One of the many things that we as missionaries face is leaving the place that we call home, our families and friends, and normality of life. As we move into a new place, a new city, a neighborhood, a country or a village we begin our lives making new friends, and growing as a family with our fellow neighbors and other missionaries.
We have been on the field now for 3 years and every day I drive down the street and see things I never would have imagined. Some of it is funny like a chicken tied by its legs to the rear windshield wiper of a packed full mini-bus, and other times it’s a situation that hurts my heart. But no matter the situation, I can’t help but stop and think, I live here with my family and this is the place we call home. I find myself walking through the local veggie market with rotting peels of cabbage thrown on the ground, or week old oranges that cannot be sold heaped into a make shift garbage pile, people chatting and selling bags and chicken stock to those who pass by, familiar faces greeting me with smiles asking how my family is doing and where the “Mozambicana” is, (our daughter was born here in Dondo in 2015). In the midst of this, I wish my family could be here with me to see what I see on a daily basis. What would my mom think? I hope one day I’ll be able to introduce my mom, my dad or even my sisters to those whom I buy produce from daily.
God is so good and He knows the desires of our hearts. Our base had the privilege of hosting 11 people from my home church, Faith Tabernacle Assembly of God in Klamath Falls Oregon. My pastor was able to be in that group and also my husband’s brother.
This was so amazing to be able to share simple life moments with the ones who have supported us and sent us out to share the gospel to the people of Mozambique. Them being here was exactly as I imagined. They were with us for two weeks and we did A LOT!
Our senior adults pastor also came. Can you imagine a gray haired 77 year old preaching the gospel to hundreds in the bush bush of Mozambique?! She and the other women on the team hosted a tea party style banquet to honor the widows who are on our list. We had nearly 120 women come and drink tea, eat cookies and get fed a giant chicken lunch. They also received gifts and a special message. It was a beautiful sight to see the women sitting at their tables in their best attire, laughing and smiling, knowing that they are so loved by their Father.
Our men hosted a men’s conference as well, with around 150 men in attendance. We were able to do hospital ministry and prison ministry several times throughout the week. We also did local village outreaches and visited homes of those in the community just sharing the love of Jesus with the people.
We did 3 separate Jesus Films where we witnessed many healings and hundreds of salvations. At one of the films my brother-in-law felt led to pray for those who were deaf. A young boy came forward who could not hear. He prayed and the boy’s hearing returned. The boy said that when he was younger, he could hear, but as a punishment he would get hit on the side of his head over his ears. One day they got infected and he lost hearing. But Jesus healed him this day! Hallelujah!!!!
The team constructed a “Church in a Day” at a bush location called Savane. Previously they worshiped under a cashew tree. The congregation had been trying to build for several years, but they struggled financing their simple material, and even had this stolen a few times at night by surrounding bandits. They were thrilled when we came with our church team to construct a simple structure for them to meet under. The following Sunday we had a church dedication where the Holy Spirit showed up like a mighty force like never before in that church!
Though it was only 2 short weeks, I love what God did in that time. He wrecked the hearts of the 11 people who came here. Imagine falling in love with a nation in 14 days. It has been such a blessing for us being able to share together with our church the things that God shows us daily here - areas God allows us to minister in and people He has given us to know and love on. It’s wonderful to know that some of them can now picture the exact feeling because they have walked with, and talked to and loved on the people we now call our friends and Family.
God’s grace is sufficient. He loves us knows our needs – even if it’s a need to know your home church understands you and your life in a personal way on the mission field. We are so thankful for and encouraged by visitors like our home church and love sharing our lives with you all.