Day 5 - DNOW in the Bush - Liupo

Most of us were up late packing the roof of the Landcrusier and once we finished we discussed the trip thus far and prayed about the conference we just finished in the city and the conference to come the next 2 days. 

Today started off early, 5:15am early with showers for the guys. It was a beautiful morning and we had homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee, they were awesome. We finally got on the road at 7:10 and headed for the bush. 

On the way to the bush we dropped Saranya off at her house. She lives in a small block home about a half a mile from the school where she teaches. Saranya was a great addition to our team and we all enjoyed meeting her. 

The drive was pretty cool. It was a combination of off-roading, stopping to check the luggage and some sketchy Mozambique bridges. 

We also had a chance to mess with Joseph and John slamming on the brakes and yelling when they fell asleep on the ride. We also left Joseph on the side if the road when he had to use the restroom. 

We made it to Liupo around 10:30 and after partially setting up camp, started right away with worship led by some of the youth from the church in Liupo and also a nearby church. They were invited to join in the conference as well. 

The church in the bush is much smaller than the one in the city, even than the one the guys slept in down the street from the church in the city. 

In the bush they speak Makhuwa and some Portuguese so most everything has to be translated twice. Abilu (our translator) does a great job also of translating straight to Makhuwa from English.  Brian also speaks both, but relays on Abilu for the majority of the translation. 

After a few choruses we gave our testimonies and Brian gave a gospel presentation. It seemed like the whole village came, they ranged in age from 3 to some in their 60s. Several raised their hands for a profession of faith and were later counseled about their decision. In Mozambique as soon as one kid raises their hand their 4 friends around them do as well. It is great that they are individually counseled to make sure the decision is theirs and theirs alone. 

We rearranged the order of the sessions from the city and began with Shadrach Meshach and Abednego  in the fiery fernace and focused on peer pressure and accountability. John and Caroline did a great job. 

After the first session we played games with all the kids until lunch was ready.  All the guys kicked the soccer ball around with the 80 or so boys and Joseph, Caleb and I learned a local game called banana. It is a combination of dodge ball and trying to fill up a bottle with sand. 

Lunch was ready around 3:00pm. We had been sneaking snacks between sessions to hold us over. We had Xema, rice, chicken, fish, matapa, beans and a salad that looked like slaw.  

After lunch ae began the lesson on Daniel  refusing to defile himself with the kings food and Relating it to sexual purity.  Like in the city this is a charged topic and kept most everyone's attention. Both groups went until dark requiring both groups to work by headlamp. 

While the girls were finishing up their purity talk the guys set up the screen for the Jesus film. We had the attention of a "few" kids (below) while we were setting up. 

We are all pretty tired. It is 7:15 now and the film just started. We are waiting to see when dinner is going to be served and hanging out at our camp. Sleeping arrangements are Brian in his Hammock, Becky, Caroline, Jorden and Whitney in the 8-man, Joseph and John in the wide 2-man and Caleb and I in the skinny 2-man. 

The latest report is 3 hours til dinner. So not that far off from back home. 

Tomorrow we will have a baptism service and the the last session on spiritual growth before heading back to the Harrell's for the last time.