Keeping It Simple

This year was my first Christmas away from everything that is familiar. No Christmas music coming from every speaker starting the day after Thanksgiving. No mall Santa's. No commercials reminding me that the "best gifts" can be bought at certain locations. No hustle and bustle of holiday sales. No making out lists of wants and must haves.

In Mozambique it is simple. Here joy does not come wrapped in paper. Happiness can't be bought in a store. The smiles were pure and the hearts are grateful for gifts that most would have considered rubbish. This Christmas we celebrated with the boys by reading the story of Christ's birth, taking communion, having a nice chicken lunch (they only get chicken twice a year....very special!), giving out gifts, and then eating a cake. The gifts consisted of pencils, small bouncing balls, notebook paper, candy, socks, a spoon, and 50-100 mets ( a little less than $2-$4). As they opened their gift, their face lit up with excitement. You would have thought we just gave them the latest gaming system, a new laptop, or a million dollars. They were so happy. They were so grateful.

The entire day was amazing. The Lord is so good. It is still hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that the our Father loves us so much that He left Heaven, became flesh, was born in a manger, and lived life on earth. He walked and lived among us because He loves us. I often wonder how He feels when He sees us try and fill our lives with so much stuff. I wonder if He is ever thinking "Man, it is so simple. Love Me. Love others."

Our Saviour has offered us the ultimate gift....eternal life with Him. Man, what an honor....what a responsibility....what a joy...what a reason to celebrate!

I am so thankful our Creator has allowed me to be in Mozambique for this time. I am so thankful He has reminded me through the faces of these kids that His love can be simple. My heart is full. This year I received the most precious of gifts....being a small part of these boys lives.

Faliz Natal!

Praising the Worthy One

Here I sit in my new living area, in my new town, in my new country. I have been in Dondo now for a little more than a week, 9 days or 216 hours or 12,960 minutes to be exact...but seriously who's counting. They said the first week would consist primarily of recovering from the ever so fun jet lag. But I got lucky, that never was a real issue. I have adjusted nicely with the time.

In this short time however, I have learned several things...

1) The food is not near as bad as people made it out to be but the spiders are much bigger. Praise the Lord for Shoprite and flip flops (they make a great weapon).

2) We have a leaky roof. Praise the Lord for pots, pans, and a mop.

3) The boys love to be tickled. Praise the Lord for laughter.

4) No matter how hard three of the younger boys try, they will never be able to duplicate my laugh. Praise the Lord for making it one of a kind.

5) The only air conditioning on base is in the car. Praise the Lord for Toyota's.

6) You really can wake up sweating. Praise the Lord for deoderant.

7) Communication with people I love is a complete blessing. Praise the Lord for Skype.

8) The boys and I have played basketball almost everyday and I really am as out of shape as I

thought. Praise the Lord for "half-time."

9) These boys have experienced a hurt that I will never be able understand. Praise the Lord for His unfailing love.

10) Transporting a body and attending a funeral of someone I don't know, can still manifest a deep sorrow. Praise the Lord for bringing comfort.

11) Holding the hand of the sweetest 12 year old, Joao, makes all the discomforts go away. Praise the Lord for the heart of children.

12) Not being able to understand or speak the language is frustrating. But being able to speak love and see a kid's face light up through a simple hug is amazing and transforming. Praise the Lord for being the Translator.

13) Knowing this is exactly where I am supposed to be and having the Lord as my Guide, my Provider, my Father, my Protector, my Refuge, and my King is better than anything the world of convenience and comfort could ever offer. PRAISE THE LORD.

Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.