NAT NEWS

NEW BLOG INFO

2008-08-30T09:59:00.003-03:00

TO ALL WHO THINK I DROPED OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH.
I AM STILL ALIVE AND ENJOYING A NEW LIFE WITH SOMEONE SPECIAL
TO KEEP UPDATED AND FOLLOW ARE LIVES PLEASE
STAY CONNECTED WITH US @

www.committedtoyou.blogspot.com

RETURN OF BLOGGER WORLD

2008-02-12T13:07:00.001-02:00

I am back from the crazy spin of reentry and seeing people and getting life back in order. OOO wait I am getting married in 5 weeks so maybe life is about to get more crazy.... Salena my finance was able to spend Christmas with my family in Pa. and then we started the drive North West to spend some time with her family before the wedding. Here is some pics of the journey!

With this comes the cold snowy freaking cold North (Canada). There is some cool sites though!

After 6 days we arrived safe and sound and ready for a fire place! Now as I am in Canada I am getting use to the weather and excited about starting a life with me best friend.

WESTWARD

2007-11-14T15:26:00.000-02:00

Can you believe it 2 days after arrival it decideds to snow and this poor hot blooded Mozambiquen is having a hard time to step out doors. Arriving at final destination next week, (Pennsylvania) Getting excited to be home! Peace for now!

In Motion!

2007-11-01T07:53:00.000-02:00

Ya been so busy this last few weeks, getting ready to depart for the states!
look forward to spending the holidays with Family and friends. Hope to see some of you in a few weeks! Stay tuned for more updates! Until next time please pray for safe travels!

YA HOUSE YA

2007-09-30T15:22:00.003-03:00

This is for ya folks who have been dying to see more of the house pics! Here we are getting ready for the drywall on the ceiling.

Its been a slow process most of the time, but a rewarding one

And yes you got it, the electrical box ready and working. what excitment to have some of the plugs working.
keep it real friends!

RAISE THE ROOF

2007-09-20T04:23:00.000-03:00

Spent some time helping with the rafter part of a roof for a local church in our area. A few of the helpers taking a lunch break!

This is defiantly one of the bigger churches in our province!
Should seat a few hundred people.

Rafters going up, again it would be nice to have a crane for lifting those big raters. but a long stick will have to do!

The Pastor of the church, to happy for words!

This is the group of memebers that came out for the day to help. I could not stop thinking of when I was younger the frolics we would have to help others out. (A day where a bunch of people would gather to remodel a basement or do a bit of landscape. not sure why they where called a frolic, but they where!
I started to relize how much I enjoyed this and how important it is to continually help others.

On another note the house is still coming along just fine, This week I was working on getting the ceiling studs ready and up, also spent time testing all of the pluming and praise God as of now no more leaks! Working on getting the porch ready to poor the floor. but yes I know most of you would prefer pictures so you can actualy see what is going on, so yes house pictures coming!

IN LOVE

2007-09-12T13:51:00.004-03:00

I just had to come out and tell you about my new found love!
Some would be surprised while others may wonder what it means and still others may not even care!
It did not take very long for this new found attraction to take place. I was walking one day through the ailes of Home Depot and as my eyes spoted its flashy colors and was instantly drawn to its potential and was eager see what this small but deadly tool could produce! I was soon to be stunned and amazed at how handy and sufficient this small but deadly tool is!

hahahahhaha ok a little bit extreme. Although I would recomend this tool to anyone, from the smallest of jobs around the house to the biggest of comercial job sites! This little tool will nock your socks off!
If you are interested in learning more about the RotoZip just click on the title at the top (IN LOVE)!
Now that I am done promoting for the day, I will return to my job as a Missionary!
I am thinking RotoZip should pay me a nice little visit!
Thank You Justin & Beth for making this purchase possible!

IT'S CALLED ONE WEEK

2007-08-26T13:05:00.000-03:00

Worked this week on a crazy idea I had for the shower! Wanted to get a bitt of a arch look. don't make up your mind untill you see the finish product.

Good friends stoping by to see how it's coming and give me some advice on how to plaster the arch.

A ugly friend stoping by and belive me he is not wanting to give me any advice, he would rather I was not even there. I had to show him who the daddy by setting him back a few notches in life. a small beating was in the making! ok I will stop rambling about the ugly spider and move on to bigger and better things.

Bigger and better! check this snake out. Showed up at my door step and dared to eat dinner right in front of me. Only dinner was almost as big as the captor. After a big struggle mister snake managed to strangle dinner and then rest before tackling the next big step.

Now for the getting it inside. there is no breaking this thing up, O no it has to be all or none at all. What a freaking show to watch!

