JUNE 18
This whole weekend has been wonderful. I’m sitting here in dirt, absolutely filthy and messy and I love the Kingdom. He has taught me so much about Himself through these people. I LOVE the people. LOVE them. So much. I loved walking through the villages and visiting these people and praying for them. God cares so much about these small unknown villages up in the middle of nowhere. HE CARES SO MUCH for the people that no one really knows about. None of their stories are unknown. He sees their lives and their stories. He knows them. Sometimes it makes me wonder why doesn’t God help them when they are desperate? I just want them to understand the Gospel. I want them to get it. I want their hearts to comprehend the reality of the Gospel. And not any ”western” version or culturized thing but the real Gospel in all its glory and simplicity. It really isn’t complicated. God is not American. He is the King of Kings who reigns over all the earth. Not just one nation. He rules the earth: ALL NATIONS. God is not cultural, He is LOVE. John 3:16--God loved the WORLD. Every single tribe and tongue.
JUNE 19
I love how there are so many different nations represented here! In my house alone these countries are represented:
AMERICA
ENGLAND
NEW ZEALAND
AUSTRALIA
TAIWAN
SWITZERLAND
NORWAY
And these states:
FLORIDA
TEXAS
COLORADO
IOWA
WISCONSIN
And we all gather together in AFRICA!! God is truly gathering His Bride and making her ready from every nation, tribe and tongue. This is so beautiful.
JUNE 20
Sweet Jesus Christ, my sanity, my clarity……Today has been one of those pivotal days. I just came back from weekend outreach and today I just wanted to rest and be clean. But I had told some village friends that on Sunday we would go to their house. So we had to go. The whole day I have been kinda out of it and just tired and not in the mood for a hundred kids grabbing onto me and making me dirty. I kept thinking in my head “I didn’t want to get dirty today!” And I’ve been feeling so selfish; like I don’t really care about the Mozambicans and it’s kinda wearing on my heart a little. It’s making me sad that I feel so selfish. But anyway, we visited Memona and her family again, they cooked us a meal again. And as I was sitting there in that little dirt house I remember thinking about how Jesus left glory to come into a dirt house like this. It is so mind blowing to think about that. Then we visited another house and they gave us fried sweetbread they were making. And as we sat on a little grass mat, we met the family and a young 23-year-old mother of 4 named Isa, who looked so depressed and downtrodden and her face was so burdened. We don’t know much of her story because we didn’t have a translator, but we found out that she’s really only a mother of 3 children because one of them died. And also that she can’t feed her babies. So we prayed for her and she just looked down at the ground the whole time. We prayed again and started speaking life and joy to her and commanding depression to go, and when we were finished she looks up and starts smiling, and then one of our girls points at the sky and then to Isa’s heart and says, “Jesus Christ loves you, a lot.” Isa starts to cry and smile at the same time. The Holy Spirit was working so much on her heart. Then she took the witchcraft bracelet off her sleeping baby’s wrist, and we threw it in the fire. We all gave her hugs and kisses and she was so happy. The LORD came down and wrapped His Papa arms around her this day. And I believe that she is going to feed her babies. …I didn’t want to get dirty today. This was my day off. I didn’t want to go anywhere today. I just wanted to lay on my grass-bed in the hut and soak. But Jesus wants me like Him. So He invites me to get down and get dirty and LOVE. Love MORE; love AGAIN, when I feel like I’ve exhausted my supply of love for the rest of the whole week. When I feel like I have nothing more to give. Well, fill me up, God. There’s always more, and there’s always enough. Don’t stop loving, and don’t stop losing yourself.
JUNE 29
I just had a vision while we were singing ‘I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open, there’s nothing I hold onto…’ …..of me with open hands, climbing up my own mountain to the rhythm of God’s heartbeat, and each step I took climbing up this mountain, was to a beat of His heart. It was my own mountain because God knows my heart and what I can handle. Sometimes I feel like my mountains and valleys are so small. But He takes me and my heart seriously and He knows it is real. My mountains and valleys are as real to Him as they are to me.
