Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Almost there...



Well, we are about to finish all the rebuilding and fixings at home. A few more days and we will move.


To our friends, sorry for the inconveniency of being away from skype and messenger.

To get up by 5:45 AM every morning, we really need to change that "portuguese" tradition of staying late night at the computer.

Second day...


On the second day at their new school, Raquel and Mariana passed the courage test with an A, traveling for the first time in the "machimbombo", the school bus. Even more interesting was to see Mariana traveling in the afternoon, having an entire "bus" to bring her to school.


Monday, September 03, 2007

First day of school...


By 6:50 AM, we arrived at the Portuguese School of Mozambique for our daughters (real heroines!!!) big day!


Let's check what they thought about this first day:


" I like the school a lot and my new friends. I would like to tell you that there is a school assistant who also as the name Mariana like me, and another Alice like my mom. "Mariana, 3ºD"


" I've enjoyed my first day, and my new friends. The school facilities are great and everybody is kind. " Raquel, 6ºB

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Our home is still under construction...


We already have a 2500 liters container to give us water 24 hours a day...


Soon we will have new walls...


and new windows!

Friday, August 17, 2007

Just Arrived!

I couldn't believe when I saw the truck coming!
After almost 2 months in transit, our container arrived this afternoon with all our things, to fill our new home.

Now is the time to organize all those boxes and furniture all over the house as soon as the reabilitation process ends.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Thank God, we found it!

It was like a dream, when the owner of our future home gave us the key!

One week after signing the renting contract, we can finally start the rebuilding process, so we can move as soon as possible to our new home, which is located at a very secure area of the city, giving us confidence when Jorge will be travelling in the country.

Now is time to work, and everyone is invited to help. :)


To those who faithfull prayed for this, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Saturday, August 04, 2007

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.

Friday, August 03, 2007

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.


Tuesday, July 31, 2007

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!


Sunday, July 29, 2007

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...

Friday, July 27, 2007

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.

Monday, July 16, 2007

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.


Monday, July 09, 2007

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!

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

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.




Tuesday, July 03, 2007

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...

Friday, June 29, 2007

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!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

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!


Tuesday, June 19, 2007

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!