OoooEH!

Dancing, singing, and simply being together.  Today began with an overwhelming welcome from the village of about 200 people singing us songs of praise and thanks!  They had some of the most awesome dancing that any of us have ever seen. (check out the pics!)  As the villagers explained to Todd, George, and Daniel, each song told a story about strengthening community.  The children played games with Logan and Christian with smiles and laughter that can only be explained as perfect.  The ceremony began with Todd telling the villagers about how 12 Stone got its’ name, followed by the entire team doing a skit that explained the story.  Danni and Ellyce shared what life was like in America for young women, and followed it up by teaching the ladies of the village how to do the “Macarena”.  After our meeting with our groups, we were able to share a meal that the villagers had prepared. We had some REALLY good chicken, Casava, with some Fanta/Coke in the bottle. As the amazing day came to an end the villagers thanked us repeatedly for sharing the word of God with them, and for being people of such faith.  One man stated, “ we must all face ourselves at least once in our lives” . 
When we got back to the Lehman house, some of the local salesmen were waiting outside the gate ready to sell us oil/wax paintings, bracelets, carved wooden jewelry boxes, and much more hand made things that they or family members had made. For dinner, we went to Jason and Rachel Helms’ home about 1 mile away. They made us a grilled dinner with salad, beans, and kudu/wart hog sausages. As, Ellyce was about to take a bite of the wart hog sausage, she wished Pumba a warm farewell. We were also introduced us to a delicious vanilla custard from a box to go on top of our fruit cocktail dessert.

Tomorrow, we look forward to a sunrise on the beach, and church in the morning. We would all like you to know the face that the people of Xai-Xai saw from us today was that of Jesus. Thank you all for giving us this wonderfulgift.

Love,

Todd, Daniel, Ellyce, Danni, George, and Christian

Dancers from the village

Wart hog (Pumba) we had for dinner

Kudu we had for dinner