Month Seven is the point in the race where: you find yourself eating with your hands without even feeling inhumane, being crammed into a crowded bus with twice as many human beings as there are seats for is just another day of average transportation, sleeping in tents is a blessing because you’ve had worse (train station floors, metal bus station seats, public foodcourt benches in the airport, on the ground on the side of the road, and the craziest bus situations than you could possibly imagine), sharing one bathroom with fifty people doesn’t phase you (heck, you’re happy just to have a bathroom), bringing your personal toilet paper and expecting to have to pay for public restrooms no longer frustrates you, wearing the same outfit for three days is not something to be embarassed about, you declare that baby wipes count as showering, looking like you have a skin disease is just life because the sun and mosquitoes have evil forces that cannot be defeated by American over the counter products, long, hard talks are a must because your team loves you too much to allow anything to be shoved under the rug (say what you need to say), you learn that overseas internet will always be slow like dial-up, being stared at and gauked over by men on the street doesn’t phase you (hold on to your purse and just ignore them), homesickness days are fewer and farer between, you come to expect and get used to goodbyes yet they never get easier, and tremendous growth in your walk with Christ is evident in every month that goes by. I call month seven the long stretch.
It’s the point in my race where I see where I’ve been spiritually and I know I’m headed where I want to go. The “long” part is that it hits you how long you’ve been out on the mission field as an overseas missionary- seven months! (That’s seven times longer than I’ve ever been away from home.) The cool part is that I feel so much stronger than I was in month three when the whole concept of being a missionary for more than a few weeks was completely overwhelming to me. I- the independent, germ-a-phob, clean freak, control freak- can actually do this! I wouldn’t doubt it if God one day told me to pick up and leave America and make my life in Africa. The “stretch” part is that it takes an extra leap of faith, hardcore perserverance, and extreme dedication to the Word, worship, ministry, and community to receive new levels of growth and deeper intimacy with the Holy Spirit. People say they want to be closer to God all the time. I have news for you. It takes work. God loves me, I know. He loves me even if I don’t read my Bible. But, I want my relationship to be as intimate with Him as possible, to grow even more. I’m headed there. This is why I love month seven! Ha, and I haven’t even gotten to tell you about the amazing ministry of Mozambique! Oh, and it’s my favorite month thus far. 🙂
So, after three sleepless nights and four full days of non-stop traveling by African bus, two teams finally made it to Kedesh Boys Home. Twenty-six boys have come to be my brothers and friends. They are hard workers and the best gentlemen I have ever met. They range in age from 8-21. We all live in a treehouse where we gather together at nights for bible studies and watching movies or episodes of Lost on the big screen by projector. The boys make all the meals. Oatmeal and coffee for breakfast. Beans, rice, and bread for lunch. Cabbage, rice, and bread for dinner. Friday nights are special because we celebrate Shabbot Shalom. We have wine and cheese and deep biblical discussions. This is all lead by Uncle John, the founder and owner of Kedesh since 1994 and Heather who is like a mother figure for the boys. John follows the Old Testament laws that are followed by the Jewish religion. After working at a Jewish Camp for eight years I’ve sometimes wished I could be Orthadox Jew. I admire the Jewish culture and dedication to their scripture and laws. Sadly, they miss the entire point of the Bible- Jesus. I can tell that Uncle John follows Jesus with His whole heart and for him that looks like many things including not eating unclean animals like shrimp and pork, not cutting his hair, not working on Saturdays, not celebrating the pagan founded holidays of Christmas and Easter, and more. I strongly admire his sacrifes to the Lord, and want to dig deeper into scripture to seek the truth in how I should live a life fully pleasing to the Lord.
Uncle John started this home for boys who do not have parents or have a parent who is not able to support them because of harmful addictions or lack of finances, etc. All the boys are taught pratical work skills such as construction, welding, woodwork, electrical work, and even basic living skills like cooking and cleaning. The boys go to school but sadly, education for the young ones is poor. It isn’t uncommon for teachers to come to work drunk or not show up at all. There are many languages for Mozambique with the most common being Portuguese (in the towns) and Africaans (in the bush). Uncle John and Heather teach them English because it is essential for getting a good job. Like I said, they are hard workers. They even flock to us to hand wash our laundry for $1 (even the teenagers! $1!) You can’t get teenagers back at home to do their own landry, much less someone else’s for a mere buck. (I always give them more but don’t tell on me.) Soooooo…if you want to sponsor an older guy in school so that he can get education than this is an awesome outlet for that! Your money will be stewarded for good use, I know. They are very deserving.
We also celebrated Father’s Day. Yes, I know it is February but we made a day for God to celebrate Him as our Father. We do it for our earthly fathers so why not for God too? After all He is the best dad anyone could ever have and He loves all of His children. It was a sweet time spent in the old Kedesh across the street from our home. The abandoned building had no roof so it took upon this vintage outdoor/indoor look. So beautiful! And there a group of street children followed us and worshipped our Father. They brought us joy so I can only imagine how much joy they brought to God. We all poured out thanksgiving to God for ALWAYS being with us and ALWAYS taking care of us. God is always a faithful Father. No one can compare. And He is more than enough for me.
　Visit www.kedeshmozambique.com for more information and to make a donation. 🙂
