CAM Christmas Program 2010

20 December 2010

Dear family and friends,

The Dead Shepherds band

Mary, Joseph and the youth

The musical was chosen in September, practices started the first part of October and the final production was last Friday, December 17th. There is always so much work and energy put into getting the Christmas program ready for the performance. The musical was one that we had presented five years ago. It was called “A Band of Shepherds” and it was about a group of shepherds who were a rock band and had been hired to entertain the people in Bethlehem during the census. While they were out in the fields they encountered an angel band that rapped and danced and told them the message of a Messiah born in Bethlehem. It changed their lives. They now had hope and something to live for. It was great.

We had a full house in the seminary chapel and the students did an incredible job of the musical. The fourth through sixth grade students were the angel band while the seventh through twelfth grade students were the choir and cast.

Silvio doing a rap with the angel band

a happy angel

The Kindergarten and first grade class presented a number and the second and third grade classes presented two numbers and a short skit. I don’t think that we have any shy kids at CAM, and if they come shy, they don’t stay shy for long.

 
The most rewarding part of being a part of CAM is hearing the parents say how much they appreciate having a Christian school for their kids and that they like the family atmosphere.

The program is over and now we have two more days of school, exams for the high school students, and then school will be out until January 17th. Larry and I look forward to having some R & R at a friend’s guest apartment near the beach. We look forward to sleeping in (if that is possible for us), reading, watching DVDs and getting some sun on the beach.

National Assembly Meeting presents new Church Discipline



Raul showing the Discipline



National Assembly in T3 Church

 19 December 2010


Dear friends and family,  

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Juka Fernando praying over Discipline



Yesterday we were able to partcipate in the National Assembly meeting of our national church Igreja Evangelica Palavra Viva.  In typical Mozambican style, it was to start at 9 AM but it finally got under way by 9:45.  The objective of the meeting was 1, celebrate the 5th aniversary of the National Church registration.  2.  To adopt the newly created church discipline.  Seems pretty simple.  Four hours later the meeting was coming to an end.  Between the beginning and ending was filled with reports and encouraging words from some of our church leaders and the reading of the Discipline.  This is such a big milestone for the church.  Since 2005 when the church was officially registered with the Department of Religious Affairs, the church has slowly been working on developing the discipline to help guide it in its decision making.  It has definitely been a long and tedius process.  Many versions of the discipline have been written, reviewed, rewritten.  Even the present version adopted is just the beginning and we know will need revision and additions.  For me, the Discipline is a "living" document that will grow with the church and will need revision regularly as times and circumstances change.  But it is a great beginning.  Something that gives the church and the leadership guidance to make the tough decisions and to help and encourage the church to spiritaul maturity. 



 

Church leaders and wives



With over 100 churches throughout the country now, the Discipline is essential and now the church can move forward with the development of local, disctrict, regiional and provincial leadership.  Susan and I believe the church is moving forward and we feel privileged to have been here when the very first church was planted in 1997 when it met under

Pastor Daniel cutting 5th Anniv cake



a tree in the township of T3.  We have watched that church struggle and grow and seen other churches planted over the years.  We are excited that the National Church is recognizing its role in reaching its own people for Christ.  Please remember to pray for the National Church and its leadership.  Specifically remember to pray for Juka, Daniel, Raul and Abel. 



Thanksgiving and more



Larry & Susan with the Khongolote pre-school kids



December 11, 2010



December is a busy month for us in Mozambique and we always look forward to our break from school, but before we can take that break we have many things that are on our agenda.



Thanksgiving at Boa Nova



First of all, going back to November, we had a lovely Thanksgiving with several missionary families out at Boa Nova, a missionary compound. There were 37 people who enjoyed the delicious potluck dinner.



Pastor Glenn Fretz shares the Word



After Thanksgiving we had a visit from Pastor Glenn Fretz, retired pastor from Chilliwack Evangelical Missionary Church (in Canada).  It was great to be able to show him some of our ministries as well as he was able to preach and share a couple times.



Susan with students Joash and Silvio baking goodies



Moving into December I was busy baking goodies for the staff Christmas party. I had some help from a couple of the 10th grade boys this year. Here are Silvio from Nigeria and Joash from the Philippines helping me make Nanaimo bars. (A special cookie from Canada) We also pulled out the decorations and decorated the house to make it look more festive.



CAM Staff Party at our home



The CAM staff Christmas party was December 7th and even though it was rainy in the afternoon we had a group of 22 people. There was plenty of food and during our time together we shared memories of our favorite Christmas and Christmas traditions. It is always a special time and we are blessed to have such a great staff at CAM.

Baptism in the Indian Ocean

Saturday, December 11th was a special day for five people from our church and five people from a sister church. These ten people were baptized in the ocean this morning. It was a beautiful service on the beach and we celebrate with these believers as they took this step of faith. Pray for them as they live their lives day to day, that they will make godly choices and follow the Lord in all things.



 



Those baptized today, December. 11, 2010