Nunu
and Amanda met in Mozambique on Amanda’s first trip. While it was not love at
first sight, they were drawn to each other and the more they learned about each
other, the more they liked about each other. When Amanda returned to the
States, she and Nunu continued getting to know each other via Facebook and
weekly phone calls. As each continued to pray about their relationship, it
became more and more clear that this relationship was God’s will.
They
were married on May 13, 2012, in Bridgeman, Michigan, just down the shore from
Amanda’s favorite beach.
They
are currently residing in Pemba, Mozambique and living at The Dream Project’s
home for children. As a couple they enjoy listening to music and podcast as
well as watching movies. They also enjoy trying the different restaurants
around town and both feel at home when they are at the beach. They have also
adopted the Berg tradition of playing Rumikub! In summer 2013, they hope to
take a Discipleship Training Course (DTS) through Youth With A Mission.
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Amanda
(Nichols) Macarrao
Was
born, and for the most part raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She has
one older brother. Amanda grew up in the church; she was very active in Awana,
church choir and Youth Group. She often describes her life as your “typical
suburban upbringing.” Amanda graduated from Judson University with a degree in
Architecture. The summer of her junior year is when she really became serious
about her relationship with the Lord. That summer she found and fell in love
with a church, Harvest Bible Chapel, and it was the first time she felt God was
calling her to “Go.” She graduated college knowing God had something else in
store for her, but kept following the Architecture path as the doors kept
opening.
In
2007, she began volunteering for Campus Life, in Downers Grove, Illinois. God used this time to teach
Amanda much about the non-profit world and about herself. She realized some of
her strengths and grew in ways she had never experienced. At this time, God began
weighing heavily on Amanda’s heart that she was supposed to be working with
children overseas.
In
2009, she was laid off from her Architecture firm and began searching for
opportunities to volunteer overseas. It took her over a year to find The Dream Project!
But shortly after learning of them, she felt that this was were God was calling
her. In June 2010, Amanda began volunteering for TDP in their US Headquarters
in Royal Oak, Michigan. In February 2011, she spent 2 months in Pemba and in
January 2012, she spent another 2 months in Mozambique.
Now
residing in Pemba, she is the Communication Liaison for TDP. Working to keep
people in the States updated on what is happening on the ground in Mozambique.
For
those of you who don’t know Amanda well, she is a detail-oriented person. She
enjoys meeting new people and makes friends easily. Potatoes and salt are one
way to her heart, especially if you offer a Coke to wash them down. When she
can, Amanda loves to read non-Fiction books. When in the States, her favorite
place to do this is along the shores of Lake Michigan.
Amanda’s
favorite verse is Philippians 3:13-14 “Forgetting what is behind and straining
toward what is ahead, I press on
toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in
Christ Jesus.”
Nunu
Macarrao
Was
born in the capital city of Mozambique, Maputo. He is the third oldest of six
children, five boys and one girl. Growing up in Maputo, Nunu’s mother sold
produce and his father had odd jobs. When Nunu was eight years old his mother
passed away. While his father tried to support their six children, he was
unable to. So when Nunu was nine years old, he and his younger brothers went to
live in a large orphanage in Maputo.
While
it was hard being in the orphanage, it is at this time that Nunu began his
relationship with the Lord. By age 12 he was a leader in his house and amongst
his peers. By age 15 he felt the Lord was calling him to Minister to homeless
children and the poor. Shortly after this time, he was told he needed to return
back to his home, so that the orphanage could open up spaces for younger
children.
Life
back home wasn’t easy. Nunu’s father had moved in with his girlfriend and was
left Nunu to fend for himself. Hard work and his faith in God were the things
that helped Nunu to get through this difficult time.
In
December 2010, The Dream Project invited Nunu to come to Pemba to work with
them. Nunu role varies, depending on TDP’s need. But he does Education
Administration, making sure that the kids are enrolled in school and if
problems arise, he takes care of them. He is currently building relationships
with many of the neighborhood children though soccer activities and nightly
Family Time.
Nunu
is praying about college options, but he is leaning toward studying Counseling
with University of the Nations (through Youth With A Mission).
To
those who know him, Nunu is an outgoing guy. He is someone you can trust and go
to in a time of need. He is a great listener and has compassion. He also loves
reading books on Leadership and Christianity.
Nunu’s
favorite verse: Philippians 4:13 “For I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.”
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