September 2011

GIVING INFORMATION

To give On-line: www.eastpointchurch.org Sending a Check? Make your checks out to:

Eastpoint Church with MOZAMBIQUE

MISSIONS in the memo.

Send the noted checks to:

Eastpoint Church

15303 E. Sprague Ave

Spokane Valley, WA 99037

Great Harvest International

Topping the News: Goat attempts get away on owner’s bike…

Galimoto in Ciyao means motorcar! What a funny

name for a village eh? This is one of the smaller villages

around, but the Lord has led us to begin a new work

there. In fact, it is a model of what we hope to develop

in other villages.

We have taken our Bible School to the people. Having

already established a “House of Light” in Galimoto

where Christians gather to worship and hear the

reading of the Word by one of our former students, we

now have a School of Discipleship established. Many

who could not have traversed the distance to our school

on the base are now able to attend.

We begin with a worship time, sometimes testimonies,

and then have two hours of classroom instruction, and

end in prayer. Katherine and I team teach and are

enjoying the hungry hearts of the people. Two weeks

ago she taught on the Ten Commandments which were

an eye opener for some. There were many comments

about the commandment: “You shall not commit

adultery”. “REALLY?” they questioned, “Everyone

commits adultery.” They were almost dumbfounded

with this one, but readily accepted it as God’s will.

The classroom was built by Papa Pedro (a leader among

many there) and is a well built grass hut with a grass

roof and mud floor. As we drove down the trail to the

village it was a wonder to see, and done with such love

and attention to beauty. There were even dried flowers

carefully placed around the log posts. They really have

made it their own.

And would you believe that this is a multi-functional

hut? It not only hosts our Discipleship School but also

serves as a place of worship on Sunday mornings, and a

school Monday through Friday!

The school was the idea of Papa Pedro who originally

wanted us to teach it. We prayed about it but felt led

to encourage him to do the teaching – we would supply

the notebooks and pencils! After all, we don’t yet speak

the language. Pedro ran with the idea. He even

teaches mathematics. This has now become his ministry

as he loves to teach and is very capable to do so in

Portuguese and Ciyao. What a much needed ministry

for the next generation to learn how to read the Bible

for themselves! God is AWESOME!

Galimoto Ministry Hut built by Pedro (and the Lord!)

The very first session at the school I had a simple vision

during our prayer time. The vision was one of a

perfectly still lake; the water looked glass-like. A small

stone was thrown into this lake and immediately I

noticed concentric circles branching out from this one

small stone. God has said: “Don’t despise small

beginnings” for from this small village will come wider

and wider influence.

Please pray for this work and these hearts to have even

greater hunger. Next year, upon returning from the US

we hope to begin 2 or 3 discipleship schools. The goal is

for these disciples to make disciples who will lead many

to God!

Discipleship school at Lichinga base:

Graduates of Harvest School 2011

Come Home

Some weeks ago I had a beautiful dream – one of those

you hate to wake from. In it I was leading worship and

singing over and over again the simple words “Come

Home”. There was such a strong presence of Jesus that

I was overwhelmed with emotion and just wanted to

stay in that place.

I shared this dream on Facebook and it was read by my

Mom and Dad who received it as confirmation of the

Lord’s encouragement to my Dad to come home and

see His face… That desire was realized on August 31st.

Dad Mayo will be sorely missed. My only regret is that

he did not live to see the finishing of our home here in

Africa, which he so earnestly committed to making his

last “fundraiser” on this earth.

Dad believed in us and the call of God upon our lives.

God used him wondrously to get us here, and the lives

changed for eternity via this ministry will become as

jewels in his crown. Thank you, Dad. We love you and

so look forward to embracing you once again in heaven.

Of course Momma has been encouraging as well.

Please pray for her comfort and that she adjusts well to

the many changes widowhood brings.

When little Caleb (3 year old grandson) was told the

news of Poppy going to heaven he asked Nanny how he

got there. “Oh a big angel took him to heaven”, Mom

said,” that’s what happens when you love Jesus and get

old and die”. Obviously worried that his Nanny might

also leave him, he asked: “Are you going to get old

Nanny?” I think she reassured him that it will be a

while.

They leave Ethiopia by the thousands to hunt jobs.

Mostly young men between the ages of 20 to 30, some

even younger, leave any way they can. The ones I met

in the refugee camp came by boat to Mozambique.

Many others were lost at sea as the elements battered

them and capsized their tiny boats. Those who made it

to shore were taken to the Refugee Camp in Nampula.