Would you belive it, mister snake had what it took to swallow somthing so big. Ya that should quench his appetite for a little while!

This busy week ended with a nice pasta dinner shared with some wonderful good friends. well folks that is all for this time. hope you enjoyed a brief caption of my week! Blessings!

A DAY IN THE BUSH

2007-08-16T12:58:00.000-03:00

been doing some plumming the house this week! taking a little more time than I was hoping, Anyone out there that would like to come and give a hand? Come on over!

The snake time of year is upon us! Almost steped on a small baby snake this week. It was just sitting at night right in front of the door to my kitchen. Lynn and I are trying to figure out what kind it is! could not tell for sure because it is still in the baby stage!

Last weekend Salena and I hiked to the big rocks on the Mucombeze farm. It was a warm day and the humidity is starting to arrive in the air. Hot hot summer is just around the corner!

Resting on top of the rock after the long hike there!
what a beautiful view of the area!

Ready for the journey back!

2007-08-06T15:03:00.000-03:00

On my way down to South Africa, stoped in Maputo to visit my friends Joao, and Robson. Spent 2 days with them.

During my short stay in South Africa visiting my bestest of friends Conrad & Bonnie & the family. These guys are more than cool! Thanks guys for impacting my life in a way you will never know! Love you guys!

Back just in time for my birthday in the bush! A little cake, some incredible fruit salad, and a party in the hut!

Ok just had to take i pic of this I was driving in the bush and out in the middle of no where there was this little stand! HAHAH it totaly through me for a loop, So I spun the van around and decided to buy me a cold drink!

A wonderful nice lady came out of her mud hut to assist me with the purchase of my cold drink. unfortunately the cooler does not keep the drink cold unless you have ice, and no ice is not that easy to get in the middle of the bush! I had a good laugh and decided I will stick with drinking cold drink in town!

SOUTH AFRICA VISITS THE BUSH

2007-07-16T13:15:00.000-03:00

Thought I would give you guys a few pics on possibly the last team that visits the bush for this year! We enjoyed all the hard work and ministry these guys did in the bush of Mozaqmbique! Please remeber to keep us in your prayers! These groups have no idea the impact they had and are having on lives of these wonderfull people in Mozambique!

STELLENBOSCH VISITS THE BUSH

2007-07-05T01:14:00.001-03:00

Can you believe it, A group of 40 coming to help the people in Mozambique! The biggest group the mission has had yet!

Some of the things the team helped with was unloading the block machine and mixer that Domingo and I delivered from South Africa. Thank God we had enough hands to do it!

Painting the school! what a differnce it makes already! Still a bit to do, but wow what a big help!

Track and field with the 160 school kids! The kids loved the fun and will never forget the group that helped to make this day so big!

Pull pull! The adrenaline was pumping as the kids tried to pull there friends across the line first!

Had to show you a picture of this face! just look at those eyes and tell me you can not help but appriciate the beauty in this child!

And one, two, three, your off. RUN RUN RUN, YOU CAN DO IT! A taste of how the 100 yard dash sounded as we encouraged and pumped the kids up!

There you go a glimpse of the last week! The next group of 25 just arrived last night and will be with us for 5 days!
I am getting very anxious to start working on my house again, It seems like so long since I have been able to spend time there! Pray for us and the groups this week! Peace!

JOURNEY TO SA

2007-06-27T09:49:00.000-03:00

What you see on the truck is a block machine and a cement mixer to help assist the production of building the mission center here in Mozambique. This center will be used for pastor training, housing and various teams and meetings that are starting to take place much more frequent. Domingo and I had the other and privilege of being the cross border transport service (from South Africa) for this special equipent. After driving over 55 hours, being stuck at the border for 8 hours and then 3 days at customs waiting while all the paper work and import documents where issued. Domingo and I were more than ready to see are warm beds once again. Praise God we are back home safe and sound. Thanks for your prayers!

ALL GOOD!

2007-06-27T08:09:00.000-03:00

I ARRIVED BACK WITH THE TRUCK SAFE AND SOUND! EVERYTHING WENT WELL, THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS.
WILL TRY TO GET PICS UP SOON! ARE INTERNET IS NOT DOING SO WELL, IF YOU LOOSE ME FOR A WEEKS OR TWO DON'T GET TO ALARMED. PEACE TILL NEXT TIME!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

2007-06-15T02:25:00.000-03:00

Leaving for South Africa this morning with the ASAM truck to pick up supplies for the mission and also for my house!
So if you guys could keep me and the second driver Domingo in your prayers, it would be appreciated.
We will be gone for almost a week and driving 4 of the 6 days we are gone! Glory to God!
Blessings to you all!

