I'm a little behind in my blog entries. Last week we had the privilege of participating in a 4-day missions conference in Lafayette, N.J. This part of NJ is easily one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and is quite a secret I think as few people think of incredible beauty when they think of New Jersey. Our hosts lived on a small far not far from the church and we were comfortable and spoiled with homemade rasbberry jam, pies to die for, and fresh things from the farm. We were so comfortable there we were ready to plant roots and stay. One of the Pastor's wives is fluent in Portuguese and a teacher of Portuguese, and we are praying about spending a bit more time in that area before we return to work on language some more. We think this will be time well spent before returning to Mozambique. 
One of the activities with the church was to go to a large corn maze. When I say 'large', whatever you are thinking is too small. We were given about two hours in this place with strict instructions to be out by 1430. At 1430, we were hopelessly lost but we thought moving in the right direction. Finally we were rescued - the rats in the maze found their way out. We turned in our forms (there were stations you had to find with questions to complete) and received our prizes - fresh apples. On the way out, we couldn't resist the photograph of being lost in the maize! (spelling intentional!).
Our daughter (1 of 4) joined us for most of the weekend. We were greatly encouraged by the teaching, the speakers, the prayer time, the other missionaries, and the sincere interest in what God is doing in Mozambique. When we talked with people, they knew about Mozambique, about what we were doing, and the details that spoke volumes - they read our notes and letters, and were engaged with us - wow, what an encouragement! This church also supports an incredible work in Kenya at Tenwick hospital and just like four years ago, after hearing all that was happening at this hospital in rural Kenya, you want to jump up and say 'send me Lord!'. We knew some of the missionaries from the conference four years ago and it was very good to see them again and catch up! We left encouraged, invigorated, and truly blessed. God used this wonderful four days to remind us that it is His work and that His work extends across this world in more ways than we can even begin to comprehend.
One of the activities with the church was to go to a large corn maze. When I say 'large', whatever you are thinking is too small. We were given about two hours in this place with strict instructions to be out by 1430. At 1430, we were hopelessly lost but we thought moving in the right direction. Finally we were rescued - the rats in the maze found their way out. We turned in our forms (there were stations you had to find with questions to complete) and received our prizes - fresh apples. On the way out, we couldn't resist the photograph of being lost in the maize! (spelling intentional!).As a final note, our hosts in Pennsylvania work with a program called Christian Service Brigade (CSB), which is a program designed to raise leaders through men working with boys. The church we were at uses this program and we talked with several young men, now in college, who were impressive young men seeking God's will for their futures. They were fruit of people investing in youth for a lifetime through discipleship, training, and their presence, which will take me to my next entry!
Blessings!
Dave & Ann
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
"....fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
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