seminars were well attended and the teachings were well received.

The hunger for the truth of God’s Word is humbling. Although I praise God for what takes place in these seminars, I always leave feeling that so much more needs to be taught. However, I also leave with a greater appreciation for our Bible School where we train church leaders.

The majority of our Bible School students come from these villages, and are starving for Bible knowledge. When the school year is finished they return to these villages and share God’s Word much more adequately than I could. For these men will live there day in and day out, preaching and teaching in the native language and applying God’s Word to their own culture. They understand completely the hardships, temptations and challenges of the Mozambique culture.

Please pray for these bush churches and their leaders. Pray that God’s Word will be understood and Jesus will be the “Bread of Life” in a spiritually mal-nourished land.

Bible School

Our Bible School will begin in February and we are anxious to begin another year teaching God’s Word to Church leaders. Please pray for the men as they leave their homes, families and churches to come study with us for 8 months.

Please pray for Manuel, Dennis and I as we teach and disciple these men daily. Pray that we may have wisdom as we teach in Portuguese. (Both professors and students use Portuguese as a second language and there is always room for misunderstanding).

Personal Notes

Our daughter Keri will be leaving on January 16th to return to the USA. She is still awaiting final approval for her application to go to China where she will teach English. Although we will miss her presence, we rejoice in how God is leading her and will use her for His glory in China.

Our son Josh, who is a student at Atlanta Christian College, is now engaged to Tiffany Truscott. They have been dating for over a year now. We were able to meet Tiffany while on furlough this past year and praise God for bringing them together. They hope to visit Mozambique this coming summer so that Tiffany can see where Josh grew up and also see where God may lead them to serve as missionaries together.

Zac will continue 8th grade but will be entering into a Christian school in Maputo instead of being home-schooled. Aleta will be teaching 3rd and 4th grade at the school.

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December 2006

Church Buildings Project

If you have ever visited Africa (or any third world country), you realize that very few things happen as quickly as we would like for them to happen. Since we returned in October to Mozambique we have been quite anxious to help the churches turn their grass wall, dirt floor buildings into concrete structures. But things take time here.

Here are some of the things that have slowed down the progress:

* The churches had to open up a bank account which was a new experience for all of them and here in Mozambique is not a simple process even for myself.

* The churches needed to get some quotations from builders as to the costs of materials and labor (which I might mention that the prices of building the church buildings went up significantly more than we had anticipated).

* Normally a wire transfer from the USA is not a long ordeal. Usually only 4 days to accomplish. However, our first wiring of building funds had all the correct information except for my last name. This only took 3 weeks to clear up since the error was with my stateside bank.

But at last, the building has begun and we praise God for His goodness and the generosity of His people. Even though the costs have increased, we have received enough funds to meet those unexpected surprises. Please see photos on the Gallery page of our website. We will post more photos and news as we are able.

Leadership Seminars

Several leadership seminars were realized in November and more planned for December. I want to share with you some highlights of these seminars.

One of the local churches I work with has been evolving from a denominational, hierarchical group following traditional man-made doctrines to becoming a New Testament church. In the past they have come to understand and follow the New Testament’s teaching on baptism and the Lord’s Supper. At this particular seminar, I was asked to speak on “Church Unity and the Autonomous Church” to explain how congregations can be self governing with Christ as the head instead of a single pastor over all the churches. At conclusion of this 3 day seminar, the pastors (elders) decided to dissolve the hierarchical structure they had been following and encourage each congregation to select their own leaders and follow the New Testament example of church leadership.

Keri and I also participated in a 4 day leadership seminar in Tete province. Church leaders from all over Mozambique gathered for this special occasion. For those of you not familiar with Tete, it is the hottest place in Mozambique and November – January is the hottest months. (Temps during the seminar ranged from 100 to 117 degrees Fahrenheit). Several of the leaders were former students at our Bible School and it was good to see them again and hear reports of their ministries.

One of the problems addressed at this seminar was Polygamy. It seems that a pastor (elder) in one of the churches had taken a second wife because the first wife had not produced a child. This led to the subject of marriage. The question that surfaced: Was a traditional marriage (agreement between two families) as valid as a ceremony held in a church building?

On the return trip home, Keri and I were able to drive the entire length through Kruger National Game Reserve. (See animal photos in Gallery page of website.)

I am currently in the middle of 3 weekend seminars held in different locations with another church group also wrestling over traditional man-made doctrines and denominationalism vs following the New Testament example of church organization and doctrine.

Other Projects

One of the more rural bush churches asked for help with the purchase of a team of oxen, yoke and plow to aid the community in farming and give them the means of helping the widows, orphans, and poor. The total cost was $3,000.

One of the churches in Maputo (the capital) was presented with the opportunity to purchase adjoining property. The current church property is very small and enclosed on all sides. They need to expand but until now were unable to do so. We were able to help them purchase this property for $2,800.

If you would like to contribute towards either of these projects, please let me know. Both have already been completed but having the costs reimbursed would greatly help us catch up with other expenses. I apologize that there was not sufficient time to let the need be known ahead of time so that churches or individuals could make either of these items their own special project.

Personal Notes

December is always a special time in our home. Besides the obvious celebration of our Lord’s birth, we also have other reasons for celebration. First, Zac will have his fourteenth birthday on the 11th. We will have Keri with us for Christmas this year for the first time in a few years. (Joshua is in the USA at Atlanta Christian College). And Aleta and I will celebrate 26 years of marriage on December 28th.

Aleta, Keri, Zac and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May we never forget “Emmanuel – God with us” is an everyday experience!!

