Cambine, August 13, 2008

Just a few developments to report,

Tuesday we bought the paint to do all main buildings inside and out, and that will commence tomorrow. Repair work on windows and screens were completed today. The clothesline poles we had the metal shop make were installed in the ground today. When the concrete dries we will install the lines and they won't have to use the fence anymore.

Today was Craft and Music day. Kay did crafts at the orphanage and the after school program "Estrela", and Jerry taught recorder to the older kids with instructions to pass down the learning to smaller children. There were 7 in the class, and they did great. In about 1 hour they had learned Hot Cross buns, Mary Had a Little lamb, God is Good, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Also we saw a very rewarding sight today as we watched the kids eating bread they had nade in their oven and the milk we bought them on Monday

A couple of amendments to previous reports:
We forgot to mention something very important. On our way to Cambine our VIM coord., Armindo reminded us that Bishop Machado now lives about 2/3rds of the way to Cambine on the main road. We asked if we could stop and say hello, so he called and found out Bishop Machado was on his way to Maputo and that we should pass soon. Well we did. He saw us first and flashed his lights. We both pulled off the road and we crossed over and had a great 10 minute chat where he thanked us and the NYAC for all we were doing in Mozambique. We reminded him that 6 of our group was in Beira, which he remembered and thanked us for that as well. We thanked him for all he has done and wished him well in his retirement. Like the meeting with the new Bishop it was another example of being in the right place at the right time.

There was a mistake in the previous report. Virginia has pledged to build a new (third) dorm and a new dining building, but not money for food. In addition Marilyn passed along Missouri's reply on there ongoing support ($1,796 in 2007, and $980 YTD 2008) so we will include that in our calculations. The orphanage will definitely be short based on current known contributions for FY2009.

Tomorrow we will be going to Chicuque Hospital to see Jeremais, Edourdo and Claudia and will be taking to them medical supplies we brought with us,

If you have not gone on VIM Mission you can't imagine what a life changing experience it is. This is Kay's 2nd trip to Mozambique, but Jerry's 1st, and it will be hard to leave here, and even harder to get back to our normal life. De-briefing and follow-up however, will be a pleasure.

God's Grace to us all,

Kay and Jerry