God is Good: Jody’s thoughts

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 in 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 the three and a half weeks at Zimuala.
    As I reflect my mind wanders to an 11 year old 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!