God is great - in any language

It's 1:30pm, and just got back from two services in two different churches.Wow! 8 this am went to Igreja Baptista do Dondo-heard Pastor Jeronimo preach it was nice 'cause we had our own interpreter and was easy to follow.Amazing worship! The congregation sings so loud that they drown out the worship band at times-we should aspire to the same at LCC!hen went to a church plant about 15 minutes away-the building had open sides and wood benches, but the Spirit was strong there,too.No band, just a drum and clapping to accompany the songs, and no official interpreter,although they tried to keep us in the loop with some English. But worship is worship, and the Word is thw Word, and it all is going to the same God so it was very cool. This evening, I guess we are attending one more service, then get ready to come home, so I guess my next post will probably be from somewhere in transit-hopefully with pictures. Until then, Peace

Can't believe it's almost over

It's hard to believe that the week is gone , and on Monday we'll start back to the U.S. It's been challenging, interesting, fun, heart-breaking, and life-changing. This is such a beautiful country, and with such wonderful people, that i really am not ready to come home,much as I miss everyone there. If I had my way, everyone in the States would have to spend a week here, and see with their own eyes the truth of what life here is like. yesterday I cut the grass at the farm with a machete!Anyone who complains about having to push a lawnmower (or ride on one) will never get sympathy from me again!
Tonight we attended the Dondo version of Ignite Student Ministries, called Venganha.I was interested in the differences to our youth group, but even more encouraged by the similarities. A bunch of young people, some with an obvious passion for the Lord, some sort of hanging and seeing what it's about- but all connecting and having a great time together! And man, can they sing !
Tomorrow we will attend two different churches in the area, then start to prepare for our return.Problems with the wifi have prevented me from posting pictures, but I promise when I return to the States I'll have a whole bunch up asap.
God's blessings on you all-thanks for reading- I hope to post once more in Mozambique so until next post-Peace

WE'RE HERE

Hello from Mozambique!Sorry it's taken a while to get on here, and I still can't upload pictures yet, but so far it has been an amazing time. We are being immersed in the culture of the people here and all I can say is they are an incredible people. For all the intense need we see, the people are beautiful, friendly folks who are genuinely glad to see us. We have all been spending time in various areas of the Project, from the preschool to the hospital to the nursery to the bakery (AMAZING breads and rolls!)
The food has been good, not too exotic (Shanna says Yay!) and everyone is very generous to us. Probably the most interesting thing so far has been the Market. Sights, sounds, smells just a sensory overload.
I will continue to try to solve the problem with the pictures- but I am taking some great ones and at the least will be able to get them on here next week-but check back tomorrow and see.'Til next post---Peace

On Our Way!

Well, I'm sitting in the Atlanta Airport waiting for our turn to head across the pond. The flight from Rochester was quick and easy- and it was great to have family and friends there to see us off- Ken, Ray, Heather,Jim,Grammy and Will. Still 3 hours 'til we take off (been here 2 1/2 already) but at least we didn't have to rush off the plane like some people did. Atlanta has a HUGE airport- and it's a beautiful place-but really can't wait to get to Africa.

We are all praying that God will lead us in ways that we can't even imagine to see, experience and do things that will change us for the better. We also want to be glorifying to Him, and of course know that if it wasn't for Him, we wouldn't even have this opportunity.

Thanks again to all of you for your support and prayers-by tomorrow I hope to have some great pictures up once we get to Johannesburg and then to Mozambique--'til next post-Peace

listen to the mandolin rain

Where Is The Time Going?

Less than two weeks until we leave-there seems like so much to do, yet! I'll be working on one thing and two more will pop into my head! thank the Lord for lists (and Cory- he sets the example!)

All the youth leaders are reading an amazing book titled Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This is the most convicting and challenging book I have ever read, and is excellent preparation for our trip. I recommend to everyone that you read this book- if it doesn't change the way you think about and act out your faith- well, I won't believe it!

I have to be going now, but before I do, I have to give thanks to the many people who have supported our trip so far- from financial support to prayer support to donating supplies to take with us to just giving an encouraging word-THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! I truly feel I was called to make this trip, but your support has made things so much better and easier. I pray you all will be enlightened by what I will be able to share as we go and after we return.Again,thank you.

That's all for now,until next post-Peace

Getting closer all the time

Hi, everyone-

It seems like it's taking forever to get here, but I know that August 8th will be here and I'll look up and say :what-we're leaving already?" There's still so much to do to get ready-reading to prepare myself , stuff to buy, packing,etc. but I just want to go!

Last night at our team meeting, Pastor Cory asked what we were looking forward to the most, and I said "seeing with my own eyes the people and their problems, and seeing how I can help"- but I think in an even larger sense I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to serve God in a way I wouldn't have dreamed possible just a few months ago.

As I prepare myself mentally, I find myself stripping away the things in my life that i don't really need, and trying to understand what it must be like to live day-to-day just wondering where your next meal is coming from. I get angry now when i hear someone say something like "I had a horrible night last night-the satellite TV was out and my internet went down-it was AWFUL!" I think this is what Pastor Vince spoke of on Sunday when he said to get angry about something because that's the only way you'll change it.

Okay, enough with the heavy stuff- THANK YOU to everyone who has given us support so far-prayer support, financial support, moral support- we appreciate it SO MUCH! Please keep the team (myself, Pastor Cory and Shanna Hunneyman, and Sue Strowe) in your prayers as we make the final push to get ready!We're going! Until next post--Peace

Dan

Getting ready!

Hi, everyone

This is the first entry in my new blog- I set it up for our pending trip to Mozambique in August. We'll be leaving Aug 8 and returning Aug 18. The main purpose of the trip is to prepare for next summer when we hope to take some of our juniors and seniors from ISM Youth Ministry there to serve in whatever way they're needed. I really feel this is going to be a life-changing experience-in fact, it already has for me. While in country, I'll be making daily entries about our experiences and uploading pictures to try and give you a sense of what it's like. You can also "join us" on our trip with your prayer support- that would be most appreciated and is definitely needed! Until next post---Peace
Dan