This is the Mission of Mercy Newsletter I recently sent for them to forward to sponsors of our kids here. I thought maybe you would be interested too ...
NEWSLETTER
MZ 002 Xai-Xai, Mozambique
 |
| "Pastora" and her kids |
Children from all over the community join us for a variety of activities every day at the Mercy Center in Xai-Xai. Bible Club, exercise programs, life skills training, and nutritious meals five days a week are the basic components of the program. However, the children receive much more as the staff give of themselves every day to make these orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable kids feel like they belong.
 |
| Singing "Father Abraham" |
Diane Stauber, who serves as the oversight director of this Mercy Center, is an American missionary and pastor’s wife of the host church in Xai-Xai. She has taken personal responsibility for ensuring quality spiritual development for the children. She meets with them every Wednesday for Bible Club where the children get to hear and act out bible stories in a new learning environment that they seldom get to experience. Many of the children say Bible Club is one of their favorite activities because they get to sing, dance, learn stories from the bible, act out stories, and do arts and crafts. Learning in this way is different than how they are instructed in public school where they would normally sit in a crowded classroom and simply repeat back what the teacher is trying to teach. Children learn much more effectively when they can actively participate in any teaching activity so we do our best to get them involved when possible.
 |
| Goliath Goes Down! |
Recently the children learned about David and Goliath, which is an important story for them as they have many big challenges ahead of them in life. After singing songs a group of children from the Mercy Center were selected to dramatize the story. As Diane read to the children, each of the characters began acting out their part. Goliath stood on a flimsy green chair and enjoyed being the big powerful warrior. He swung his sword, a long stick from outside, with great enthusiasm as he commanded David with his threats. Then, as David, actually a girl in this case, swung his stone and hurled it at the giant, Goliath jumped off the chair, rolled off the stage, and acted out the part of a man who was slowly dying. All 200+ children laughed and cheered wildly and wanted their turn to act out the parts as well. So the children came up as we retold the story another ten times. That’s one story they will never forget.
A major challenge facing the Mercy Center is getting running water to the facility. Currently the Mercy Center depends on having water delivered by truck, poured into a large holding container, and retrieved with a bucket and rope. We have explored many options including drilling our own well on site, but are still far from solving the problem. Lack of running water has kept us from having better restroom facilities which has also delayed the start of the pre-school program. Please pray with us that this problem will be quickly resolved.
Despite many challenges they face, the children you sponsor are thriving in all areas of life. Thank you for your continued support.
Pastor Mel Stauber
Igreja Celebração, Host Church Pastor
Co-Director Mercy Center MZ002 Xai-Xai, Mozambique
