Some Scenes from Inhambane City

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, 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 leader training, we need to get water for cooking and drinking. We fill these containers, called "bidoes", at the local water pump. 

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 truck's dirty rear view mirror.  The licence plate number is etched into the mirror, and there are metal fastening strips on it so it can't be stolen as easily.

The nose on my surfboard

A creature I saw on a leaf near the ocean.

A fisherman in a traditional 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 City

I've been doing a lot of walking to get to know the city.  

I stepped inside the cultural center to learn more.

There are some beautiful old buildings here.

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

There's a coconut tree on the property where I'm living.

  

My fruit weapon of choice - katana (machete).

After 20 minutes of hacking away...

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. The lady with the white sweater, Margarita, 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).

5 Month Move to Inhambane City

A missionary family with African Outreach Ministries that I've been in contact with that lives in the city of Inhambane, informed me that a small house has become available for rent in their city.  

As I will be visiting the US in December of this year, I thought this 5 month period of time would be a good way to test out how it would be to live in the city of Inhambane.

I invited the church leaders and their wives in Maputo for a farewell lunch.

I shared how God has called me to go north of Maputo to disciple new believers in the churches in the Inhambane province, and that I had the opportunity to live there for this period.

Irma Ana came over to help me prepare the food - Mozambican beans and chicken.

"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.

The whole group

I was blessed by two amazing packers, Gary and Phillip, who helped me to get my car packed up (surfboards and all)!

I am grateful to my team here for helping and supporting me as we serve Christ together. 

And I am so grateful to all my supporters, near and far, who are supporting me in prayer and finances so that I can be here to make disciples for Christ Jesus.

12th Trip to Inhambane

I have been so blessed to have such wonderful partners in ministry, Pastor Abel and Mama Isabel for this 12th trip to Inhambane.

I had also invited a 1-year missionary to join us, Kyla Semenyna, who was such a joy.

Going to the village of Quissico to buy food.

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

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

Belmira had braided my hair the last time I saw her.

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

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. 

Please pray for the young churches in the Inhambane province, that they would grow in faith and knowledge of the truth.

Thank you!  

Studying Women of the Bible

I've been meeting with Mama Vitoria and Mama Isabel for discipleship and Bible study.

Meeting with Mama Vitoria.

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

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

Thank you!

Dynamic Women Team

I was blessed to host the Dynamic Women in Missions Team that came to visit Maputo.

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

Visiting the churches in the Maputo Province

Audrey, pumping water from the Picoco well, which was funded by the VBS kids from Audrey's home church!



Deanna sharing some love

I translated for Pat, left, who 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

Visiting the Maputo Biblical and Theological Seminary

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 women's team prayed over the women in the first-year class at the seminary.

Visiting the preschool at the T-3 church

The team put on a great play about David and Goliath

Pat does a great Goliath :)

Participating 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).

Visiting the current CAM school to see the kids

Speaking at the CAM chapel

CAM Director, Susan Weil looks on with a smile

Deanna and Donis sat in on my literacy lesson with Fatima and shared some encouraging words with her.

We had a lovely tea for the career missionary women. 

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 cassava and getting some laughs.

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

Pat, learning how to pound out peanuts with the big mortar and pestle.

Then they put me to work 

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

...I thought I bore a resemblance to the early 90'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

Thank you for coming

And thanks for the great pics Gail and Pat!