|
| |
|
|
|
Posted in On The Field Reports
by Jessica McClure
on 8/13/2008
During
our last night of debrief in Johannesburg the team had some prayer time.
I normally do not pray aloud during corporate prayer time, because there
are people on the team with the gift of prayer, and I have never wanted
to get in their way by babbling some ridiculous inarticulate prayer.
During this night, however, the Holy Spirit had something to say through
me. I didn't consider it a big deal, because, I was just moving
my mouth and the Holy Spirit was making the words; but Marissa insisted
I write a blog about what the Holy Spirit said through me that night.
This
is the best of my recollection:
"So
many people pity ‘Africa,' God. So, they send their money,
feeling they've done their duty to help a ‘lost' people.
People pray for Africans and for the missionaries visiting their church
with the little reminder prayer card many missionaries hand out.
Africa receive a lot of sympathy from Americans, but Americans don't
realize that Africans, generally speaking, are happy. They're
happy with little to no money. They're not bothered with what
they don't have. They don't need shoes! They don't
need Bibles! Africans are content with knowing Your presence,
God. They're content with the little about You we were able
to teach them. God, help us to not need shoes. We think
we need shoes, but we don't. We have You, and that is enough.
We don't need shoes; they're a petty garment, anyway. You
are enough Lord. As the team travels home, remind us of that,
as You have continually shown us that on the trip. God, give us
the courage and strength to not need shoes."
 This
prayer is also for you. I don't need shoes to follow God, and
neither do you. I learned what little I need in regards to material
possessions to follow God. It's actually easier to follow God
with as little as possible, because without all that junk I can go wherever
He wants me to. When I receive His call there is nothing to set
down. Luke tells us in chapter five of his gospel, "...They
pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him (vs.
11)." Jesus called His disciples, and they left everything,
and followed. The disciples left their homes, their jobs, and
even their families. I bet some of them didn't even bring their
shoes with them to follow Jesus. We're called to do the same,
leave everything â€" old habits, old friends, old burdens, old responsibilities
â€" and follow our Maker. It doesn't matter if you left everything
a long time ago or if you have yet to leave everything behind.
Don't be jaded by all that's accessible in America. We can
always buy shoes, but that doesn't necessarily mean we need them.
|
|
|
Posted in Administrative Stuff
by Vicki Gross
on 7/29/2008
The teams are arriving home Friday, August 1 and God has used the teams in great ways. It was great reading the updates and watching God at work in their lives and in the lives of those they ministered too.
If you are picking up your son/daughter by car, you can pick them up on August 2, at the hotel between 8AM and 11AM or at the airport between 8AM and 12PM. Below is the address to the hotel that debrief is conducted.
Debrief is the night before and parents are welcome to attend, but do realize that this is the last time they will be with their team and good-byes are hard for them. We have seen parents come and yes, your child is excited to see you, but they want to be with their team that they bonded with and will not see again. So don't go into it expecting too much.
Thanks for entrusting your child with our organization. We count it a privilege to have worked with you and your child.
God Bless!
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
4601 BEST ROAD
COLLEGE PARK, GA 30337
404-761-6500
|
|
|
Posted in On The Field Reports
by Jessica McClure
on 7/16/2008
Here I sit on a beach in Vilanculos, Mozambique. The sun is setting, spreading a majestic display of orange, yellow, and pink across the African sky. Serve crew is preparing potato soup for diner (We are all excited for a break from peanut butter sandwiches and rice and beans!) The rest of the team lounges around Jaco and Maria’s house, which after a week in the bush now seems like a small resort. Megan S. twirls about the beach, soaking in the beauty of this haven. Ruthie and Megan E. walk around the lake, enjoying some one on one conversation. Yes, it is safe to say that after three and a half weeks of being the bush, the team absolutely loves this chance to rest before heading out on Saturday for our last week of ministry. While this time of relaxation is much needed, many of us are missing the sweet friendships that were formed in three and a half weeks at Zimuala.
