August 23, 2013
It’s funny how many times I’ve started to write this newsletter both in my head and on my computer. The truth is I don’t want to sit here and write this, because writing this means the month is up, it means I am leaving Kedesh and honestly that brings tears to my eyes like never before on the Race. This letter in reality will be fairly short, not because of a lack things to talk about but more for the fact that I want to spend as much time here as possible and really there are too many things to talk about.
I have a variety of emotions about this month, simply put this month has been a roller coaster of events, both great day to day events and horrible life changing events that should never be forgotten because God’s grace shines in every second of them.
This month I have really learned that God does answer prayers, He shows up in our lives in the small things, that when put together create big miracles. He places people on our hearts when prayer for them is needed.
My team and the team we worked with this month are leaving Mozambique early this month for safety reasons, both for the safety of us and the safety of the boys here at Kedesh. You see last week what most of you don’t know is that we had a unexpected early wake up call. At one in the morning on Wednesday we woke up to an armed robbery. We had seven men come into Kedesh, threaten to kill us if we didn’t give them money. The men knew there were white people at the orphanage and came looking specifically because the white people were there. The theives were unable to get away with a lot of things of monetary value; they got a camera, a memory card and about $200. They however threw away and the boys were able to find all of the things they had no use for, including a passport, yellow fever card, and various electronic cords that were of value to one of my teammates. Thankfully, one of the boys here at Kedesh (Tito, who is 17 and wants to be a bodyguard for a living) was able to tackle on the robbers and he was taken to the police, where he gave up the names of some of the men he worked with. Kedesh ended up being on the news here in Mozambique, because armed robbery isn’t very common in this particular area, thieves usually just limit themselves to petty theft of small items that are left out.
But what I want to remember when I think of Mozambique are the following memories:
- Popcorn and Movies every night (Dr. Who!)
- Baking all day Friday in preparation for Sabbath on Saturday
- Manuelinho! He was my 12 year old buddy during our time here and basically my shadow.
- Herding Goats each day.
- Watching soccer games from the water tower.
- Water Balloon fights
- Meat Parties (BBQs)
- All of the boys, and all of their crushes on us Racers (My name got written on one of the tables by one of the boys)
I want to think of the laughter, the smiles, and the joy that fill this place as these boys grow up learning the value of hard work and what a loving family can be like.
I mainly am writing the story here because I want to reassure you that we are all safe now, and just share what God was able to do in the situation. He really answered the prayers of a lot of people the night we were attacked. We have heard from many squad mates, family members and friends back home that they were prompted to pray for us when the attack was happening, and for that I am thankful. I also want to share how much of an impact this place has made on me, and that I am more broken up about leaving Kedesh early than I am about the attack. I honestly am thinking about ways to come back to visit Kedesh in the future for a short visit (Don’t worry I don’t plan on moving here).
I am unsure of how our ministry will look for the next month or when the next time I will have Internet to write again, but I will try and update when I know more.
Thank you again everyone for your continued prayers. Please feel free and e-mail me or send me a message on Facebook. I love hearing from you all and am more than willing to answer any questions you may have (about this month, the race in general or anything else)
Blessings,
Katrina