SETTLER I AM

2007-06-13T14:45:00.000-03:00

Now you guys can see what I've been up to with trying to get settled in the bush!

Wow ok look at that make shift of a kitchen.

Nice, when it's all said and done it actualy does quite well.

My poor tent took a beating while I was home in the states, so ya it defiantly needed a bit of work!

Well folks that would be the cleaned up and finish product!
Me house for the now!

BUSH SCHOOL ROOF - GETTER DONE

2007-06-13T14:12:00.000-03:00

Been spending some time at the school helping to construct the new school roof! It is high time to get it done so i can go back to working on my house! ok well there is the woodshop roof as well that needs to get up! Praise the Lord!

The roofers kicking it way up high!

A few final touches, some paint and we will have a wonderful new looking school. Well ok maybe a bit of work around the doors and then nicccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

RATEX VISITS THE BUSH!

2007-06-13T13:02:00.000-03:00

After realizing that there was an uninvited quest present in my very own kitchen. I began to ponder death thoughts and ways to exterminate this unwanted, ungodly thorn in the side type of creature. Making a long story short the Ratex pills that you spread behind the furniture proved very helpful indeed. It was no longer than a few days and this creature to ugly for words stumbled out from behind the fridge, looking bloated 3 times its size and running "well trying to run" like it had a few beers, couple shots, and maybe one or two rat size spiked punch glasses. It took hardly any effort to put the confused, bloated, sick lad to sleep! The friendly little dead guy was then strung up on the tent zipper of a fellow tent stayer as a nasty little prank. If you would like to hear more of that side of the story you will just have to go to Salena's sight by clicking on the title of this page (RATEX VISITS THE BUSH). Peace for now!

JORTOSH TRECKING IN THE BUSH

2007-06-03T07:00:00.000-03:00

Care to watch a small part of our 45 minute hike into the bush to visit a local church on Sunday morning!

MORE TEAM JORTOSH

2007-06-03T06:51:00.000-03:00

Thought I would show you guys more of the work the team did to my house, so that you can rejoice with all of us.

Working on the pluming in the bathroom!

Busy painting the walls

It is starting to look SWEET!

Now this is looking like a house, Ya man!

The team left on Monday and It seems so quiet around here. I am missing all the company! I have been taking some time to get settled back in to my surroundings since I came over with the team and we went right into ministry the day after we arrived. My tent needs some patching and the kitchen area needs some cleaning. I will send some pictures of that next time. To be honest it is so good to be back to the place I call home. Until next time be blessed!

TEAM HUMOR!

2007-06-03T06:17:00.000-03:00

I thought you guys may love to laugh along with me. Having a little fun with Jortosh and volleyball. It seems to get funnier the more times you watch it. hahahah

TEAM JORTOSH

2007-05-25T14:48:00.000-03:00

The Jortosh team is enoying the time here in the wonderful lands of Mozambique. It will be so sad the day the leave!

Teaching the kids through pupets and drama. Charlie the mouse was a huge hit, the kids can not stop chanting his name!

As you can see they are captivated. Look at those cute kids.

Walking through the market on are day in town!

Ok not sure if more paint got on us or the walls of my soon to be bedroom! This team not only painted the inside of the house 3 coats of paint, but where able to finish the plumbing on the toilet and the shower! Words can not say justice to the feeling of graditude in my heart!
My house is actualy starting to look livable.

BUSH AND BEYOND

2007-05-15T16:25:00.000-03:00

JOIN THE ADVENTURES!
Arrived in Canada safe and sound spent 2 days with the team, here we are in the airport getting ready to start the long journey into the bush!

Guys check out this truck! We drove 3 whole days into the bush of Mozambique after flying 20 some hours from Canada. Lets just say we are a bit jet lagged!

Time to unpack and start to get set up!
I love being back home in the bush. Thanks to the Jortosh team for joining us, helping on the house and impacting the people of Mozambique!

Jortosh Ministries joins us in the bush.

Amish Roots

2007-05-10T02:33:00.000-03:00

Here are my final pics of Pa, thought you might enjoy a taste of country!
I arrived safely in Canada late last night, and leave for Africa tomorrow.
It is good to be here with my friends at Jortosh ministries, looking forward to spending the next 3 weeks together as we serve with the people in Mozambique.
Nothing like home!

What goes clip clop, clip clop, bang, bang.
An Amish drive by shooting.. hahahahah

This would be a brand new Amish house just finished and ready for occupation. keep posted for life back in the bush!

