From The Field
3-30-2010
Mocuba, Zambezia
Mozambique
We are just back from a ministry time in the north of Mozambique and am anxious to write you an update of the amazing spiritual growth and maturity we witnessed in the pastors and the congregations of Palavra Viva, the moving forward of translation projects (Lomwe OT now available for 9 OT books) and the witnessing of God's hand. Dave has placed some news and prayer requests on the blog http://www.adedrickmz.blogspot.com. So without having an email update, please join us in this urgent prayer request.
The land God gave us in Mocuba, Zambezia is a complete block of land, 12 plots in all. It lays on a gentle sloop, surrounded by houses and roads separating each block. The government laid out the plots and the people had an opportunity to settle there. The area is within view of the EN1, the main highway. The entire area has many wells. The land will be home to a new Palavra Viva ministry center that will accommodate training of the Village Church Planting program, will eventually be a seminary extension site, will house our ECC coordinator, house visitors, and possibly a missionary. God gave us such a grand vision for this land! Mocuba seems to be the hub of where God is expanding the work of OMS/Palavra Viva.
After months of waiting, we were on a wait list, and arranging, we finally were able to contract for a well on the property. Water is essential. Currently there is not a road at this part of the area, so the drilling company and the government worked together to get a road into our property. All of this took time. Yesterday the equipment came, drilling began. After 60 meters, they stopped. NO WATER. We were shocked, the other area wells are 40 meters max. Early this morning they tried again at the other end of the property, same thing 60 meters, NO WATER. For a hand pump well, which ours will be until the area has electricity, it is difficult to pump over 45 meters, and not practical over 60 meters.
We just got the call that the second attempt failed. The drill company has sent for a 'specialist' to come on Thursday from Maputo to evaluate the situation. We have Belarmino in Mocuba with his family to manage the construction of the ministry center and he is doing an excellent job arranging all of the materials, coordinating with the government and the well company. Water is needed for concrete and construction not to mention water is basic to life and sanitation. The land will need trees and plants, crops and water is needed. We have paid half of the price for the well, and the over all negotiated price is very high and already was stretching our budget.
We dedicated the land to God, and have prayed over it many times. We trust God with this situation. But we must admit our hearts sank when we received this news. Stand with us as our 'arms are weak and need to be lifted up'. Please pray for us, with us and most especially that God would give us water on this land. He has opened the doors for this property and led us to this point. May we not be presumptuous but truly dependent on the hand and words of God. No work on the drilling will occur until Thursday. Please commit a time to pray for this request and ask specifically that God would grant us success and the work on Thursday would bring forth good news and water for His glory and pleasure. Pray also for our workers in Zambezia, Belarmino and his crew who need encouragement this week and are working in unbelievable heat. Pray for the needed finances due to this unexpected snag.
- Ann Dedrick, Mozambique
