Eu Te Amo

I am writing to let you know what God has been doing and, by faith, what He will continue to do in Africa. For the last year, I had the privilege to show and spread the love of Jesus to the people of Mozambique. We have seen and experienced many things---some full of joy and some full of sorrow--but all have been a part of the Lord's plan.

While in Dondo, Mozambique, I was the children's director at an Iris Ministry Children's Center (www.irismin.org). Along with amazing Mozambican leaders, we oversaw the daily needs and activities of 28 boys who have suffered the loss of one or both parents. These needs range from hygiene to schooling and everything in between. For example, I had a boy come up to me one day and with all seriousness he told me he had snakes in his poop! Trying to contain my laughter, I told him we would take care of it. We then went to go get some de-wormer. Ahhh....the joys of being a "mom" to boys!

As you can imagine, 28 boys can create quiet the demand. However, it was and is a complete honor to serve them in such a way. While providing for their physical needs are extremely important, it does not compare to the importance of their spiritual needs. I wish I could express to you the growth I have seen in these boys. I wish you could see the expressions on their faces when they finally get how much the Lord loves them. The excitement they have is contagious. Some of the boys have opened up significantly and love to share about Christ at our weekly family group. But the boys knowledge of the importance of Christ in their lives and telling others about Him, is not contained by the centers walls! I had the incredible opportunity to be invited to one of the boys’ home in the city. As we were riding a chopa (an over crowded bus!) to his house, he kept telling me he was full of shame and would not look at me. He was so humiliated for me to see where he had come from. I kept telling him that no matter what, I will always love him and his past does not dictate his future. It was hard to see him this way. But once we arrived at the collapsing mud hut with sewage water running in the front door and he saw that I was not going to run away, he began to relax. We talked with his family for over an hour. And as we were about to leave, I suggested he and I pray with his family. At first he was reluctant, but he did it. One the way home, he told me that was the first time he ever prayed in front of his family! WOW. It may seem like a small feat, but in a country that has a stronghold with witchcraft, a boy stepping up in front of his family to pray to the One True God is a very big deal.

I have many stories of redemption and breakthrough I could share about the boys. They are growing in the Lord and turning into mighty men for His glory. It is such an honor to be a part of what the Lord is doing in Dondo and throughout Mozambique. I know my work for Him is not finished in Dondo---it is not finished with the boys.

I will be returning to Mozambique on January 25, 2011 and continue serving His people in this great country. I look forward to returning home and being with the boys, missionaries, Mozambicans, and our rat killing cat-Paka!

Laying Our Yes Down at the Cross

Is God really who He says He is? This maybe a strange question. You may be thinking the heat has finally effected this girls head...she has lost her mind! But hear me out for just a moment. When people ask us, or we are standing in a church building we say that God is in control of everything. We say that He is the Almighty and worthy of praise. We say that He is sovereign, compassionate, full of grace and love. But who do we say He is with our actions? Who do we say he is when poverty, hurt, and death is beyond human understanding? When the world screams it's ugly truths at us, do we believe God is still the God we declare Him to be on Sunday mornings?

The last few weeks have been eye opening for me here in Mozambique. The Lord has shown me a lot......some things are amazing and some things make me numb with sorrow. He has lifted the spirits of the boys here at the base and they are opening up to the goodness Christ has to offer. PLEASE never underestimate the POWER of speaking WORDS OF LIFE over someone!!! But with all the joys and happy stories, comes the struggles and realities of the people here in Mozambique. Struggles that are real and hard to believe if I did not see them first hand.

But here's the deal. Despite the heart aches, the hunger, the abuse, the pain...GOD IS GOD. Despite the happiness, the redemption, the renewed hope....GOD IS GOD.

Before ever coming into this world as a man, Christ knew that pain and suffering were in His path. Being fully aware of what the future would bring, He still chose to become flesh and walk hand in hand with humans. Knowing full well that death on a cross was in his future, He still said YES. He does not ever say our lives are going to be without pain and suffering, but like Him, He expects us to lay our yes down at the cross and follow Him. Believe in Him. Trust Him. Love Him.

I pray He protects these boys from the harshness of this world. I pray He opens doors for their futures. I pray their wounds will be healed. I pray He brings prosperity to their lives. BUT, if He chooses not to, I pray we will all know that GOD IS GOD. I pray the He reveals the truth about Himself to all us, in the good times and the bad. I pray we know that He is the only One that is worthy of praise. I pray we press on because He is our prize. He is our joy. He is our hope.