PCM News: Next - the Swedes!

29 April 2013

Next - the Swedes!

A day after the Canadians were delivered to Chimoio Paul was flying back up to Moz again with a team from Sweden who were looking at getting involved with the work Mercy Air does in the Delta and with ASAM.

We first went to Marromeu where we stayed at the Mercy Air container base.

From there we flew into the Delta, a journey which used to take YWAM three days in an open canoe but now takes 20 mins in the helicopter

We took teachers and translators..

...who continued with the educational programe that YWAM and Mercy Air have developed.

Using various games and activities basic numeracy and literacy are taught.

People from five villages walked for up to 10 km to attend the classes.

I'm not sure this guy's Brazilian football shirt is totally representative of an actual player!

After two nights in Marromeu we then flew through some weather and on to ASAM in Chimoio.

We visited a hospital that ASAM work with. The tour included the maternity ward, its birthing tables...

and an interesting incubator...

...which amounted to a three bar electric fire bolted to the wall in front of table covered in a blanket and an assortment of electrical sockets.

There was also the hospital kitchen...

At ASAM they visited all the projects that they have developed over the years (education, clinic, agricultural etc) as well as the new airstrip and hangar that we should be able to use very soon.

Our friends at ASAM have adopted a Duiker who freely wanders in and out of their house.

After a hectic few days in Moz all that was then left to do was take a quick team photo...

...before flying down the coast on our way back to South Africa.

So, we hope that the reports that go back to Sweden about the work we are doing in Mozambique will release some funding that will enable us to be even more effective.

Thank you.

Paul and Cathy

1 comment:

Mary said...: Thanks Paul and Cathy for a reminder of how very privileged we are over in the UK. Long live the NHS!; 29 April, 2013

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A short history of us

Not long after we were married we felt that God had some full time work for us overseas. This initially began with a move to Sheffield in 1992 to work for a Christian management training company. Three years later we felt the Lord's prompting that another change was imminent and this led to a move to Africa where we helped set up a youth program with the Lesotho-Durham link in the capital Maseru. An initial three year commitment turned into four after which the youth work was handed over to the nationals.

Then, after feeling God was moving us into mission flying Paul enrolled at a flying school and completed his South African commercial license with an instrument rating in December 1999.

We moved from Lesotho to White River in South Africa in June of 2003 where we now work with Mercy Air. Mercy Air was borne out of Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and is a sister, although smaller organisation to the more well known Mercy Ships. We are situated near Nelspruit and provide a service to missions and the development/aid community in the southern African region but mainly serve Mozambique.

We operate four aircraft at present - a Quest Kodiak, a Cessna 310 and two Airbus 350 helicopters which are often used for the relief flights.

When not flying Paul is responsible for flight operations and is Mercy Air's Safety Officer.

Cathy, who is a registered Nurse and Midwife works part time at Africa School of Missions which is a bible college preparing missionaries for overseas service. She teaches in their School of Health and is part of a team which visits a number of rural clinics during the week. She is also helps with the hospitality ministry that Mercy Air runs.

Matthew spent four years at Rhodes University in Grahamstown where he studied photo journalism. He has now flown the nest and is living with his wife in Durban. They have a young daughter named Isabella.