JUNE 30
Lord, help me go lower because I haven’t been doing a very good job. I am terrible at this. I am so not good at being like you Jesus. I’m so selfish. I’m awful at sharing and giving and serving. All I think about is myself. Lord, help me. I can’t do this. Only you can make me like you.
JULY 1
Tonight after weeping for hours up in the prayer hut, I got another vision. I saw myself running in this race, with one of those numbers taped onto my shirt, and my Father was running with me, like holding me and helping me run, and we were going together and I knew I could do it. But then someone from the sidelines yelled out to me “You’re all alone!” and I started freaking out and getting scared, and stumbling while I ran because I believed that person, which was absolutely ridiculous because I could see and feel my Dad RIGHT NEXT TO ME, I KNEW He was there. My dad was running with me and someone told me I was all alone and I believed them. And it caused me to lose my balance running and slow down and almost fall. But then I saw my Dad and He said “Look at me! You can do this! I’m running right next to you, my little girl!” And He started clapping and cheering me on saying, “RUN! RUN! YOU CAN DO THIS! RUN!” ……Why on earth would I look at the sidelines and listen to anything they are saying?
JULY 2
The reason I was able to say yes is because you made me brave. The reason I was able to pack up all my stuff and get on a plane and fly halfway across the world all by myself is because you made me brave. I never would have been able to do this without you. I’m here because you make me Brave. You make me courageous, bold and fearless. You teach me how to laugh in the face of fear and laugh at the enemy and his lies. You remind me how foolish those lies are. You are the One who gives me the song to sing in the face of fear. I’m going to have days like yesterday when it seems like everything is just crumbling to the ground around me and I get so tired and burned out that I literally have to fall back into His arms and let him carry me. But those days come and then they go, and the sun rises again, and the morning brings me word of your unfailing love and I find a double portion of grace and strength to keep going. And I find joy for the journey. Because you’re always faithful. The journey is always worth it.
JULY 7
Sometimes I feel like I can’t take the dirt anymore. I can’t take the smell and the dust and the filth anymore. I’ve had enough. I need to go home. I have no more grace left to do this. Yet, I’m still here and I still have a while to go. And I have to stay here. And I feel like I can’t be around a swarm of kids anymore, and as soon as I think that, I get a swarm of dirty filthy kids around me. Stretching and stretching and stretching some more. I don’t know all that’s happening to me, but Lord, come have your way in me. I NEED SO MUCH GRACE………….
JULY 20
It’s been a lot easier to just laugh when things go wrong instead of flip out. It’s actually funny. God has taught me how to lighten up and not be so uptight. It’s so frustrating that it’s actually hilarious. I don’t know how that works. But it does. I would rather be happy than angry so I’m just going to be happy. I know my Daddy and his great faithfulness to me and nothing is going to change that.
JULY 23
The more I spend time in the villages with the people, the more I get emptied of me.
JULY 27
Lord Jesus, please be my strength! This day has been so hard! I have those frustrating days and then they end and I think, OK that’s it, no more, the rest of these days are going to be good. But they keep getting hard and frustrating. Why do I get to the checkout counter with all my groceries today and after she rings everything up my card doesn’t work. Why does our water shut off RIGHT when I have soap ALL over my face in the shower? Lord, I’m sick of going to bed in bugs and sweat and dirt. I’m sick of having freaking bites all over me and having who knows what in my feet. I don’t know if I can take one more day of being dirty. Lord I am a girl ok? I like to be clean. I’ve done this for 2 months and I’m just ready to come home. I’m sorry Lord this is getting too overwhelming. I know I’ll probably be fine tomorrow but right now I’m so exhausted of this. Thank you for leading me here. But please give me more grace, God. You said your grace is sufficient for me. Lord I need you so much. I’m almost done. I don’t want to get beat down this far in the race. I’m almost there, God. Give me strength and give me grace. You are faithful, God, no matter what I feel.
