Merry Christmas

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

2 Corinthians 9:15

Ireland

I'm very thankful to have the opportunity to visit my family and get some rest this December!

I had been invited to Ireland by many special people who have prayed for Mozambique, and many of whom had visited, so I stopped there on my way back to the U.S.

And my mom met up with me there :)

We stayed with the lovely Ian and Sharon, who come to serve in Mozambique each year during their holiday.

Girassol and Nkateko 

With Ali, Sharon, and Megan outside of Girassol, the charity shop which serves as a local center for outreach and provides funds for projects in Mozambique.

While in the Girassol shop, Donald, the UK Director for OMS, who has visited Mozambique, stopped by to say hello.

We visited the Nkateko office. 

Nkateko, is a project that encourages Mozambicans to grow in their faith and equips them with opportunities to provide for themselves and their families through the teaching and making of jewelry and crafts.

Ali, who has seen this ministry first-hand in Mozambique, does a great job with the marketing of Nkateko in Ireland!

Prayer Groups

It was a privilege to encourage those at the Girassol prayer meeting who faithfully pray for Mozambique.

Singing and presenting Rebekah, the leader of this prayer meeting, with a special capulana.

It was a joy to share at another very special prayer meeting at Maud and Alfie's (complete with a feast afterwards)  This group has been faithfully meeting to pray for God's work around the world since 1966! 

Churches

Speaking at Antrim Baptist Church

Pastor Neil, from this church, has visited Mozambique!

I also wrapped his wife, Diane, in a capulana.

Sharing with the dear people of Straid Congregational Church.

Visiting Heather and Family

On the beautiful Antrim coast with Sharon, Marion (Heather's mom), my mom, and Heather, who spent 6 months in Mozambique in 2013.

She and her family took us to see "The Searcher" statue depicting the wardrobe from C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.

C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite authors, was born here in Belfast.

On the back of the wardrobe is Aslan's face.

Maputo Ministries, a Birthday, and a Wedding

I noticed one day after church that Prs. Juka and Nelio, and Jesuita and I were all wearing some shade of purple, so I thought we'd take a picture!

Jesuita, a former student from Inhambane, has been living in Maputo for the last several months, and I've been blessed to take her to church with me each Sunday. She loves participating and learning, and she now has her own New Testament.


Preaching in Tsalala

As a part of the transitional church government, I have been visiting the churches in Maputo to speak about unity in body of Christ. 

The banner at the front of this bright church in Tsalala reads, 
"Jesus said: 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" 
John 8:12

Women with a Purpose Ministry

"God...saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." 
2 Timothy 1:9

During this year I've been working quite a bit in organizing and facilitating the leadership group of this women's ministry.  Many women gathered together for our final meeting of 2014.

Some church groups wore the same beautiful capulanas to show their unity, like the women of Intaka.

And the women of Kongoloti.

My greatest joy was to see my Mozambican sisters, with whom I've been working, leading this ministry!



Christian Academy Kids

I was blessed to share the story of how I discovered that God was real with the high school students at this Christian International school.

I was also shared a different lesson with the elementary kids. At one point, I used the illustration of how difficult it would be to write without our hands, and I asked for a volunteer to come up and try. This young boy was able to write his name amazingly well holding the pencil in his mouth...the illustration almost didn't work ;)  

Birthday Buddies

My dear colleague, Fernanda, and I celebrated our birthdays together on Nov. 8 and 9!

We dressed in the same capulanas, ate delicious cakes, and had lots of laughs.

Julia's Wedding

After four years of praying for Julia and Sergio, I rejoiced to participate in their special day.

The wedding party, outside the church in the shade...the temperature was in the upper 90's.

At the wedding with my sweet sister, Tina.

Medical Ministry

I've just finished working with a medical ministry visit with my Brazilian friends whom I knew from my church in the U.S., Novo Comeco, 8 years ago, Doctors Mario and Renata Gomes, with their son Rodrigo.

In partnership with the Helping Hands (Maos Ajudando) ministry, we were able to visit many Mozambicans with disabilities so that Drs. Mario and Renata could assess, counsel, encourage, and pray with them.

Mario sharing advice with Julinho, who is now able to walk with the aid of the crutches I had previously been able to give him through the Helping Hands ministry.

Mario and Renata's son, Rodrigo, with his new brother, Artur, whose rat bite wounds on his feet and legs have been healing well.

Renata taught about anemia, diabetes, and high blood pressure in a health seminar at the church in T3. 

Mario shared about the same subjects in a health seminar at the seminary.

Afterwards, they were able to take blood pressure and answer individual questions.

We also traveled to Inhambane, where they taught about nutrition and hygiene at the church in Cala.

The Gomes family were a blessing, both medically and spiritually, as they taught and counseled about physical health and shared and prayed for spiritual health!

Coaching and Shepherding

 I have been planning and preparing for the visit of a coach and a shepherd.

 It was a privilege to have Tim Roehl, center back, and Jose Banales, right front, visit Mozambique.

Coaching

 Tim (with Melo, who translated for him) came to teach the national church, interdenominational seminary, international Christian school, and our missionary team about coaching, based on his book, Transformissional Coaching. 

 Church leaders learned about the importance of listening and asking effective questions to connect with and empower others as they seek to serve Christ.

 Working on intentional listening, caring, and celebrating with one another. 

Leaders praying for one another.   

 Tim demonstrated a coaching session with national church leader, Pr. Juka, under the tree at the church in Kongoloti.  

Shepherding

Jose, with national church leader, Pr. Abel and his wife Vitoria, came as a shepherd to Mozambican pastors who have been serving as national missionaries planting churches in Mozambique.   

Jose, encouraging Pr. Abel on a visit to his home church.  

 

 Pr. Juka with a new tie, one of many that Jose brought as gifts for national pastors.

 Pr. Juka's daughter, Milca, trying on her dad's new tie.

Jose brought a precious little nurse for the new real nurse, Pr. Juka's wife, Elina. 

Maputo Biblical and Theological Seminary

We planned to have Tim's next coaching sessions at the seminary. 

 Biblical and Theological Seminary of Maputo

 An average of 50 Christian leaders participated in the 4 days of seminary sessions, representing 8 countries and various seminaries and organizations.

 Practicing asking good questions about goals, realities, options, and action steps. 

 Small groups studied different passages of Scripture to learn about the Biblical basis for coaching.

  Elect Generation Children's Ministry

Jose sharing with the soccer boys.

And then the picture afterwards!

Helping Hands Ministry

Tim and Jose visited Jean Paul, who has received love and a wheelchair from the Helping Hands ministry.

Tim, praying for Jean Paul.

Christian Academy in Mozambique (CAM)

Jose sharing a special message with the kids at the school chapel service.

CAM teachers and OMS Missionaries

Tim's final coaching sessions with Christian Academy teachers, OMS missionaries and a Wesleyan missionary.

Fiesta

On the last evening, Jose prepared a Mexican meal for everyone!

Curious kids about to taste marvelous Mexican cuisine.

It was a blessing to partner with a coach and a shepherd here in Mozambique.