Thanksgiving

We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with our mission family here in Zambia.  Then afterwards we had a special prayer time for one another.  Times like these really bond us even closer together.

 

 Kevin and Marci Langston's birthday was on the 23rd so Lindy made a pie for them and we sang happy birthday.

 We had a wonderful spread of food!  Everyone did such a good job!

 We had to have another table for the desserts!

 The older kids ate outside.

 

 We enjoyed good fellowship!

 Some of the younger kids.

 

 Lesley and her two kids Kenley and Tyler and then Sky.

 

Kevin and Dwayne

 

Our piece of the puzzle

 

 Here are the group of ladies whom I teach on Mondays.  On this particular day, some of the men palliative care givers were also there because they were going to have a meeting after we finished with our bible study.  We were supposed to be hearing from two of the ladies who were going to share their life maps.  Yes, we are still working on those!  Anyway, the ladies didn't feel comfortable sharing with the men there so I had to come up with something else.  Thankfully, I had been working on a devotional that morning for our ladies day retreat so I just shared that with them.  I had brought it just in case something happened which does from time to time. 

 

 Before we started our lesson I had 4 women and 4 men compete to see who could put a 24 piece puzzle together the fastest.  Well, this did not go as well as I thought.  These people were not brought up doing puzzles as young kids so only a few of them had actually ever done a puzzle before.  The women took 5 min. and 20 seconds to complete a 24 piece puzzle.

 

 The men took 10 min. and 25 seconds.

They all had fun doing it though.  I just felt bad for those who were watching.

Most people think that the most important piece of the puzzle is the last piece, the corner pieces, or the edges.  But I think the most important piece is the box top.  Without the boxtop, you can't see the big picture.  And without the big picture, how can you make sense of all the little pieces?  

We are all like a puzzle piece.  We just need to find our place in the big picture which is God's purpose for our lives.  God is the only one who sees the big picture.  He has created us just the way we are with all our rough edges for a purpose.  And that purpose is to accomplish a specific set of good works that will glorify Him.  We may not feel that our role or contribution is any big deal.  But the fact is, when His people are living for Him, together we make a beautiful image.

I just love that my daughter, Hannah, and another mk, Troy Lewis are going with me each week to teach.  Hannah is teaching the children her age and under.  Then Troy is teaching the youth.

 Hannah teaching them the song, Father Abraham.

 

Here is Troy teaching the youth.  He is in the back with the red shirt on.  He has about 30 or more youth each week that are coming to hear God's Word.

We are all doing what God has called us to do at this time in our lives.  If we weren't we would be like a missing puzzle piece.  If we are not doing our part to complete our section of the puzzle than the big picture would not be complete.  Are you doing what God has called you to do?

The rest of our journey in Mozambique

 Hannah and I, along with Wanne and Sara got to stay here with the H. family while the husbands went off further into Mozambique to survey areas.  This place is called Nacala.  The H. family right now live right on the beach while their future house is being built.

 We really enjoyed spending time with this family and seeing where they live.  I was able to go with Becky to one of her ladies bible studies.  Of course, I didn't understand anything being said because it was in Portuguese and Nahara.

Hannah and their kids enjoyed swimming.

 and playing in the sand

This is exactly what I needed!

 

 I did get sick while at their house for about 24-30 hours of the worst headache I have ever had.  B. is a nurse and she took very good care of me along with the other ladies.  After she gave me two shots I was good as new!

  B. painting the name Ororomela on the side of their boat.  It means "hope."  Pray for this family as they try to share hope with those they come into contact with.

 The guys got back from their trip Sunday evening so the next morning before we had to leave they were able to go out on the boat.  They had a great time and even got to see whales!

 Dillon stayed behind with me and Hannah so we explored the beach looking for seashells and climb on rocks.

 Hannah and Dillon

  

 We left Nacala and went and spent the night in Nampala and then headed to where another family will live when they get back from their stateside assignment.  Since the family is not there at this time we camped outside. 

  

 I took this picture to show the amount of kids that just hung out watching us.  I don't think we were doing anything terribly interesting but I guess we were something new to look out in this very rural place.

 The guys meeting with the men who are digging the well.

 Hannah and Kevin enjoying time together before bed.

 men digging the well

 Lee cooking our dinner over the fire.  It was very good!

We had a great time on our trip and traveled over 5000 kilometers! We appreciate so much all those missionaries who hosted us in their home and took such good care of us.  It sure was good to get home and sleep in our own bed though.

Malawi and Quelimane

  

 Recently, we traveled to Malawi and Mozambique.  While in Malawi we met with the ACSL's and their wives.  Jeff P. is over Malawi and John D. is over Mozambique.  We have been praying for another couple to come and take this position in Zambia.  God has just answered our prayers with Jeff and Robyn Lowe who have already been serving in Zambia.  They will be back from their stateside assignment in January and will start then. 

 

 During our meeting John celebrated his birthday.  Here he is blowing out his candles.

 

 From Lilongwe we traveled to Quelimane, Moz.  This city was a lot bigger than I had imagined.  This picture is taken from one of the highest buildings.  I think this must be the bicycle capitol of the world.  I have never seen so many people on bicycles on the road. It was as if the road was made for the bicycles and not the cars.

 The McDaniel family lives in this city.  Hannah made friends with these girls during our last session of 40/40.  Hannah had so much fun reconnecting with these girls.

 Hannah was able to spend a whole day with them.  Here they are making tie dye t-shirts.

 

 The McDaniel family

 We stayed with the Dina's.  We had never had fresh coconut from the tree.

So, one evening John's worker climbed up the coconut tree and cut down a few coconuts.

 John with a coconut

 then he cut the outside off and the top

 then we were able to drink fresh coconut milk!