They cry they are “prisoners”. The reason? Money in

the pockets of govt leaders who receive $$ from the

U.N. to feed them. Yet the feed is scanty and nothing

better than what one feeds chickens. I have seen it

with my own eyes.

Last January there were approximately 3500 of these

young men at the camp; now about 2600. They had no

shelter, and at that time 8 to 10 per day were dying. If

strong enough they’d escape the camp to go to South

Africa for jobs. Getting there is also very dangerous.

Recently six died in a car accident. Others who enter

through African parks with lions and other dangerous

wild animals are never heard from again.

When leaving the camp our visit last year, Katherine

and I stopped to pray for a woman who brought her sick

child to us. As we prayed, suddenly I found myself

surrounded by Ethiopians. Compassion filled my heart

and I said: “Someone needs to reach these people.”

God found one man willing to help – Mbirima.

Coming down from seeking the Lord on a nearby

mountain Mbirima noticed a number of men lying

under a tree. They were dying of cholera and other

diseases. God’s compassion filled his heart and he

began to pray for them, tend to their open sores, and

show God’s love. No food to offer, no shelter, just love

and prayer. A ministry began under that tree which he

has named Bethesda. Miraculously not one under that

tree died.

Mbirima had gone to that prayer mountain to seek the

Lord about an offer from the UN to work as an

interpreter for $12.50 USD per day (a huge salary here).

He got his answer on the way down as his heart melted

at the pitiful site of so many sick and dying young

Ethiopians. Although not knowing their language

(Amheric), Mbirima began with the language of love.

Now however, he is very conversant in Amheric as God

has gifted him to learn languages. Mbirima chooses to

use his gifting for God’s benefit, not his own.

I had the privilege of ministering to the Ethiopian men.

God blessed our time together as I taught the Word and

Holy Spirit poured out the love of the Father to touch

hearts. I don’t know who was more blessed, they or I,

for when one to two hundred passionate Ethiopians

worshiped the Lord, it seemed to me as voices of

angels. I was deeply moved. They have been through

so much and yet continue to offer to God the sacrifice

of their praise. You just had to be there to fully

understand what I witnessed.

Bubna Home Update When it rains, it pours! Returning from Nampula I

came home to discover our generator had blown up. A

few days later our solar power system quit working.

Then my builder tells me he can’t work the whole week,

another gets injured falling through scaffolding, and

construction has already been several weeks on hold

(sicknesses, deaths, & travel). One main worker also

told me that unless I buy him a bed, mattress and

blanket he will not return to work! We had to lovingly

confront him, and he asked for forgiveness, which we

freely gave.

I tell you this to give you an inkling of what we deal

with here. The culture is much different than ours, so

that demanding things or attempting to change the

contract midway through the job is common. We

simply lovingly counter the Mozambican culture with

Biblical culture. How else will they know to change if

we don’t teach them in these “teachable moments”?

As a result of all this, our home is progressing rather

slowly. My lovely wife has put up with no electricity, no

running water, no refrigerator, no heat, bucket baths,

living in a yurt of sorts, and early to bed (hard for a

night owl) for over a year now. Now don’t say, “Aw,

you poor folks”. We are rich in Jesus and we trust Him

for strength.

Honestly, it even gets to me sometimes, but I tell you all

this for two reasons: Firstly, that you would pray for

grace during this time. We just want to get it over with

and live as normally as we can here in Mozambique.

Secondly, would you consider a monetary gift to help us

to equip and furnish the house after the structure is

completed?

Below is a list of needed materials for supplying our

home with furniture and appliances. We hate to seem

like we’re throwing our own housewarming party from

afar; however, we know some of you really do care to

participate in what we’re doing here with God in

Mozambique, and have lovingly expressed numerous

times your willingness to give as needed and as you’re

able. So here’s our wish list:

Oven @ 22,550 mzn = $ 882 Freezer @ 9350 mzn =$ 360 Dining Table & 6 Chairs @ 13,980 mzn =$ 537 Dinnerware, Utensils, & Percolator =$ 98 Couch Set @ 68,000 mzn =$ 2615 Area Rugs @ 6950 mzn & 4750 mzn = $ 450 Bed Set @ 39,750 mzn =$ 1529 Mattress @ 9950 mzn =$ 382 Desk & Chair @ 9300 =$ 358

(Gas prices have risen, therefore prices have risen: Niassa province is a distant and rough terrain, so transport costs are exorbitant, as are taxes; therefore prices are high, even on lesser quality goods.)

Tents have been provided for the Ethiopians

Amheric sign reads, “JESUS DIED FOR ME”