Prayer Requests

1. Pray for the churches as the make wise decisions regarding construction.

2. Pray for the churches as they leave denominational ways and become churches following the New Testament pattern.

3. Pray for Don as he teaches in leadership seminars and counsels church leaders.

4. Pray for Joshua as he is away from us at Christmas and for his continued studies at ACC.

5. Pray for Keri as she pursues God’s will for her life and possible ministry in China next year.

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November 2006

Praises, Planning and Building Projects

This past month (October) I met with several different churches and their leaders. I was eager to give them your greetings and to share with them the news of YOUR generosity in giving that will enable them to construct concrete church buildings instead of the church’s current grass walls. The church leaders have been praising God for your love and generosity.

Philemon verse 7 says “Your love has given us great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints”.

The next step is for each church to plan the details of the construction. This will involve researching the specific costs of materials, transportation, and labor for the project. Each of the churches will also need to open a special bank account for the building project so that I can deposit the funds into their accounts.

I feel that it is important to share one thing with you about the conversations I have had with the church leaders. One of their concerns is that the members NOT sit back and let the Christians in America provide all the funds for the building project. They feel it is important that Mozambicans also make sacrifices. Each congregation will need to decide in what way and how much they will contribute. For some it means making reed floor mats for the church and extra ones to sell to provide money to help pay for the construction. Others will contribute financially to buy chairs, communion table, and pulpit, and paint.

With the rainy months of January and February just ahead, we are trying to proceed as quickly as possible. Certainly we will keep you posted on the progress. Please keep the churches in your prayers as they grow both physically and spiritually.

Birthdays, Camping and Diving

Keri and I (Don) celebrated birthdays during the month of October. Keri turned 22 and I … well let’s just say a little more than double Keri’s age. We both enjoy scuba diving so the whole family gathered our tents, sleeping gear, food box and set off for the beach for a few days of diving in the Indian Ocean.

The southern most point of Mozambique is called “Ponta da Ouro” which means “Point of Gold”, not because gold has ever been found there but rather because of it’s natural beauty, both above water and below.

The road getting there is still primitive to say the least but the reefs are incredible. We saw Octopus, Rays, Eels, Turtles, and lots and lots of exotic tropical fish. Are you ready to come visit yet? Better hurry, I’m not getting any younger 

Prayer Requests

1. Pray for the churches as the make wise decisions regarding construction.

2. Pray for Don as he teaches in two leadership seminars in November.

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October 2006

Back in Mozambique

We are back in Mozambique!! Aleta, Zac, Keri and I (plus 8 suitcases and 6 carry-on) left Washington, DC on Thursday, September 28 at 1pm and arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday at 12 noon. (That looks like 23 hours of flying, but making adjustments for time difference it was ONLY a 17 hour flight). We did stop in Darkur, Senegal to refuel but we could not exit the plane.

We were pleasantly surprised to find our teammates Manuel and Pam Oliveira and another GNFA family – Jeremy and Martha Smith, waiting for us at the airport. Our South African friends, Johan and Esther Lourens, who had kept our vehicle in storage while we were in the USA, met us at the airport.

We spent a few nights in South Africa to get our bodies rested and re-adjusted to this time zone, buy a few groceries, and visit Zac’s orthodontist.

With 3 suitcases tied to the roof rack and the other 5 suitcases in the back of the truck (along with our carry-on luggage and the groceries) we crossed the border into Mozambique and arrived home on Monday, October 2. We praise God for our safety in travel and thank you for your prayers!

Church Buildings Project

We praise God that several churches accepted the challenge to help with the church buildings project. The idea of the project is to help several Mozambican churches replace their grass wall buildings with concrete block buildings.

We estimate that we can build a 25’ x 40’ concrete block building for $2,500 each. While on furlough we raised enough funds to build 3 churches and received pledges for 3 more! In the coming weeks, we will be visiting these churches and helping them organize the work to be done.

We will keep you updated with news and photos as the building are constructed. Please keep the churches in your prayers that they will grow spiritually as they grow physically.

Prayer Requests

1. Praise for a safe return to Mozambique.

2. Pray for our son Joshua at Atlanta Christian College, his safety and studies.

3. Pray for Don as he continues learning Changaan.

4. Pray for Keri as she seeks God’s direction for ministry.

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September 2006

Returning to Mozambique

Originally our plans were to return to Mozambique on October 20th but we will conclude our visits to supporting churches in just a few weeks and have made arrangements to return in September.

We would appreciate your prayers for our safety in travel. We (Don, Aleta, Keri, and Zac) will depart Tampa, FL on Tuesday September 26 and fly to Washington, D.C. We will spend a day visiting our nation's capital and then fly out of Washington on September 28.

We have a direct flight to Johannesburg, South Africa (it does stop for fuel in the Cape Verde Islands but we do not exit the plane) arriving on September 29. We will spend a few days in South Africa resting and getting Keri's visa for Mozambique before finally arriving home.

Church Visits

We have had a wonderful time visiting churches, families and friends while on furlough. We have put 13,000 miles (and two new tires) on our car in just 5 months. While it has been tiring at times, it has also been very rewarding to re-connect with long time friends and meet many new friends. We have been blessed in so many ways through your kind words, encouragement, special gifts, meals, lodging, and opportunities to give updates and speak in churches and homes.

We are excited that several churches are making plans to send a short term team to visit and minister with us in the next two years. We look forward to your visits and know that you will be a blessing to your brothers and sisters in Mozambique.

We praise God that several churches accepted the challenge to help with the church buildings projoct and we are anxious to return to Mozambique to share the good news of your generosity and love and begin the construction.

We still have two more churches to visit in September before we spend our last Sunday with our Living Link Church at Seminole. It will be hard to say good-bye once again but we are truly blessed to have such prayer support and partnership back here in the USA.

With all our love and because of Jesus, Don and Aleta