Day 3
After leaving the airport, we drove through Maputo (capital city of about 2 million people) and out to Marracuene, where we arrived at Ernesto's church and were greated by several ladies singing praise music acapela. It was beautiful. First thing Ernesto circled everyone up and led us in prayer. He revealed that he had been fasting for 28 days in anticipation of our arrival, and his joy was palpable. He began to praying, thanking God for our arrival, safe journey, the gifts we brought, etc. After he prayed for each item, he would invite everyone else to pray together at the same time. All of the sudden prayers would be lifted up, a cacophony of sound: English, Portugese, Tchangana, all praising the Lord for his provision. The prayers would conclude and Ernesto would speak up saying, "Let us continue to pray", rolling his "r's" each time he said it. He moved on to the next topic and the process repeated itself many times.
After the prayers, we were introduced to Ernesto's family: his wife, Filo, and his daughters, Princessa, Abigail and Regina, and his 8 month old son, Caleb. 
We then proceeded to unpack all that we had brought and complete the delivery of the items. There were clothes, generously donated by many families, medical supplies, craft supplies, construction supplies, computer, video camera, digital camera and more.
We then proceeded to unpack all that we had brought and complete the delivery of the items. There were clothes, generously donated by many families, medical supplies, craft supplies, construction supplies, computer, video camera, digital camera and more.Afterwards, Ernesto gave us a brief tour of his home, which consisted of an outer room with concrete floor and walls made from reeds, and a bedroom made out of cinder blocks with one window, a bed and desk. When Ernesto was about to peel back the curtain to his bedroom, Filo said something politely and quietly to him in Portugese and then looked at us with mild embarassment. We asked Ernesto what she said and he commented that she didn't want us to see the bedroom because it was not cleaned up. Go figure. 9,000 miles from our home and the wife's response to the home tour is always the same: apologizing for the home being messy, when it was far from it.
Left: Ernesto showing us his computer and desk, while Filo looks on.
Below: some of the kids that greated us when we arrived
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