JULY 28
Tonight I saw a shooting star. God is so faithful and so good to me. I am so changed. I am so full of courage and boldness and NO FEAR!! I am fearless, I am not afraid! I laugh in the face of my enemy for I am victorious with my King. I am transformed. I am brave, valiant, tenacious, bold and strong. I am a woman, no longer a little girl. I am a warrior bride and a queen. Thank you Lord for your great faithfulness to me and your works and your ways!
AUGUST 1
It amazes me that 2 months ago I could see the phrase “new adventures begin” and absolutely freak out and be full of anxiety, and now I see that phrase on our wall, knowing that it will be true in just 5 days, and my very first reaction is to smile. And I get excited. I see that phrase “new adventures begin” and I don’t get sad that the current season is ending; I get so excited that there are new adventures to begin in just a few days! I love the feeling of sweet victory. I’m not scared, I am fearless. This is so amazing. I didn’t think I could do it and I did.
AUGUST 3
In class today I had a vision. God was putting all these things into my hands that I was going to need for my assignment. Money, papers, food and water, and He was just putting all this stuff in my hands, while I stood there receiving it all. I was getting ready to go, and getting prepared. He just kept throwing necessary stuff into my hands. Then He slid a ring onto my left ring finger. Then He handed me a paper with my name in big letters at the top of the paper, and I knew it was my assignment. Then He led me to this gate and opened the gate and said, “Let’s go! Let’s run!!”
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I'm Home!!!
Now that my journey is over, I am going to post some of my journal entries from my time in Mozambique. Here's the first batch. More to come!!
JUNE 1
Today God told me "Go low, Hannah." So I tried to do that today, and I know He meant for me to live that way while I'm here, and for the rest of my life. I've only been here for 2 days and I feel like I've been here forever. I think I'm already getting used to it even though it's still really tough doing normal, practical things that I usually never have a problem with, that usually come like second nature. Ughh. It's really hard. But I feel like in a week or so I should be totally adjusted. I can do this. I really can. Jesus is worth it. .....I'm ready. My heart is just so full of anticipation. I'm so ready to find out what God's planning. I love this life! I have no idea what's about to happen. Things are about to get crazy! Lord, break me, wreck me, turn me inside out and upside down. I know that's a dangerous prayer. But there's no other way to shake this earth with your glory. Father, here I am. Mark me and call me, lead me and guide me. And I pray for the man you want to bring me to. LEAD him, perfectly Lord. You are in control, come have your way. This is all for you, I love you Jesus!
JUNE 3
I love how everywhere you go, people are people. It's so funny. People are the same. I love it. ......I think it's hilarious that whenever we have fish with our rice, they just stick a dead fish on top of the rice. It's cooked, but they don't skin it or behead it or anything, it's just a fish sittign there on my rice, with fins and a head and a tail, all scaly and full of bones, and its just looking up at me, and that's my dinner. It cracks me up. :)
JUNE 7
God has been speaking so much to me. I did my part - I obeyed Him. And He is doing His. He is speaking to me and leading me. I came here and that was my part to play. It was my step to take. My thing was to just jump in. And I did it. Trembling, but I jumped anyway. No turning back, I've made up my mind. I'm giving all of my life this time. I was so blessed sitting out on the front porch of another house tonight with 4 or 5 girls I barely even knew and just singing our hearts out to Jesus with a guitar. We worshiped for hours. It was so beautiful. Just girls. There was so much power and authority in our song, especially when we were all singing melody, it got louder and it was just so powerful. It's the song of the warrior princess. "Your love makes it worth it, your love makes it worth it, your love makes it worth it all." I am going to fulfill my destiny. I am going to live out this story. Not someone else's. MINE. MY STORY. I'M GOING TO ANSWER THE CALL OF GOD ON MY LIFE. I am destined for greatness. I am royalty.
JUNE 12
I just have to remind myself that I'm just here to give myself away. So I'm going to be sweaty, I'm going to be dirty, and there's gonna be dirty hands in my hair and grabbing my arms and touching my face and vying for my attention ALL the TIME. So when I start to feel like I can't take it anymore
"SISTA!! SISTA! SISTA!!!"
