Aimee Howarth

Sharing with Partner Churches in California

2012-01-31T15:12:00.000-08:00

These last two weeks I've been sharing with churches here in California that partner with me as I serve in Mozambique.

It was great to reconnect and share with my wonderful home church, which is a Brazilian church called Comunidade Novo Começo (New Beginning Community).

Speaking at Lawndale Wesleyan Church.

I'm grateful not only to talk about exciting things God is doing in the lives of Mozambicans, but also to encourage those here in the U.S. about what God is doing in their lives.

I'm very thankful for the prayer and support of all my partners in this work!

It's such a joy to reconnect, encourage, and be encouraged :)

My Sister

2012-01-15T00:02:00.000-08:00

These last two weeks I've been able to spend time reconnecting with my beloved sister :)

I visited my sister, Shauna, and her husband, Utaka, in Northern California...

...and their winsome cat, Bruce.

We ate lots of good food...like my first ever waffles and fried chicken breakfast :)

And I was able to do lots of wonderful hikes in the beautiful mountains near their home.

A well weathered tree.

A lovely long mountain path.

And...

My sister is pregnant with their first child!

So my mom and I planned a Baby Shower "Tea"...

My mom's homemade cupcakes...

...and plenty of tea :)

We prepared a long lovely table...

...and invited friends and family to share with us.

Lovely ladies :)

My beloved younger...and shorter...cousin, Gwen, was wearing heels that made her taller than I...so I had to stand on my tiptoes to maintain my taller status >:)

Special hugs for everyone.

My sister with our awesome photographer, Aunt Valerie :)

Mother and Daughters

Kathy, Shauna, Aimee

I thank the Lord for this special time I've had with my sister, family and friends :o)

Huebert, Deuteronomy and Louis

2011-12-27T10:21:00.000-08:00

It's been great to see my family during this Christmas season!

My mom and I

My dad with my brother, Jeff, and his wife, Amy, with their three boys, Drake, Tyson, and Trey...

My three nephews otherwise known as Huebert, Deuteronomy, and Louis...

a.k.a. ...

Huey, Dewey, and Louie :o)

Aunt Aimee with her three awesome nephews -

Drake is the oldest, Tyson follows him, and this was my first time to meet the youngest, Trey :o)

On Christmas day little Trey showed off his dunking skills

(possibly with a little help from his dad)

Trey enjoying the net while he's up there.

Here's Tyson with an amazing backwards slamdunk!

(also possibly with a bit of help from his dad)

Then we played a game of Twister

I'm not sure if we actually played by the rules...

...but we had lots of fun!

Here's Drake in his new Africa t-shirt :)

Aunt Aimee sure does love her three wonderful nephews!

Brazil

2011-12-12T15:15:00.000-08:00

On my way back to the U.S. from Mozambique I was privileged to visit and share with the National Convention of Missionary Churches in Brazil. These Brazilian churches are excited about the possibility of serving through teaching, investing, training, and partnering with the national church in Mozambique!

Pastor José Jacó Vieira, the president of the Brazilian Missionary Churches, who had visited Mozambique in October and had invited me to come to Brazil, introduced me to the pastors at the convention.

I was blessed to speak with the pastors about the work in Mozambique and share about some ways that we could partner together.

I showed them what typical clothes look like by using a "kapulana" (the material wrapped around the waist) and a "lenco" (the material wrapped around the head).

This lovely missionary family, the Routons - Micah and Marla with their daughters Samara and Noelle, took great care of me while I was there :o)

After the convention week for the pastors, I was able to share with the youth at the Maringa Central Church the story of how I came to believe in the existence of God, and how He eventually called me to serve Him in Africa. I shared that although God does not want everyone to serve in Africa, He does have the best plan for each of our lives, and I encouraged these precious young people to trust God and surrender their lives and plans to Him.

I was especially blessed by the visit of dear friends Mario and Renata Gomes with their Grandma and their two boys Rodrigo and Victor, who traveled from another city to visit me while I was there. This Brazilian family lived in the U.S. for 5 years and was a part of my home church in Los Angeles. We spent several precious hours together catching up and sharing what God is doing in our lives :o) What a joy it was to see them!

Lastly, I was privileged to speak at the three Sunday services at the Central Church. Pastor Jaco, behind me in this picture, asked me to start out each service by singing a traditional worship song in the Tsonga language.

It was encouraging to share with Brazilian brothers and sisters who have hearts to love and serve their Portuguese speaking brothers and sisters in Mozambique!

I'm now back...and very tired...in the U.S. to spend Christmas with my family, church, and friends. I praise God for this time to rest :)

Some Lasts and Firsts

2011-11-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

Lord willing, I'll be back in the U.S. for the next 6 months to visit family, friends, and churches before returning again to Mozambique.

So here are...

Some Lasts

Last trip to Quissico, Inhambane for Discipleship Training Weekend

Last evening church service with brothers and sisters in Nhadumbuque, Inhambane

Last Discipleship Training with Pastor Abel (P. Abel will continue the trainings in the new year)

Last Inhambane Women's Bible Study (Mama Vitoria will continue in my absence)

Last time with my colleagues in Maputo :)

And now here are...

Some Firsts

The pots and pans here are washed by using sand/dirt and water (to scour) and then soap and water to clean. This is the first pot (in this case a tea-pot) that I cleaned, and when I asked if it needed to be "re-done" by a Mozambican woman (which it usually does), I received the amazing response that it was done (!)...all by myself :o)

First coconut that I opened correctly (!) using a machete so that it could be grated on a Mozambican grating stool.

First time my head was fully braided

My first "esteira" (mat) used mostly for women and children to sit on the ground

First Bed Head to sit on the esteira

The "Bed Head" is a creature I found in South Africa whose label describes him as "a surfer and urban nomad who is not lazy but likes to sleep a lot, and who crusades against hair brushes."

My car has done a lot of off-road driving in very rural areas to share about God's love in Jesus, encourage, and disciple God's beloved Mozambican people. It has also carried 25(!) people (at the same time) to be baptized. The car has had a lot of firsts, but one of the most notable to me was...

The first time a plant grew in my car!

All you need is - lots of dust and dirt, some random seed/s (probably blown in by the wind), no washing, and some rain that leaks a bit down the hood, and voila...a car plant!

And lastly, although this is not in Mozambique, this is the first surfing rat I've ever seen! I discovered this picture of "Tofu" (the amazing surfing rat) on the website of a wave photographer :o)

After a very full couple of weeks preparing to leave, this next week I'll be heading to Brazil to speak at a church convention in Maringá. I would appreciate your prayer for God's Spirit to be upon me as I share.

Thank you so much!

Saturday Bible Study in Inhambane

2011-11-19T10:29:00.000-08:00

Three months ago we started a local Women's Bible study on

Saturdays in the town of Inhambane.

We've been learning about who God is by studying women of the Bible.

And we've been learning how to apply these truths to our lives as women today.

This was my last study with these precious women before I go back to visit family and churches in the U.S. and they surprised me with a special gift of capulanas :)

Left to Right Back: Resiana, Nasma, Aimee, *Emily, *Lisa

Left to Right Front: Filo, Rute

*Emily and Lisa will be continuing this Saturday Women's Bible study in the new year :)

Would you please pray for them as they lead, and for all the women to grow in the love and knowledge of Christ.

Thank you!

Consecration Ceremony

2011-11-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

This last weekend we had the first consecration service for Mozambican pastors and deacons in the national church, Igreja Evangelica Palavra Viva.

The ceremony was held at the first church plant in T-3, Maputo.

Raul and I were privileged to MC the service.

Former missionary to Mozambique, Vaughn Telfer, consecrated 8 men as they knelt with their wives.

We even had a vistor all the way from the North Pole...in the red shirt :o)

The consecrated pastors and deacons with their wives :)

Would you please pray that these men and women would be servant leaders with hearts after God's own heart.

Mozambican High School Students

2011-10-30T04:13:00.000-07:00

One of the interesting things that has come out of our monthly church planter trainings in Quissico has been the chance to disciple Mozambican High School Students from nearby Quissico Secondary School.

The students come with Pastor Abel and I when we go out to the villages to set up and show the Jesus Film.

Here's Arsilio and Gito learning the ropes...and cords.
(at this particular showing, over 500 people came and 100 people came forward to accept Christ afterwards!)

To see more pics of the Jesus Film showings we've done, Jose posted some on his blog

www.omssouthregion.blogspot.com

The students come with us to church services...

Left to right: Valdez (a great Chopi dancer), Arsilio (has beautiful penmanship and wrote the names and dates on the baptism certificates we handed out at this church service), Gito (shy and a fantastic cook), Chauke (possibly the funniest guy in southern Mozambique :)

These four guys will be graduating when the school year ends in November.

They came with us to the villages when we gave out the clothes donations from the churches in Maputo...

And they come with us when we do baptisms (this is from this last weekend).

Valdez and Chauque

Arsilio and Gito

It's been such a wonderful time discipling these young guys as we walk and work together. Would you please remember these four in your prayers as they graduate and move on to the next step in their lives. Thank you!

Mozambican and Brazilian Brothers and Sisters

2011-10-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

Some brothers and sisters that I'm working with in Inhambane, Mozambique...

