Us!

Nunu & Amanda Macarrao

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.”