"Amigos Brasileiros" (Brazilian Friends) in Mozambique

Over the past couple of months we have been getting to know some Brazilian missionaries who work in Beira and the surrounding communities with various organizations. They get together twice a month for fellowship in various people's houses. It has been so neat to become a part of this community of believers and we have really begun to see these missionaries as a group we can relax with and just come away refreshed for ministry.

We are typically packed into someone's living room for a time of devotions and worship, and as you can see, kids are very much a part of the service.

Pastor Alfonso and his wife seem to be the patriarchs of the group as they are some of the oldest missionaries in the area--they work with AIM (African Inland Missions).

After getting to know this couple a bit, we found out that they are from Guajara-Mirim--a small little town in "the middle of nowhere" in Brazil where Stefan's parents made their buying trips for the village and where Stefan spent much of his childhood. Pretty crazy!

Christian enjoying the worship...(at five months now, he can't sit still--but hasn't quite picked up crawling--so he spends much of his time in my lap kicking his little legs as fast as they can go).

One of the nice things about being with a group of people like this is "sharing" your kids. One of the ladies took Christian outside for a bit to give me a break.

Stefan talking with the guys...if you're thinking they're having an in-depth discussion on ministry strategies, theology, or cross-cultural biblical teaching...well, you might be right. But, more than likely it's: soccer.

Of course, one of the best things about getting together with Brazilians is the food! Many of the group are from the state of Goias (where Sharon attended school) and we've been enjoying flavors from our childhood like: farofa, Brazilian-style rice, pudim, pao de queijo.

Cohen often spends much of the time outside running around with the kids. By the time we get him back home for his afternoon nap, he is typically filthy, red-faced, sweaty, and exhausted: just the way we like a little boy to be, right?

Saturday at the Beach

Saturday mornings are perfect for getting out of the house and enjoying the moderate weather. This past weekend we spent some time on the beach...

cuddling with Christian...

playing ball...

pausing to watch a ship go by...

examining a fresh catch...

playing ball with "Mommy" (a whole different sport than previously mentioned)...

and getting sandy.

Our Weeks With the Short-term Team

For the past few weeks we have been hosting a short-erm team from the United States. The following are some pictures of our time with the team and our trip out into the district. We began our time in Beira with a couple of days of orientation. On one of the days, we gave the team a tour of the city as Mozambicans celebrated their Independence Day with parades, speeches, and dances.

"Our" intern, Grace, was able to finish up her month with us by joining the short-term team for two weeks.

As usual, Christian managed to sleep through much of the celebration...in his favorite spot: a Mozambican capulana.

The short-term team was made up of about 12 Americans from oround the US who were interested in learning more about missions and the work Food for the Hungry is doing in Africa.

After a couple of days of orientation in Biera, the team traveled to Gorongosa where they toured the community of Mucodza. This is the community that will be opened up in 2008 through a partnership with the Church Strengthening and Child Development Programs. Stefan has been dedicating much of his time the past few months to developing the project in this community.

While the team met with church leaders, groups of mothers, and community leaders, Cohen entertained many of the kids.

Of course, traveling with an infant, there are times when you just need to get away... So much for privacy!

The team was able to tour various projects that Food for the Hungry is working in the district of Gorongosa, specifically in the areas of health, AIDS work, and agriculture. Cohen, Christian, and I were able to tag along for some of these trips. Here we are trying to keep Cohen out of the crops.

Ah, yes. And he loves to pose.

Although the overall trip went smoothly, there were certain things we just began to expect to go wrong...like flat tire #3.

Back in Mucodza, the team continued to work with the approximately 600 children of the community. They participated in activities such as distributing vitamin A and worm treatments, acting out educational skits, teaching the kids about propper heigene, making crafts, telling Bible stories, and singing.

The local children seemed to love getting out of school for a couple of days...and particularly enjoyed playing soccer.

Cohen, of course, made quick friends.

After a couple of weeks of being dragged all around central Mozambique, the boys were pretty exhausted and "crashed" in the land rovers on our way home from Rio Savane. Now, if only Mommy and Daddy can get caught up on some sleep...What do you say, boys?

Cohen's Birthday in Gorongosa

Cohen has turned 2! We have been out in "the bush" for the past couple of weeks as Stefan has been leading a short-term team from Food for the Hungry US. So we were all out in Gorongosa together with 13 other new friends from the US for Cohen's birthday.

On the day of Cohen's birthday, Stefan, Cohen, and Christian took a break in the shade of a tree as we shuttled the team on their visits to different projects that Food for the Hungry is working on in the district of Gorongosa.

We toured several agricultural projects that churches have come together to work on in their communities. Cohen however, was mostly interested in the cute little frogs.

Part of our time in the community that day was spent with a group of women who portrayed what they had been learning about healthy living practices and the love of God through music and dancing. Their joy and dynamic spirit were wonderful to witness! After some prompting by the women (and some from my husband who somehow managed to get this shot), Christian and I joined them briefly--they were absolutely delighted and laughed to see a "white girl" try to participate in their demonstrative dancing.

Cohen's birthday celebration started after his nap as he played with balloons outside while I decorated a bit and finished up the cake and brigadeiros.

Cohen with his "loot." Thanks to several US visitors within the past few months, Cohen had many presents saved up from grandparents and other friends back home in Kentucky. (Thanks so much! Your gifts were wonderful!) Christian missed out on the fun that night as he somehow managed to sleep through the party.

Cohen needed a little help from his daddy blowing out the candles. His concept of blowing at this point is still mostly just putting his lips together and making funny noises. Actually, the whole house was filled with candles that night since the electricity went out--it was a truly beautiful evening.

Chocolate Cake! We made most of it up ahead of time and then wrestled a bit with a broken oven (and the roaches crawling out of it) to fix Cohen's 2-year-old birthday cake. It was definitely worth it as my beautiful boy truly enjoyed his cake (enough to give an exasperated sigh when Mommy interrupted his eating for one more picture)!