This is getting posted by Diane. Mike is having issues with getting wireless to work there on the island...he is able to use the Internet cafe for us to send a few email messages back and forth and he has posted short messages on Facebook but I will try to do better at keeping things updated. It has been a rough week for me. I broke my lower left arm in a fall in my hotel room in Tokyo. Have had some major surgery on it this week and spent two days in the hospital after what was supposed to be outpatient surgery. Am still having trouble With using it ...the pain meds are making me very drowsy/loopy. Ok...enough about that...let's talk about Mike's week.
He and Rodger flew to Nampula on Monday and then got their ride to the island, about 2 1/2 hrs. Away and almost $100 for transportation. They are hoping to work some deals since this may have to happen frequently. Mike says the island is beautiful and I would love it. Tuesday was spent assessing the work that needs to be done and figuring out what purchases they needed to make. This is what he wrote me Wednesday night their time....
"We went to Nacala to get the materials. I sat in the front of the truck while Rodger and 6 others rode in the back. We loaded the truck and drove back with Rodger and everyone sitting on top of the load. It rained coming home.
I have pictures.
Rodger is at the house going through more building issues with the local water company and a couple of other people. We will drive across the 1 1\2 mile bridge to the mainland to buy bricks this afternoon. I have been out running some errands. I bought a backback for $8.
There are 2 internet cafes on the island. I found 1 that I don't think Rodger knows about with the help of Abdul, an 18 year old boy who walked along with me trying to sell me Portugese coins.
The Wi Fi set up is not working yet. Someone is coming to Hafiz`s home to set it up. Hafiz is the mayor of the island and lives 1 short block from Rodger`s house.
I wish I could talk to you and hopefully when we get wi fi I can. Otherwise, things are going fine...but Rodger is still here. Once he leaves, I will start a whole new dimension in living
in Africa."
Nacala is a port city about 1 1/2 hr north...and as for the pictures, I will post them as soon as he figures out how to send them to me. He says his translator is good and they have the local workers all set up. Thursday he posted: "Great day. A lot accomplished. Rodger is nervous about leaving me alone. I am probably not smart enough to be nervous. Thanks for your prayers and keep me in your thoughts." Yes, he is smart enough and I know he is actually nervous too but he is learning to lean on God in a whole new way.
Not sure what tasks Friday held but here is the email from him today, Saturday night his time....ha!
"OK here's the deal. Hafiz's 13 year old son is in charge of internet issues at the house. He will not leave the wi fi plugged in long enough for it to self configure. Communication barriers abound. What can you tell a 13 year old.
So...guess what. Rodger goes back to the hotel to get his ride to Nampula. We are digging a really big hole for the septic system and do you know what we find. The remains of some long lost soul. These are really old bones.
Either the bones of the first missionary who wanted to live in Macua town, or the guy whose was helping him build his house. Either way, we wrapped the bones in a white cloth and buried them in the Muslim cemetary next to the house. Rodger was nowhere to be found.
I don't think I will have internet access until Monday. I will keep trying."
Sounds like something from tv series "Bones"! Now he just sent me a text that says night is getting topped off with electricity out!
I know he won't have a church to go to tomorrow and they won't work on Sunday. He will
probably spend time exploring the island.
Last thing I wanted to share...in my devotions today I read: "Learn to laugh at yourself more
freely. Don't take yourself or your circumstances so seriously. Relax and know that I Am God With You. When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening. Stop trying to monitor My responsibilities--things that are beyond your control. Find freedom in accepting the boundaries of your domain.". Then one of the scripture readings was Proverbs 17:22. "A cheerful heart is good medicine but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.". please pray for Mike's spirit to be cheerful.....and not dried up ones like the skeleton they foundW,
More soon, In Him who gives to us more generously than we can even imagine imagine, Diane
No comments:
Post a Comment