Easter

It was a joy to spend Easter with my family.

 Using an EvangeCube, I shared the story of God's love in Jesus Christ with my dear nephews.

Then it was time for games.

Having fun with three special boys.

Trey

Tyson

Drake

Lord willing, I'll be leaving California this week.

Before heading back to Mozambique in July, I'll be visiting and sharing with partner churches in the Midwest and Northeast in April, May, and June.

I would appreciate prayer for a vehicle to use for traveling and speaking during the months of May and June.

Thank you!

Kids at Awana

I had fun sharing with the children at Calvary Church of Pacific Palisades, where I went to church as a child!

  Awana is a children's evangelism and discipleship program, and this month the kids are learning about missions.

We looked at where we were on the map, and I told them that the culture and way of life in America and in Mozambique is very different!

We learned about 4 differences - the first one was that Mozambican women wear capulanas.

And then I called on 4 volunteers...

The first one got to wear the Mozambican capulana. 

The second volunteer got to have a life-size baby doll wrapped around her back just like a Mozambican woman. 

The third one (and maybe the most difficult) tried to carry/balance a "load of laundry" (lots of towels) on his head.

Definitely a balancing act!

As the laundry on the head struggles...the fourth volunteer tries to balance a small basin that would usually be filled with some fruit or food to sell (but we put books inside, so as not to harm any fruit in the process :) 

A great expression from our fourth volunteer trying to keep that basin on his head.  

The capulana girls and the balancing boys did a great job, and we had a lot of fun!

I shared why I live in a far away place where people do things differently...to share the love of God in Jesus Christ. And I hope they remember something about God's cross-cultural love when they think of all the different crazy things they did at Awana :o)  

California

I've returned to California to share with some churches and a small group.

A.C.T.S. (A Church That Studies) in Santa Monica.

Rev. Joseph Metoyer, the pastor of A.C.T.S., bought his first wetsuit and bravely entered the ocean at sunrise on Easter morning back in the year 2000 to baptize me...thank you, Pastor Joe!

San Diego

Uncle Doug, Gwen, Aunt Michele, Kate, Aimee, Cody 

I look like I'm headed to the Arctic in this picture, but it was only San Diego. I must have gotten used to some of the African heat.

It was special to share with my Uncle and Aunt's small group from the Rock Church, which was my church when I lived in San Diego when God first called me to go to Africa! (see first blog post) 

Uncle Brian, Aimee, Aunt Val

  

I was also in San Diego to share at the Pacific Beach Praise Center. 

I so appreciate the prayer and support from my partners.

New Mexico

Jose and Audrey Banales, who have both visited me in Mozambique, connected me with 2 special churches in New Mexico who pray and give to God's work in Mozambique.  

The first stop was Hobbs, New Mexico.

I'm on the left of the giant H!

Speaking at Fellowship of Believers Church in Hobbs.

Pastor Matkins, Aimee, Gary Jones

Together with Jose and Audrey, we headed for the mountains of Red River.

As I was shoveling snow off the top deck, I "accidentally" shoved a pile onto Jose's head below.

Jose and Audrey

They prepared ammunition for revenge, and I was ambushed on the front steps. 

Tina (our host), Aimee, Audrey

Before speaking at Faith Mountain Fellowship in Red River, I tried to teach the kids a Mozambican Txitxopi dance. 

With the kids at Faith Mountain Fellowship

It was a blessing to visit with these 2 partnering churches in New Mexico.    

Sharing with Partner Churches in California

Reconnecting with my wonderful Brazilian church, Comunidade Novo Começo (New Beginning Community).

Sharing at Lawndale Wesleyan Church

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

It's a joy to reconnect, encourage, and be encouraged.

My Sister

I've been able to spend time reconnecting with my beloved sister.

  

Shauna, and her husband, Utaka, in Northern California.

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 hikes in the beautiful mountains near their home.

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 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, 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. 

I thank the Lord for this special time with my sister, family and friends.