The sweetness of service

     Surprisingly enough, there were several windows full of Valentines cards and hearts and treats here in Quelimane.  It is called "Dia das Namoradas" or day of the girlfriend, I think.  But even without the traditional Godiva chocolates to celebrate the day, there was a sweetness that came from a baptismal service on the beach and memories of other sweet days, that brings a more lasting feeling of love to us.
     The Nichols family is here visiting from Portugal.  Their home is in Alpine, Utah, but they have taken a year off to have this international adventure with their family.  Their children have had their eyes opened to the worldliness they have found in Portugal and throughout Europe.  They have told us people keep very much to themselves, are culturally snobbish and generally do not see a need for God in their lives.
   Catia Nichols was born in Quelimane and wanted to bring her children back to Mozambique to see her roots and she wanted to re-visit them as well.  She left here at age one, went to live in Portugal, found the gospel in her teenage years and then went to study at the University of Utah when she was sponsored by a family there.  She met her husband, John, at a dance there and the rest is history.  They have five wonderful children and have had an impact on our lives, even though we spent only a few days with them.  Tiago turned 8 in January and they thought it would be special to have him baptized in Quelimane.  As always, it turned into an adventure.


About 30 km. outside of Nicoadala the bridge washed out in front of the Nichols
. It is about an outside of Quelimane.  They had to spend
the night in their car and call relatives to come get them the next day.  They waded across the river
with bags over head and left their car on the other side in the care of a trucker they met.



When we went to pick them up for the baptism they had on nice Sunday shoes.  I told them, ditch
the shoes, get your flip flops and they were glad for the advice.  We were so happy for
a sunny, warm morning without rain.

Tiago was baptized by his dad in the river Supinho which
is off Zalala beach right near the entrance to the ocean.
John mentioned the water was very salty.  We are looking forward to
a similar ocean experience with our grand daughter, Amelia, in Alaska
this summer.



What I loved about this family was they were not ashamed of the gospel.  They gave talks
out on the beach, mom and daughter sang "I am a Child of God" in both Port. and
English and it was so sweet.  We had many on lookers as usual, but they were very
reverent and respectful.  One came up to me afterwards and thanked us
for letting them be part of this religious time on the beach.  It was very special. They felt
the reverent spirit that was there.

Toby has long wanted to try out a dug out canoe.  These guys were watching the service and Toby
said he would give them 20 mt. for a ride.  They were wary of his abilities, but I told them we had a canoe
in our house in America.  He said it wasn't nearly as stable as a Coleman, but still fun.  The
friendliness of the people here towards us is a sweet part of the mission.

This is the sweetness of what I call "creative charity".  Manuel needed some money for
the rest of  his marriage documents.  I offered 200 mt. to wash the outside of the house.  Two
weeks ago I offered it to another man, who washed the same wall.
  During the week both the week the maid and the guard do
the same work.  But we try hard to find small jobs when people are willing to work.



I have grown to really care for our day guard Gildhino.  He has seen the Elders and
others improving their lives.  One day he said, I  want to go back to school.  Although
he is a great reader, he has only finished seventh grade.  I offered him the money for
school and he is taking a class to try and test out in the summer of the classes he
still needs.  He bought some books to study and this back pack and was
so proud to be looking like a student.



This was a sweet moment at Dina's baptism (front, red shirt)  She has been an
investigator for a year, many family problems and personal challenges, but
she made it.  They support of these women meant a lot to her on her special
day  For some reason, I love women all over the world.  We can bond on so many levels
even without the proper vocabulary.