BRO GETS HITCHED

2007-05-05T19:06:00.000-03:00

For all you out there wanting to see a sneek peek of the wedding, an event worth flying all the way across the world to be a part of.
Nadon and Christi Zook!

Wedding couple at there reception! A legend of a wedding!

A little humor during the unwrapping of there gifts 2 weeks after the wedding!
Thanks for joining, please return again next week for more details on my return back to Africa.

LIVING ON THE EDGE

2007-04-27T23:11:00.000-03:00

Helping my good friend Mark Fisher (Fishers Home Improvements) do a few jobs here and there. One of the most caring and supportive couples I know. Love ya guys!

This is a house we finished with a nice clean vinyl siding look. This is the before pic of the porch.

This is what i would call a transformation, Not bad eh!

Another old building needing a kick in the pants from Fishers Home Improvements. Also the first day it started to warm up, we where in great spirits after having to work in snow the previous week!

Well that is all for this time folks, stop by next time for more updates from Amish Country where the siting of a buggy jumps you back into reality! Not to mention the Amish cooking! I will have to see what i can do for a nice picture of a horse and buggy for all you town folks out there! Glory!

ROCKING BACHELOR PARTY

2007-04-18T23:25:00.000-03:00

We all decided to hit the lazor doom for a night of arcades,games,lazor tag, and a all you can eat popcorn, soda, and pizza party. A dream guys night out!

Time for the races, from the front is my brother in-law Ken, Groom Nadon, brides brother Travis, cousin David, friend Deric!

Packing up for a 40 minute session of Lazor war, the tension is rising you can feel the air is thickening. Open those doors and lets get this party started.

My brother the groom is entering the lazor zone.
Will he come out the same or will he be pumped in a way that will change his night for ever! HAHAHAH

Red team is ready for combat against blue team, waiting for signal to attack.

After a adrenaline packed night we kick it at grooms house drinking mudslides and watching movies till the wee hours of the morning.

Then we gather around to afirm the groom by praying Gods blessing over his life and the wedding day.
We had a wonderful time and I enjoyed being here to be a part of this life changing time for my Brother.
Keep posted for more updates of my time back in the US.

JET LAG

2007-04-05T21:49:00.000-03:00

Arrived home last night after a successful but tiring journey.
You will not believe it but the first day back it decides to snow of and on all day.
To add to the adventure I was helping a friend with some work, and yes you guessed it, outside doing siding on a house. hahah O Glory!
I am adjusting well though and enjoying the change.
Until next time, Peace!

ROOM SECURITY

2007-03-24T11:25:00.000-03:00

The door frames for the room I am working on securing before I leave. Hard to believe but my journey home for Nadons wedding starts on Thursday.

Finishing touches!

Installation!

THROWING SAND

2007-03-18T03:58:00.000-03:00

JUST INCASE YOU ARE WONDERING WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO GET A LOAD OF SAND!

20 minutes fast drive to location, another 2 minutes to back into a narrow tree sided path, Half a minute to drop the sides of the truck, about 15 seconds to stretch and prepare the mind for a bit of shoveling, maybe throw in a quick drink of some water before you start to break up the sand with some hoes.

The the shoveling begins with 3 guys throwing it up the ridge while the other 3 are chucking it on the 4 ton truck.

On a good day about an hour later we are ready to deliver the first load of sand. Destination; Nat's house

Ready for mixing cement. The plan this week is to somewhat secure a room to place a few of my valuables in. Then back to the states to see my brother get married! Can you believe it, the time is coming so fast! Another wedding, O good Lord! Lots of love for you my Bro.

AND EVERY ONE SAYS AMEN

2007-03-13T13:05:00.000-03:00

Roof is almost all on! I can only say Amen!

Screwing the roof down this last saturday!

Hired some help for the big job!

Zito, Gabriel and myself putting the first piece on the front!

A BREAK IN THE RAIN

2007-03-08T05:08:00.000-03:00

The next day turned out to be a nice day and we where able to make some incredible progress.

Are man made crane system! They went up like clock work but ya it took some pain to get some gain. We worked hard and gave it all we got!

Is it strait, and is this really happening a roof on my house!

Zito and Gabriel nailing the purlin's down, a took some time to explain how they have to be nailed on the marks. after taking a few back off they where ready to try again. They did a wonderful job and freed me to nail the other side.

The days work is done, happy chappy, sun burn, bed, hurts to walk, are all things running through my mind as i find my way to the kichen to grab a sandwich before falling into bed!

