Mozambique Part 1

This is quick summary of what we have been able to do and see in the Niassa Province of Mozambique:

We are grateful that we had long, but smooth travels! All of our luggage arrived and had decent rest (with showers!) along the way during the two long layovers, one in Qatar and the other in Johannesburg.

We were picked up at the Lichinga Airport by Tim George, SIM administrator and we dropped off our luggage at the SIM Guesthouse. Janice, another SIM missionary let us hang out at her place for lunch and much needed rest. Later in the afternoon we headed to Muembe with Josue to meet up with his wife and family. Josue (from Mozambique) and Diana (from Romania) have three beautiful children, Abby, Naomi and Caleb. Our kids instantly bonded as Camilo and I could relate naturally to Josue and Diana. They are church planting among a Yao Muslim community. They have a small congregation. Their current ministries include: evangelism/discipleship efforts, after school kids program and carpentry workshop (in their backyard). They have set up a community well from their water source, where villagers come in the morning to fill their buckets for the days water supply.
We had a chance to meet the village administrator, tour the area, and also participate in a church service. Camilo had a chance to preach in Spanish while Josue translated into Portuguese. Songs were sung in Portuguese, Chiyao and some Swahili. They are doing an amazing job and working hard! We enjoyed our two nights with them, and always wish there was more time!

On our way back to Lichinga, we stopped in for a brief visit with SIM's Mozambique Director, Alfred Paetzold, his wife Belinda and three boys.  I had met them last year at the conference I helped at. After a going through the entire Bible story telling beginning in Genesis with a few from their Yao community there have been people who have become Christ followers!

We met Shawn Dollar back at the Lichinga Guesthouse on Saturday and headed 2.5 hours south to Mandimba. Shawn and Dierdre, with Frontiers have been working with the Yao Muslims for 14 years. Part of that time in Malawi. We are enjoying our time learning about their vision for reaching the Yao people. We are learning about their strategies and challenges. The entire family is fluent in the language Ciyao and their children have many friends that come over everyday to play. Camilo and I were able to practice some basic phrases. We met the chief of the village today and he was happy with the wooden bowl Camilo had made for him. We saw the school building that the Dollar Family built for the village, it's located at the entrance of the village between the Chief's home and the newly built mosque.

A note about this type of Islam...it is considered a "folk" Islam. It is mixed with animistic tribal rituals and superstitions.

Lucas and Camila have fit in very well with all the children. They go along with them in hours of outdoor play in the dirt, climbing trees, learning to start fires (!) and more...I think they would adapt well as future MKs!

On Wednesday we head Southeast to Cuamba to spend time with the Overton Family. Another family I had the opportunity to visit last year. We are excited to learn about their ministry as well. I will write another update about that visit.

Thank you for your prayers for us. Please as you pray for the nations and people groups, please remember the Yao. They have centuries of strongholds that seem humanly impossible to breakthrough but of course we know our God is bigger!

Another blessing has been to deliver gifts some of you have sent to the missionaries! They are very grateful that you have thought of them!

Please scroll through the photos below! Thanks for your interest in our travels. :)

Taking a snooze at the Qatar Airport

Muembe: backpack decorating with Diana's kids club

Muembe: new friends, Camila and Caleb

Muembe: new friends, Lucas with Abby and Naomi

Muembe: Missionaries, Josue and Diana Bulande

Mandimba: A favorite pastime, playing in the sand

Mandimba: Homeschooling time, Dierdre with Issy and Joy

Mandimba: Swimming on a not-so-hot day!

Mandimba: A visit with the Village Chief, he appreciated our visit,
our prayer with him, and the bowl Camilo made for him