As I reflect my mind wanders to an 11 year of girl, Leena, who attended the school in Zimuala. Initially Leena was reserved and hard to read. She appeared shy but with a hint of attitude that seemed to say, “I’m not sure about these people. They seem pretty strange.” This slightly intimidating attitude was the very thing that drew me to her. Every morning when we walked across the street to the school, I made a point of saying “hola” to her and giving her a high-five. I helped get water from the Save River one afternoon with some kids, Leena being one of them. Some of the kids were picking on her and I could tell by her upset expression that she was not enjoying it. I made sure they knew I did not find this funny and covered my ears, refusing to listen. Somewhere between this, ‘shake a friends hand’, and Amie’s talk on sharing your faith with others, Leena had become my little friend. She walked beside me, holding my hand and giggling at my feeble attempts at speaking Xitswa. I fell in love with the beautiful smile that lit up her face. We told the kids on our second to last day at the school that we would be leaving Zimuala soon. I turned to Leena who was sitting beside me and said, “Leena, casa (house) Mozambique. Jody, casa, America.” She looked at me and shook her head saying, “Mozambique, casa, Jody.” I sadly smiled and shook my head. Later she looked me in the eye and said, “Jesus akuranza (Jesus loves you).” A huge smile spread across my face. If there was anything we wanted these children to remember—that was it.
I have loved my time in Mozambique. It hasn’t been easy but I am constantly reminded the way of works through our difficulties. Strong waves of homesickness have taught me that no matter where I am, God is always my home. Living with a team has opened my eyes to selfishness within myself that the Lord is now replacing with a desire to serve. Feeling inadequate to minister has shown me that the Lord uses everyone even in his or her weakness. I am learning how to truly accept forgiveness, surrender every day, and abide in him through all I do. While I am spreading God’s love to the people of Mozambique, the Lord is filling my heart with a desire for him unlike I’ve known. For me, this has already been a life-changing trip and I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for the remainder of the trip.
Thank you for all your prayers! Continue to lift up the Real Life Mozambique team as we crawl into sleeping bags each night that now have strange unidentifiable smells, eat peanut butter and banana sandwiches often, and sing Boom Chika Boom with a group of excited African children for the 100th time. Ask the Lord for strength and energy for the last couple weeks of this trip and that we will continue to trust our faithful, all powerful, loving Father.
Time to brush the sand off my feet and go enjoy some potato soup with beautiful wonderful new family (who after three and a half weeks are finally fully showered and wearing clean clothes). Ahh, the Lord is good!
|
|
|
Posted in A Trip Update
by Jade Benoit
on 7/16/2008
Dear friends and family,
As we utilize the next few days to return to civilization, shower, do laundry, and rejuvenate, our team can only reflect on God's greatness. We just wrapped up a three week leg of our journey, which was spent in a primitive area in Central Mozambique called Zimuala. I am eager to update everyone on what has happened thus far, but I'm afraid that mere words will only offer a glimpse into what we've been experiencing.
We pitched our tents next to a Muslim mosque and across the street from a primary school in Zimuala, allowing ourselves to be in the center of the community there. Each morning of the school week, we walked over to the school, in order to conduct a program for the children. Doing this allowed my teammates and I to learn the names of all the kids there, as well as play with them, sing songs with them, and even sometimes feed and bathe them. In the afternoons, we were challenged to go out into the community and find people to spend time with. Ashley, Amie, and I ventured across the street and met a beautiful family, with which we spend every afternoon in our three weeks there. Ben eventually joined us, and this family quickly became the most incredible aspect of our ministry in Zimuala.
We came to know a lady named Rabia, who baked the bread that we bought everyday for sandwiches. She and her husband, Zacarias, had 8 children, and they all had strong ties to the Muslim church next to us. Rabia, whose interests included baking and gardening, allowed us to sit and bake with her sometimes. Other times, she and Zacarias would sit and talk with us, as Earnesto translated between English and Portuguese. Each afternoon, we sat and exchanged stories about religious and cultural differences over African pastries and the occasional cup of coffee. I was often granted a chance to hold Rabia's one month old granddaughter, Neila, who was the most beautiful baby I've ever set my eyes upon. We were able to invest in our lives, as we woke each day, eager to spend time with them. Leaving this family was hard for us, but it wasn't until the very last day that we discovered how hard it was for them, as well. As Rabia wept on account of our leaving, and Zacarias softened, the Lord revealed to us that He had laid his hand upon our time with them. We had washed up at their doorstep, hoping to share the love of Christ with this Muslim family, but so much more happened. With those tears, we were assured that His love was seen through us, yet we realized that we had seen Christ in them, as well. It didn't matter to us that we left with the same differences as before; We had been loved and were loved in return.