The last 2 days have been spent trying to apply for another visa since mine runs out on Sunday, To make a long story short, today i was able to get the process started after being denied the first time. Thank God!
Hope to get back to working on the house as soon as possible! keep the prayers coming!

THERE IS LIFE OUT HERE

2007-03-06T13:02:00.002-03:00

Rafters are done, and the rest of them are on the truck ready for delivery to the house. Are they ever heavy! I may need a chiropractor after this is all said and done.
First day of working on the roof. Ever really want a crane and relize that it is the furthest thing from reality. I have! Ever wonder if the job will ever get done because every one has an idea and no one is doing anything but try to sell there idea of getting the rafters up, I have! The biggest thing is I don't even have a clue what anyone is saying. AHHAHA O Glory!
The first rafter is up and thank God no one got hurt! We are now ready to move with are new system called the bush string crane! hahaha! Only just like that the first crack of thunder splits the clear sky as we rush to move all the tools under cover. We get about half way done and there is a dropping of rain that only can take place in Mozambique. Raining cats and dogs is an understatement! After getting drenched inside and out we are forced to continue in the morning!

Cyclone Favio Hits Central Mozambique

2007-03-01T13:36:00.000-03:00

The floods are tremendous in this country at the moment! There is a crisis taking place for the people of Mozambique, the little food the people have worked so hard to plant and prepare seems to be washing away right before there eyes!
In our area we where just by passed by the worst of the deadly Cyclone Favio. We had some heavy down pores that threatened to wash my tent out, and some strong winds that also tried with some mighty force to rip my tent apart. We where thanking God it was not worst and praying for the ones that got hit harder.
These last two pictures where taken of the river right by my tent. The little stream that threatens to dry up 8 months of the year has taken on new power and force and is now a beautiful sound when I fall asleep at night.
To see more pictures or read all about the Cyclone Favio with its devastating disaster and the homeless lives it is leaving behind click on the link (more pics) at the bottom.

THE WOOD IS HERE!

2007-02-25T11:48:00.000-03:00

After ordering the rafter wood 3 months ago, the wood has finally arrived. Not the straightest boards I ever saw, but we are going to have to make do.
Making the patern for the trusses!

As you can see the walls are almost all at 3 meters high.
The next big task is getting the roof up and on!

BEAUTIFUL REST

2007-02-18T15:34:00.001-02:00

I am back in the bush again after spending a wonderful 4 days of rest by the river!

It was a very peaceful time with lots of thinking and refocusing my thoughts. I was blown away again with the presence of God. After arriving at the lake and seeing how nice and big it was, i said to myself i would love to be able to fish! Well no sooner had i thought it than a man by the name of Oliver came walking up and said to me are you a fisher man, ahha i said no but i would love to fish, He said I am leaving 4 in the morning and you are coming along! and I said all righty then!
This is Oliver and me fishing, this man had all the fishing gear you needed and more. we where able to hire the boat and drive it for like 10 dollars a day. We spent 2 full days of fun and adventure on the lake. To see more pics including some pics of the crocodile that wanted to eat us, click on (more pics) at the bottom.

The last day there I went out on the boat early in the morning to see the sun come up, then spent a few hours fishing and just resting on the boat. I could not believe how refreshing this time was and wished I had done it a lot sooner. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers. I will start back into the swing of things tomorrow by a day in town checking on the wood for my Rafters!

FRONT WALL UP!

2007-02-11T13:20:00.000-02:00

There you have it the front wall at the right level! hoping to get the rest of the walls ready in the next weeks. Then it is just waiting for the wood to be done for the rafters.

I am asking you guys for some prayer help. These last few weeks I have been feeling a bit under the weather, with the condition and circumstances of the place here and the challenges that life has been bringing my way.

I am finding my self drained and needing a boost of modivation. So This week as i am planning on taking a few days off at a resort type place on the way to Zimbabwe I am asking that you would pray that God would meet with me. Thanks for your support! I will keep you posted next week! Peace!

FEBUARY IS HERE

2007-02-04T07:29:00.000-02:00

This week Enoch did a small amount of building on the inside closet walls. I am still waiting on the wood from town for the trusses, there saw keeps breaking down and all I can say is welcome to Mozambique! Also we have a few other jobs that are quite pressing at the moment, like finishing the roof at the school so they can start meeting inside (I will try to get some pics of that as well), Getting Dwights cottage done so that they can move to the new farm, and cutting some logs to dry so when we are ready to make doors it is good and dry.
To see the process of milling these logs click on the link at the bottom (more pics) or click on the link to the side (wood shop progress)

WHAT A SIGHT

2007-01-27T12:26:00.002-02:00

The walls keep growing and so does my expenses. I am hoping to finish the roof before It is time to leave. I am planning to be home In April to see my brother get married and then raise more money to finish the house, also a vehicle is becomming high on the list of needed things. I am anxious and a bit lacking in faith to see how that will all work out. Praise God for what He has provided. I am willing to trust Him because He is worthy. Keep the prayers comming.

