We undertook this trip to Beira in Mozambique for the purpose of visiting the folks at the "Institute for the Blind", which is the only school of its kind in Mozambique. The Lord granted safe travel over two and a half days. Part of the road has greatly improved for which we thank the Lord. On the first morning after our arrival (Saturday) we visited the Institute to distribute Braille Gospels of John to the students. However, the Mozambican priest, who was so helpful on previous visits, had been moved and two white priests are installed in his place. The one whom we met adamantly refused to allow us to give the Gospels to the students!
When he left, there in the hallway we prayed with the students that the Lord would open the door for them to receive copies of His Word. We then stood outside with a group of them discussing what should be done. However, the Lord already had everything in hand and quickly answered our prayers. He must have touched the priest’s conscience, for he quickly returned to tell us that we could give out the Gospels, as long as we did it "outside" their grounds, which we were very happy to do. We convened a meeting with them outside the grounds at the spot where we had parked our vehicle. They were thrilled to receive the Gospels and to witness the Lord at work. On the same occasion, a good number of blind university students also received a copy of the Gospel.
Subsequently, we had some profitable Bible studies with them. Also, we took a small group of more mature believers to a nearby tea room, bought them a bun and a coke, and then used the tearoom for the morning to teach the truths of the gospel and how they should grow in Christ. We had them first read the passage in Braille, and then I would give some teaching on what had been read. Please pray especially for Miguel, Elton, and Castigu, that they in turn will be enabled to teach their fellow blind students.
We also spent time with a number of small groups on the outskirts of the city who were eager to hear the Word, although it seems they have a very limited understanding of the gospel. At the first place we visited those gathered said, "We have never heard teaching like this, can you come again and tell us more!" We were delighted to do this, and encouraged them to read the Bible for themselves so that they were not led astray by false teaching. As many Gospels and leaflets were distributed along the way, we ask you to pray too for blessing on the written Word.
Last weekend, following ten days in Blantyre, Malawi, we travelled south on a bush track to Doa, also in Mozambique. There is no proper road or border posts, just two crossings manned by very friendly police officers who allowed us to proceed to Doa. After almost four hours we reached a small place where one of the national evangelists had established a preaching point, and where a "hall" had been built; nothing more than a grass roof and walls made from reeds collected from the river. However, once word spread that we had arrived, the place filled up and eventually was packed with about 150 people. The Lord gave great liberty to preach the gospel and the quiet and reverent attention given was a joy to see. At the end, a group of young men were standing near the door as others went out. I asked one of them if he had ever trusted Christ as His Saviour. "Yes, I have". I asked him, "When?", and he replied, "This morning". What a delight to see that the Holy Spirit had been working in his heart even as he listened to the Word of God. I took him up front to speak with him and to go over the gospel and ensure that he understood what he had done. Eleven others came along with him and indicated an "interest" in being saved. While it is unusual to see such a number showing concern in the gospel at the same time, we were encouraged to see the Lord at work using His Word to bring conviction and, we trust, genuine conversion to some of those young men. We know you have been praying, so please continue to pray that those who were genuinely saved will grow and mature in Him. We returned to the rest house in Malawi extremely tired but rejoicing in the Lord.
After that we left for Lilongwe, the capital city, some 300 miles north of here. We visited a small assembly there for the weekend. We would be grateful for your prayers. Please pray that the gospel will produce fruit in the lives of those with whom we met.
