Worshiping God

We enjoyed this youth choir that sang and danced yesterday at the Sunday morning service in Chimoio.

Here's a story that Simone Chen, one of the missionaries here, told us today: She was visiting a remote village in northern Angola. During the worship service, she watched a man writhe on the ground. Was it witchcraft in the church? After the service, she asked him why he did this during the worship. He said, "I used to do this in front of the witch doctor to humble myself and show respect, wriggling in the dust before him. Now that I serve Jesus, why should I not do this and more to honor Him?"

Three Missionaries at Work in Mozambique

You should have seen the road to Zimpinga! Our Toyota Verso impersonated an SUV today when we drove 15 miles by pavement, 15 miles by dirt road, and 10 miles by grass trail to the village of Zimpinga. Traveling along with us were Pastor Neva Meque and Missionary Fabio Chen. John preached in English, Fabio translated into Portuguese, and Pastor Neva translated the Portuguese into Sishona.

Pastor Neva is actually a missionary from the Chewa people, who with his wife Cita came here from the northern part of Mozambique four years ago. They learned the local Shona language and started a strong church here in the city of Chimoio. He now serves as District Supervisor of this region. Read about what the missionaries face in African traditional religion in Mozambique here.

Fabio came to Chimoio as a missionary from the Thousand Oaks Foursquare Church about a year ago. Here he met Simone, who had been sent five years ago as a missionary from Brazil to this Portuguese-speaking country. They married in December of 2007, and currently serve together as missionaries. You can read more about them on their blog.

See an album of our travels in Mozambique so far here.

Sunday School in Swaziland

In the capital city of Swaziland, Mbabane, Joseph and Gladys Botti are planting a Foursquare church. A church bus collects children from the neighborhoods. Here are some of the children singing with their teacher, Lola.

Compassion for the Needy

First stop on our southern Africa trip was to see Donna McDonald, a missionary sent out by our Arizona home church, Grace North. Donna ministers in the seaside village of Paternoster just north of Cape Town. The poor fisherfolk of this fishing village have been displaced by the tourism industry, which has transformed this lovely beach by building quaint guest houses and cafes on its shores. On the link above, you'll be able to see some of the development along with the houses and boats of the remaining local families, who still make their living by fishing.

Donna serves with Ian and Carmel Chalklin, who have devoted their lives to ministering to the poor. Here you see Carmel cooking pots of cabbage, carrots and meat to serve to local school children and elderly shut-ins. Ian and Carmel also manage a warehouse of donated clothing and household items, host a home group, and are planning to start a church soon in their warehouse. You should see Donna labor tirelessly with Ian and Carmel. The Lord will return blessings manifold on these workers in His field.

On the Road

Car serviced, bags packed, maps consulted, and ready to go! But not without a good prayer meeting to send us off. Friday we met with African friends for loud and effective midnight prayer and praise to God.

On Sunday morning our church prayed for us and blessed us with an offering. Pastor Xavier told the congregation that the offering represents a seed planted for our church to expand its missions vision. They will be interceding for us during the entire trip. We hope you will too.