A New Kind of Worship

In the lives of all of us here, corporate worship is a central part of our faith. This looks different for all of us. Some of us came from small congregations of less than 100 and some of us came from mega churches. Yet, "church" for us is similar. That is all about to change. 

Every Sunday night, a different affinity group prepares a worship in the styles and languages of that area of the world. It is a very special time for us to share in each other's culture. We try to mimic the culture of the body of Christ in that setting. We even try to wear clothing appropriate for that culture.


No interpreting is allowed. All songs, all scripture readings, all prayers are in the native language of the people. Then, there is a short sermon or teaching in a native language.


The first night it was very funny. We looked at each other and laughed because we did not know what we were singing or what was being said.


This is very helpful for the McDaniel family, though. When we step off the plane we will not hear any English. When we go to the market, we will not hear English. When we go to church of Sunday, we will not hear English. Our ears need to be used to hearing other languages and our hearts need to know what it feels like to not understand what people are saying or singing. This is good preparation for that.


The best night for us was when we had Sub-Saharan Africa worship. Enjoy some of our photos!

All dressed in our African clothes.

Lilly brought her baby along and her drum. 

My sweet friend Shandra and baby Hadassa

Drum lessons

Emma trying to get the rhythm!

Girls not knowing what to think of the languages that they are hearing

Tracy

Thank you Lottie Moon!

Here the girls stand beside the tiny, famous, feisty Southern Baptist Missionary named Lottie Moon. (Yes, she was actually that size in real life!)

Lottie worked as a missionary to China in the 1800s. During her years of service to the Chinese people she sent many letters home urging the church to support foreign missions in a greater way. In 1918 an annual offering was named after Lottie. Every penny given to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering goes to support IMB missionaries. I think that would make Lottie proud! Today over 5,000 missionaries are serving on foreign soil to reach the world with the Gospel. This year our family is part of that number. How will you give this year?


Want to know more about the Lottie Moon Christmas offering? or the International Mission Board? Click the link below.

Tracy

Trip to Washington DC

Our whole group (94 men, women, and children) loaded onto buses early this morning headed to our Nation's Capital. This was not just a day of sight seeing. We were given several assignments for our time in the city. We were to find a restaurant from our new country, do different types of observing and interacting internationals as well as navigate the subway. It was a lot of fun! 
One of the first things we did was find this awesome Portuguese/Mozambican restaurant. It is called Nando's Peri-Peri. It was so delicious! The story goes that during the 15th and 16th century Portuguese explorers set up a port on the coast of what is now the African country of Mozambique. When they did the indigenous Africans introduced them to the African Bird's Eye Chili. The locals called their little fiery chili pepper Pili-Pili. Peri-Peri was as close as the explorers could get. This is a pepper still used in Mozambique today (or so I understand). Nando's also had what they called "Portuguese rolls". We understand that this is the main food in Mozambique and that there is a bakery next to the Mission house in Napula. If they taste like what we had at Nando's....which I hardly believe is possible...my mid-section is in trouble!

Here we are in front of Nando's.

The girls really liked it too!

Here we are navigating the Metro.

One of the coolest things we did was to find the Mozambican Embassy. Sadly they were closed for the holiday. We prayed on the steps and had some pictures made. I am sure that whoever watches their surveillance tapes will wonder what those crazy Americans were doing!

Lilly enjoying hot Krispy-Kreme doughnuts in front of the White House.

And Emma feeding the pigeons....

Great fun!

Tracy

Killing Chickens

The leadership here wants to prepare us for our field experience as much as possible. For those of us going to Sub-Saharan Africa, that means learning how to kill chickens and cook bread over the fire. So last weekend....we did both! It was a crazy experience. 

Here we are beginning down by the lake with a fire.

Emma found a farm dog and tied it to herself.

Uncle Robert telling stories to the children....

Here is 1 of the 4 chickens peeking out of her box.

Here Uncle Bob is choosing the best bird!

Cute, isn't she?

 Getting the instructions for the killing.

 Head on the chopping block....

After the headless bird danced and danced, it rested in peace....

 Bird in the boiling water for 10 seconds....

Time to pluck!

 And pluck....

 And pluck...

Time to eviscerate...

We had to leave before the chickens were cooked. But the bread that we cooked over the fire was very good.

Tracy

The 1st of Many Haircuts

I knew the day would come....


Lee got up the nerve and let me cut his hair! 


I will do it all of the time in Africa and it is time that I learn how. My friend Shandra cuts her husband's hair so she encouraged me (and Lee) to just do it after church today.


Here he is telling me how the "barber" does it. 

 Here Meghan and I getting him covered up. (No...I was not styling my Texas hair....the wind was blowing!)

Trying to get up the nerve to put the clippers to his head...

Lee is saying, "Just do it. Have confidence!" I am thinking, "This could go really bad!"

 Hair going everywhere!

Checking progress in his reflection in the window.

Just about finished. Lilly can out of to make sure I didn't need help. 

He received many comments on how well I did. I only butchered 1 side burn. Other than that I was right proud of myself. I think Lee is wishing he had not spent all that $$ all these years on haircuts!

Tracy