Lichinga, MozambiqueFriday, December 25, 2009
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Christmas Time in Lichinga
With the birth of Jesse and Tanya’s baby, things around here have been a little hectic. We were able to spend Christmas Eve last night at the Wilcox home, where all of us missionaries with IRIS spent the evening together (except for Jesse, Tanya and Zoe who stayed back at our place). We had a time of prayer, a gift exchange and shared a meal together. It was a lovely way to spend Christmas Eve.
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Usually on Christmas morning we have had a tree and done gifts with our own family. Here on the mission field, it isn’t exactly the same. We bought each other gifts last week and just gave them to each other then. This morning, I took the flatbed truck, “Faithful” up to Asumani, picked up most of the adults from the church there, and traveled to Paul and Graca’s church, “Igreja Dos Santos,” where we had a combined Christmas celebration with both churches. There was a lot of singing and dancing, prayer, testimonies and teachings from the word of God. I got up and gave my testimony in a very animated way which had a lot of people laughing. I gave a message from Luke 1-2 on the coming of the King, Jesus, and about God sending John the Baptist to prepare the way for the King. I talked about how when a king was going to travel through a land, he would send out messengers before him who would announce his coming and literally clear the roads of debris. I talked about how we need to clear the road into our heart from the debris of sin, that Jesus, the King, may enter. I also talked about the second coming of Christ, and how we are all messengers, preparing the way for His second coming. Victo translated into Yao and Paul translated into Chichewa. I also served communion and had Paul assist me so that he can continue to serve it in his church. We then shared a meal of rice, beans and fish heads.
Usually on Christmas morning we have had a tree and done gifts with our own family. Here on the mission field, it isn’t exactly the same. We bought each other gifts last week and just gave them to each other then. This morning, I took the flatbed truck, “Faithful” up to Asumani, picked up most of the adults from the church there, and traveled to Paul and Graca’s church, “Igreja Dos Santos,” where we had a combined Christmas celebration with both churches. There was a lot of singing and dancing, prayer, testimonies and teachings from the word of God. I got up and gave my testimony in a very animated way which had a lot of people laughing. I gave a message from Luke 1-2 on the coming of the King, Jesus, and about God sending John the Baptist to prepare the way for the King. I talked about how when a king was going to travel through a land, he would send out messengers before him who would announce his coming and literally clear the roads of debris. I talked about how we need to clear the road into our heart from the debris of sin, that Jesus, the King, may enter. I also talked about the second coming of Christ, and how we are all messengers, preparing the way for His second coming. Victo translated into Yao and Paul translated into Chichewa. I also served communion and had Paul assist me so that he can continue to serve it in his church. We then shared a meal of rice, beans and fish heads.
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After
we drove everyone back to Asumani, I just came back home and have been
enjoying this Christmas afternoon with the family. I pray that the
Lord would bless you all this Christmas day, and would draw you closer
to Himself.
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Christian Young
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