Author: Layne

Our Christmas in Mozambique

A Layne Post

Jon and I spent our first Christmas in Africa as a couple… and it was good. Of course there were plenty of people and things we missed; however, our new experiences here were priceless.

We spent Christmas Eve with three other missionary families; a Portuguese family, a Brazilian family, and an American family. Our traditions were combined as we ate chicken wings and quiche for appetizers, a yummy fish and potato dish that is common in Portugal for dinner, and cupcakes and snickerdoodles for dessert. Though it may sound odd to you, it was really good!

Ladies on Christmas Eve!

And the men!

We also exchanged small presents in a gift exchange, complete with the opportunity to steal gifts. I think Jon and I ended up with the best gifts; Jon got a headlamp and I got a bottle of cocoa butter lotion! Nice!

Not sure if Jon was ready for the pic, but he is cute.

Christmas day I decided to keep with my tradition of making cinnamon rolls, and I do believe this year they were the best yet! I have to tell you a secret… We ate the whole pan before the night was over. YES! All of them!

Cinnamon rolls with cinnamon cream cheese icing... yum.

After breakfast we had previously made the decision to spend a couple hours at the hospital in the Oncology ward, where we have been volunteering for the past couple of weeks. Many of the patients are too far from home to leave for the holidays, so they were going to be alone and far from family. We could kind of relate. That time was definitely the highlight of our day. Funny how you go to be a blessing, and in return you are the one that is blessed. (More at: www.africangypsy.blogspot.com)

Later that night we were also grateful to have the opportunity to join our families for a few festivities via Skype and webcams. We seriously felt like we were sitting in the room with them. Awesome.

Angola Update:

We have a little bit of exciting news. Yes news! It has been awhile!

I recently decided to go ahead and send another round of emails in search of connections in Angola, and quite honestly I thought I would not hear anything until the New Year, but guess what? I already got two replies!

One is probably not going to be of assistance with a visa, but is still a good connection. The other is with a ministry that is already established in a couple cities there in Angola. (Remember we must come under an already established NGO to even submit an application for our visas.) What is exciting is that they are potentially interested in working with us and want to have an interview!

The lead couple is in South Africa for the month of January, and on the 7^th Jon and I were going there anyways to renew our visa for Mozambique. The trip will be much longer now, but we feel it is more than worth it, and is nothing compared to needing to travel to Angola. We consider this a huge blessing!

So here is how I would ask you guys to pray for us. This interview will be two-sided, as we want to get to know their heart and mission as well. It is no small thing to partner and come under a ministry or organization.

While I would like to get terribly excited and say how perfect this could be, how the timing is fabulous, how things could line up beautifully… above all we want the will of the Lord. If this is His open door, we would like it to be clear and confirmed to both parties involved.

We love you guys! I pray your holidays were blessed and that you had the chance to reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of our Lord and Savior.

December 26, 2009

Layne

Angola, Mozambique, Visas

5 comments

We made it to Mozambique!

A Layne Post

Through some divine appointments and blessings along the way (full story here), we have made it to Maputo, Mozambique. Just by driving to our guesthouse we realized we were in for new experiences. Maputo happens to be a very large, busy city, which is something Jon and I are not terribly familiar with here in Africa. We usually prefer to stick with the small towns.

It is very hot and very humid here, though if and when the clouds are out, it is bearable. Not having air-conditioners can make the afternoons interesting. We are very close the water, and hope to get over the visit the beach/waterfront soon.

Jon fixing the fan in our little room

It all reminds me of Corpus Christi.

Also upon arrival we have been thrown back into Portuguese. While it still can take a bit to warm up in conversation, we remember most of what we learned, and I believe we will continue to gain skills with practice. We were very thankful when we realized the accent is not too bad, and we can understand just fine, though like in Portugal, sometimes we need people to slow down.

We have been welcomed to the community of missionaries with open arms, and our hearts and spirits are so refreshed. I have been able to visit a women’s Bible study and will join next month for their start of a Beth Moore book! We have also acquired Christmas plans, which is exciting! We don’t have to be alone. =)

Through this network of missionaries, the Lord has blessed us with somewhere to live for the next couple of months. A missionary family is currently on furlough, and we are going to be able to rent their apartment until they come back. This is a blessing on so many levels, but one in particular is that it is fully furnished. Jon and I own very little, and eventually we will have to buy things, but this allows us to delay a bit.

The highlight of our first week here would probably be the opportunity we had to join a friend in her ministry at a local hospital in the oncology ward. She has a weekly ministry with the children there, and we were invited to join their annual Christmas party. They asked if Jon could bring his violin and play some Christmas songs, which ended up being such a blessing to all those around. Many of them had never seen a violin before, so to hear someone play such fun songs was a treat.

Layne showing Miquel how to blow bubbles

Jon Playing "Feliz Natal"

Not only were we able to bless them in a small manner, we found ourselves being filled with joy and praising God for the lives of the individuals we met. To see people in such pain with physical ailments rarely even encountered in the States… to see them laugh and smile is simply amazing. They loved on us and eagerly helped us practice our Portuguese. We look forward to developing these relationships more and more.

Thank you for your prayers thus far. They have definitely been felt and much appreciated. Please continue to pray for the following:

Open doors to ministry
Favor with immigration (We have 30 days for now, and probably no trouble for 90)
Safety for us and the vehicle (Big city = more crime)
Health, health, health (I have been quite sick since we arrived… probably a parasite.)

