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!