Maciene, Inhambane

Ginito from Quissico, Inhambane

Sharing with Gertrudes from Nhadumbuque, Inhambane

Cala, Inhambane

The "Surfin' Monkey Dude" from Cala (check out her shirt :)

I traveled to Maputo this last week to meet with some brothers from Brazil who came to visit Mozambique.

Visiting the church in Intaka, Maputo

Left to Right: Micah (American missionary to Brazil), Belarmino (Mozambican pastor), Aimee (American missionary to Mozambique), Jaco (Brazilian pastor)

As we seek ways to partner together for God's work in Mozambique and Brazil, I have been blessed to be invited to visit and share with P. Jaco's church in Brazil this coming December on my way back to the U.S.

If God wills, I will be in the U.S. from January to July 2012.

Would you please pray that I would be filled with God's Spirit as I share with brothers and sisters in Brazil this December.

Thank you!

Surprise Gift and a Great Pal

2011-09-27T05:37:00.000-07:00

A year ago my dear friend Fatima told me she had a surprise for me...

Soon after that, I was at her house to pick her up for Bible study, and that's when "Britney Spears" (above) walked into the room.

Fatima has two teenage daughters. They named the cat.

This was the surprise. I thanked Fatima, brought Britney home, and promptly changed her name.

I called her "Chiguinha" (shi - geenya)

Chiguinha is a Mozambican dish made of a cooked leafy green (like kakana), cooked mandioca (manioc), coconut milk, crushed peanuts, tomatoes, onions, and chicken broth powder (it's the green food item on the right).

Chiguinha the cat (she seems to be comfortable in any position).

Her name is funny to most Mozambicans and maybe the only way I can compare it to a pet name in the U.S. might be like this:

"An African woman moves onto your block in America. She partakes in the local foods and culture of your area. One day someone gives her a dog for a pet. The African lady likes the sound of the word "lasagna" and she also likes the way the dish tastes. So she names her dog "Lasagna." She likes her little Lasagne and they become great pals. People on the block may or may not think she's strange."

I can't be sure, but perhaps this is what it would be like for the American woman who lives in Mozambique, likes Chiguinha (both the sound of the word and the food itself), receives a cat as a "surprise" one day, and names the cat Chiguinha. Mozambicans may or may not think she's strange, but they sure like to laugh when they hear the cat's tasty name :o)

Here is Chiguinha the food (with a side of rabbit leg) lovingly served to me by Papa Toma's wife when I was with the church group here in Cala, Inhambane.

Chiguinha the cat...doing what she does best.

And like the fictional African lady with Lasagna, after a year together, Chiguinha and I have also become great pals :)

15th Inhambane Training

2011-09-19T07:37:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we had our church leader discipleship training in Quissico, Inhambane.

On the Saturdays of our training weekends I work with the ladies who are leading the women's Bible studies in their churches.

I'm so blessed to be discipling and training these women!

Left to Right: Lucia, Olga, Margarita, Bertelinda, Ermelinda, Palmeira, Aimee

On Sunday, one of the young ladies, Palmeira, shared a special message about praising and obeying God.

We also had a special guest this weekend, Jose Banales, who was here to visit and encourage the churches. Jose got a treat when the young church group in Quissico led a time of praise through song and dance.

It was beautiful authentic praise from the Chope people of Inhambane!

Afterwards, Jose showed them the video he had taken of their dance :o)

Jose Banales with some of his Mozambican brothers and sisters in Christ.

Left to Right: Hermenegildo, Aimee, Palmeira, Valdez, Victoria, Cessaltina, and Augenio in front.

Would you please keep the church groups of Inhambane in prayer ~ thank you!

Baptism and Clothes

2011-09-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

Baptism

I've just come back from a trip to Maputo for some team meetings and...Ana's baptism!

Ana coming out of her house (her sister, walking behind her, was also going to be baptized).

Sisters, Herglencia and Ana.

Fatima's oldest daughter, Chaxi in the red sweater, and niece, Estefania in the front, were also getting baptized!

My friend Mama Isabel exhorted the group at the church in T-3.

In search of a towel :)

The lovely Fatima.

Me with the whole group...what a joy :o)

Clothes

Two months ago Pastor Abel had the idea of asking the churches in Maputo for clothes donations to bless the churches in Inhambane...two months later we packed up my car with giant rice sacks full of donated clothes for my drive back to Inhambane for the discipleship training weekend.

Pastor Abel unloading clothes for the church in Maciene.

Mama Marta carrying a sack.

Rice sacks

Fashion show!

Papa Jorge scored this pair of pants which he immediately put on over his other pants :)

A precious smile

The kids from the church in Bangusa :)

The church group in Cala singing a welcome and thank-you song.

She got something blue :o)

What a blessing to be a part of the Mozambican church body giving to another part of the Mozambican church body.

Some Images from Inhambane

2011-08-12T03:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some images of things that I'm doing or seeing here...

Studying the Word of God in my Portuguese Bible

I use Mozambican materials for wrap-around skirts called "capulanas"

This is a house next to where we do our church planter discipleship training in Quissico. It makes me smile because it reminds me of my older sister, Shauna, when we were little girls...every once and a while she would get her lovely blonde bangs cut (like the part around the door) and she looked so cute that I would kiss and hug her...which she detested >:)

When we do our church planter training, we need to get water for cooking and drinking. We fill these containers, called "bidoes", at the local water pump. (notice my car is parked in front of "Shauna's Bangs" :o)

Washing the beans for lunch at the training session

This is the song book in the Tsonga language that we use in our church services. I say and write my name "Emi" because "Aimee/Amy" is a bit hard to pronounce here.

Here's a view out of my dirty rear view mirror when I was stopped at the side of the road in Inhambane while Pastor Abel was buying some coconuts. My liscence plate number is etched into the mirror and there are metal fastening strips on it since most of the exterior parts of the car can be very tempting to steal.

The nose on my surfboard

A creature I saw on a leaf near the ocean in Inhambane

A fisherman in a "dhow"

A giant fish caught off the coast of Inhambane

An advertisement for the cell phone service I use called vodacom

"tudo bom pra ti"..."all good for you"

Inhambane

2011-08-02T05:08:00.000-07:00

I have now moved to the province of Inhambane in Mozambique!

I've been walking around the town to get to know the area.

I stepped inside the culutral center to learn more about the culture here.

There are some beautiful old buildings around town,

and some interesting trees along the Inhambane bay.

There are a couple of dogs that like to hang out by the bay.

Dog #1...

...and Dog #2

For the first time in four years, there's a coconut tree on the property where I'm living. I found this on the ground a few days after I moved in.

My fruit weapon of choice - katana.

After 20 minutes of hacking away...

A lovely fruit :o)

Coconut Africa

We also had our 13th training session with the church group leaders in Inhambane this last weekend. I shared with the group about God's great love for us and our need to repent and believe in Jesus to enter into His kingdom.

I had also brought two more coconuts with me to use for our Saturday lunch. You can see one of them here (above). The lady with the white sweater, a coconut opening professional, had it open in 2 minutes flat!

It was a joy to teach these women's group leaders about the life of Ruth from the Bible.

Left to right : Margarita (from the church in Maciene), Ermelinda (from the church in Cala), and Ermezilda (from the church in Bangusa).

Thank you for your prayer.

Farewells and Moving

2011-07-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

On my last Saturday in the Maputo province I invited the church leaders and their wives for a special farewell lunch.

I read from the Bible about Jesus sending out His disciples to preach the Good News, and I shared that He has called me to go north to disciple new believers in the churches in the Inhambane province.

Irma Ana came over to help me prepare the food - Mozambican bean curry and Mozambican chicken curry :)

And "Sista" Kyla also did a wonderful job making cakes and serving wherever needed!

I told the leaders about my need for their prayer as I follow God's call to go north, so they prayed over me...what a blessing it was to be sent out by dear Mozambican brothers and sisters from Maputo.

The whole group :)

Then I was blessed by two AMAZING car packers, Gary and Phillip, who got me ready for my trip (surfboards and all)!

Thank you to everyone on my team here for helping and supporting me as we serve Christ together.

And thank you to all you who are far away who are supporting me in prayer and finances so that I can be here to make disciples for Christ Jesus.

~ We will all share in the harvest together ~

12th Trip to Inhambane

2011-07-06T03:46:00.000-07:00

I have just come back from my 12th ministry trip up to Inhambane...my last trip before I move north to this province!

I have been so blessed to have such wonderful partners in ministry

(above - Papa Abel and Mama Isabel)

I had also invited a new missionary to join us on our trip, Kyla Semenyna, who was such a joy!

We went to the town of Quissico to buy food.

Kyla and Isabel having some laughs as they struggle to hold the heavy basket of food.

Sitting on the mat on the veranda, Mama Isabel worked on the food preparations.

It was great to spend time with the students in Quissico.

(above - Aimee and Belmira, who had braided my hair the last time I saw her).

Hermenigildo, Belmira, and Kyla hanging out on the veranda.

Here is Germilindo, a church trainer, leading a study at our weekend discipleship training.

Although there are many challenges, it is a joy to see the church trainers studying, growing, and putting into practice what they are learning.

Would you please pray for the young churches in the Inhambane province?

Pray that they would grow in faith and understanding and that they would seek God's will.

And would you please keep me in prayer as I prepare to relocate to Inhambane this coming week?