I just need to close my eyes and remember why I'm here. Jesus would give and give until he DRAINED HIMSELF DRY. So I need to do the same. Come on Hannah. Just be sweaty for 2 months. Just stop caring what you look like because it's not about you. Just lay down your life. Just keep on going. Lower still. "Come up here to the lowest place."
JUNE 13
This is a place I Never imagined I would go. AFRICA? Like, why Africa? Why on earth would I go there? The Lord called me to come away on a great adventure when I was 16, and adventure involves going places you never expected. That's why it's an adventure. Yesterday while I was snorkeling, looking at all the beautiful fish and coral of the Indian ocean, I kept getting hit with this wave of wonder. Like, wow! Who would have thought I would be here! Jesus had and has such amazing plans for me! He takes me to incredible places, not only physically in the earth but in my heart. He does so much to my heart. Jesus is the only person I have ever and will ever know that has SUCH an amazing incredible impact in my life. Not only an impact, but a radical, transforming, reformation of my life!!!! NO ONE ELSE has done such amazing works. Hallelujah, God you have done great things!!!
JUNE 15
We had such a beautiful time today washing the feet of our Mozambican pastors and having our own feet washed by them. When I washed one man's feet, he broke down weeping and kept weeping for a long while after. These pastors were all weeping! It was so beautiful. They are amazing. The love of Christ is amazing. It really blessed me so much. It was so unifying. They are poor, but they are SO rich. THEY ARE SO RICH. Oh Jesus, let me learn from the Mozambicans.
JUNE 1
Today God told me "Go low, Hannah." So I tried to do that today, and I know He meant for me to live that way while I'm here, and for the rest of my life. I've only been here for 2 days and I feel like I've been here forever. I think I'm already getting used to it even though it's still really tough doing normal, practical things that I usually never have a problem with, that usually come like second nature. Ughh. It's really hard. But I feel like in a week or so I should be totally adjusted. I can do this. I really can. Jesus is worth it. .....I'm ready. My heart is just so full of anticipation. I'm so ready to find out what God's planning. I love this life! I have no idea what's about to happen. Things are about to get crazy! Lord, break me, wreck me, turn me inside out and upside down. I know that's a dangerous prayer. But there's no other way to shake this earth with your glory. Father, here I am. Mark me and call me, lead me and guide me. And I pray for the man you want to bring me to. LEAD him, perfectly Lord. You are in control, come have your way. This is all for you, I love you Jesus!
JUNE 3
I love how everywhere you go, people are people. It's so funny. People are the same. I love it. ......I think it's hilarious that whenever we have fish with our rice, they just stick a dead fish on top of the rice. It's cooked, but they don't skin it or behead it or anything, it's just a fish sittign there on my rice, with fins and a head and a tail, all scaly and full of bones, and its just looking up at me, and that's my dinner. It cracks me up. :)
JUNE 7
God has been speaking so much to me. I did my part - I obeyed Him. And He is doing His. He is speaking to me and leading me. I came here and that was my part to play. It was my step to take. My thing was to just jump in. And I did it. Trembling, but I jumped anyway. No turning back, I've made up my mind. I'm giving all of my life this time. I was so blessed sitting out on the front porch of another house tonight with 4 or 5 girls I barely even knew and just singing our hearts out to Jesus with a guitar. We worshiped for hours. It was so beautiful. Just girls. There was so much power and authority in our song, especially when we were all singing melody, it got louder and it was just so powerful. It's the song of the warrior princess. "Your love makes it worth it, your love makes it worth it, your love makes it worth it all." I am going to fulfill my destiny. I am going to live out this story. Not someone else's. MINE. MY STORY. I'M GOING TO ANSWER THE CALL OF GOD ON MY LIFE. I am destined for greatness. I am royalty.
JUNE 12
I just have to remind myself that I'm just here to give myself away. So I'm going to be sweaty, I'm going to be dirty, and there's gonna be dirty hands in my hair and grabbing my arms and touching my face and vying for my attention ALL the TIME. So when I start to feel like I can't take it anymore
"SISTA!! SISTA! SISTA!!!"
