Maquivale

We enjoyed our first "zone meeting" today--a gathering of all the missionaries in a particular area (which happens to coincide with our area of responsibility).  Which for us includes an the area from Nampula (10 hour bus ride) to the north and Marromeu (5 or so hours via busses and hitched rides) to the south.  It represents a significant expenditure of effort for the young elders to get here.  We hosted the visiting throng at our house (12 extras in addition to our 6).  Great instruction given by the president and sister Spendlove.  We splurged on bacon for breakfast with their sixty scrambled eggs  and served them a lunch of mexican (or almost) tacos--which was well received.  In the afternoon, we took all of us to the small village of Maquivale, where we had about 90 people waiting to be taught.  Because of the drive through the jungle, dialect language, and large group of largely unsophisticated people (perhaps that sounds too harsh for the missionaries :D)--it was an interesting cultural experience for all.  The people clearly enjoyed and appreciated our visit--but there were few who actually caught the import of the message. To me, I am thinking that the our impact on this particularl group will be negligible.   Still, despite having stupidly sliced my index fingertip to the bone, it was a very enjoyable day. 

This being Mozambique, we really could have fit another ten people beyond these six in back before considering it crowded.  If you are a mother of one of these young men, please don't complain to me--most of them arrived safely.

New tie--actually, one just lent to me for the day when Elder Miller found out that I was a long time trekkie.

We likely had about 125 in our lessons to the people of Maquivale today by time we finished.

We had 7 or eight groups of 10 to 20 people apiece.  All in all, a fascinating experience for the visiting missionaries.

ugly but interesting.



Debbie enjoying her environs. 

Leaving enmasse with our singing processional

Debbie in her element.