Pray that I would transition well and that I would plan my schedule according to God's will.

Thank you so much!

Studying Women of the Bible

2011-06-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

Studying God's Word Together

This past 6 months I've been meeting with Mama Vitoria and Mama Isabel for discipleship and Bible study preparation.

Meeting with Mama Vitoria (above).

We're studying "Mulheres Da Biblia" (Women of the Bible).

Would you please pray that Mama Vitoria and Mama Isabel would continue to be encouraged and work hard in leading these Bible studies, and that Mozambican women would grow in their understanding and relationship with Christ.

Thank you!

Wedding, Graduation, and Goodbyes

2011-06-06T00:57:00.000-07:00

Wedding

This last week, Percina, a student from the Maputo Biblical and Theological Seminary was married to Luis, a member of the Palavra Viva church in T-3.

May God bless and protect Luis and Percina's marriage.

Graduation

Seven high-school seniors graduated from the Christian Academy in Mozambique (CAM).

Each was presented with a special Bible.

May God encourage and direct these young men and women as they go forward.

Goodbyes

The Hulsey family leaves today for one year in the U.S. Don, right, does a wonderful job directing the Maputo Biblical and Theological Seminary. Aleta, left, is a terrific teacher at Christian Academy in Mozambique. Zac, center, just graduated from CAM and will be starting at a university this next year.

May God continue to guide, use, and bless this family for His glory.

Dynamic Women Team

2011-05-24T00:55:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to host the Dynamic Women in Missions Team that came to visit Mozambique this May!

From left to right: Donis Kendrick, Gail Watson, Deanna Todd, Pat Dragon, Audrey Banales, and Karlene Clendenning.

We visited the churches in the Maputo Province.

Audrey was able to pump water from the Picoco well which was funded by the VBS kids from Audrey's home church!

Mom and baby in Picoco.

Deanna sharing some love

Kids in the Picoco church

Pat, left, led this team from the U.S.

She told the pastors and the congregation that many people are praying for the church planting that is going on in Mozambique.

Then the Mozambican ladies shared their prayer requests and the team prayed for them.

Sisters in Christ

We visited the Maputo Biblical and Theological Seminary

(I was pointing out the country of Mozambique on the wooden map of Africa)

We stepped into the classrooms...

...and we praised God together at the seminary chapel service.

Gail and Donis shared their testimonies with the students.

The Dynamic Women Team then prayed over the women in the first-year class.

We visited the pre-school in the T-3 church :)

The team put on a great play about David and Goliath...

...Pat does a great Goliath :)

Then we participated in the Women's Bible study at T-3.

What a joy to encourage one another in Christ.

All Dynamic Women!

My colleague, Larry Weil, shared with the team and gave them a tour of the new property for the K-12 Christian Academy in Mozambique (CAM).

We then visited the current CAM school to see the kids...

...and share with them at the CAM chapel.

Happy CAM Director, Susan Weil :)

Two women, Deanna and Donis, were able to sit in on my literacy lesson with Fatima and share some encouraging words with her!

We had a lovely missionary ladies tea.

Left to right: Audrey, Susan (missionary to Mozambique), Karlene, Pat, Sharon (missionary to Mozambique), Deanna, Donis, Gail (and I was taking the picture :)

My colleagues, Melvin and Sharon Kelly, shared with the team about their ministry, and the women prayed over them.

I introduced the team to some of the women from the church in Chamanculo and we spent a day together making traditional Mozambican food :)

American women starting to look like Mozambican women!

Gail learning to cut the mandioca and getting some laughs :)

Karlene learning how to shave a coconut on the special stool with metal shaving teeth.

Pat learning how to pound out peanuts with the huge mortar and pestle (she did an amazing job!).

Then even put me to work :)

They told me to flip up the rim of my hat so they could see my face...

...unfortunately I thought I bore a resemblance to the early 9o's TV character "Blossom"

Donis with baby Elen from Chamanculo

Pat and Elena showing what they've sifted.

Some neighbor kids came by to see what all the commotion was about :)

After cooking, eating, and sharing a devotional, the team prayed for their Mozambican sisters.

Sisters praying for sisters.

It was a blessed trip!

~Thank you for coming~

And thanks for the great pics Gail and Pat :)

Changana Course

2011-04-18T03:42:00.000-07:00

These last three months, twice a week, I've been studying Changana, a Bantu language of southern Mozambique. The course ends this week, and I'm thankful to have been able to learn some things that will hopefully help me to grow in my understanding of culture and Bantu languages,which are spoken in much of central and southern Africa. This is my teacher, Benjamina (right). She teaches in Portuguese, the offical language of Mozambique...the course is offered by the German cultural center...but the class is held at the French cultural center...and I usually sit next to a Norwegian woman, who incidentally speaks Japanese... :) It's a nice multi-cultural mix!

11th Trip to Inhambane

2011-03-31T03:37:00.000-07:00

Discipling:

Traveling, Teaching, Eating, and Braiding

Traveling

Irma Sandra (above) from the church in Tsalala came with us on this ministry trip to Inhambane.

Out of the 9 Palavra Viva (Living Word) churches in the Maputo province, women from 6 of these 9 churches have accompanied P. Abel and I on ministry trips to the province of Inhambane.

These have essentially been "short-term mission trips" for these Mozambican women (something I never could have imagined or planned). I've been blessed to travel, work, teach, eat, and sleep alongside of these women as we learn and grow in Christ.

Discipleship happens as we travel together.

Teaching

Teaching the Word of God is certainly a part of discipleship. Here I am teaching some of the women about the lessons we can learn from Job's wife in the Bible (...what not to do).

Here is Pastor Abel with the church planters underneath the cashew tree. He is teaching about what it means to be a worker for the Lord.

Discipleship happens as we teach.

Eating In this picture, I'm about to partake of the cashew fruit (the seed/cashew nut is on the top and the fruit is on the bottom). You can see P. Abel grinning at his fruit on the left, and Alberto wondering why in the world I would want to take a picture of a cashew fruit on the right :)

Perhaps it is clear that discipleship happens as we travel on short-term mission trips and teach the Bible...but what does eating have to do with discipleship... I believe that eating is one way to open hearts, ears, and eyes.

Here is the inside of the cashew fruit (it tastes a lot like star fruit).

Eating the local food that we are offered is a way of showing our acceptance and love for the people that we are here to serve. If we were to refuse the food that is offered, it would be a way of refusing the love and reception of the people.

If people know that we love and accept them, then they are more open to listen to what we are saying and to see how we are living. In this way, I believe that eating can prepare hearts in an attitude of love to hear the Word of God and see it in action.

Discipleship happens as we eat.

Braiding

I've been wondering how I could build stronger discipling relationships with the young ladies where we stay in the village of Zavala.

At the end of the first day of our discipleship training, I approached the reed mat where three young ladies were arranging eachother's hair. They asked me if I had ever braided my hair, to which I replied that I had not, with an ambiguous grin on my face...happy for the chance to bond with them, but knowing that it was going to hurt a bit :)

Here are some shots in the dark...since "Cousin Itt" couldn't see through the hair as she took the photos.

Beatiful Belmira

Curious Cesaltina

Sweet Vitoria

Hurt a bit...it did. But it was more than worth it for the relationships it helped to build. How is braiding hair a part of discipleship... I believe that relationships based on love and trust are the foundation for discipleship. And if these relationships can partly be built through braiding hair...then I want braids :) From traveling and teaching, to eating and braiding...discipleship is happening. Praise God for all the ways the He helps us to make disciples for Christ!

Literacy Lessons and Women's Bible Study

2011-03-23T02:41:00.000-07:00

Literacy Lessons with Fatima

Here in Maputo...

I continue to meet with Irma Fatima each week for her Portuguese literacy lesson.

Before we study, we always have a special time of prayer.

Then we go over her homework and do the next lesson. After each lesson we do a Bible study, in which Fatima reads the Scripture, and we talk about what it means. What a joy it is to see her growing in her reading and in her relationship with Christ!

Women's Discipleship Bible Study

Here in Maputo...

Using the Mozambican Bible study, Women of the Bible,

I am privileged to be able to disciple Mama Vitoria and Mama Isabel...

Then Mama Vitoria and Mama Isabel disciple a group made up of one woman from each church...

Then these women disciple the women's group in each of their respective churches.

Praying before the Bible study with some of the women disciples

Mama Vitoria facilitating the study with the group of women disciples from the churches

In our Bible study this last week, we studied the early and later life of Rebekah. It so happened that I had a lovely visitor staying with me named Rebekah. And it so happened that there is a well at the church where we did our study. So our modern day Rebekah wanted to try out the well...and she, like her Biblical counterpart, was kind enough to pump us some water :)

I appreciate your prayers for Fatima's literacy lessons, and the Women's Discipleship Bible Study!

10th Trip to Inhambane

2011-03-02T00:52:00.000-08:00

We praise God for the privilege of sharing His love, teaching His Word, and building His kingdom in Inhambane, Mozambique!

Saturday and Sunday Discipleship and Leadership Training Group

Irmao Marcos Zito (left) from the church in T-3, Maputo came with us (Pastor Abel on right).

Irma Zinha and her little daughter Dulcinha from the church in Picoco, Maputo also came with us.

Irma Zinha faithfully served in any way help was needed.

Here she is washing the dishes.

