On Tuesday 25 July a team of Trans World Radio missionaries and several volunteers from the United States and Canada left Johannesburg, South Africa for the small remote town of Mocuba, Mozambique to give a boost to the construction of the new studio’s TWR is building in that town. The visitors would experience first hand some of the challenges faced with such a project in a third world country.

The team consisting of TWR missionaries Chuck Saunders, Lee Lowell and Todd Hanz along with volunteers Chad Creed from Canada and Ryan Seal from Colorado Springs, USA arrived in Mocuba on Friday 28 July to find that many of the tasks promised by the builder had not been completed as hoped. Plans for completing the studios had to be scuttled as the team quickly assessed the situation and a new plan of action was drawn up: to bring the building as close to completion as possible by the time the team left. Hard work in a hot climate lay ahead and everyone quickly buckled down.

Chuck Saunders visited the contractor and was able to negotiate the release of building materials and funds to enable them to purchase much of what was still needed to get the job done. That afternoon the contractor delivered the tools and supplies to the site which meant the team could begin work immediately. Chuck had also pre-arranged the delivery of other items needed such as the air conditioning units and materials.

Some of the challenges that needed to be met were the digging of a new and deeper well for water, the installation of air conditioning in the studios, the installation of windows, and doors, laying of network cables, boxes and wiring, and most of the building’s plumbing needs. All this needed to be accomplished in an environment where supplies and skilled labour is in short supply.

Todd and Ryan focused on completing the installation of the computer network cables and boxes throughout the building. A painter was commissioned from Mocuba to handle most of the painting with the help of the volunteers and a plumber was brought in too. He handled most of the plumbing, but not without leaving a number of leaks that will need to be fixed when Chuck returns to Mocuba. A pump was installed to carry water to an elevated water tank that provides water to the building. However, this could not be connected up and tested as the electrical cables still need to be laid.

At the end of the two week trip, much progress in the building project had been made. The team had worked hard. Local missionaries had lent their expertise to the project and the building is now nearing completion. Chuck reported, “I feel that the building could be ready within a couple of weeks of when I can get back there.” Hopefully this will happen soon. Everyone is excited about the project, especially the ministry team in Mocuba. Please pray for the completion of the project so the Mocuba ministry team can begin to use these new facilities.

Posted: 10 September 2006