Richard & Bianca Reeve - Mozambique |
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Prayer Letter July 2008
Richard writes:
This is the first newsletter we have written whilst in the knowledge that we will return to Mozambique (during September). We were waiting on a decision regarding funding – i.e. would we be able to secure enough support to begin new work, there, with an organisation called One Challenge (OC)? We have a lot to thank and praise God for, as increased giving – from partner churches and individuals - has made the way for our return.
We will remain Crosslinks mission partners, but - following training with OC, in Worthing, during September - will be seconded to OC’s team in Mozambique, which is based in the capital, Maputo. OC provide workshops for church leaders throughout the country, with the aim of cultivating “healthy churches”. During 2008, for instance, OC has provided training through the Association of Evangelicals in Mozambique, and assisted pastors and lay leaders, through workshops in a number of Mozambican provinces. OC has also been providing evangelism retreats for pastors and wives of pastors, working with bible seminary students through themed workshops, and has assisted a group of pastors who are setting up a self-sustaining orphan ministry.
The workshops I will facilitate, personally, will depend upon the requests of church leaders in each locality, but I also intend to teach three areas that have become of concern to me, in Mozambique. That is, I hope to lead sessions that will help leaders get their laypeople studying the bible together; sessions that promote good stewardship of family resources, and sessions that encourage leaders to engage in church-life and mission with the resources they do have (as opposed to waiting on foreign funding).
Now the children are three – Myles (will be 7 in September), Anabel (was 3 in February) and Oscar (born January) – Bianca will dedicate her time to looking after us all. Although my work will involve more travel to the provinces than I have made, previously, we will continue to live in the capital where Myles and Anabel will be at school.
We have all thoroughly enjoyed living in England, during our home-leave. It has been good to catch up with family and friends, and it is a country we all love. We have been encouraged, however, that Myles and Anabel still ask lot about Mozambique. When we return, they may be surprised by the number of ex-pat friends who no longer live there, but they will be able to re-connect with Mozambican friends.
We always struggle in our preparations to return. “Leaving” brings lots of emotional stress, and there are many practicalities that bring anxiety, also. You might pray concerning some of the following areas…
BEFORE WE GO
- Final preparations before we travel.
- For training with OC, September 8-13.
- Time with family and saying goodbyes.
WHEN WE GO
- Passing through immigration at Maputo airport (Sept 23).
- Subsequent work to sort out residency papers.
- Adjusting to feeling less secure on the street and at home.
- Settling-in to a new work situation and initial output (workshop preparation and translation).
- For Myles returning to (International) school.
- Anabel returning to nursery, and moving (in January) to preschool, linked with Myles’ school.
- Oscar in adjusting - for first time - to a new climate, and Myles readjusting to climate. (Both have tendency to wheeze and this does present Myles with the occasional crisis.)
- The search for an apartment/house to rent (priorities – good relationship with landlord, security, and a decent kitchen!)
- In finding local fellowship. (We will liaise with OC on this, and may return to the fellowship with which we have worked, previously.)
IN THANKING GOD
- For a great time in the UK.
- For the increased funding for our return.
We are ever more aware just how important prayer is, to working in a way that us sensitive to God’s purposes. As always, we thank you for being faithful in that with us.
With love from
Richard, Bianca, Myles, Anabel and Oscar.