Little Dulcinha enjoying her first meal up in Zavala, Inhambane.

The work is always full of different experiences, some difficult, some wonderful, and some random. Just to give an idea of this, here are few pics and stories...

Random kitten in Bangusa that made me want a glass of milk and some oreo cookies ;)

Setting up the Jesus Film.

In this area, we showed the film in the Chope language, and afterwards an elderly man told us that he was so happy to hear about Jesus in his mother tongue :)

The men from the discipleship leader's training.

(Pastor Abel and Irmao Nelson are pointing up to give glory to God, and Papa Tomas, who's always joking around, is sprawled out in the front :)

During the training, I've been teaching about prayer. After asking the group if they pray to thank God before their meals when they are with friends who are not Christians, one young man said that he did not. He then said that he wanted to make a commitment that day to thank God for his food, no matter who is around him. Praise God!

We also had our first women's Bible study for the leaders of the women's groups in the local churches here. I thank God for the good start to this study.

We visited the church in Maculuva, where we were lovingly given "jambalao" (the black fruit) in bowls made from coconut trees.

In Maciene, Pastor Abel and I had the difficult task of asking the main church leader in that area to step down due to some life choices he has made. We used 1 Timothy 3:1-7 as our Biblical foundation, and the church leader agreed to step down. We then asked the four other members of the church leadership to step up to keep the church together, and they all agreed to do this.

In Chidenguele, Gaza, we met with a group of 12 young people to ask them if they wanted to start up church groups in their areas and to receive leadership training that we're doing once a month in Zavala. One by one, each person said no, got up, and walked away. The four of us were left sitting there alone in silence.

In Nyadumbuque, something happened that has never happened to me here before. Many churches thank us by offering us food, which is wonderful. And of course food could have been eaten or sold for money, but I have never directly received money as a thanksgiving offering from a church here in Mozambique.

After visiting the church group in Nyadumbuque (which is in the bush), the father and mother of the church leader, Germilindo, gave P. Abel and I an offering of 200 meticais (approx. $6.50). Wow, what a tremendous blessing to witness.

For all these things, random, difficult, and wonderful - we praise God for the work He is doing here, and how He allows us to be a part of it!

And here are a few pictures from the road...

Some confusing lane markings...

The lucky cow I almost hit...

A goat getting a ride...

A close up of the bus goat :)

Thank you for your partnership in prayer and support as I serve here in Mozambique!

Retreat, Women's Work, and Seminary

2011-02-14T00:24:00.000-08:00

Team Retreat

The first weekend of February two local South African pastors came to share with us for our team retreat in South Africa. It was a blessing to come away, rest, and reflect.

Back Row Left to Right: Melvin Kelly with Joshua Kelly, P. Louis, P. Craig, Aimee, Zac Hulsey and friend Coleson Lechner

Front Row Left to Right: Sharon Kelly, Susan Weil with Abigail Kelly, Larry Weil, Aleta Hulsey, Don Hulsey

Women's Ministries

This last week Mama Vitoria announced the new Bible study that will be starting for the leaders of the women's groups in the 9 churches of the Maputo province.

I will be helping Mama Vitoria and Mama Isabel prepare to facilitate this Bible study for the leaders, the first of which will be on Saturday, February 19th.

Would you please pray for the women leaders of the 9 churches in the Maputo province to be able to participate, to be filled with God's Spirit, and to be able to facilitate this study in each of their respective churches? Please pray that women would come to know God and grow in Him.
~Thank you~

Maputo Biblical and Theological Seminary

Today, February 14th, the seminary begins its second year of classes! 28 returning students will begin the second year, and 30 new students will start the first year. You can see a short video of what's going on at the seminary by clicking on the link below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iMjHKLP5sO

9th Trip to Gaza and Inhambane

2011-02-01T01:59:00.000-08:00

Pastor Abel, Mama Isabel and I have just come back from our ministry trip to the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane...

Training in Quissico and Teaching in Maciene

I continued to teach the sessions about prayer and Chronological Bible storytelling at the leadership training in Quissico

What a privilege it is to be a part of the discipleship process with these new believers

Mama Isabel preparing to speak on Sunday morning with the church group in Maciene

Mama Isabel sharing with the church group (Pastor Abel standing in the foreground)

Mother and baby of Maciene

Women and children

Son with his father

Some of the Food we Eat

After our leadership training, one of the church planters presented us with some corn :)

We grilled it up on the wood that was still hot from lunch

Mama Isabel checking on the progress

Ready to eat :)

A happy pastor Abel with his "massaroca" (corn on the cob)

After visting with the church group in Maculuva, one of the older ladies gave us some mafura fruit from the local mafura tree.

We took the bright orange pods out of their green shells and let them soak in luke warm water for about twenty minutes.

Then we poured off most of the water, added two spoons of sugar, and began to stir the mafura.

Under the bright orange skin is white fruit which has been softened by the water.

After mixing it for about five minutes, it turns out like a white custard...a lovely dessert that evening!

We continue to serve God and His beloved people in Gaza and Inhambane, and it's a blessing to enjoy the local food we are lovingly given :)

Dad's Visit and Survey/Surf Trip

2011-01-24T00:31:00.000-08:00

This last week my dad made his first visit to Mozambique!

It was great to be able to combine a father-daughter surf trip and a survey trip for future ministry.

I had three meetings with people from Maxixe and Inhambane city, and it was very helpful to be able to ask questions about people, areas, languages, needs, local ministries, challenges, and possible living situations.

After an evening surf session on the Inhambane coast :)

My dad was able to learn about some of the work I've been involved in here in Mozambique, and we both learned about some of the local history in Inhambane.

This sign says, "Hole of Murders"

During the Portuguese colonial period in Mozambique, Mozambicans in this coastal area of Inhambane who did not obey colonial commands were forced to jump into a deep and narrow blowhole in the giant rocks at the sea.

Here is the ocean that surrounds the giant rocks (this was a calm day).

This is the hole that the Mozambicans were forced to jump into, where the sea would surge in and crush them against the rocks...thus it was called "the hole of murders".

Mozambicans gained their freedom from Portuguese colonial rule in 1975, and now there is a freedom monument on the cliff by the hole.

Looking up toward the monument you can see the victorious arm with a broken chain.

I praise God for the physical freedom that Mozambicans now have.
I also pray for those who will receive the spiritual freedom that comes from Christ.

I'm thankful for the surveying and surfing I was able to do with my dad here :)

Prayer for God's Will in the New Year

2011-01-04T02:10:00.000-08:00

It was a joy to spend new years with my colleagues, Larry and Susan Weil, who do wonderful work as Director of Christian Academy in Mozambique and Field Treasurer.

Aimee, Susan, and Larry, in Xai Xai, Mozambique

As I've been praying, thinking, and seeking counsel about this new year, I'm excited to go forward in God's will, way, and time!

There are 5 things I'd like to share and ask for prayer...

1) If God wills, I would like to continue to work with my good friend Fatima on literacy instruction as we start up the 2nd and final primer.

1st Literacy Primer which Fatima has completed

2) If God wills, I would like to begin a Changana language course that meets two evenings a week from January until May.

Changana Grammar Book

3) If God wills, I would like to encourage, disciple, and help a Mozambican woman (whom I am praying about) from one of the churches in Maputo to enable her to start a new Bible study with the leaders of the women's groups from the churches in Maputo. The leaders in this Bible study would then be able to do this study with the women's groups in their respective churches.

Women of Chamanculo Bible Study

4) If God wills, I would like to begin this same Bible study with the leaders of the women's groups from the new churches in Inhambane when we travel there each month. As in Maputo, the leaders would then be able to do the Bible study with the women's groups in their respective churches.

New Bible Study ~ "Women of the Bible"

5) If God wills, I would like to move north to the province of Inhambane, possibly at the end of May, so that I can live closer to the work that God has been calling me to do.

Six years ago, God put it on my heart to go north of Maputo with the desire to make disciples and train women leaders in the newly planted Mozambican Palavra Viva churches. It has been my intent to neither rush ahead, nor drag my feet in this calling. If this is God's timing, then I want to go forward in this.

At the end of January, I hope to make a survey trip to the areas of Maxixe and Inhambane city (see province of Inhambane on the map above).

My dad is planning to visit at this same time and we would like to surf together. We are planning to go to the beach area just outside of the city of Inhambane, so I hope to make this a combination survey/surf trip with my dad :)

I would appreciate your prayer for each of these 5 things - for God's will, way, and timing. I do not want to do any of these things if they are not God's will, and I do not want to neglect them if they are.

Thank you for you prayer!

Birthdays

2010-12-26T06:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve Birthday

My colleagues, Melvin and Sharon Kelly, have twins, Joshua and Abigail, who turned 1 on December 24th (above - twins with friend Rufina).

Father and Son

Mother and Daughter

They had a lovely birthday party with their Mozambican friends.

Here's my new little friend...Joel :)

Christmas Day Birthday

On December 25, I celebrated Christ's birthday with the Miambo and Fernando family (above).

Elina Fernando, who is the sister of my dear friend Ana, presented the women with Christmas capulanas (left to right - Aimee, Herglencia, Elina, Mama Fernando, Ana).

I hope you had a blessed Christmas!