[flashvideo file=/blogpictures/Joy_To_The_World.flv /]

Jon played “Joy to the World”. Sorry about the constant dudding in the sound.
Apparently clapping right next to the camera creates that effect.

Jon Playing “Feliz Natal”

December 12, 2009

Layne

Mozambique

10 comments

A Time to Give Thanks

A Layne Post

As Jon and I sat around a table full of old and new friends enjoying turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, pies, etc., I could not help but be overwhelmed with gratitude.

About a week and a half ago, I remember lying in bed crying as I thought about the fact that I would have no kitchen to even attempt anything “Thanksgiving-ish”. But the Lord so graciously provided a blessing in disguise: our broken into vehicle. Not only have we gotten a vehicle that is loads better, we have been given precious time with sweet friends.

There are so many things to be thankful for this year…

– Each other. Traveling and ministering is so much better together.

– Family that loves us well, even from so far away.

– Supporters who have joined us in our effort to bring the love of Christ where it is not

by not only giving financially, but also prayer and encouragement.

– Friends and connections all over the world, who provide us with advice and wisdom.

– An awesome truck.

(I could keep going, but I will refrain for the sake of length.)

Thanksgiving day pictures… I forgot to get in one!

Pretty table!

After dinner chatting

Young guys table

Here is a picture our “Home 2”, which has been graciously lent to us by new missionary friends with an organization called “Word to Africa”.

Lobatse, Botswana

We have a fridge and kettle!

And this is our new truck, which with the help of Jon’s dad and brothers, has been named:

The Bison

Meet "The Bison"

Canvas seat covers... rough and tough

We love you guys, and thank God for you every time we think of you… which is often!

P.S.

We will start travels to Mozambique December 7th and arrive on the 8th! We are getting excited to get there and get plugged in.

November 27, 2009

Layne

Personal, Travel

10 comments

Rolling with the punches

a layne post

When I was a little girl, I was in gymnastics. I remember doing the event called the vault. You run as fast as you can, bounce off a springboard, and do some sort of “trick” over the vault. Well sometimes it did not go as planned. I distinctly remember a few times running as hard as I could, not bouncing off the springboard; instead running right over it and directly into the vault, knocking the breath clear out of me. My family could attest to these moments of agony.

This is a little like how I feel this week. All the anticipation, the gearing up, the good-byes… I was (and don’t get me wrong, still am) ready to give it all; to make a difference, now only to wind up stuck without a vehicle, waiting in a lodge we did not plan to pay for, unable to get in touch with the people who have our car.

You know, with all my missions experience, I know it is not glamorous. I know that is not all “people getting saved and sharing the gospel”. I know there is a lot of behind the scenes work and complications. I don’t know… maybe I just didn’t expect it to be hard the first day.

Our current home (for the week)

Here is the update:

Upon arrival, our friends who were caring for the car had had a sudden death in the family and had to leave town. We would not have our car for a day or two, until they got back in town. When they got back in town, a little later than originally expected, there had been a break in. Someone had gotten under the hood of our vehicle, taken our radiator, cylinder head, and other things. Because it was reported quickly, the thieves were caught. They were taken to the police and beaten until a confession was made. (how it works here) The parts were recovered, but now the vehicle is having to be put back together. So we wait.

Plan once we get the vehicle:

We will travel to visit some friends about an hour from here. Fellowship and be encouraged. This next weekend we plan to make the drive to Mozambique and start living there until further notice of Angolan visas, of which there is nothing to report.

We appreciate your prayers. Your comments on the last post were fabulous. We love them! Thanks so much for sharing with us, for being a part of this with us. We love you.

Short fun story:

In a taxi on our way back to the lodge the other day, we were sharing with the driver where were we from and what we are doing. (I always love to share with them that Jon and I met in their country!) The man was enjoying the story and proceeded to ask if we could drive to our country. Jon explained it is very far and there is a big ocean between. “Ahh,” the man said, “so a bus would get stuck.” Jon replied, “It would sink!”

I love Africa. I love the boisterous laughs of the women. I love the friendly smiles and the constant greetings. I am happy to be here.

A bit of "holiday" for myself

November 14, 2009

Layne

Personal

15 comments

Is this real?

a layne post

Jon and I keep looking at each other and asking, “Are we really moving to Africa on Friday? And by the way, where are we going?”

Maybe it is because we do not know exactly where we are going, or maybe it is just our current, crazy, unsettled life, but it all feels a little unreal. There is this part of me, that is currently buried in the extreme emotions that accompany “good-byes”, that is excited and filled with anticipation. I have moments, normally fleeting, when I can grasp this feeling and remember, “Layne, you love this. You love Africa. You love serving.”

It is during these moments that I gain the strength, once again from our gracious Lord, that enables me to board that plane on Friday and leave my family… my precious, precious loving family.

Prayer Points

We still do not have an invitation or visa to Angola. We still are holding onto a small hope we could get some paperwork together before we leave, yes, in 4 days. Please pray with us! No matter what happens though, we believe the Lord has a plan laid out for us, and as long as He guides us for the day, we’ll be alright.
Pray for emotional strength on Friday.
Pray for wisdom and direction upon our arrival in South Africa.

Thank you all your support and love while we have been in the States, as well as commitments for the future! We have felt so loved. My spirit has been refreshed. We look forward to posting reports of our (that is you too!) work from Africa!