I just need to close my eyes and remember why I'm here. Jesus would give and give until he DRAINED HIMSELF DRY. So I need to do the same. Come on Hannah. Just be sweaty for 2 months. Just stop caring what you look like because it's not about you. Just lay down your life. Just keep on going. Lower still. "Come up here to the lowest place."
JUNE 13
This is a place I Never imagined I would go. AFRICA? Like, why Africa? Why on earth would I go there? The Lord called me to come away on a great adventure when I was 16, and adventure involves going places you never expected. That's why it's an adventure. Yesterday while I was snorkeling, looking at all the beautiful fish and coral of the Indian ocean, I kept getting hit with this wave of wonder. Like, wow! Who would have thought I would be here! Jesus had and has such amazing plans for me! He takes me to incredible places, not only physically in the earth but in my heart. He does so much to my heart. Jesus is the only person I have ever and will ever know that has SUCH an amazing incredible impact in my life. Not only an impact, but a radical, transforming, reformation of my life!!!! NO ONE ELSE has done such amazing works. Hallelujah, God you have done great things!!!
JUNE 15
We had such a beautiful time today washing the feet of our Mozambican pastors and having our own feet washed by them. When I washed one man's feet, he broke down weeping and kept weeping for a long while after. These pastors were all weeping! It was so beautiful. They are amazing. The love of Christ is amazing. It really blessed me so much. It was so unifying. They are poor, but they are SO rich. THEY ARE SO RICH. Oh Jesus, let me learn from the Mozambicans.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Do little things with lots of love
If I'm enjoying this time here in Africa, I'm in a really good place.
If I'm enduring this time in Africa, I'm also in a really good place.
I must say that I am both.
These past few months have been the most stretching time I have had in a long while. Let me share a few details that will help give illustration to that statement:
In this last week alone, the following things have happened to me:
1 My camera broke
2 The ATM machine swallowed my credit card (don't worry, I got it back..the next day..talk about a nervous night)
3 I have been swarmed by mobs of sweaty, dirty kids more than the entire time I have been here, kids that like to jerk arms and legs, pull hair, spit, punch, slap and etc. etc. etc.
4) I have bruises, scrapes and cuts ALLLL over my body in various places, some I don't even know how I got.
5) I tried for 4 days in a row to get on the internet to check my bank account, send emails and other stuff, and each time I walked into the computer place, I was greeted with a shaking head (which means the internet connection is down)...
This is just some of the stuff that has happened.
Before this week though, my ipod was stolen, and I borrowed a friends ipod touch, which was also stolen because I left it on our front porch. So I am responsible for 2new ipods. AHHHH
Every day that I am tested and tried, I have a choice to make. I have felt like crying almost every day this week. But it's my choice to act on that, or to just do the complete opposite thing and just laugh. That second choice goes against every fiber of every emotion in me.
Every day that has stretched me, I have overcome by just laughing. I would much rather be happy than be angry. I know my Father and He always takes care of me. I know that everything is all going to work out. So when stuff like the above happens, I have started to just find it funny. It's been a real blessing to know that He has shaped my character so much in just 2 months that I could go from being anxious and freaking out to just laughing.
When I have a frustrating day, I just laugh. And I know that the next day will be better. But then......the next day is just like the last. It's frustrating and trying AGAIN. So I smile and choose to be positive, thinking the next day will be better...no. It's frustrating. That has been my week. Every day.
But my Father has given me a gift. It is the gift of His presence, in me and around me, every day, all the time. And all that comes with it. All the fruits of the Holy Spirit. He has poured so much grace on me to endure, but not only to endure. He has given me grace to soar. Nothing can seperate me from the love of Christ. Even little trials like I have faced here. So why let stuff like this bring me down? I have every reason in the world to be full of joy, hope and peace at every second of every day.
