What Went Wrong?

Today is the halfway point in our journey--and what a day. It started last night when we left Sao Paulo on the Red Eye to Maputo, Mozambique, by way of Johannesburg, South Africa. We arrived in Maputo at about 10:45 this morning, with about two hours of sleep. We got off the plane, walked across the tarmac and waved to Lynn Schmidt who was waiting for us up on the balcony of the airport. We were tired, but it was all good.

Until we showed up at baggage claim, and Donna's bags didn't...

We filed a claim for her bags and then Roger asked: Where's Eric?
I asked: Who's Eric?
Roger: He's the videographer who was on your plane and who is joining us for this week.
Brad: I don't know Eric and have never met him...
Rodger called out through the airport, "Eric!" until this guy smiled at us and joined our party. Nice to meet you, Eric.

We all drove back to the Schmidts' home, had a snack, then Rodger wanted Eric and me to go to the property which the ministry is developing. We got about halfway to the property when Eric said, "I forgot the battery for the video camera at the house." Not so good.

But we drove to the property anyway and as soon as we entered the gate, the van lurched and stopped. We were stuck up to the chassis in the sand. Not good.

So we got out and walked around the property, guided by Rodger. It was all good, so after a while we piled back into Rodger's van, with eight interns who helped dislodge the van, plus Rodger, Eric and me, and headed back toward home. And all was good until Rodger said, "I just ran out of gas." We coasted off the road.

Which was not too bad until I prepared to get out of the van and discovered, "I've lost my glasses."
Which was not good at all, because I am supposed to teach the interns and preach this weekend at church, and I cannot read without my glasses anymore.

So we walked back to the Schmidts' home and got another vehicle. We drove back to the property, and this gave Eric a chance to remember his battery for the video camera. When we arrived at the property, the lead worker said he had not been able to find my glasses. But I told the Lord, "Lord, I'd really like to have those glasses." I walked back to where we had been stuck in the sand, and there were my glasses, far enough away from where the van had been that the crowd which pushed the van to freedom had not trampled them. So I could see again. That was good.

We called Lynn on her cell phone to report the found glasses and the good video of the property, and Lynn told us that Donna's baggage had arrived with the 3:00 plane. So that was good.

We drove back to the van that had run out of gas, and Rodger filled the tank with fuel. But now we had two vehicles there, which is not a big deal, because I could drive one, except that in Mozambique they do not drive on the right side of the road. But I got behind the wheel and coaxed the van back down the road. Rodger led the way and I followed while Eric shot video and we made it home safely.
Which was very good. Tonight we'll sleep.

Tomorrow we leave for Ilha de Mocambique (Mozambique Island). I think we could use your prayers for that trip!

Grace,
Brad