Rewarded for their labor...:o)

Yesterday after church I walked into one of the girl's rooms, to see a mattress on the floor, blankets tossed here and there, clean and dirty clothes spilling out of their clothing boxes,

toys, etc. strewn everywhere. Oh dear! How do I drag those girls from their play to come clean this up, without arguing and whining. Ah, yes! "Everyone who cleans their rooms before shower time will get a snack of peanut butter on crackers. Those who don't help clean don't get snack."

Suddenly there were cheers and 48 girls ran (ok, 46--2 of the girls did not get a reward) to their rooms cleaning, organizing, sweeping, making beds. Wow! They waited in their rooms, beaming and a bit nervous, as Mana Anna came in to inspect. Yes, 46 girls did a very good job cleaning their rooms. And they all got to eat a healthy snack of peanut butter sandwiched between 2 crackers.

That was easy.

Children's Day, June 1st 2008

Children's Day is the First of June. We celebrate it like Christmas here, with presents, clothes, and a big chicken dinner! It's a joy to have a fun filled day, celebrating our Children that God has lifted out of the dust, and placed them in our big, happy family!

Pretty little girls in their pretty new clothes 

waiting for the Sunday morning church service to begin.

Checking out the cool new toys!

Eliza trying out her adorable hat and gloves with little finger puppets on them:o)

Aminosa filling her tummy with her yummy special supper.

Lots of satisfied children enjoying a plate of fried chicken, spaghetti noodles, potato salad, bread, and a banana (carbohydrate heaven!).

It was a fun day filled with lots of happy laughter, games, a puppet show for the girls, and song/dance entertainment in the evening put on by the children.

God has blessed these kids so much!

Tino

I wanted to let you know that last night around 6 pm, Tino was being fed his supper, and

peacefully closed his eyes and went to be with Jesus. He did not have any big seizures like

he'd been having for days, just peacefully passed from this life into our Father's arms.

The medical staff and head of the baby house took his little body to the mortary, and today

they are making plans for the funeral (to be held Friday or Saturday). His grandmother was

able to come right away and the dorm mothers were around to comfort her. 

Please pray for those handling the funeral and those who looked after him and loved him into

Jesus's arms.

Thank you for those who have been praying for him. He's held on for a long time, way beyond the doctor's expectations! And He is now in heaven, he doesn't limp when he walks, he doesn't need glasses, and all those kisses and hugs he used to love to give out, he is now giving to Jesus! 

He's made it before us, and he's been promoted for this life on earth, to a perfect life and perfect body in heaven! Praise the Lord!

More Kruger pictures!

A large warthog!

No, this isn't dad after two weeks with his daughter's, It's a baboon! 

A waterbuck!

Anna and Cara and two Mozambican women

Walking through the girls dorm!

Saturday Afternoon

Cara in a crowd of darling little girls!

Anna, Cara, and Dad out to eat at Sagre's on the Indian Ocean!

Dad and Cara on the beach. The hotel in the background is the Holiday Inn.

It's one of the nicest hotels in Maputo and very expensive to stay at.

Half chicken dinner...grilled to perfection:o)

Anna with Margarita and Sidalia.

Out to eat and at the beach!

This evening we went out to eat at a restaurant on the beach. Cara got to put her feet in the Indian ocean. The temperature was very pleasant, the company lovely (Bob and Betty from Canada), and the meal delicious! (half chicken, garlic bread, and coca-cola! 

Outreach to Manhiça on 16 May, 2008

Dad, Cara, and I went to Manhiça with 2 missionaries and a Mozambican Pastor, as well as a few others, to show "The Jesus Film". This time, the projector worked the whole time, and about 300 people made their way through the village and the brush, to come watch. It was great, and afterwards about 50 people came forward for the alter call. Very exciting!

Happy women and children after the movie finished.

Anna and Cara helping cook over the fire (we made beans and rice, a fish stew, and sheema, which is like a very stiff unflavored porridge that they pour the stew or beans over).

The men sat at this table. They had brought it out from one of the houses in the village, and set it with a table cloth, bowls, and spoons!

The women and children sat on grass mats on the ground. It was a wonderful time to

fellowship and make new friends with the Mozambicans in this village!

More Kruger pictures!

Greater Blue-Eared Starling

Impala drinking. Notice the 2 crocodiles lying in wait at the water's edge...!

One of the many elephants eating in the brush.