WEEK 11

2007-01-21T12:57:00.000-02:00

This week was another successful week in the bush of Mozambique. There must be a God! After a hard days work I can only sit on my house wall and think of what it will be like to actualy live in my house! It is a good feeling knowing that God cares about the big and the small things.

WALLS GOING UP!

2007-01-18T09:06:00.001-02:00

The house has been going well the last week, and the walls are going up. As you can see we have made some good progress. It is taking the shape of a house more and more every day.

Some of the gang that are helping to speed the process up. Anyone that wants to come out here and give us a hand, why come on out! We are having a blast.

2007-01-11T10:09:00.000-02:00

This week has been full and I feel some times like there are one hundred and one things happening at once. Just when I think that things are out of controll God sends a peace. I was walking down are road comming back from emailing and this is the view as the sun was going down. After stoping and taking some pictures there came a bit of a peace in the midst of the day to day life. The walls are started on the house this week and I have so much to be thankfull for. Please keep me in your prayers.

NEW YEAR PROGRESS

2007-01-08T02:20:00.006-02:00

Well folks here we are getting ready to pour the floor, the termite poison is sprayed, plastic is down, and the steel rods or layed on top. What a job!

Started pouring the floor at 5 in the morning and are busy mixing the cement one wheelbarrow at a time. Hired around 10 people to help with this task so that it goes a little bit faster.

There you go the almost finish product. After the day we were good and tired ready to eat and flop into bed. Thanks for joining this weeks update, check back next week for another update of Nat's house in the bush.

Filling the foundation

2007-01-01T15:45:00.000-02:00

Filling this house with dirt has proved to be the most challenging job this far. This is done all by hand shoveling the dirt onto the truck, dumping it by the house, and then with wheelbarrows dropping it into the foundation.
As you can see we are nearing the end, We are hoping to poor the floor by Wednesday with the weather permitting. I am so excited to see what God is going to do in this New Year. Blessings and Peace.

BUSH CHRISTMAS

2006-12-27T15:36:00.000-02:00

I had a wonderful time in the bush sharing Christmas with friends, we did the best we could and made it as nice as the bush would allow, no it is not like being home and yes I do miss everyone and all the crazy feasting that takes place. If all of you came out here for the holiday we could have a good old fashion party!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the holiday. My bestest wishes to you on the upcoming New Year. Keep me in your prayers as I continue to work on the house project. Blessings and Peace!

Wishing the best Christmas to everyone!

2006-12-24T09:22:00.000-02:00

We have been working flat out in the midst of some serious heat, some days reaching as high as 104 Fahrenheit with a humidity that makes you want to die and go to heaven. Although the house is my priority and main focus I have been really enjoying the time back here. hanging out with friends i made the year before, teaching in the Bible school for the pastors, going along with the orphans for a day of fun in town, and of course relaxing a bit now that the holiday is here! I pray and wish you all a wonderful holiday season and may God grant you your deepest desires for the New Year! Peace your bush friend!

FROM THE BUSH

2006-12-16T12:45:00.000-02:00

As you can see the house is going slow but sure. the magarity of this week was spent organizing and ordering wood, windows and roof tin. A lot of these things can take a long time to get delivered to the bush location. It is not like going to Home Depot and that same day or the next you have it at your door step. Although I would have to say there is lot of good things that go with a slower paced culture. Like for example relationship are way more important than work or getting things done, and in the end I think friends are way more rewarding than things. That is my thoughts on this week. So join me next week for another update from the bush. Peace

HOT IN MOZ.

2006-12-09T08:32:00.000-02:00

The progress continues here in the bush. we been having some very hot days or maybe it is just that I am not use to it yet, none the less it is a hot part of the world. We have been dreaming and crying for a swimming pool to jump into. It would be a touch of heaven on earth! OOO YA!
Check out the progress of the house. We poured the foundation on Tuesday and are hoping by the end of next week to pour the floor. Building a house in the bush is nothing like building a house in America, can I just stress the "nothing like" hahahaha. Thank God it is moving and I have so many things to be thankfull for. Keep this place in your prayers. Until next time be blessed.

BACK IN THE BUSH

2006-12-04T15:44:00.001-02:00

Sorry about the delay in updates, the internet in the bush is bush quality at its best. Things are going good, I do feel like I am getting a little more use to the heat again, although the first week I thought I may just pass out.

