Noite Familiar

We had a very fun evening tonight with Rui and Bendita and family.  We demonstrated how to hold a family home evening.  FHE, as it is called in the states, is a night set apart once a week for families to be together in an organized setting.  It usually includes a lesson, game or activity, prayer and most importantly, a treat.  We were designated as the parents of the family for teaching purposes tonight.  Rui and Bendita had made certain even their older children (one who is married) were there.  They also invited a neighbor who has sat in on many lessons.  As we began teaching "I am a child of God", I noticed more little kids filing in.  By the time we started our game of matching the pictures of president's of the church, there were about 8 neighbor kids standing very quietly at the back of the room.  We have often had many of them listening in on lessons as well.  I knew they would come as they saw me exit the car with a cake pan in hand.  The matching game was so funny.  I am sure that all these older' white men in suit and ties with glasses or beards all looked the same to them.  So they were very delighted when they actually got a match.  Elder Osborn did a little lesson on prayer and used the enduring object lesson of a phone made with tins cans and a string.  Our was made with two tomato paste cans and fishing line. (thanks Ben and Andrea)  After the closing prayer I passed out my first ever chocolate cake made in Mozambique.  I had found this great recipe on-line and it was very moist.  I cut several pieces for the neighbors kids who were instructed to go outside and share.  Our maid had watched me make the cake with great interest today and so I had to save a piece for her.  She really loves watching me bake, but doesn't have on oven at home.  This family really wants to take hold of everything the gospel as to offer.  You might note that on one wall is a picture of the temple in South Africa which I brought them last week.  We told them to have it up there as a goal, and it was on the wall tonight.  Great fun!!
     On another note, this was rodent week at our house.  I was having a keyboard lesson in the church and we had to stop as we heard rats running in the ceiling and rolling a can.  I had the guard buy two traps at the market and he caught two rats in the next few days.  On Monday as we were pulling out of the driveway, I saw a very large rat run into the backyard.  Yes, I was totally grossed out.  The next day the guard called me over and lifted it up for me to view, dead in the trap.  Then there was this little mouse that was in my bedroom last night.  Thanks to Liz, we have some small mouse traps, and he met his demise with peanut butter.  Both the guard and the maid were fascinated by how tiny it was, I am sure they wondered why I wanted it dead.  I thought it nice of the rodents to be on vacation when Zach and Liz were here.


This is a great game as it doesn't require reading, so everyone could play.

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Julietta listening to Elder Osborn on the homemade phone.



A bird's eye view of the adults with their second helping of cake.