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