It is great to be back and even greater starting to build my house. I can not wait to have my own place to rest at night, It will be a great blessing to be able to settle in a bit more.

Here is just a few pictures of me a some good hard working guys that are helping to clear about a 22 by 26 area for my house. Keep me in your prayers as I adjust back to the climate and surroundings of Mozambique.

THE FINAL PICS OF BRAZIL

2006-10-20T18:47:00.001-03:00

Well folks this is the last of the Brazil picks, You can see the rest of them by clicking on the link (MORE PICS). I am on my way for LA tomorrow afternoon. I have a lay over there for about 6 hours and then On my way to Boston to see Lisa. Glory Hallelujah! In Boston for 2 weeks and then back to La for a week to prepare for my flight back to Mozambique. This next month is full of flights and preparation, please remember to keep me in your prayers. Until next time peace out!

ITAPOA BEACH / SANTA CADARINA, BRAZIL

2006-10-17T08:32:00.000-03:00

Praise the Lord for the beach, there is nothing like walking along the waves and talking to God in the morning as the sun is coming up. Go God!

Looking tired and eating breakfast at Lucas's family's beach house. A great relaxing time!

Chillin by rocks after getting sun burned and then walking a few miles along the beach.

HUMOR FOR THE DAY

2006-10-09T09:16:00.000-03:00

I have 2 weeks left here in Brazil, I can not believe how fast the 3 months have gone. To celebrate all that has happened and to relax a bit Lucas and I are going to be spending 4 days on the coast from the 12'th to the 15'th of this month. Glory! Then on the 21'st I start my journey back to California. I plan to be in the states for 3 weeks touching base with YWAM LA, visiting friends, and preparing for my trip back to the bush of Mozambique. This next month is full of travels, planning, support raising, and preparation for house building in Mozambique. Please remember to send a prayer up every time you think of me!
If you would like to see my complete flight schedules click on the link (ITINERARY).

BRAZIL

2006-10-01T09:36:00.000-03:00

A normal day of studying portuguese. porque assim duramente aprender
Hanging in the mall with Lucas and his nephew! Almost anywhere you go you can find a mall somewhere

Ok It is crazy but there is only 3 weeks left for me in Brazil!

PAYBACK FOR RAGNHILD!

2006-09-18T11:21:00.000-03:00

My goodness Ragnhild what do you think you are doing kissing my great Grandfather. You need to control your self. hahah! Get up off of my blog! Happy birthday to you to! For those of you that don't understand any of this, it is probably better that way. It is an inside joke and you can just laugh along. or you can ask Ragnhild how she got her self into this mess! hahah

Back with two eyes

2006-09-14T19:17:00.000-03:00

My eye is on its way to recovery, Right back to language study, Thanks for your prayers and please continue to pray.
Chao untill next time.

ONE GOOD EYE!

2006-09-13T13:45:00.000-03:00

For some odd reason while drilling a small piece of metal decide to fly itself into my eye. Today the doctor was able to find it and take it out. now I am left looking like a want to be pirate and feeling just a bit handicapped. Pray for a speedy recovery so that I can get back to language classes. Other than that things are great, still loving Brazil and will find it some what sad to leave the place I now call home! Until next time, Thanks for your prayers!

Good weekend

2006-09-11T11:25:00.000-03:00

I had a good relaxing weekend, and let me say it was much needed. Lucas and I were able to take a trip into town and just hang out. We went to the zoo, walked in the mall, and then settled down for a good relaxing movie, ya and this time we decided to experienced it all, the big bag of popcorn, nice cold coke, and a bag of candy to top it off. What a great time we had. After the wonderful weekend I am ready to get back into language and give it all I got. Portuguese here I come, ya that's right watch out I am going to take you down. It is hard to believe but I have reached the half way point, and in less than 6 weeks I will be arriving back in La. And then 3 short weeks and I will be on my way back to Africa. i can not wait! Wow how time seems to fly.
Please keep me in your prayers, that I would be able to finish strong this last month and few weeks!

Barry the pizza man!

2006-09-05T09:51:00.000-03:00

Well there is so much niceness in knowing that if I start to miss home to much or I start craving just a taste of home, I can call up my friend Lucas and say "man can we hit the pizza shop, care to join me! This one and only good pizza shop is like a 20 minute walk from my house. and well to be honest I have eaten of this goodness like 4 times in the first month, sorry I just was missing a taste of home! Maybe in the next month things will calm down. hahah maybe not! Language is going good and now I am getting into the past present and future words, All I can say is I will be needing a bit more of those prayers that you guys send up. Even if it is just 2 words please say them on my behalf. "God help Nat" Ajuda do deus Nat. Ok ok tres words, give me a break ya. ahha Peace!

