Chopi Update

Through the grace of God, we saw the first evangelical church launch among the Chopi (show-pea) body of believers. What better way to launch a church of 30+ new believers than to baptize most of them?

Our city church came out to support and launch the first Chopi church service. They’ve been there all along this process, faithfully sending at least one member down to the weekly Chopi Bible studies.

Before baptizing one new believer, he brought his old witch doctoring items handed down from his father and burned them as a powerful testimony of Christ’s newfound freedom in his life.

Then we trekked the 2k’s to the river and rejoiced in 21 baptisms.

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(Check out Eden cheesing big time as my happy freeloader. Hehe.)

2k’s back to the church tent and the celebration was on!!! Complete with the new believers’ first Lord’s Supper.

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Then came a post-service feast.

Please continue to guard your Chopi brothers and sisters in your prayers as they take off on these first steps of the adventure of Sunday morning church services. And as for their wonderful hearts? They’re already bringing to Matt a desire to press out to the next village with the Good News. We love their urgency, “Now that we know the truth, we have to go and tell them too because they don’t know yet!”

Thursday Bible studies are still going strong (even when we have guests, the girls and I are still heading out 2x a month for the Thursday study times) and now that Sunday services have begun, Matt is no longer doing the study on Mondays. So that puts our Chopi visits at Thursday’s and Sundays instead of the previous Monday and Thursdays. With Matt’s Monday time now open, he is looking to start a new work among other Chopi in another village.

We will keep you posted as God opens more doors, so please do join us in pounding the throne for the salvation of the Chopi people.

Beyond Privileged

June came with some exciting stuff. One of which things was a visit from our Wilkins!!!!

You all, I can’t possibly express how much this moved all our hearts. They’re just our people, you guys.

They just fit like family and it was great just doing our normals together again.

Our Wilkins, you make our hearts so happy. Thank you for being you and tolerating us being us. We CAN’T WAIT until it’s our turn to come see you all in South Africa and do your norms together. Until then, you’re continually on our hearts and in our prayers. See ya soon on the flat screen. πŸ™‚ Air hugs and air kisses!!!!

Another Glorious Four

Today our baby turns 4!!!

Eden, you are an absolute delight and we love your sweet little snuggling ways. Your little heart is just blooming as this fun-loving character is emerging.

I love how you have begun to see other people, especially little ones who need a friend, and while you are initially shy, you warm up well in hugging love. Even though you are now a huge four year old, know that Mommy and Daddy will always pick you up when culture feels too uncomfortable and uncertain. Also know that we see how you are flourishing in your quiet, but sweet little heart. Eden, we all love you so and even though your birthday is and will be celebrated in three different countries over the next few weeks due to travel, know that regardless of where we are or will ever go, you are treasured so in our hearts.

Eden, it’s a privilege to be your mommy.

I love you, Happy birthday.

(And yes, I will read you this to you like I read all the other birthday messages to your sisters, even if they can read. πŸ™‚ )

Wordless Wednesday

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This girl. Oh be still my heart. She is SUCH a Delight, indeed.

So full of life.

Such a Mommy snuggler.

Our Eden Rose.

*Eden sure does mean “delight”*

Road Trip!!!

We had an opportunity to head to South Africa for a few days while getting a car rack installed on our vehicle. We took a few days to play and gather supplies after the car work was done before we returned to Mozambique. Here’s some of our adventure.

I love that despite having a bed for each girl, there in our little cottage, our ladies chose to share a big sister sleep-over each night. Their little hearts are beautiful. No one could be left out.

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We went ahead and got our hair trimmed while there in South Africa. I usually trim everyone’s hair while we’re here in Mozambique, but the girls enjoyed the spoiling.

Eden REALLY enjoyed the hair washing part.

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The girls enjoyed the opportunity to play in restaurant play areas while we waited on our food. Honestly it was insane some of these play areas for the kids and they absolutely had a blast.

We even went to an indoor splash pad.

And burned crazy amounts of energy at a trampoline park.

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We had some really yummy “American” food.

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And while it was an utter blast, I love that my girls could not wait to come home to their backyard, their bikes, their friends and their Mozambique. It was a beautiful time as a family to appreciate the blessing of more “Western World fun” while still appreciating the richness of life here amid the more simple. I love that my girls were really able to embrace that well; rejoicing in both places and having family conversations about the value of the two worlds we live in. And all of our hearts were full to the max as we turned down our street to return home here in Mozambique.

God has truly blessed us to the uttermost.

We are beyond grateful.

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Thanks for the fun, South Africa!

 

 

 

At Last!!!

After 3 months of sleeping on mattresses on the floor, today we celebrate having a fully assembled room for our little ladies. That’s right, THE BUNKBEDS ARE DONE!!!!

(Peek-a-boo, Eden!)

And naturally you’re dying to see how the whole space came together, right? Well, that’s why we made you this video. πŸ™‚

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We are beyond ecstatic to see some of the final HUGE pieces of the house come together, like THESE AWESOME NEW BUNKBEDS!!!!!

πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

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