using $and with $match in mongodb

$and with $match works just fine.

You have syntax errors in your query. Try this.

db.test.aggregate([
                   { 
                     $match: {
                          $and: [ 
                              {type: {$in: ["TOYS"]}}, 
                              {type: {$nin: ["BARBIE"]}}, 
                              {time: {$lt:ISODate("2013-12-09T00:00:00Z")}}
                          ]
                     }
                   }
                  ])

And for what you are trying to do, you do not need an $and.

{
  $match: {
    $or:[
      {'sender':sender, 'recipient':recipient},
      {'recipient':sender,'sender':recipient}
    ]
  }
}

using $or