With most of our appreciated visitors who helped us to distribute food in Northern Mozambique gone ……….. a report to update you all on how the operation went down.
Photo: The Zambezi river showing some of its might.
Photo: Offloading some of the bags of maize to help starving pastors. Some of the trips with the helicopter only took 5 minutes to get to cut off communities. A trip for a local pastor would probably take him a a few hours just to get to the food.
Dwight Lagore, Rick Neufeld, Past. Ricardo and our Swiss pilots took off to provide aid in the north. Here is a short extraction from a report given on the area by Dwight:
Since our evaluation visit a little over two weeks previous,things had become more difficult due to rains in the Zambezi river catchment areas in Zambia and Zimbabwe and further west. This resulted in the Zambezi flooding it’s banks leaving homes and people stranded and fields under water.
Due to the extreme drought the people were forced to attempt crops in the low areas
near the river, but inevitably this is futile due to the danger of flooding. As a result of this flooding any food they were growing is further delayed making our assistance in these areas even more important.
The real need is to help these communities find a longer term solution to growing food on higher
ground with the abundant water supply the Zambezi brings and to help them store food in the community to protect against these regular food crisis.
We visited 7 areas in two days again: Mutarara, Chemba, Sinjal, Tambara, Chueza, Chiriza, and Mandie. In each place we met with a representatives of 16 of our extension schools in the worst affected areas. (There remain two areas we still would like to assist, but are trying to determine how this can be done). Each group of pastors have formed themselves into an association of pastors who will manage the work-for-food programs in each area. This is to ensure those who
most need the food receive it, but that they assist to work on projects that have the hope to bring at least some change for the future.
Photo: In amazement ………….. as the Mercy Air helicopter brings hope!
We took the time to encourage each group that Jesus took what was made available…the few
fish and loaves…and fed many thousands. We also took time to challenge them that change in
our communities is like moving a very heavy rock. The rock has settled, so moving it takes
many people on the same side working extremely hard. And when it starts to move it requires
faithful effort to keep it moving and slowly change comes. As we work, God works and
transformation begins to be seen.
STRATEGY
Our strategy as laid out in my first report has been implemented with pastors associations
formed, food located and plans made to purchase it, store it and get it to those in need. Projects in each area have been identified, challenges discussed, money counted and contracts signed.
Dwight also writes:
It is quite amazing to appreciate the ingenuity and creativity God has given to people. A 120 kg jet engine can lift the entire airframe with pilot, fuel and a further 550 kg straight up into the air and provide the kind of rapid transport that is quite frankly amazing.
As Mercy Air says, “Providing help from above to meet the needs down below.” The tools God has given us are truly incredible and this includes the potential for each of us to give in so many different and unique ways. And when we give together God makes his amazing grace visible which results in life changing transformation in others.
Due to the length of the report we only publish parts of it. If you would like to read the whole report contact us so you can read the whole PDF report.
Special thanks to Dwight/Lynn/Rick for photos provided.