Ana's last trip and Mom's last week

2010-12-14T03:23:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

The lovely..."Ana Wreath"

Here's Ana with a Christmas wreath we found at a place where we stayed in Gaza on our last trip :)

It was the same place where we discovered the world's cutest puppy.

My mom and Ana pictured here...with the world's cutest puppy :)

Aimee and Ana

~ The last of five wonderful trips with my fun and faithful partner, Ana Miambo ~

Ana will not be able to travel with me for the ministry trips up north in the new year because she will start her studies in January. I'm very happy she will be furthering her education, but I'm also sad to lose such a lovely partner in ministry.

It's been wonderful to have my mom here these past three weeks...

Meeting my friends...

Praying for my Mozambican family...

Sharing God's Word with Mozambican church leaders...

Spending time with sisters...

My mom and I invited Fatima, Vania (Fatima's daughter), and Ana to take part in a family Christmas tradition...decorating gingerbread men!

My mom worked hard to bake the delicious men (and women), and she had brought frosting and decorations from home.

She told the story of the gingerbread man and shared about our Christmas tradition.

The women loved the decorating...and the eating :)

One of the finished products...before it was devoured :o)

It was wonderful to have my mom here to share first-hand in the work that God has called me to do.

I love you mom!

Have a happy Christmas!

8th Trip to Gaza and Inhambane

2010-12-02T01:42:00.000-08:00

My mom joined pastor Abel, Ana, and I on our ministry trip north to the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane.

On Saturday, we did our discipleship training for the local church planters/trainers (above). I taught a session on prayer, and pastor Abel taught a session on serving God.

My mom was able to share a devotional about obeying God using the story of Jonah, which I translated for the group. Irma Hortencia appreciated my mom's sharing, and she asked for a picture with her :).

The church trainers have now begun to practice teaching in our group sessions! Irmao Bartolomeo taught the Chronological Bible story lesson about Jesus feeding the 5,000, and Papa Tomas taught the lesson on church planting (above).

We were then able to visit the growing church group of Papa Tomas in Cala!

Kids from the church in Cala.

When we had some free time on one of the afternoons, Ana suggested we visit the beach we had discovered on a previous trip :)

Pastor Abel turned into a expert crab hunter...

...and ten crabs later, we were ready go...with dinner in hand!

When we got back, Ana began cleaning the crabs.

I stirred the pot of critters with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and salt :)

With some leftover beans and rice from lunch, we topped our plates with fresh Quissico caranguejos (crabs).

Pastor Abel thoroughly enjoyed his catch of the day...and so did we!

In Bartolomeo's growing church group of Maciene, eight people wanted to be baptized. We drove down the dirt road, and stopped by a reed filled inlet. As we stood under the trees, I shared about the prominent African man who was reading the Scriptures when Philip approached his chariot.

Following Philip's example, I explained who Jesus was. Then I asked, like Philip, "Do you believe with all your heart, as this African man did, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" They all responded in the chope language, "Yes, we do."

So we climbed down to the water, just as the Ethiopian did, and each one was baptized.

Praise God!

Afterwards, we had a celebration lunch together.

The food was prepared by the beautiful strong hands of the women.

At the smell of food, a hungry cat came crying to my feet.

After gorging himself on goat bones and chicken skins, he lay satisfied at my feet :)

On the way back home after our five-day trip, we stopped at Pastor Abel's wife's field. My mom was able to taste the newly harvested peanuts...

...and enjoy some fresh coconut milk :)

It was great to have my mom join us on our ministry trip to see and participate in the work first-hand. We all praise God for the work He is doing, and the privilege of being a part of it.

Mom Visiting and Saturday Graduation

2010-11-24T00:30:00.000-08:00

My mom is visiting :)

On Saturday, we attended the graduation ceremony of six students from Palavra Viva churches who have been doing the theological ministry course at the Maputo Biblical and Theological Seminary.

The students studied for 3 years every Saturday at the Seminary, and it was a blessing to be a part of this graduation ceremony.

Left to right -
Nelio Nequisse (Student Representative) Don Hulsey (Seminary Director) Me (OMS Representative) Daniel Maduel (Course Professor) Abel Miambo (Palavra Viva Church Representative)

I encouraged the students to continue to study God's Word and to put it into practice.

The four women graduates (Julia, Luisa, Vitoria, and Isabel) are very special to me because they had each traveled with me on a ministry trip up north to Gaza and Inhambane.

Commissioning Prayer

What a joy to be a part of this special day!

Sweet Surprise

2010-11-11T04:37:00.000-08:00

On Tuesdays, Fatima and I facilitate the women's Bible study in Chamanculo.

When I arrived at Fatima's house this last Tuesday, her daughter Vania (above), had a surprise for me!

Vania had gathered her friends (above) to sing Happy Birthday!

They presented me with a new capulana and a purse...what a sweet surprise :)

Women at the Well

2010-11-02T11:12:00.001-07:00

This is the hand-pump well that we were able to install next to the church in Picoco, mainly because of money raised by children from a vacation Bible school in Oklahoma.

On Sunday, I met Maria, who told me a story...

A new family moved to Picoco about four months ago. The mom, Maria, went to the well to pump water for her family. While there, she met a lady from the church, Graca, who invited Maria and her family to church.

Nelio, here with his wife Zinha, is the pastor of this church in Picoco. Maria, her husband, and her children began to attend the church.

Their daughter, Fogineta, accepted Christ.

This last Sunday, Fogineta, in the blue skirt, was baptized, along with five other people from the church in Picoco.

Pastor Nelio and Pastor Abel baptized her.

Maria stood at her left, and Fogineta's father, Berto, stood at her right as pastor Nelio presented her baptism certificate.

~Children from one country gave for a well in another country

Two women began talking at the well

One woman's daughter accepted Christ

She and five others were baptized on Sunday ~

Praise God for partnership, physical water, and living water!

Kelly's Arrival and Fatima's Certificate

2010-10-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

We praise God for the arrival of Melvin and Sharon Kelly with their 10-month twins, Joshua and Abigail! (picture below)

~ Would you please pray for God's protection and blessing upon the Kelly family ~

"He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young."

Isaiah 40:11

And...after one year of literacy lessons, I was able to present Fatima with the certificate of completion for her first Portuguese Bible-based literacy primer (picture below :)

Fatima wants to be able to read the Bible and share the love of Christ with others.

She looks forward to starting the final literacy primer in the new year!

7th Trip to Gaza and Inhambane

2010-10-06T01:09:00.001-07:00

Pastor Abel, Ana, and I have just come back from another ministry trip to Gaza and Inhambane. We are continuing to serve in encouraging, teaching, training, discipling, showing the Jesus Film, and baptizing.

CALA

Papa Tomas (on the left) is the church leader in Cala, and this was his first time baptizing the new believers from his church group.

We prayed after the baptism as a new believer emerges from the water in Cala.

My wonderful partner for the last three trips to Gaza and Inhambane - Ana :)

On this trip we were joined by Jose Banales (left), and Juka Fernando (right). Jose came for three weeks to shepherd and encourage the churches in the province of Zambezia, where Juka and his wife Elina serve as missionaries. After their time in Zambezia, they came to visit the church groups with us in Inhambane.

On the way back to the church in Cala, we spotted some laid back "beach cows" getting some sun while grazing on beach grass :)

When we got back to the church, we presented the baptism certificates.

Then it was time to celebrate :)

Before we left, we prayed from some of the church members who were suffering from illnesses.

MACULUVA

When visiting and sharing with the church group in Maculuva, one church member, Baskett, got his cows ready to get water for the family. Two verses came to my mind...

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers."
I could see that unequally yoked cows would not work well.

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

I'd like to be yoked with Jesus.

The church planter in Maculuva is Aldimira (below). She is able to read, she is learning God's Word, and she is sharing it with her group!

A couple of church members in Maculuva.

BANGUSA AND MACIENE

We showed the Jesus film in the evenings in several areas.

In Bangusa, where Mama Olga raises turkeys, I dared Ana to pick up one of the large adult turkeys...and she took me up on it!

~ Ana and the Turkey ~

While we were setting up the Jesus film in Maciene, Juka did a wonderful job teaching the children a new praise song with actions :)

QUISSICO AND NYADUMBUQUE

On Sunday morning, we participated in the church service with the group in Quissico. Alberto shared the message that morning.

I translated for Jose as he shared about how we are all part of the body of Christ around the world.

After church, we went to Nydumbuque for baptisms, which was an incredible blessing to me.

On my first trip to Nydumbuque one year ago, I helped Pastor Abel baptize a new believer named Germilindo. He is now the leader of the large church group there, and he performed the baptisms alongside of Pastor Abel!

Pastor Abel and Irmao Germilindo with all those who were baptized in Nyadumbuque!

I praise God for all that He is doing here!

Would you please pray for these Mozambican brothers and sisters as they come to your mind. ~Thank you ~

Chamanculo Women's Bible Study

2010-09-15T02:37:00.000-07:00

Here's a brief update on the Chronological Bible Storytelling study in Chamanculo

(group picture below)

The number of women and the location varies from week to week. This past Tuesday we had our study at the home of Gloria, who just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Matau (below).

Irma Fatima (below) and I have been co-leading this Bible study for the past eight months, and we've just finished the major stories of the Old Testament!

As we've started the New Testament stories, each woman from the group has begun to take turns leading the lessons (including Fatima and me). What a joy!

