JOURNAL ENTRIES:

2009

…We started today at the orphanage spending more time with the children. It was raining outside so we played with them inside. When it was banana time, we saw how appreciative they can be of a simple piece of fruit. Each child was given a few bananas that they held all at once tightly. Blackened skins and bruised no matter. Some of them ate the banana being sure to keep the skins, then went and ate the inside of each skin completely of any flesh. One little girl was just running her finger along the inside of the banana and licking it savouring every little bit. When they offered us bananas, they were the ripe yellow firm ones that were specially kept for us. We didn’t want to refuse and be rude, but it didn’t seem fair that we got the nice ones and they got the discarded ones…

…Back to the church at five for dance practice, and then some of us went to the bible study group at the house of one of the church members. The woman sat on grass mats on the ground along with Sarah and Caryn while the men all sat on chairs all gathered under a tree. Nick led an exposition on the passage in 1 Corinthians. Then the group went back to the church for the last of the dance practice. As we were leaving the host gave us a bag full of cassava roots. Like really long potatoes, starchy and very popular. They can be eaten raw or boiled first. They have so little as it is and yet they give us who have more than enough. Reminded us all of the widow who gave everything and the rich man who boasted in giving what was next to nothing…

…The first thing we did once we got to the church after breakfast was to go around and evangelise to people at their house’s around the church. It was an interesting experience again and one I don’t think I was totally prepared for. Fortunately most of the places we went to the families already go to a church, so we could give them encouragement and pray with them about their needs and requests from God. One lady told us she stopped going to a witchcraft church, which we were happy about. Then Joseph prayed with her that she might receive and ask Jesus to come into her life. While she was praying her sister was sitting next to her and was not at all interested and trying to turn away and look out the door. So under my breath I asked God to open her heart to what we were saying and at that moment she turned and faced us and listened to what Joseph was translating as Don was talking, just then the rain started and I took it as a sign that the Holy Spirit came down in that moment as the lady was praying and her sister was listening. Amazing!!!…

2010

…Just before bedtime this evening I was able to sit by the campfire and spend some time in much needed pray. I was beginning to feel that in some ways my heart was hardened to all that was around me, and I was not able to show the love of God to those I came into contact with. Perhaps it was because this was my second trip and the situation and need in Mozambique was not so new to me anymore. In this time, God helped me to realize that’s it’s okay not to see things in the same way as before because he has new things he wants me to discover and learn. I know now that God has a plan for me here and my job is not to try and figure out every part of that plan, but to solely cling onto him in all things and he will lead me to where I need to be and guide me into fulfilling his plan. John 15:4 ‘Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me’…

…Today was spent at the old age home which was as emotional as ever! June shared a lovely message with everyone about God’s love and how he has not abandoned them; that each person is part of the puzzle piece that makes up God’s perfect plan. After that was a time of singing and dancing. It’s amazing to see the aged really come alive and how much they enjoyed their time with us! We then broke up into small groups to pray for each person. There were too few translators so we had to rely on God to lead us in what to pray for. During this time, one lady gave her life to God while we were there which was incredibly moving to witness. It so amazing that God allowed us to be part of something like that. My prayer for her is that she will be able to sustain her new found faith and that there will be others to share the word with her and help her grow in her faith…

…After dinner we all sat down to hear what the plans were for the week ahead. Many things were mentioned. One item in particular stood out for me. Antonio had asked if one of us would kindly lead a bible study on Tuesday evening. This was something that the group was not prepared for. I spent some time thinking about it, but at that point was not ready to take on the task. The following day I had this sense that God was prompting me to step out of my comfort zone and do something. That evening I decided that I would offer to lead the Bible study that was to occur the following night. That evening I lay in bed talking to God to give me the calmness and the words to share with the group. Tuesday however was fully packed with us going off to the Old age home to do some running repairs and there was little time to prepare for the Bible study that evening. However at the lunch break I spent some quiet time in preparation. As this is what God had intended all along, I didn’t feel stressed or worried at all. Things went smoothly and at the end I felt good and pleased that I had stepped out of my comfort zone to share God’s Word’…

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING:

 

Planning

Vehicles; that God will open the hearts of the congregation to the need for these
Various ministries of the team- that participants will be willing to step out of their comfort zones and take up these challenges
Personal spiritual preparation, openness to God’s will
That God will mould the team into an effective force for His work

Shalom Congregation:

For the leadership, wisdom and guidance of God
That members will step forward, taking responsibility for ministries
Mutual encouragement
Alleviation of poverty and perseverance and strength in their circumstances

Ministries:

Children
Children’s pastor: opportunity for further training despite lack of funds
For the children who attend meetings regularly
For those who only attend infrequently

Dance
For growth in the dance team and for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in this ministry
That it may be used effectively as an outreach tool

Women
That the Lord would strengthen and inspire them as they support many in prayer
Mutual encouragement of members and growth in numbers

Men
Pray for growth in this area. Relatively few men are involved
For the willingness and ability to be good moral examples in their families and community, despite the difficult economic conditions

Youth
Patience and faithfulness. Many seek employment because they need to support families; fathers may be away or deceased
Schooling
For a passion for them to seek and know Christ
Good role models and wise life choices

Old Age Home
For hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. Many feel useless and have been abandoned
For outside support, care and love
That the woman in charge might be encouraged, motivated, faithful and strengthened in her calling
That their living conditions might be improved

Orphanage
Inspiration and a sense of calling and service in those who work there
That God would fill them with love for the children
Patience and endurance in often heartbreaking situations
Schooling
That the children can experience happiness, joy, love and a sense of purpose, despite their orphaned state
Health. Many are HIV +ve and require appropriate treatment, which is often lacking

Pastor Antonio, Gladys, Danny and Grace:

Spiritual and physical protection
Strength, energy, joy and purpose in their ministry
Support from those within the congregation and people outside of it