Merry Christmas from Zimula, Mozambique. We are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior this week on the banks of the Save River. Stating yesterday, our team is giving their secret pal a Christmas gift each day this week. It has been a big boost as we approach the half way point in our trip.
 
We are in the same town we were in the last blog. The Lord let us know that we were supposed to return there for longer term missions. Currently we are doing children's ministry (basically VBS) twice a day at the school across the street from our camp. We are also doing individual ministries in this predominately Muslim community,  including  home visits, a women's bible study, and praying in front of the masque next door.
 
God is truly moving in this place. We have seen many former non-believers come to Christ. We are continually growing closer to Him as we see this once nearly Godless place turn to the King. Elaina felt that God was telling her to build a church for the new believers, and hopefully tomorrow Epic Life, the first true Christian church in the area will be complete.
 
We have so many more stories that we can't wait to share with all of you when we get back home. The whole team is very thankful and aware of the prayers we are receiving from back home. Keep it up. Please continue to pray for our individual ministries, the people in the area, the power of the Holy Spirit to speak through us, and the general health of the team. More specifically pray that God would give the people in Zimula clarity when it comes to their beliefs; many of them have a very skewed faith that mixes Islam, Christianity, and ancestor worship.
 
Keep up the prayers. We love you all.
 
Ben Hoagland
 
P.S. Congratulations on becoming a CPA Kate. I haven't read your e-mail, but I saw the title of it. Thank you to all of my friends and family who are praying for this trip. You will never truly know how your prayers have helped here. I love you all and miss you, but know that I am truly happy here too. God is with us.