Hi all, Here I am again, apologizing for not posting for soooooo long! Our internet issues continue, and at this point, although I can do ALMOST everything... blogging seems to be the one thing that resists! I have to either find the perfect spot on the driveway on a good weather day and hope that the network is not busy, or wait for a day in town, where I can take a little while to get things done. Today is a town day. Im going to let the photos do most of the talking, its been a busy month but we have enjoyed it. For once I have several pictures of myself (that never happens!) but for some strange reason have very few of Rick and Tendai- oh well! Hope you enjoy the photos.
While most of the missionaries were extremely busy teaching at the Intensive Seminars for our Pastor Monitors in early December, I was able to help host a team of university students from South Africa. They were a great group and we enjoyed getting to know them a bit. Here some of them are checking out the ten metre deep well.
They helped to construct a chicken coop for one of the orphan families as well.
Had a full scale salon going on with the orphan girls.
Including Make-up!
We had a GORGEOUS rainbow... you can see how green everything is in contrast to the last posts photos! Praise the Lord for RAIN! Please continue to pray for more... we need lots!
I was selected (by virtue of the fact no one else could make it) to represent the mission at the Vanduzi hospital, Christmas Party for the admitted patients. When we arrived, the nurse (on the left) decided I should make the salad, and put me to work. :)
After the party, I was able to visit with some of the patients, here is a baby... less than SIX HOURS old, in the maternity ward.
After the seminars we had a graduation and certificate ceremony. Here is Pastor Mariano, he is the local guy in charge of the orphan program, he works closely with me and we are sooo proud of him! Here he is receiving the certificate for passing another course in the program. He also received his very own Study Bible this year!
one of the local kiddos seeing what was happening at the church.
Tendai, discovering that you cannot actually hold a sunbeam! Every time I see this picture it reminds me of the song.. "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam..."
Me with the graduates!
Rick and the workers laying the final floor in Tendais bedroom.
Local ladies on their way home after washing their clothes in the river.
December orphan food delivery went very well. Here is are three of the orphan children, Casamilo, Mariamo and Cerio along with their older brother and guardian, Sinnabale Paradzai, who teaches at our bush school.
Pastor Mariano has made it one of his missions to get the grannies to attend Simukai, our ladies literacy program- here he is helping Mae Lolieta to write her own name.
Fish anyone?
The week before christmas was very busy... here are some photos of the Amigo Orphan Christmas party! This is Rimbudzai (1) with a doll she recieved from the south african team. We had a great time at Garuso restaurant, and we were able to do something we have not ever done before with the kids... TAKE THEM SWIMMING!
Some of the boys with their presents.
Mariano gets lifted and cheered for in appreciation of all he does for the kids.
Group photo, children, caregivers and mission staff involved with the program.
For these kids it was their first time EVER in a swimming pool. Im sure they had never even seen water this clear! It was so fun to watch them having an amazingly fun time, laughing and behaving like children!
Getting some help out of the pool
all smiles!
Everybody JUMP!
we played games.
ate very yummy food.
more gifts
more splashing
more games! We also heard the Christmas story, sang and danced and in general had a fabulous time!
Last week I was also asked to attend the Christmas party for admitted patients in Manica, about an hour from us. This is the spread of food, just for the "guests of honour" which apparently I was one of. They had huge amounts of food for the patients! Everyone ate till they were full, even lovely cakes!
Afterwards, I again asked if I could go into the wards and pray with patients. It was wonderful to be able to share some hope, smiles and love with the women whose children were in the Pediatric ward.
More working on the floor... by tomorrow they should be DONE. (well, done everything we can do, still have to wait in bathrooms). I cant wait, cus it means we can move on to the next thing!
On sunday the shepherd asked Rick to help him with a crocodile that had been attacking the sheep. I went with for the walk and we discovered that our river turns into a beach in one area during the low water season!
rick and the shepherd... in a piece of bark.
what a beautiful country we are called to live in!
this little one was on baby duty while her mother washed clothes and her other siblings played in the water.
oh my land.. her name is Gina and she is sooooo cute! I would have taken her home if I could have!
One last shot with all the kids trying to get in the picture. :)
Thank you so much for your prayers and support this past year. We look forward to another year of ministry here in Mozambique, and are excited to see what God has in store for us. If we have the funding, we hope to be able to complete our house before April. We look forward to doing at least 5 Childrens Ministry Training Seminars this year, and hope to add more. Please continue to pray for us as we live and work here- we depend on your prayers!
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Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and God Bless! - Rick, Heather and Tendai Neufeld
