Language and the Best Toy Car

Studying the Txitxopi language with my local language helper, Inocencia.

Her little brother has been building a toy car.

Here it is complete with soda can wheels, a wheel made of wood connected to a stick with rubber bands that turns to steer, and pieces of plastic bags used to connect the wires to keep it all together!

 Inocencia (center) and Edricio (left) just had their first baby, held by the proud grandma. It was a joy to give her a special little sweater, hat, and booties made by the God's Arms ministry.

At my house, I've been tutoring some of my neighbors in English. Young Dilercio comes by for help with his English homework from school. 

I invited neighbors and women from my church for an American/Mozambican lunch!


"Kudoto kudoto u ya ma soni" 

Txitxopi expression that means, 

"Little by little you go forward"

The Most Beautiful Thing

By God's grace, I continue to build relationships with the local people here in Zavala, Inhambane.

As I seek to show God's love here, I continue to learn about language, food preparation, families, songs, and even how to carry long pieces of wood on my head!

I've been invited to teach about God to those who are interested to know Him and grow in Him.

The most Beautiful thing to see

After I teach Ermelinda and the church group in Cala, she and I go together to the church group in Nyamajeho and she teaches. 

Our local church is also part of a Covenant group made up of 5 different Mozambican church denominations in the district of Zavala.

One of the ways I've been building relationships with the Covenant group is by participating in their praise singing and foot stomping dance presentations in the monthly services. I'm not the best dancer (or singer), but they can't help but know that I love them.  

I've been invited by the pastors of these 5 denominations to share God's love and truth in services and seminars, and I praise Him for the opportunities He gives as I follow Him.

"God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him." 

H. Taylor

IEPV/OMS/CONIM Partnership

Our partnering pastors from Brazil came to train, teach, and encourage our Mozambican leaders!

(Left to Right) 

Pastors Sandro, Rafael, Marinez from Brazil, with Mozambican leader, Belarmino.

Throughout the week of training, we learned about Biblical leadership, marriage and family, discipleship, and tithing.

Ermelinda and I worked together on a discipleship plan for the two churches where we serve together in Inhambane!

* Would you please pray for the churches in Cala and Nyamajeho, and for us as we serve?

Pr. Sandro, with Tomas and Ermelinda, was a great encouragement to the church leaders.

After the week of trainings, we had a special church service together!

 (Left to Right)

Aimee, Liane, Marinez, Paulo, Laura, Luana, Fernanda

The Mozambican church prayed for our partnership. 

Please pray for God to guide, use, and bless this partnership between IEPV/CONIM/OMS for God's glory?

Thank you!

Jermaine's Visit

My good friend and surfing buddy, Jermaine, visited me these past 2 weeks. We studied together at Fuller and then both went off to work in different countries. 

It was great to have her here, and she took some lovely photos...

Sunset at Tofinho

The central plaza of my district, Zavala.

A ground view of my garden.

A ground view of my dear sisters in Cala preparing a meal.

Little friends in Cala

After we visited and prayed with a family who have been dealing with sicknesses, they lovingly gave us a bag of cashews (to be roasted and then cracked opened for eating).

Jermaine met several of my neighbors, including Neusia, who opened a coconut for her. 

Would you pray for Jermaine as she returns and continues to serve in her context?

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." 
J. Elliot

Pictures of Life

 Dance

The kids at church performing a song with the traditional foot stamping in praise of God.

Toasting Tapioca

Aflita, toasting the mandioca to make Mozambican tapioca over her homemade oven in the ground.

My Off-road Truck

Pounded Peanuts

After being pounded with the giant pestle and mortar, the peanuts are sifted in the flat basket, then the bigger pieces are pounded again until it's all a fine peanut powder ready to add to any meal.

Wire Car in Progress

 This is the brother of the young lady that is helping me to learn some Txitxopi language. Once he puts the soda cans on as wheels, he'll be able to steer the car by a long wire he'll attach to the movable middle section...I call him "future engineer"

Dinner Prep

For most Mozambicans, there's no such thing as a meal that is not from scratch.

The Future

Beach Tractor

Dirt Coral

Ants found a way into my house and built these interesting coral like dirt trails up the walls from the corner. 

(I did clean it up after taking the picture)

3 Monkeys with Poor Posture

Engagement Entrance 

Signs

A couple of interesting warning signs here...

Beware of the elephant that can knock over your car.

Beware of the crocodile that can swallow you whole.

A couple of interesting warning signs where I'm from...

Beware of the the person carrying a surfboard.

Beware of two people carrying surfboards.

: )

Children and Women

We've started a Sunday school for the children in Cala.

After the first few classes, the children did a great job showing the church what they had learned 

~

Three of the leaders from Women with Purpose came from Maputo for a ministry weekend.

(Left to Right) Alda, with her two daughters, Olginha and Crisne, and Maria and Amelia.

We had a special Bible study together and they shared about how the women's ministry is going in Maputo.

We visited, prayed for, and encouraged the local church in Cala.

 

And then we visited the local lake!