sunday services & a boat ride!

We just returned back to our house after a busy morning and afternoon. Tomas came to pick us up around 9:00 this morning for church. The church that we were scheduled to visit was actually the church that he regularly attends. It was in downtown Maputo and it was nice to be around a congregation that he knew very well. I loved his church so much! The people there were extra welcoming (if that's even possible since everyone here is so hospitable) and they praised God like there would be no tomorrow. We arrived in time for the end of Sunday school and then we entered the Santuary, wherehe took us to the stage to a bench waiting for us. He told us we needed to sit there because we are special today (like I said, very hospitable). The service began around 10:00 and the worship lasted until around 11:30. I love the way they sing here. Every single person sings at the very top of his or her lungs. Their voices are so beautiful. Each age group sings together, so the women, the men, the young marrieds, and the youth. But they add us into the mix, and we did our usual, "Waves of Mercy" and "God is so good." They loved it so much. There was a much older gentlemen in one of the front rows that loved the hand motions. He tried his best to keep up and do every one. It was such a great service and God was definitely in that place. Towards the end of the service there was a time of prayer. It is very common here for everyone to erupt into many individual prayers at the same time and out loud. I couldn't help but open my eyes and look around at the people. It was a beautiful outburst. I saw so many tears, and so many individuals crying out to Christ. Each individual represents such an amazing story. These people are living here, in this broken, nearly dysfunctional society, all day long, day after day. I am the one with a plane ticket home to a country where things appear to be so organized and put together compared to this place. God is working in me.. showing me these things that his heart breaks for. I can't help but break for them too. I cannot think of a time that I have seen worship modeled in a more pure and genuine way. They were such a blessing to worship with.

After the service Tomas introduced us to his friend Claudio, that had come to help translate with him. He and Claudio took us around town and we took them out to lunch to Mimmo's again. (The same place that we ate pizza last time) They loved it and were so excited, they ordered steak! :) Afterwards they told us that they wanted to take us to the beach across the river. They explained to us that we would have to transport across by boat. So... we followed as they directed and walked to a dock nearby. These men handed us each a ticket and sure enough, there was a little boat waiting for us! It looked like a fishing boat to me, but it took us on a short ride across the body of water to a large island across the way. We got back off the boat and were able to walk along the beach. It was a nice change of scenary and a great way to spend the Sunday afternoon. It also allowed us to spend more time with Tomas, our site coordinator, and get to know him a little better. After we spent a little time on the beach we got on another boat which took us back to the dock we came from. Then Claudio and a friend of his took us back home. We are now looking forward to tomorrow when our after school program starts! Pray for the children who will be attending, and pray for us as well as we have such a precious time to interact with them.

Thank you all so much for your prayers for better health. I have definitely been feeling better and am just left with somewhat of a sore throat (no biggie). Thank goodness... and the team all is well too. There aren't any serious illnesses or anything, praise God.
I could only use some suggestions for good mosquito bite home remedies? I have about 6 new welts due to these pesky mosquitoes and would love something that would cure my itchiness. Caladryl and benadryl are getting me through, so hopefully they'll all be gone quickly.... so thank you!

I love you guys.. and appreciate you all.
Always, Allyson