Birthday boy

2006-08-29T12:05:00.000-03:00

This is Andrael who is having the time of his life and getting all these cool gifts and cake and coke and brigadeiro and love and I can not think of anything else. Blow little guy! a candle that does not go out, so finaly he say enough and grabs the flame and pintches it out. his mom says nao, nao. meaning no no! boys will always be boys! ahha
Birthday boys brother and my best friend. His name is Lucas and he lives right next to my apartment. He will sneak out of his house and come and open my door(without nocking) and walk right in and start yelling portuguese and running around! haha I love it!

Fun Time

2006-08-28T08:13:00.000-03:00

Here I am making some Brigadeiro, a Brazilian Cady (very nice) that is very popular here. I was asked if I would like to make 200 of them for a birthday party. I said sure why not! They have birthday party's for the kids at the school so there are like over 200 kids so you can imagine how often we have birthday party's hahaha. I love it though and the kids are so cool to be around!and yes they are as good as they look! It is very hard to stop eating them. I will show you pics of the birthday boy tomorrow.

Working!

2006-08-23T19:29:00.000-03:00

I am helping the campus with some manual labor so that my rent is cheaper. It may consist of 2 or 3 afternoons a week and involves anything from teaching English, playing with the kids to electrical work or running new phone line. In the picture I was working at the new church they are building, and was asked to spray the wood with Diesel so that the termites do not eat at it. Now I have heard of a lot of things but never spraying wood with diesel, the whole time I could not help but think what a massive explosion there would be if a match got to close, and then what a small me there would be as well. hahaha They say you learn something knew everyday, and I had to think to myself what ever works. O ya by the way I did survive! God has more work for me on this earth! GO GOD!

Making new friends!

2006-08-14T20:20:00.000-03:00

I do believe that there are many opportunities that we can miss by not making new friends. From every friend that comes are way we can choose to learn and share our experiences in order to live a better life. And in turn make better use of the opportunities that we are faced with. I do find it hard sometimes to keep making new friends, after a while I find it hard to keep opening up to new people all the time.

FRIENDS I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE,

People that are interested in making a difference in this world. Able to recognize the needs of people that are not as privileged, people who may be suffering from something that takes only a minute for us to stop and aid. There is hardly a greater joy than to serve others rather than oneself. When serving yourself there seems to be a void that never gets filled. But when serving others you in turn are serving a part of you that brings utmost gratification.

When looking inward the eyes become blurred to what is going on around us.
When looking outward, the inward seems to fix its self.

Nothing to new with my life, still digging in trying to learn Portuguese. thanks for your prayers! there are somethings that are starting to click in my head. It is a good feeling mixed with still so far to go. I will never forget the saying "starting is half of the task completed"! now that may not make sense to you, but that is ok. it makes me feel better. hahah!
Eu estou faltando meus amigos. (I am missing my friends) Blessings till the following time! (Os blessings till a vez seguinte).

A BIT OF HEAVEN

2006-08-09T09:48:00.000-03:00

The last few days I have been getting frustrated with the language and how difficult it can be. like some words are feminine and some are masculine, for example (thank you) when speaking to a Female you say Obrigada, when speaking to a male you say Obrigado. Now there are a few things like this that take so long to get in my head. It also does not stop there, for things like fridge, couch, chair, table, tv.... and so on. Some of them are feminine and some are masculine, meaning they will end either with an O or A. The one that stumped me the most was the Tv.. ya feminine, now the table and chair being feminine I can grasp, but the tv. hahhahahah come on! It is great how God provides the right things at the right time to give you a nice little touch of heaven. in between classes i was asked to take pics of the students in the school for profiles for all 218 of them. I loved it and had a blast, here is just a few of the cute ones! enjoy!

My homies really look good

2006-08-01T20:31:00.000-03:00

Today I had over 2 hours of Portuguese class, my head is spinning and I want to throw small kids out the window. maybe I will settle for throwing a small cat in front of a big huge semi. If only I had a box of pizza and Bary's head to pound it on. Oops ok I will stop with the violence. For those of you who don't know me so well I do apologize. I only hope that It all sticks in this thick head of mine. Prayers are needed! Ok so I saw this picture today and it made me feel all better and at peace again, thought I would share it with everyone. Got to love the La boys, miss you guys! Peace.

Mozambique

2006-07-22T21:10:00.000-03:00

Serving in Mozambique