Updates

It’s been a while since we updated our blog and have let people know what’s happening in our lives. There have been a few (major) advancements…

We have decided to extend our term for one more year. So instead of coming back to the States in October of this year, we will be here until October 2010. We feel like this is where God is leading us as we get more into our work. We are enjoying our work here, Joél being the liaison between our partners, MCC Moz and CFGB and me with my various projects of working with SALT, learning tours, savings groups and other CCM activities. By extending we gain more experience because we are realizing we really like this type of work. Extending allows us another year to improve our Portuguese. J

We are moving to Chimoio. As our work with CCM and other partners increase, we have been traveling to Chimoio with more frequency. Also, by being in Chimoio, as the primary MCC contact persons to the Mennonite church, we are better able to work with the two largest congregations without being mixed up in the local politics associated with attending one of the congregations. We are looking forward to just being able to go to a church to worship without having the expectations of being someone’s missionary on us. Chimoio is the provincial capital of Manica and we will be able to take walks without being so noticed because people are more accustomed to foreigners and it’s a city.

We are expecting a baby. The baby is due in late June. So far I have felt pretty good, except for minor nausea and increased headaches during the first trimester. We are planning to go to South Africa for the birth. I’ll leave for Johannesburg in mid-May, Joél will come at the beginning of June. In case you were wondering, we are not going to find out if it is a boy or a girl. It’s hard to know how life will change with a child. In some ways I anticipate that it will help us in making relationships with people because very few couples are childless. Our parents are excited though I’m sure that they wish we’d be closer. It’s the first grandchild on both sides.