Fatima and I would appreciate your continued prayer for the women of this group, that they would draw close to God as they hear, tell, and learn His story.

~ Thank you ~

6th Trip to Gaza and Inhambane

2010-08-30T04:31:00.001-07:00

I've just come back from another ministry trip up to the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane where we showed the Jesus film twice, visited and shared with the church groups, held a two-day church planter training, and...discovered a beach!

Showing the Jesus Film in Bangusa, Inhambane

My partners, Pastor Abel and Ana Miambo, setting up to project the Jesus Film in Bangusa

Me and my beloved cords and wires...

A young fellow who came out in his 'Jesus film best'

Before we started the movie, the children sang and danced

This is a picture of the very beginning of the film with the planet earth on the screen, and that evening's moon to the left of the screen

After the first four days of driving, visiting groups, preaching, and showing the Jesus film...we had an afternoon off!! So "we" decided to find the nearest beach (mostly "I" begged for us to go>:)

An afternoon at praia de Quissico

Ana and Abel discovering the beach in Quissico

They ending up loving it :)

Two gracious co-workers

And one walrus

...then there were two

Two-day church planter training seminar in Zavala

After I taught the morning sessions on Chronological Bible storytelling,

Pastor Abel taught the afternoon sessions on Biblical knowledge and church planting.

Ana worked hard in the kitchen to prepare the two mid-day meals.

A few of the church planters who have been attending the trainings...

Hortencia

Isildro

Leonilda

Germelindo

After the second day of training, Ana and I fooled around with some new hair styles...

Ana with my hair (I'm under the capulana cloth)

Me with Ana's hair (she's under the capulana)

Ana, Aimee, Abel

I praise God for my wonderful travel companions and partners in ministry!

Training in Mocuba and Women of the Bible

2010-08-17T04:36:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, I traveled to Mocuba in the northern province of Zambezia. Juka and Elina Fernando, who come from the southern province of Maputo, serve as missionaries in Mocuba, Zambezia.

The Fernandos just held the first church planter/trainer seminar in the newly finished Mocuba Training Center!

(below - the whole group at the center)

When I was there in Mocuba, I had told Juka's wife, Elina, about a Bible study called, "Mulheres da Biblia" (Women of the Bible), and I gave her a copy. That was 5 months ago, and I didn't know if she would use it. I haven't heard about it since....until this week.

After church this last Sunday, a pastor from the south, who attended the training with his wife, commented on the Bible study that his wife loved so much...it was Mulheres da Biblia!

(below - Elina Fernando, on the right, leading the Bible study for the women :)

I praise God for the big things that He does through the little things that we do.

Moving...and Tribute to "Batmen"

2010-08-03T06:33:00.000-07:00

This week I'll be moving to a place about 45 minutes away from where I am now. Lord willing, my hope is to eventually move again, perhaps in December, into a small place which could be a kind of base for me to come back to when I am spending more time north of Maputo.

Since I'm leaving the apartment where I've lived this past year, I'd like to give tribute to some special guards that have helped me immensely. I'll call them the...Batmen.

~Adelino, Rogerio, Horacio, and Nataniel~
(You may notice that they all look like Malibu, CA. locals! I asked my dad if he could send some shirts to say thank you :)

After the first two bats, I didn't want this to become some sort of "bat blog", so I didn't write the stories of bat #3, who nestled under the pillow on my bed and then squealed like a little pig when the guard grabbed him (below). After bats #1 and #2, this guard suggested we start killing these bats instead of letting them go outside. So he "cremated" bat #3.

I also never wrote about bat #4, and how he chased me down the hallway (possibly using his "echolocation"skills to hunt me down...I was screaming all the way). When I got to a room, I quickly slammed the door behind me, and then found out that he was so close, that I had actually slammed him in the door...not a pleasant sight. I do not have a picture, which may be for the best. The guard picked up his lifeless body, put him in plastic bag and threw him in the trash (outside).

Finally, infamous bat #5 who flew in high circles around my dinner table and could not be reached...until that guard wacked him down with a broom. Once he got him onto the floor, a struggle ensued, all the while I stood screaming in the corner. Thankfully, the "broomed" guard won out. He then took him outside and finished him off with a shovel...also not a pleasant sight. However, bat #5 was given a proper burial (above) right outside my front door...

I'm thankful to these four brave batmen! But I do hope my bat adventures are over...

Dedrick's Departure and Women's Meeting

2010-07-16T03:33:00.000-07:00

Dedrick's Departure

Our team had a nice lunch together this week to say goodbye to Dave and Ann Dedrick. They will be in the U.S. this next year to visit their family, friends, and churches. They hope to return to Mozambique next summer!

Left front - Dave Dedrick, Left middle - Aleta Hulsey (Christian Academy in Mozambique teacher), Left back - Ann Dedrick

Right Front - Don Hulsey (Maputo Seminary director), Right middle - Larry Weil, Right middle - me, Right back - Susan Weil

Would you pray that God would direct, use, and bless Dave and Ann as they are in the U.S. this next year?

Women's Meeting in Picoco

Women from four of the Evangelica Palavra Viva churches from the Maptuo province gathered together this week to sing, pray, hear a message given by one of the women, and share a meal.

Like the last meeting, I shared one of the Bible verses that Fatima and I had memorized with the women in Chamanculo so that all these women could also learn it - and they did!

"Hosi Xikwembu e Xikwembu lexinene, i khokholo hi siku ra khombo; xi hlayisa lava chavelaka eka xona." Nahume 1:7

("The Lord God is a good God, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust Him." Nahum 1:7)

Jesus Film and 5th Trip to Gaza and Inhambane

2010-06-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

Before traveling back to the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane this last week, Pastor Abel and I went to see my teammate, Dave, to learn how to use the Jesus film equipment.

Dave, who seems to have serious mechanical and technological skills, patiently taught Abel and I, who seem to seriously lack these skills.

Here's Dave and Abel putting the screen together.

"Pastor Abel...meet projector power chord"

Aimee's Nightmare #1 - chords and wires attached to various machines

Nightmare #2 - Generator thing...also more chords. At this point in the learning process, I believe the word "throttle" may have been used.

Nightmare #3 - numerous buttons and knobs (thankfully I did not have to mess with these too much)

After Dave showed us everything and set it up with us, he told us to dismantle it all and set it up without his help...

Amazingly, we were able to do it!

However, I had taken pictures when Dave was setting it up, so I referred to my camera display to see what chords went where...in essence, a photographic cheat sheet >:)

After we passed the 'Jesus Film set-up test', Dave's wife, Ann, prepared a lovely meal for us. Dave has helped me numerous times by giving me mechanical support, and Ann has helped me numerous times by giving me gastronomic support...food :)

Thank you Dave and Ann!

5th Trip to Gaza and Inhambane

Then P. Abel and I were off to Gaza and Inhambane! This time sweet Ana Miambo, from the church in Chamanculo, came with us.

During the days, we did teaching and training - Pastor Abel led the Introduction to the Bible course while I led the Chronological Bible storytelling. Here's Abel and Hermenegildo setting up for one of our training days.

Then...the moment of truth came on Sunday evening. We drove out to one of the new church groups in Nyadumbuque to show the Jesus film!

On the way to the village, we had planned to get gas for the generator. But we soon found out there was no gas at any of the stations, or in the ubiquitous road-side bottles (thankfully, my car runs on diesel :) There was already some gas in the generator, so we prayed that it would be enough to show the 2hr film.

As we approached the village, gray clouds were forming and it began to sprinkle. We arrived in darkness, and began to unload the equipment.

After setting up the screen, Pastor Abel went off with several of the young men to start up the generator. Each man successively took his turn pulling the chord, but it refused to come to life. After about twenty minutes of trying, P. Abel accidently tilted it up as he pulled the chord... and all of the sudden it roared to life. But when he put it down again, it died. Therefore, a suitable piece of wood was quickly found and propped up under the generator to keep it tilted. Then it worked very well...naturally :)

All the while, my flashlight and I were left in charge of setting up the chords and wires connecting the amplifier, dvd player, projector, and speakers. To be the person in charge of these things is a nightmare for me...and for anybody near me who wants to see and hear something. As the people continued to gather, I plugged in assorted chords and flipped various switches, and I prayed,"Lord, this is your work, your people, and You will do what you want. You and I both know I don't really know what I'm doing...even with my camera cheatsheet." But miracle of miracles...it all worked!

The picture is very dark, but this is Pastor Abel giving an invitation after the Jesus film. Many people prayed to accept Christ that night!

The church there meets at the same place where we showed the film, so Pastor Abel invited the people to come to that church. We praise God for His provision, help, and protection...for His work.

Weddings

2010-06-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

These last two weekends were very busy with weddings. The pastor of the church in Chamanculo, Jorge, got married this past weekend (below in the green shirt with yellow stripes in the front...just kidding).

I picked up Pastor Jorge, the one in the suit :), and other family members from his home on Saturday morning.

I noticed a new short-term "pet" in the yard...he was to play an important role in the Sunday meal >:)

After the wedding ceremony on Saturday, there was a church service on Sunday, and then the special meal at the groom's home. The women from the Bible study that Fatima and I are doing in Chamanculo invited me to help with the cooking!

