Mercy Is Alive...

Last week at the Christian Musicians Summit in Redmond, WA, I heard a great song by Elevation Worship, entitled The Church (Chris Brown and Mack Brock). Here are some of the words from that song:

We are the change the world is waiting for

We've got a love the world is desperate for

We will lead and take to your streets

 

Now's the time for us to rise

And carry hope and let love shine

And show this world that mercy is alive

Now's the time for us to rise

And carry hope to hopeless eyes

And show this world that mercy is alive...

The song truly describes what Mercy Tech Mission is all about, so naturally I used it to create a short video about MTM's trip to Mozambique earlier this year. I hope you enjoy it.

In other news, I'm happy to present the volunteer team that will be heading back to Mozambique in March, 2013. Joining me for this month-long adventure will be Bob Denesiuk and Don Bryce, both from Summerland, BC. Our goal is to continue working on the Maintenance Facility project at ASAM, the SAM Ministries mission base in Mozambique.

Bob Denesiuk and Rick Cogbill - Mozambique 2011 (photo by Lynn Lagore)

This will be Bob's second visit to the ASAM farm in Mozambique, having travelled with me there in March of 2011 to work on the conference training center.

Don Bryce

Don is an electrician and owner of Totaltech Electric. His role will be to bring power to the new shop from the generator building, and to install all the electrical panels, wiring, and fixtures. Don is also looking forward to training local staff in the basics of electrical installation and maintenance.

Mechanical student Prosper using his new skills to fix the farm backhoe

Thank you for following our work as we fight poverty in developing countries. By teaching our trades to those living in places like rural Mozambique, we continue to bring "hope to hopeless eyes," proving that mercy truly is alive

Blessings,
Rick

Wood Lathe Training Update

"I love it when a plan comes together." That famous quote by Hannibal Smith, the crusty leader of the A-Team, rings a bell in most of us. It really is a great feeling when something you've worked at long and hard finally shows results.

Earlier this year, MTM volunteer John Topham (with the help of the Summerland Rotary Club) arranged for the shipment of a wood lathe to the SAMM mission base in Mozambique. The plan was for John to join me there during the month of May to teach local young men how to use the lathe. The goal was that through these new skills, they would be able to provide income for their families in the years ahead.

Matthias Gasser with the new wood lathe

Well, the lathe did arrive at the sea port of Beira during May, but became bogged down in customs until long after we'd returned to Canada. It was finally delivered to the base and set up by Swiss volunteer Matthias Gasser - a step forward, but not the plan we'd hoped for. It was disappointing, but God was not done with this project yet.

Through another project that John and his sons are involved with in Liberia, another trip to Africa was planned for November. John was able to add a side trip back to Mozambique on his own to do the teaching that was originally planned, and the results are shown below in some great photos taken by Dwight Lagore, Field Director of SAM Ministries in Mozambique.


Gabriel, Pindurai, and John Topham with some newly-created bowls.



Finished products from John's wood-working class

It is so thrilling to see the results of the efforts and sacrifices of dedicated people. A big thanks to John for seeing this through. We also look forward to another project that he is working on via the Summerland Rotary club and the Chimoio Rotary club in Mozambique - a library for the local school operated by the mission there.

We will be returning to Mozambique in March 2013 to continue working on SAMM's maintenance shop project . My next post will present you with the volunteers who have signed up for this ambitious trip, so stay tuned!