Back in August things began heating up here in Mozambique. The National Election for President was coming up in October and some officials seemed to be nervous about a lot of foreignor's in their country. Visa renewals were suddenly difficult. Missionaries and other workers were being asked to leave the country and all of sudden everything was very uncertain. For awhile it looked like Twyla and I were going to have to leave as our Residency Visa's were due to be renewed in September and the departments that oversee such things were saying they were not going to renew any more visas.
We began making plans as to what we should do .. and it was a difficult time. Then some Mozambican friends came to us and asked to "please" not leave. They gave us some advice about submitting our documents and I found out later, they wrote some supporting documents. Anyway, the short story is that 3 days after submitting our paperwork we were approved!! God has the last word!
We had discussed flying to the States during that time and after everything worked out we decided we should make an unscheduled trip to the US. We did not let our kids know we were coming and with the help of a friend we were able to surprise them. That was fun. We spent 6 weeks in the States ... 3 in Oklahoma and 3 in Texas. It was good that we came because I was able to renew my US driver's license while we were in Texas.
We then flew to the UK and spent a week with friends in Cambridge. We had never seen the UK before other than Heathrow Airport which gives you no clue as to what the country is like. The drive from Heathrow to Cambridge was about 50 miles and we saw some nice country. That part of England is much like Missouri .. low rolling hills, lots of farms, plenty of trees. Where we stayed was rural and we felt very "at home". (Though we did need a translator for some words. English and American can be quite different).
We spent one day in London .. saw some of the sights .. visited a pub and had an ale ... nearly froze to death cuz we had no heavy clothes ...rode the tube in and out of London and had a good time. We went by Buckingham Palace to have tea with the Queen but she had an important visitor from Singapore and could not take take for a couple former colonists. ~sigh~
So anyway we are back in Mozambique and enjoying the warm weather. I am SO happy not to do winter. Sixty Four years of them has been enough for me. Those of you who enjoy winter, please have a good time. The only thing I miss is the deer hunting in the Fall. Once of these years I will schedule a trip home just so I can go hunting.
Thanks for praying for us. We appreciate those who take time to remember us.
Jim & Twyla
We were someplace where there was a big clock. It was cold.
The guy with the bayonet fixed was not talkative.
I was looking for Dr. Who. Locals told me it was the wrong color.
