Matola Rio...

This is a place outside the city of Maputo, with thousands of people living in a very poor environment. But there is a man, a pastor named Isaac, determined to help orphans in this village, providing activities, teaching and a daily meal. He wants to see them growing with hope in the future and learning enought to have a job in the future.



Last Tuesday, we meet pastor Isaac at the airport as he told us he has been praying for missionaries to come and help him with the children. What could we say to him? Well, that's why we're here!

This man of God, is a pastor, and funds his ministry with children, working in construction and making school uniforms.

This afternoon we join him for a while, to see them doing sports, bible teaching and having a small (very small) snack.

Welcome home!

The Bowers family arrived yesterday after a 3 month furlough in the US. We are thankful for being able to use their house and car during this first month in Mozambique. It would be very difficult if we didn't have this blessing.

Welcome to Mozambique!

It is always good to welcome friends in Maputo, as other did with as when we first arrived in this beautiful city.

Liliane, Augusta, Maria João, Cristina and Mila are 5 friends from different places in Portugal with the same goal - to come and help those in need.

By 3:08 PM, the South African airplane landed at Maputo International Airport with those smiles from Portugal. Welcome to Mozambique!

The longgest Sunday Service...

This morning, we attended the longgest Sunday Service of our history, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. It was a very nice 10th Aniversary Celebration at Igreja Evangélica Arca de Salvação in Magoanine, outside Maputo.


It was also our friend Daniel Moiana's appointment as one of the pastors, and I has the guest speaker. I start preaching by 1:45 PM an didn't see anyone distracted... can you believe it?

As usually, little children are always a special thing to Alice and the girls...

No home yet...

Looking for an house to live has been a true adventure! That's why we don't have courage to write about it. After more than 30 houses, all I can say is that this is a great way to know the city. I think I know this city now, better than my hometown in Portugal! Meanwhile there is always time to have a cup of coffe and something sweet.

This the city train station, a beautiful building from the past century.

The other side of Maputo's Bay...

In the other side there is Catembe, a very poor place, with nice people who don't dispair even when they feel forgotten by the rich capital city just in front of them.

If you think it's nice to see Maputo from this side, you should see the beautiful sunset over Catembe, from the city waterfront, everyday by 5:30 PM.

Somewhere in the ocean...

We're not sure about where, but we know that our container is coming!

The ship "Amber Lagoon" is carrying all our things and is supposed to arrive at Maputo by July 31st. Hopefully we will have a home ready for it. Please, have a nice trip!

Land of Smiles...

This was a special day for our family, as we saw the spontaneous way of Raquel and Mariana interacting with two mozambican kids at the playground.

We felt that our daughters really understood the reason for our moving to Mozambique, as they showed their love and care to those chidren we want to serve.

We are alive!

In these first days, we've been recovering from the last months traveling and packing, we have spend a lot of time as a family, doing some legal issues and preparing to find our future home.

There is a place in the city we really like, it calls "Lover's Garden" where we can have the best "pastry" in town and an wonderful view of the Indian Ocean.

Today we went to the wonderful Portuguese School, to start the application process for Raquel and Mariana. On Setember 3rd, by 7 AM, school will start. Mariana just said today that she would like school to start tomorrow. We hope that she could keep this attitude for the next months...

Just arrived...

By 2:50 PM, we've landed at Maputo International Airport, 17 hours after saying goodbye to our friends and relatives in Oporto, Portugal.

Daniel, a mozambican friend welcomed us and drove us home, in a very peculiar way, making us feel the wind of the city!

On the way!

This last monday, we've loaded our 20' container, with all our things.

It will take 35 days to get to Mozambique. We will be waiting!

Thank you!

We are ready to leave Portugal in 9 days!

On June 28th, our family will move definitively to Mozambique to serve the Lord estabilishing the International Sports Ministries, a NGO, partenering with local churches and agencies, providing training and teaching leaders in ministries among children, teens and youth.

A special word to

East Brandywine Baptist Church

Lebanon Valley Bible Church

Gateway Cathedral

for their faithful support and encoragement.

Please, keep praying for us!

Next stop... Mozambique

Dear friends,

It is official! We have decided to pack everything and move to Africa, where we believe God wants us to serve Him.

Everyone in the family is excited, and we just begin the process of planning and fundraising, to allow us to live in this country, from June of 2007, God willing.

We need now a big christian family, to help us with prayers, encouragement and support.

Please, pray for us!

Jorge, Alice, Raquel e Mariana Pratas

There is a solution...

The report...

Hino Oficial KidsGames

1 2 3 KidsGames

KidsGames Maputo Closing

The Closing Ceremony...

KidsGames Maputo 2006 ended with a big party. 170 kids, invited by 9 different churches in the city, gather in competition for 5 days, aiming to reach the gold medal.

By the end, they were challenged to run, not for a medal, but for a everlasting prize, the prize that God had prepared for those who accepted Him as Saviour.

Ali, bronze medal for 100 mt, at national championships, speak to the children about the meaning of running for a medal, but much more important, the meaning of God.

Before leaving the venue, each children was given a 12,5 kg of flour, to feed a family for more than one week.

Sorry for the delay

Dear friends, it has been difficult to post anything about the closing ceremony because I left Mozambique right after that and arrived in Portugal on Sunday afternoon without any photos of the closing. I will post that as soon as possible. Thank you.

5th day of KidsGames

The last day of KidsGames, where the best athletes from each team compete in longjump, highjump and running.