Anyway, I know there is a reason He chose to bring me here. And I am so glad I obeyed Him. He has taught me so much, and grown me so much. I can't imagine what would have happened if I had said no to this. Some days I look out at the ocean (which you can see from wherever you are on the base) and I think I can't believe I almost didn't come here. Wow, what a journey it has been.
So.......a little more than 2 weeks left. I'm so excited to come home. And I know I am bringing with me SO much. See yall then!
PS.---the title of this blog has nothing to do with the content :) It's just something Heidi said in class the other day. And I had no title. So there you go. :)
If I'm enduring this time in Africa, I'm also in a really good place.
I must say that I am both.
These past few months have been the most stretching time I have had in a long while. Let me share a few details that will help give illustration to that statement:
In this last week alone, the following things have happened to me:
1 My camera broke
2 The ATM machine swallowed my credit card (don't worry, I got it back..the next day..talk about a nervous night)
3 I have been swarmed by mobs of sweaty, dirty kids more than the entire time I have been here, kids that like to jerk arms and legs, pull hair, spit, punch, slap and etc. etc. etc.
4) I have bruises, scrapes and cuts ALLLL over my body in various places, some I don't even know how I got.
5) I tried for 4 days in a row to get on the internet to check my bank account, send emails and other stuff, and each time I walked into the computer place, I was greeted with a shaking head (which means the internet connection is down)...
This is just some of the stuff that has happened.
Before this week though, my ipod was stolen, and I borrowed a friends ipod touch, which was also stolen because I left it on our front porch. So I am responsible for 2new ipods. AHHHH
Every day that I am tested and tried, I have a choice to make. I have felt like crying almost every day this week. But it's my choice to act on that, or to just do the complete opposite thing and just laugh. That second choice goes against every fiber of every emotion in me.
Every day that has stretched me, I have overcome by just laughing. I would much rather be happy than be angry. I know my Father and He always takes care of me. I know that everything is all going to work out. So when stuff like the above happens, I have started to just find it funny. It's been a real blessing to know that He has shaped my character so much in just 2 months that I could go from being anxious and freaking out to just laughing.
When I have a frustrating day, I just laugh. And I know that the next day will be better. But then......the next day is just like the last. It's frustrating and trying AGAIN. So I smile and choose to be positive, thinking the next day will be better...no. It's frustrating. That has been my week. Every day.
But my Father has given me a gift. It is the gift of His presence, in me and around me, every day, all the time. And all that comes with it. All the fruits of the Holy Spirit. He has poured so much grace on me to endure, but not only to endure. He has given me grace to soar. Nothing can seperate me from the love of Christ. Even little trials like I have faced here. So why let stuff like this bring me down? I have every reason in the world to be full of joy, hope and peace at every second of every day.
Anyway, I know there is a reason He chose to bring me here. And I am so glad I obeyed Him. He has taught me so much, and grown me so much. I can't imagine what would have happened if I had said no to this. Some days I look out at the ocean (which you can see from wherever you are on the base) and I think I can't believe I almost didn't come here. Wow, what a journey it has been.
So.......a little more than 2 weeks left. I'm so excited to come home. And I know I am bringing with me SO much. See yall then!
PS.---the title of this blog has nothing to do with the content :) It's just something Heidi said in class the other day. And I had no title. So there you go. :)
Friday, July 1, 2011
IT'S JULY!
I can't believe it! My first month in Africa is complete. What a crazy whirlwind experience. My weekend outreach has been one of the highlights. Showing the Jesus film in remote mountain villages, going around from house to house praying for the sick and oppressed, and loving on hearts that need Jesus. All ages.
I've had many other experiences as well, and hundreds of stories building up in my heart that I can't wait to tell. Here are a few:
I have been making great friends among the Mozambican pastors. These young men are incredible. When I was 17 I read Rolland and Heidi's book 'Always Enough'. In this book there are many stories about the children they found and rescued from extremely horrific circumstances. I have actually had the opportunity to meet several of these children who are now no longer children! Yesterday I met a young man around 26 or 27 whose name is Ernesto. He is in the book! He was resuced when he was 12 years old off the streets. I read his story when I was 17 and wept. Meeting him face to face, is such a picture of the LOVE of God! We talked for about half an hour sitting at a little cafe called Tropical. He is just beaming with life and hope. He's going to school and then going to be an evangelist.
