Day 3 - DNOW in the City - All day

We had a busy day starting at 7:30 in the morning. The first item on the schedule was breakfast.  Since the devotion and first session were split boys/girls we also did breakfast separate. We provided boiled eggs, bread with jam and tea for the all the youth.  

Once we were done with breakfast, all 90 bread rolls and 50 or so boiled eggs, the guys had a devotion lead by Caleb on accountability. Caleb shared a passage from Colosians and challenged each of them to join a fellow brother in Christ in an accountability group to change them to pray, read the bible and go to church more often. At the same time down the street, Caroline led the girls devotion at the Harrell's church. 

Next was game time... soccer time. We left for the field and split up and played full field soccer. As you can imagine 50 guys (with 4 white guys) draw a crowd so we had plenty of spectators. We played shirts and skins so Caleb and I had the pleasure of going shirtless after we only applied sunscreen to our heads. The score ended up 1-0 with John and Joseph's team winning. John played goalie and Joseph was his sidekick backing up the defense. 

After soccer all the guys walked back soaked in sweat to pile back into the small church down the street for the first lesson on purity. Garrett taught the guys while Whitney taught the girls at the Harrell's church. These were the first of 3 sessions out of the book of Daniel. This one focusing on Daniels desire not to defile himself with the Kings food. The guys session was great and really brought to the surface that the youth of Mozambique struggle with the same problems concerning sexual purity as American youth.

The youth are also like American youth in their cell phone usage. Here is a photo of 1 of the 2 outlets in the church

Lunch was next and was cooked by the ladies in the church. We had rice and beans with cabbage and onions. Overall it was similar to rice and pinto beans you would have for New Years dinner, minus the porkchop and collards. 

Once everyone was full from lunch, we had the other 2 sessions focusing on peer pressure (taught by Caroline and John) and spiritual growth (taught by Jorden and Caleb). Both of these lessons were also out of the book of Daniel with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego focusing on peer pressure and Daniel in the Lions Den relating to spiritual growth.  

All of the lessons went extremely well were followed by discussion or small group time. We challenged the youth to make a commitment to sexual purity, time in the word of God and prayer and also a challenge to join or create an accountability group in their church. 

After the last session we were all wiped out and some were even dosing off (AC). The youth on the other hand were organizing a presentation of their worship teams.  We were able to experience almost 2 hours of singing, drums and clapping of young believers in worship (even got to bust a few dance moves). 

Dinner followed with a meal of Xema (Shema) and Chicken. Everyone took part (with the exception of JOHN) including firsttimers in Caleb, Jorden, Whitney and Caroline. The girls shared a plate (but at least they tried, John). We will get another chance in the Bush, but there is almost no way of backing out there. 

As I am writing this it is 9:43 and we have been going since 6:30. There is a Jesus Film playing in Makuwa (with Portuguese subtitles). We are waiting till it is complete and we can walk back with the guys to the church down the street. 

Bucket baths hopefully in the morning, Sunday school starts at 9:30 and we need to pack up out of the church down the street. 

So far it has been a great trip. It is different than I expected compared the trip last April, but it is great to see the fruits of our labor and the dedication that Becky and Brian have for their church. This is no small task to put on a conference like this in this city where you are the organizer, the transportation, the delivery truck, the translators, and the host to name a few. 

We will make it back to the house after church tomorrow for real showers and pack up for the Bush leaving earlyThursday morning (7:00am). 

On another note:

So far I have only recognized one child from our trip last time. She is a special needs girl and her parents send her our each day to beg for food. Last year Melissa Guinn took to her and this year she found comfort in Whitney, Caroline, Megan McDaniel and especially Jorden. Jorden is currently attending Liberty with a degree in special needs education and was great with her over the last two days.