We have returned to Vilanculos, temporarily, and will still have Zimuala on our hearts. We formed countless relationships with children and adults, built a church, baptized a few teammates in the Sabe River (myself being one of the three), fed the hungry, held the unloved, and topped it off with a goat that we were given to eat with all of our new friends. Such wealth! To be reminded that it isn't over yet is overwhelming for me.
As we prepare to embark on another week at an orphanage, I ask that you all continue to pray for this awesome team, in the areas of health and unity. Both are great right now, and we need prayer that it will continue. Until next time, God bless.
With love,
Jade Benoit
|
|
|
Posted in A Trip Update
by Ben Hoagland
on 7/1/2008
Merry Christmas from Zimula, Mozambique. We are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior this week on the banks of the Save River. Stating yesterday, our team is giving their secret pal a Christmas gift each day this week. It has been a big boost as we approach the half way point in our trip.
We are in the same town we were in the last blog. The Lord let us know that we were supposed to return there for longer term missions. Currently we are doing children's ministry (basically VBS) twice a day at the school across the street from our camp. We are also doing individual ministries in this predominately Muslim community, including home visits, a women's bible study, and praying in front of the masque next door.
God is truly moving in this place. We have seen many former non-believers come to Christ. We are continually growing closer to Him as we see this once nearly Godless place turn to the King. Elaina felt that God was telling her to build a church for the new believers, and hopefully tomorrow Epic Life, the first true Christian church in the area will be complete.
We have so many more stories that we can't wait to share with all of you when we get back home. The whole team is very thankful and aware of the prayers we are receiving from back home. Keep it up. Please continue to pray for our individual ministries, the people in the area, the power of the Holy Spirit to speak through us, and the general health of the team. More specifically pray that God would give the people in Zimula clarity when it comes to their beliefs; many of them have a very skewed faith that mixes Islam, Christianity, and ancestor worship.
Keep up the prayers. We love you all.
Ben Hoagland
P.S. Congratulations on becoming a CPA Kate. I haven't read your e-mail, but I saw the title of it. Thank you to all of my friends and family who are praying for this trip. You will never truly know how your prayers have helped here. I love you all and miss you, but know that I am truly happy here too. God is with us.
|
|
|
Posted in On The Field Reports
by Jessica McClure
on 6/21/2008
Hello from Hello from Mozambique!
We have been in Mozambique for 10 days now and are getting the hang of this “roughin it” life! The first few days were focused mostly on unity and allowing our team to rest up before the intensity began. We have just finished our first week in the bush and the Lord is stretching us like crazy. Working with the children at the school and singing “Boom Chicka Boom” over and over by day; showing the Passion film and praying for healing by night-we’ve been a busy team. The Lord has poured out his love and blessing on our group and we are very excited for our next adventure (although dreading anywhere roosters like to wake us up all through the night. TIA-this is Africa!)
Seeing as this is the first blog from a team member, I feel it necessary to give a little insight on how God is working in me personally. Inadequacies and fear of breaking down walls has seemed to be a common theme amongst our group, myself included. Being in a new environment with little rest due to anxiousness, different foods (which include me pulling the heads off prawns-be proud, Mom J) and a major language barrier can bring some uneasiness to say the least. However, that all has been pused aside with one glance into a child’s eyes. One boy in particular tugged on my heart and brought a joy I had not yet felt. Our team has been praying daily for our hearts to be breaking for the people we encounter and that we become desperate for them to know the Lord. That finally happened with Armando.