Mozambique has only just recovered in the last 4 or 6 years from the decades of war and natural disaster that went on for years. One day a few weeks ago I was on a boat ride and one of the Mozambicans who was rowing it looked around at the ocean and then started smiling and he looked at me and said 'Now the war is over and we are free. Now Jesus is in Mozambique.' It blessed my heart so much!
The other day I made a peanut butter and jam sandwich on one of our leftover breakfast rolls for my lunch. (Rice and beans get a little monotonous) So I went out on to the back porch to eat it when I felt like God was telling me to just pause for a moment. So I did, and I heard 'When was the last time you actually thanked God for your meal' And honestly, I don't remember ever thanking the Lord for my meals. We always pray before dinner and everything, but when I bow my head I do it out of routine and it never even crosses my mind that GOD HAS GIVEN ME DAILY BREAD. God has provided for my needs. And as I sat there looking at my sandwich I said 'THANK YOU, LORD'. And felt so much thankfulness welling up inside me. I'm so used to always eating, and when you grow up in a culture where there is always an over abundance, you just expect there to be lots of food all the time. It never occurs to you that the LORD has given this. He has provided for me. It made me sad that I have lived for 21 years and never even thought about the Lord who is my provider and sustainer and who gives me daily bread. In my case, way more than just my daily bread. He has blessed me so much.
I'm out of time for now, but I will try to get back and write another post as soon as I can. One month to go! Love you all and see you in August! :)
I've had many other experiences as well, and hundreds of stories building up in my heart that I can't wait to tell. Here are a few:
I have been making great friends among the Mozambican pastors. These young men are incredible. When I was 17 I read Rolland and Heidi's book 'Always Enough'. In this book there are many stories about the children they found and rescued from extremely horrific circumstances. I have actually had the opportunity to meet several of these children who are now no longer children! Yesterday I met a young man around 26 or 27 whose name is Ernesto. He is in the book! He was resuced when he was 12 years old off the streets. I read his story when I was 17 and wept. Meeting him face to face, is such a picture of the LOVE of God! We talked for about half an hour sitting at a little cafe called Tropical. He is just beaming with life and hope. He's going to school and then going to be an evangelist.
Mozambique has only just recovered in the last 4 or 6 years from the decades of war and natural disaster that went on for years. One day a few weeks ago I was on a boat ride and one of the Mozambicans who was rowing it looked around at the ocean and then started smiling and he looked at me and said 'Now the war is over and we are free. Now Jesus is in Mozambique.' It blessed my heart so much!
The other day I made a peanut butter and jam sandwich on one of our leftover breakfast rolls for my lunch. (Rice and beans get a little monotonous) So I went out on to the back porch to eat it when I felt like God was telling me to just pause for a moment. So I did, and I heard 'When was the last time you actually thanked God for your meal' And honestly, I don't remember ever thanking the Lord for my meals. We always pray before dinner and everything, but when I bow my head I do it out of routine and it never even crosses my mind that GOD HAS GIVEN ME DAILY BREAD. God has provided for my needs. And as I sat there looking at my sandwich I said 'THANK YOU, LORD'. And felt so much thankfulness welling up inside me. I'm so used to always eating, and when you grow up in a culture where there is always an over abundance, you just expect there to be lots of food all the time. It never occurs to you that the LORD has given this. He has provided for me. It made me sad that I have lived for 21 years and never even thought about the Lord who is my provider and sustainer and who gives me daily bread. In my case, way more than just my daily bread. He has blessed me so much.
I'm out of time for now, but I will try to get back and write another post as soon as I can. One month to go! Love you all and see you in August! :)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Day 3
Well after 2 days of traveling and 2 days adjusting I am finally sitting down at the internet cafe to write this post.