All the cooking was done in Pastor Jorge's yard, and at times there were five cooking fires going at the same time...most of us were crying from all the smoke.

I worked alongside of my good friends Fatima (right) and Victoria (left).

As my right hand stirred, my left hand clenched my tissues to wipe away my smokey tears...

Then came the time to test the food! The short-term "pet" from the day before tasted wonderful.

When the bride and groom arrived, they came into the yard accompanied by singing and dancing.

The bride, Viriginia, symbolically carried a basin on her head, showing that she was now the working woman of the house.

The bride's family came to offer many useful wedding gifts.

Then groups of us came in to sing and dance and present our gifts.

I made a new friend...Leo :o)

Fatima and I in the smoke...she was smart to close her eyes.

But the day's work with runny nose and watery eyes was well worth it :)

4th Trip to Gaza and Inhambane

2010-05-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

I've just come back from another week serving in the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane with Pastor Abel...and this time with Mama Isabel (below).

Mama Isabel is truly like a "Mama" to me, and it was such a blessing to serve alongside of her.

Pastor Abel taught the Chronological Bible Storytelling, and I led a Bible study for new believers called Nova Vida (New Life).

Fifteen local church leaders participated, some coming from long distances.

After the two days of training sessions, we visited the different church groups.
In Bangusa, as we were visiting the lady who holds the church in her house, several women from a neighboring area happened to come by with some peanuts (above). So we had a time of singing, and I was able to share about the woman who was healed after she reached out in faith to touch Jesus' 'capulana.' The women asked for prayer and expressed the desire to come again to hear the Word of God.

Some of the young students joined in too.

There's a very long dirt road that goes through Bangusa and since there are some village schools in this area, the road is often filled with students. As we were driving back that day, I was shocked to hear a group of young students shout out, "Irma Aimee!!" We found out that they were part of the church group there...I was touched with the privilege of building relationships based on God's love with these precious people.

Two precious children of Bangusa :)

Julia's Engagement and Family Presentation

2010-05-19T02:29:00.000-07:00

This last weekend, Julia from Khongolote, celebrated her marriage engagement, and I was blessed to be a part of this special event. The family of the future groom, Sergio, was invited to meet the family of the future bride, Julia.

Julia, on the left, discussed food preparations with her sister, in the middle, and Maria, from the church in Khongolote, on the right.

Maria peeled the garlic

I seasoned the chickens

Zinha worked with her baby on the back

Julia's sister was one of the cooks

Julia had asked me if I would take pictures of this special event, so after I helped with some of the food preparation, there was a mad rush to "get Aimee presentable" so that I could be the "photographer" for the ceremonies.

Julia's family entered the house to present themselves to Sergio's family.

Julia changed into a beautiful dress

After the presentations, the two families then ate together. An uncle of the future groom insisted that the "photographer" be in one of the pictures. And even though I didn't eat inside with the core family members, the uncle said that a plate of food should be put on my lap for the picture...so here's the "photographer" with someone else's food :)

After the meal, groups of family and friends sang and danced while presenting gifts to the future bride.

Some of them gave gifts of food.

Julia and her future sister-in-law were wrapped in capulanas.

Finally, the groom arrived with more family and friends.

Julia changed her clothes one more time for the evening meal and presentation ceremony. Here are Julia's parents being presented to Sergio, Julia, and Sergio's best man.

I actually couldn't see anything when I took this picture since it was so dark...but here's the whole group at the end of the night.

I was blessed to be a part of this special event in Julia's life :)

Learning and Leading Together

2010-05-12T04:39:00.000-07:00

Fatima and I have been meeting on Tuesdays to prepare for the Chronological Bible study we're doing with women in Chamanculo.

During the afternoon, we read the Bible story and discuss it, and in the evening we go to the church in Chamanculo to sing, tell the story, memorize a Bible verse, and pray together.

As Fatima continues to learn how to read, I continue to learn how to speak...

We've had some laughs at some of my Portuguese linguistic errors...

While telling Fatima the story of Noah and the flood, I said that, "God sent a great smell upon the earth!"

flood - cheia

smell - cheira

While telling Fatima the story of Abraham's obedience to God, even being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, I said that, "as Abraham lifted the big fork to slay his son, God called out for him to stop."

knife - faca

fork - garfu

I praise God for Fatima's faithfulness and grace as we learn and lead together :)

3rd Trip to Gaza and Inhambane

2010-05-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

This last week I traveled north with Pastor Abel and his wife Victoria to the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane for the third time.

It is such a blessing to encourage the different church groups that are meeting in these areas.

Part of the church group in Maculuva, Inhambane

Two Strong Women of Maculuva

Two Strong Men and One Strong Ox

The Mozambican government has a program in which they loan two oxen to a family for a period of three years. The family can use the oxen to work their fields, and if the oxen produce young, the family can keep them. At the end of the three years the government comes to collect the original two oxen.

Before leaving, this group gave us some rather large mushrooms to cook for dinner that night. Pastor Abel and his wife Victoria are standing in the back with the Maculuva Mushrooms :)

Mama Victoria and I sorted the beans that we would eat for lunch the next day when we would do our church leader training.

We picked out all the pebbles, debris, little beasts, and bad beans.

In the process, I found some of the most beautiful beans!

Irmao Alberto lives at the house where Pastor Abel stays when he's in Inhambane. Alberto is a high school student and has started a meeting at the house twice a week with about 15 students who meet together to sing, pray, and have a short Bible study. It's been wonderful to get to know these students better each time I come to visit.

While we were in the province of Gaza, we were able to visit Mama Victoria's field. It was mandioca season, so we harvested some mandioca!

Pastor Abel pulling it out

Mandioca

Hardworking Mama Victoria

Hardworking Aimee Hacking Away

Cutting the trunk off for re-planting

Mama Victoria and I re-planted the trunk, which will grow into another full mandioca plant.

It was such a blessing to travel again to Gaza and Inhambane as I seek to build loving relationships with these beloved people - and I'm always learning so much in the process!

Beautiful Beira

2010-04-14T03:54:00.001-07:00

I've just had the privilege of traveling by bus up north to Beira, Mozambique to visit the Meyers family (below).

Brian is serving as a medical doctor, training and discipling Mozambican medical students, and Megan is serving as an artist, discipling Mozambican artists as they minister through the arts in church and in society.

While I was there, I had a lovely time with Dawn, a family friend of the Meyers, and Honey, a teacher from Christian Academy of Mozambique in Maputo.

Megan Meyers has been helping these young musicians create beautiful Biblically based worship music. At their Wednesday night practice, I was able to chat with some of the artists and learn about this ministry.

At their Friday night "jam session," I heard some of the wonderful praise songs these talented muscians have created in their local language and style!

I've been interested to learn about this ministry because I may be working within new church groups in the future that don't have any Biblically based songs in their local language and style.

~ Songs are especially important in an oral culture like Mozambique as they can be used to praise God, present the Gospel, and teach Scriptural truths ~

It was wonderful to learn more about Megan's music ministry!

And while I was in Beira, I was also able to visit the Macuti Lighthouse.

An old ship was placed on the beach in front of the lighthouse in order to slow shoreline erosion, therefore protecting the lighthouse. This is what's left of the ship (above).

As I looked at the various rusting ship parts, they reminded me of different things...

This one made me think of the kind of machine that would be found in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and it might do something crazy like produce giant gumballs :)

Three Calvary crosses

An old storybook fairytale house...

...and upon closer inspection, there actually was someone taking a nap in the hull, or 'house'

It sure makes for an interesting anti-erosion method to protect the lovely lighthouse :)

I praise God for this opportunity to visit Beira!

North to Mocuba

2010-03-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

I praise God for the trip north I was able to take these last two weeks with my colleagues Dave and Ann!

"Welcome to Mocuba

Where all roads cross and

Mozambique embraces itself"

On our first Sunday, we visited a church planted by locally trained pastor, Antonio Nacuatiana

Church in Erua, Zambezia

Visiting with Juka and Elina

After church, we spent precious time with Juka and Elina Fernando, who are Mozambican missionaries from the southern province of Maputo now living and serving in the northern province of Zambezia

I was able to help Irma Elina and Irma Albertina make our Sunday dinner, while Elina's husband, Juka, documented everything on film :)

Stirring the nshima

Making corvina fish curry

Learning from my two teachers...

and having fun with my two sisters :)

At one point I had control of both pots...a dangerous situation >:)

Women's Meeting

The next morning we had a women's meeting where God allowed me to share about servant leadership

To impress this lesson of servanthood on our hearts, we followed Jesus' example and washed one another's feet...

"You call me, Jesus, 'Teacher and Lord', and you are right to say this, for so I am."

"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet."

"For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you."

After our Bible study and sharing time, the women walked to the front of the church

They sang beautiful praise songs in Elomwe

The children played outside

Looking right at the camera in the middle of this picture is bright shining Elina...national missionary to her people

All of us

Staying with the Vasco da Gama Family

While in Mocuba, we stayed with a local pastor and his family - Pastor Antonio and Maria Vasco da Gama, and their four daughters

Mama Maria let me help her prepare dinner...one might get the impression that I would be a good cook after all the time I spend preparing food with Mozambican women...I'm not :( However, as I'm "cooking", I do learn a lot about the experiences, challenges, and blessings in the lives of precious Mozambican women :)

Little Naira and Yanni

Rex the dog :)

Mocuba Training Center Land

This is the plot of land for the Mocuba Training Center, which would be used for teaching and preparing church leaders in the north

My lovely tour guides and travel companions - Dave and Ann

The men prayed over the land and the beginning of the construction project - Belarmino, third from the right, is in charge of this work.