The kids adore singing and dancing with us. Nothing hinders them. Armando is not one of the kids who has money for school, but his huge smile always ended up by our tents with about 15 others. Elaina and I were playing with them during free time and much to our delight, realized they will repeat anything we say. “ELAINA”….”ELAINA”…..”Erin”….”ERIN”….”WOO”…”WOO”! It means the world to them when we remember their names and it made more sense when as we were driving away I still held onto Armando’s hand and heard “ERI N!” Something so simple, yet it is love. Such warmth, yet eagerness came over me realizing how badly they wanted someone to know their name-and how Jesus Christ does! While we may not be able to heal every sick person or feed all of the hungry, we can know a name and love them. ‘Do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things and your Father knows you need them. Instead seek His Kingdom and these things will be added to you. Luke 12:29-31
Bread and peanut butter are temporary. The bread of life and full satisfaction of hunger from the Lord is eternal.
On behalf of the entire team, than you for your prayers and please continue to pour them out! We miss you and love you all!
~Erin (and Team Moz)
We will be heading back into the bush Monday to spend about two weeks working in the same area that we just came from. After that, we are moving into an even more primitive area to live amongst 75 orphaned children Jaco found and working with the churches in the surrounding area. Our internet access will be limited, if at all. We will post again when we can. Blessings from Vilanculous!
|
|
|
Posted in On The Field Reports
by Jessica McClure
on 6/13/2008
After a two day trek, we made it safely to the Rudolph family homestead around lunch on Wednesday. We have just a few minutes at the internet right now, but we just wanted to let everyone know we made the 18 hour trek and we are excited to be in Mozambique!
Details to come.
|
|
|
Posted in A Trip Update
by Jessica McClure
on 6/9/2008
Just wanted to let everyone know that we are safe and sound in Johannesburg. We will be leaving at 5am tommorow morning to head to Vilanculous.
The team says hi and sends their love! Ws!e will update again once we have arrived and have internet access.
Blessing!
|
|
|
Posted in On The Field Reports
by Jessica McClure
on 6/7/2008
Well, most of us anyway. I (Jessica) am sitting in the comfort of the AIM office typing this blog while training camp is still going strong outside, feeling a little lonely because I dropped our team off at the airport early this morning to catch their flight to South Africa. Beacuse I came onto the trip late in the game, I could not be added to their flight and am taking one tommorow morning and meeting them in Jo'burg almost 24 hours after they arrive. Marissa will be meeting them at the airport tommorow and soon our little family will finally be complete. It will be a great feeling.
I have been so impressed with our team this week, and praise God for what I have seen happening in the minds and hearts of these young adults. We have sweated, crawled on our bellies through obstacle courses, cried, laughed and worshipped together. There has been vulnerability that sometimes can take months or even years to reach that has happened in a matter of days. And as we have stepped out and opened up to one another in a very raw and real way, love and grace has abounded. We desire to be a team of prayer and for all the ministry we do to flow out of intimacy and knowing the Father's heart. Since we will beserving in places that AIM has never gone before, this heart connection will be vital as we become pioneers of sorts in this new place of ministry.
Here are a few pics taken at training camp this week:
Jarribel and Ben hanging out with the two new additons to our team :)
meet our new teammates Moz and Beak (he he...get it?)
Jody, Megan, Elaina and Ruthie all smiles under the big tent
Stephen turned 27 this past Wednesday and we had a little partay. Happy B-day, Stephen!
One big happy family. Yay for team Mozambique!
We will leave Johannesburg on the 11th and begin the long 18 hour trek up to Vilanculous. After a day or two of rest, we will begin ministering alongside the Rudolph family in whatever way the Lord opens the door. While we are still unsure of what it will all look like, we know that wherever we go, we are called to love and proclaim hope and light where there is darkness. Please pray for us, that we are obedient to His voice and open to how God is already working in that place. We love you and thank you so much for who you are in our lives. We will update again as soon as we have internet access.
Peace and love,
Jessica (on behalf of Team Mozambique)
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem [Mozambique], not knowing what will happen to me there. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."
Acts 20:22,24
|
|
|
Posted in Administrative Stuff
by Admissions Department
on 6/2/2008
|
|
|
Next 10 Articles >>
|
|
|
