Domingo

It is Sunday in Quelimane.  We are always a little excited for Sunday here.  It provides a little bit of a change from the daily routine.  It's almost as if it were a day of rest--without being all that restful.  We are always interested and curious to see if our investigators will show up to church, what strange people will come in off the street, and whether someone will act up and forget that they are in a stodgy LDS service and not one of the local pentecostal groups. 

We have been averaging about 45 people at our service with a couple of weeks topping out at 60 and 65.  We have been seeing gradual growth--enough to convince us that our little chapel will not hold everyone for much longer.  Today we had 88 people in attendance (and that might not have counted babies of which we have quite a number).  We had to have about 10 people sit outside--but as the windows are open and screened and their chairs were all in the shade, I suspect that they were all more comfortable than were we--sweltering inside. We were glad to have the extra thirty chairs that I purloined from Beira a couple of weeks ago.  The service today was a very powerful one.  It was our "fast and testimony" meeting whe there are no assigned and speakers but the members and investigarors (a 1/9 ratio) participate as they feel inclined and express their feelings and convictions relating to the gospel and its impact on their lives.  This week we will have the very first ordination to the priesthood in the history of Quelimane--Abel, who was baptized about three weeks ago.  He and his wife have quickly become a great strength here.  It is impressive to see his progress. It is wonderful to see some of our new members and investigators catching the vision of the gospel and the church.  They will lead the many others others I believe. 

I made a plea to the congregation today to help us find a new facility.  We have been looking for some time--but I am convinced that it is the locals that know people and know houses and buildings in the city and it is they who will eventually find the right place for us.

We asked the group to gather after services today to pose for a picture for Elders Brogan and Ostler who we believe will be transferred this week.  Elder Ostler was fresh off the plane when he arrived here four months ago and it has been fun and inspiring to see his progress towards competence and confidence. He is no longer timid and now teaches effectively and with power. Elder Brogan is a very very competent and polished leader among the misisonaries.  Very impressive young man with a voice like an angel.  We will miss his near-perfect pitch and very positive influence.  We have one investigator who speaks of Elder Brogan with something of a reverential attitude--saying that THERE is an elder who possesses the gift of tongues. 

Which brings up an issue for me: We have a few young missionaries who look down on the Mozambican language and the local accent here which differs substantially from Brasilian portuguese--and they refuse to speak it--but seek to speak Brasilian.  It irrituates me no end--as the people we are called to teach and love are the Mozambicans (I already love the brasilians by the way, having served my first mission there).  Elder Brogan speaks Mozambican portuguese wonderfully and the people note that and it gives him much more power as a misisonary.

 

Ever since I started saying goodby to people, I have always loved the hymn: "God be with you" (til we meet again).  I asked for it as the closing hymn today and may have inadvertantly let my iPad record a bit of it--which you can find here.  http://youtu.be/KefxKZ08SWE