The local work team

A great group of guys :)

Quelimane

One day we were able drive a couple hours out of Mocuba to visit Quelimane. We met, shared, and prayed with local Pastor Arcanjo, who leads a church there.

P. Arcanjo's first wife, with whom he had five children, passed away. And now he is remarried...with five more children! His wife is holding the baby and his eldest son is on the left.

Nampula

We then took a two-day trip to the city of Nampula

On the way, we visited and encouraged one of Pastor Mario's church plants. Pastor Mario is on the far right and Juka, Elina's husband, is on the far left.

Also on the way, we stopped to see three men who are doing a wonderful work of translating the Old Testament, and some Chronological Bible story materials into the language of Elomwe. Ann was so happy to see the work that these translators are doing. The new local churches are anxiously waiting for the Old Testament books of the Bible in their language!

Another stop we made on the way to Nampula was Ile, where Pastor Dinis and his family live and serve. P. Dinis has trained many local pastors in the north. Dave asked to have a special prayer time for Dinis and his family.

We then shared a lovely meal together

When we got to Nampula, I was able to meet with a woman who showed me some wonderful Bible study booklets that I was able to buy. There are fifteen studies about women of the Bible that have been translated into Portuguese and put into the African context...I look forward to learning about them and using them in the future!

Dave and Ann in front of the house where we stayed in Nampula

On the way back to Mocuba, we visited P. Dinis while he was doing a church planter's training session in area called Naritete

The trainees in Naritete

Members of the local church

They thanked us for coming and gave us some of their crops

I ate my first raw piece of mandioca

Church in Naritete

Back in Mocuba

On our last night in Mocuba, Ann and I sang a song in Changana and wrapped the women in new capulanas :)

From left to right - Ermelinda (who helps in the home), me, Elina with daughter Milca, Ana (Elina's sister), Ann, and Irma Albertina with baby Belarmino.

What a special trip this was, and I thank God for allowing me to be a part of it :)

Planting Peanuts

2010-03-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

I've been blessed these last few months to have the experience of planting peanuts in Khongolote!

I discovered that the "enxada" is the tool of choice for peanut planting.

Mama Henriquetta took me under her wing and showed me how it was done.

She dug shallow holes with the enxada, and then dropped one peanut into each hole.

A very true African proverb says,

"Working in the fields is hard, but hunger is harder."

The work is hard indeed.

After Mama Henriquetta showed me how to do it, I was able to plant my own crop of peanuts!

"Unless a grain of wheat (or peanut) falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain (or many peanuts)." John 12:24

The Changana word for a plot of ground that is used for farming is, "machamba."

This last week when I was with the women in Khongolote, someone had pulled some peanuts out of the ground, and I asked if they came from the ones I had planted. Mama Henriquetta said nonchalantly, "No, no, those aren't from Aimee's machamba."

I don't think she'll ever know how thrilled I was to hear her call it, "Aimee's machamba!" Even though it's tiny...it's my very own machamba :)

One peanut fell into the ground and died, and it produced many more peanuts.

May we be like peanuts that die, that many more may be produced...

Seminary Open!

2010-02-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

This last week the new Biblical and Theological Seminary of Maputo began classes!

The vision of the seminary is to prepare Christian leaders to meet the needs of the churches in Mozambique, and to enable these leaders to plant new churches throughout the country.

There are thirty new students!

The Maputo seminary is still in need of financial support.
If you would like to give towards the seminary -

OMS - Maputo Seminary #302000
P.O. Box 1648
Monument, CO. 80132 - 1648

Would you pray for these Mozambican church leaders?

Women's Meeting in Intaka

2010-02-11T06:59:00.000-08:00

This week we had our Palavra Viva women's meeting at the church in Intaka.

After singing and praying together, Mama Henriquetta shared from the Bible.

I shared a verse we had memorized at the Bible study in Chamanculo, and all these women were able to memorize it too...

"Tilo ni misava swi ta hundza, kambe marito ya mina ma nga ka ma nga hundzi."

~Matewo 24:35

(Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

~ Matthew 24:35)

It was really hot...and some of us fell asleep :)

After the meeting we sat outside under the eaves of the church and ate lunch together...carapau fish in peanut curry with rice, and fresh well water.

After the meeting, I tied my personal record for fitting the most people in my car

...four in the front

...and eleven in the back!

I praise God for all that He's doing in the lives of these wonderful women!

Literacy Instruction goes North

2010-01-31T04:25:00.000-08:00

Elina (picture right) is a Mozambican missionary from one of our churches in Maputo, who serves, along with her husband Juka, in the northern province of Zambezia. While they were here this last month, I talked with Elina about the Bible-based literacy instruction that I've been doing with Fatima. Elina said she was very interested in this for her ministry up north! So last Monday, the night before they left for Zambezia, I was able to teach Elina the method and give her some copies of the materials.

A few days later, when Fatima and I met for our weekly literacy lesson, Fatima said excitedly, "Yesterday I opened up my Bible and I read John 1:1-4...and I understood it!"

What a blessing to hear :)

I pray that Elina would also hear such blessings, and more...in Zambezia!

2nd Trip North to Gaza and Inhambane

2010-01-23T04:02:00.000-08:00

This last week I was able to make my second trip north to the provinces of Gaza and Inhambane with Pastor Abel, and Irma Louisa and her baby, Benilde.

We were able to meet with, listen to, pray and sing with, and teach five different church groups that have begun in these provinces.

(picture below of the group in Chidenguele - Pastor Abel is in the back with the black and white shirt, and Irma Louisa is sitting on the left side of the mat)

After our teaching time in Chidenguele, one young man said, "Wow, these Bible stories are so good and they help me so much. The Bible has so many pages, I want to know all of those stories!"

In Nyadumbuque, after sharing with the church, the young man who is leading this group, invited us to his mother's house for lunch. His grandmother also lives with the family (picture above). She kept everybody laughing with her tough old attitude...the phrase "one who chews nails and spits rust" comes to mind...she seemed like a Mozambican version of my own grandmother :)

The whole family
(the young man sitting in the front, Jermelindo, is the leader of the church in Nyadumbuque)

Everyone loves grandma :)

After teaching and praying with the group in Madendere, one of the young ladies thanked me and handed me a freshly harvested pineapple.
(picture above - Irma Louisa holding the sweet gift)

Three Sisters
(Irma Louisa, Irma Aimee, Irma Olga)
Irma Olga is the leader of the group in Bangusa

She raises turkeys to sell

Most people in this area have a coconut tree -here is Olga's beautiful tree.

Olga also has a cashew tree...her mother (picture above) has just toasted the cashews, and then she cracks them open.

Louisa with her sweet baby, Benilde.

After we taught and shared, we feasted on fresh cashews and dried mandioca.

The church group in Bangusa

I was so thankful to be able to visit the groups in these provinces again!

In God's time, and if it is God's will, I would like to live nearby, either in Gaza or Inhambane, so that I could regularly meet with, encourage, teach, and train these precious groups.

Women's Bible Study in Chamanculo

2010-01-10T23:53:00.000-08:00

Last month, the pastor of the church in Chamanculo (also known as Xipamanene) asked me if I would be willing to start up a women's Bible study for his church in the new year. I've been studying the method of teaching the Bible chronologically through storytelling (left - some of the picture cards for different Bible stories). My friend Fatima, who I've been giving literacy lessons to once a week, is also a part of this church. This last week, I asked Fatima if she would like to co-lead this Bible study with me...and she said yes :) Beginning in February, we plan to meet twice a week - to continue the literacy lessons and to prepare for the study. I'm very thankful for this opportunity, and I hope to give support and training to Fatima as we lead together, with the hope that she would be able to train other women to lead in the future!

Christmas and New Years with my Mom

2010-01-03T07:48:00.000-08:00

In South Africa...

We celebrated Christmas morning in a local church

And we saw some lovely animals...

Dassies warming themselves on the high rocks

Penguins playing on the beaches

Birds resting in a giant aloe tree

And the most noble seal I've ever seen

This man had spent the last 26 years attempting to "domesticate" the seal

Here he is showing off his lovely teeth

Here's me trying to take a picture with him...and getting the great "seal snub"

When he turned toward me, he suddenly seemed too close with all those lovely teeth...

But we became friends at last :)

We returned to Mozambique for the New Year

We were privileged to celebrate the New Year's Day feast with my dear friend Fatima and her family

Mom, Fatima, and Aimee

Then we visited Pastor Abel and his family...where we feasted again :)

On my mom's last night here, Fatima and her two daughters, Vania and Xashi, came over to sing to my mom and to present her with special gifts - a "capulana" (wrapped around her her waist) and a "lenco" (for her head).

The meaning of the beautiful song they sang -

"How wonderful it is to have a family, the family of Jesus

A united family

A family that loves

A royal family

A family that's without comparison

How wonderful it is to have a family, the family of Jesus"

What a blessing it has been to have a part of my American family here to visit a part of my Mozambican family :)