I don't even know how to start! Africa..Africa.....is absolutely crazy. It is beautiful but trying me and stretching me at every second. So many times I have already asked myself "Why did I come here again?"
It's hard to take a shower. The shower floor is about as big as a medium cardboard box. The rod for the curtain is squared which means I have to slide each ring one by one around the corner until the curtain is closed. The water is cold and I only have 2 minutes to shower.
It's hard to sleep. I am on the top bunk and I have to fling my mosquito net over my head to get in bed. My sheets ar covered with sand and grit that I somehow always drag into bed despite brushing off my feet..and my mattress is slanted so I always feel like about to roll off. We only have one small floor fan which of course is on the floor..LOL. So it is crazy hot at night.
It's hard to walk. I'm constantly dripping in sweat which is very uncomfortable when I'm wearing a skirt down to my ankles.
It's hard to brush my teeth with a water bottle, and it's hard to remember not to throw the toilet paper in the toilet (already messed up several times..that was gross) and it's hard to remember to bring my silverware and water to all my meals.......
So now that I've written about how hard it is, I will just say.......all of that is nothing compared to stuff like this:
Laughing with the Mozambicans at meals while we teach them words in English and they teach us words in Portuguese.
Climbing up and down steep hills carrying a cute little African on each hip...this is a great workout by the way :)
Sitting out on the porch with so many beautiful people from all different countries, laughing at all the different accents
Getting wrecked by Jesus.
More to come whenever I can get back to the internet cafe!!
I LOVE MOZAMBIQUE <3
I don't even know how to start! Africa..Africa.....is absolutely crazy. It is beautiful but trying me and stretching me at every second. So many times I have already asked myself "Why did I come here again?"
It's hard to take a shower. The shower floor is about as big as a medium cardboard box. The rod for the curtain is squared which means I have to slide each ring one by one around the corner until the curtain is closed. The water is cold and I only have 2 minutes to shower.
It's hard to sleep. I am on the top bunk and I have to fling my mosquito net over my head to get in bed. My sheets ar covered with sand and grit that I somehow always drag into bed despite brushing off my feet..and my mattress is slanted so I always feel like about to roll off. We only have one small floor fan which of course is on the floor..LOL. So it is crazy hot at night.
It's hard to walk. I'm constantly dripping in sweat which is very uncomfortable when I'm wearing a skirt down to my ankles.
It's hard to brush my teeth with a water bottle, and it's hard to remember not to throw the toilet paper in the toilet (already messed up several times..that was gross) and it's hard to remember to bring my silverware and water to all my meals.......
So now that I've written about how hard it is, I will just say.......all of that is nothing compared to stuff like this:
Laughing with the Mozambicans at meals while we teach them words in English and they teach us words in Portuguese.
Climbing up and down steep hills carrying a cute little African on each hip...this is a great workout by the way :)
Sitting out on the porch with so many beautiful people from all different countries, laughing at all the different accents
Getting wrecked by Jesus.
More to come whenever I can get back to the internet cafe!!
I LOVE MOZAMBIQUE <3
Sunday, May 22, 2011
A Taste of This Summer
Here's a sneak peek. More to come in this next week!
I'm going HERE!!
To live on THIS BEACH!!
With beautiful children like THESE!
And do stuff like THIS!
And see sights like this every evening!
More to come......
P.S.--- 5 DAYS until I board a plane! =D =D =D
I'm going HERE!!
To live on THIS BEACH!!
With beautiful children like THESE!
And do stuff like THIS!
And see sights like this every evening!
More to come......
P.S.--- 5 DAYS until I board a plane! =D =D =D
Saturday, May 14, 2011
2 WEEKS
I am leaving for Africa in exactly 2 weeks! WEll, OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have absolutely no idea what I am about to step into. God is about to rock my world! Excited, scared, happy, full of anticipation......
I'm learning how to be fearless. He is making me brave!
I have absolutely no idea what I am about to step into. God is about to rock my world! Excited, scared, happy, full of anticipation......
I'm learning how to be fearless. He is making me brave!
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