“In the realm of the dead…”

“In the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither work, nor planning, nor knowledge, nor wisdom.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10b)

Our journey is likened to someone competing in a race…hope and resilience will keep you going!

As we step into 2026, I want to share a message of hope and resilience with all of you. Here in Mozambique, like so many places around the world, we face daunting challenges as the New Year unfolds. While these obstacles may seem insurmountable, we are reminded that our very presence here, in the place God has placed us, is both a profound privilege and a heavy responsibility.

We are not called to solve everything on our own, nor do we expect all challenges to be resolved in our lifetime. Instead, we see these challenges as opportunities for obedience and to reflect God’s active presence in our lives. The wisdom of the “preacher” reminds us: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” For in the realm of the dead, there will be no more work or planning.” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

For us, this past Christmas was a time to celebrate the amazing birth of our Savior and rejoice in the eternal hope He has brought, especially considering the reality described in bold in the last paragraph. Yet for our team out here in Mozambique, our thoughts and troubled dreams were also filled with images of the damage the torrential rains had once again caused.

As most of you know, last year the main bridge to our school was completely washed out, leaving us wondering how to even respond. What followed was nothing short of a miracle: we once again experienced God’s provision through the generosity of many people, and a bigger, stronger “Stone Bridge” was built.

As I drove toward our school after the recent torrential rains that nearly rose to the level of one of our mission houses—something previously unthinkable—I was certain I would find at least the first two bridges washed away (the second being the Stone Bridge). I was deeply grateful to cross the first small bridge, which was largely intact, and then arrive at the big, beautiful bridge we built last year to find it still standing strong. It was clearly battered by logs the swollen river had carried directly over it, and there was some damage to the far-side approach, but the structure itself remained sound. To say the least, I was relieved and grateful.

But before I even got home, I received a message from several of our local staff saying that the road—and the last “small” bridge to our school—had been washed out. And, more tragically, our suspension bridge, built ten years ago after the loss of two children to crocodile attacks, had been completely washed away.

After a thirty-minute drive and a four-hour walk, graciously accompanied by Andy Kuret (our Swiss missionary), we saw the damage firsthand, and it was truly disheartening.

But, as they say, “we are still on this side of the dirt.” We can do something about this—even though, at the moment, we only have ideas and plans, and the only thing my hands find to do right now is to type this report! We have until the first of February, when classes resume, to find solutions and attempt repairs. For now, we simply ask for your prayers and we want to thank you for your prayers and faithful generous support over the past year!

We are all here, right now, for a reason. We can rise to the occasion, or we can succumb to fear and inaction. Let us choose instead to do whatever our hands find to do with all of our might. And may that same resolve be true for you as you enter this New Year. May you all experience His abundant prosperity and courage for every challenge the New Year is likely to bring.