Floods

I have just returned from Caia, one of the areas hit by the floods. I don't think that I've completly processed what I saw there, when I have, I'll re-write this story.



The devestation these people have seen, the utter hopelessness of their situation, their faces expressionless, deviod of emotion even when they were receiving food. Enough only to last a few days.

As I walked through the camp of temporary houses I tried rationalizing in an attempt to stop the tears. Its not that bad, its fine for a family of 6 to live in a 6ft sq grass shack, open to all the elements, without food or even a blanket. Its OK. Its fine for these people to scavange what roots and leaves they can, its OK for them to wonder what they will feed their children. Its OK. No its not OK. And as my reasoning fell to pieces in the dust, my heart broke for them.





I know that they were happy with their lives. Their crops are nearly ready to be harvested, their chickens were scratching in the dust and the radio was happily blaring out music. Neighbors sitting outside the in the shade of a porch, and dinner is prepared over the coal fire. And now, now they have nothing.

We could feed 244 families with the bit of food the 3 of us could buy. Enough for a few days, maybe a week if they stretched it. The blanket, candle, matches and cup was welcomed too. But mainly the food.



On the northern bank of the Zambezi a team from Iris Pemba were giving out food to over a 1000 families.

The Dondo team will do the same on the southern shore when more funds are available.


The road leading to the edge of the River

Donate in the US
Donate in South Africa
(mark the funds for flood relief)

As if she has not suffered enough

Start of Flood Relief

We are in Maputo now, leaving early Wednesday morning to drive up to Caia where we will be basing our relief effort. We spent the past 2 days buying items to take with us: water, baby formulae, baby bottles, matches, candles, cups, plastic carry bags. It was quite interesting, this is the first time that I drive in Maputo - its scary enough just being a passenger, so braving the chaotic traffic was quite nerve wrecking.

We've packed large black crates/containers with all the water, food etc to make it easier to transport and handle - all the thousands of Rands worth of stuff we bought seemed so little once it was neatly packed into the crates - we are believeing for multiplication!

Melodie (My Mother) packing the baby supplies - we have enought for about 45 mothers (130 kids)

I wish we could take more, but we only have 2 4x4s and right now they are packed to capacity!

Me packing all the plastic cups we have into one container - its only 350 cups, but one per family will at least be something

A container full of soy porridge, its really nutritious.

In total we have 10 such containers and 200 blankets. And the 3 of us going up in 2 vehicles.

I got an update from one of our missionaries in the Central region - she was able to find out from our local pastors just how bad the situation was.

Looks like most of the roads are still usable, so that wont be a problem, but just in Caia 450 homes of Iris Church members have been destroyed, and not jut their homes, but all their crops too. Harvest time is in 2 months and is meant to supply them with food for the rest of the year Now they have nothing. We will be buying corn to give out too - 20kg costs about $4 and is enough to feed a family for a few weeks. Cholera is quite a problem in Morrumbala: this is where I spent 2 weeks last year building a house for the 50 orphans being cared for by Pastor Cebala (see the story here), the sad news is that apparently the church has been destroyed and at the moment we believe that Pastor Cebala's house is severly damaged too. I dont know the state of the house we built, and part of me is too scared to ask.

I dont think that I will have any internet access while I'm up in Caia - I will have cellphone contact though, so if anyone wants to call and encourage us/find out how its going you are welcome to call me! +258 82 550 9842

Please just continue to pray for us as we travel up and camp out next to the flooded Zambezi helping the poor.

FLOODS in Mozambique

I am leaving for Mozambique tomorrow to go help with the flood relief effort. My 4x4's import papers havnt cleared yet, so I am just going in on a 30day visa and will sort that out later!

Please pray for us!!!

Recent cyclones, heavy rains and flooding, in Mozambique, have so far claimed at least 29 lives and destroyed more than 4,600 houses, 100 classrooms and four health centers. The situation is likely to get much worse and could possibly reach beyond the levels of the flooding of 2000/2001 when 700 people lost their lives and thousands more were left destitute. It is predicted that up to 46,500 people could be affected by the current situation with some already living in temporary accommodation centers.
 
The Floods of 2000/2001 - photos by Rolland Baker

Iris ministries have almost 400 churches planted along the Zambezi river; all of which are likely to be flooded or washed away if the water level rises to that of the floods of 2000/1. This would affect many of the congregation’s homes and possessions, leaving many destitute.

The Mozambican Army has been ordered to evict some 2,500 people who have refused to leave their homes and livestock despite the looming danger. These poor people are afraid to lose the little that they have and would rather stay to protect their property, risking their lives.

IRIS South Africa are preparing to leave to assist with Aid for the flood victims - We are taking blankets, food, medicine and love to the people already affected by the rising water.

Iris SOUTH AFRICA welcomes any donations toward the ‘flood relief fund’.

We are leaving South Africa on SUNDAY 11 Feb, and will be returning once the initial crisis is over.

You can reach me in Mozambique on +258 82 550 9842

FOR MORE INFO go to: AllAfrica.com

4x4

I have some WONDERFUL news: I have been amazingly blessed with my own 4x4 (pickup/truck/bakkie)!

It's a Mitsubishi Colt 2.8 TDi, ClubCab, 2002 model!


I am so excited that I will have my own car up in Pemba - WOW, just be so great, so much more freedom, no more beggin for rides! No more chances of being mugged!

The guy that donated the truck makes canopies, so he made an extra sized canopy that will be big enough to carry all the sound equipment needed for outreaches, as well as a few people!

My dad has been amazing these past 6 weeks - helping me with the paperwork to get the car exported and also making adjustments to the car - he designed and made little seats for the back so that I can carry an additional 4-6 people in the back, handles and steps to get in easier, changing the electric sockets so that I can run a small fan and a light from the back (Yay! Now I can sleep in the back on outreaches - NO more tenting!)

My Dad putting the finishing touches on the back

We will be driving up to Pemba leaving this week - it should take about 4 or 5 days - 3000km! My parents are going to come with me for the drive, just so they can see Pemba, where I live, what I do... It will be really exciting!!! I will keep you all updated on the journey!

Here are some pics:

Inside at the front

The back

One of the chairs my dad designed
(the legs can be removed and then they can flip up to make more space!)

Video: Christmas at Zimpeto, Maputo

Here is a short movie that I made about Christmas at our children's center in Mozambique!

(it might take a little while to load...if you press the big 'play' button, then pause it, you can wait for the red bar to load all the way and then you'll be able to watch it without interruption)



I trust you all had a wonderful Christmas and may 2007 be blessed as you continue to share in my adventures... Lets see what the New Year brings!