We arrived in South Africa on June 1st and that is the only thing that has gone as planned. We spent two days at a hostel while we tried to figure out how to get to Mozambique. It is now June 6th and we are still in South Africa. We left Johannesburg and traveled to Nelspruit on the evening of June 3rd. We are staying at an amazing Missions house. The people who run this house have been so amazing to us. It has been a blessing for us to be able to stay here. We have had every door shut to get transportation to Mozambique before Monday. So what is the point of all of this?
The point is that God always has a plan even when it feels like all of the plans are falling apart. This is a lesson that God has to repeatedly teach me this year. There is a reason that we are still in South Africa and not in Mozambique. It is that we are not ready yet. Our squad is not ready to handle what is in store for us in Mozambique. Personally I can agree with this. I know that I have not been ready spiritually, physically, and emotionally for what God has in store for me and my team this month. I have been basically traveling for the past two weeks and that has thrown me off. I also have been struggling with my health. I have had a severely infected toe. This time in South Africa has given me a chance to take care of my health and have access to doctors and pharmacies. But most importantly it has given me a chance to reconnect with God and get my focus right.
Yesterday we had a day of silence and solitude where we spent the day only reading the bible and in prayer. We also fasted a meal and prayed for one member of our squad. This was something that I desperately needed to do and so did our squad as a whole. I really heard from God which I have not felt in a while. God reminded me that this is not about me. I had been focused on how I was going to deal with the living conditions out in the bush of Mozambique instead of focusing on the people who suffer in so many ways everyday in that country. Even in the bush I have so much more that many who are in that country. I have a tent, a sleeping bag, a pack full of clothes and supplies. In reality I lack for nothing. I have all that I need to survive.
God also showed me that I still need to trust him more. I still doubt God at times and try to rely on myself. I have no idea why I doubt him when he has never let me down, but I still fear so many things. In Psalms 27 says
The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? There is no reason to doubt or have any fear of what is to come if I have God on my side, but I still need to be reminded of that.
There have been dreams, visions, and words given to different people on our squad that there is a big storm coming during our time in Africa. I have myself felt in my spirit that something big is going to happen in Africa for Team Bling. The storm will try us but once the storm passes we will experience God’s glory through miracles. There will be an amazing and incredible outpour on the back side of this storm, but we need to filled with the Holy Spirit and ready to stand strong for the Lord during that time.
This time in South Africa is allowing us to prepare ourselves to stand strong in the Lord. This has been another lesson on rolling with what God is doing instead of getting frustrated when it appears that plans fall through. God also reminded me of this lesson in Thailand when all our ministry contacts fell through in the Bangkok area and then we saw why when there was riots in the city that made it incredibly unsafe to be there. In the area Bling was suppose to be someone was killed. You would think after that I would have learned by lesson, but no I am stubborn and hard headed and God has again had to remind me that he is always in control and has a plan and purpose in all things. We have been truly blessed in the place that God has provided for this time. I have felt completely at home at the Mission house. It is big and beautiful with a huge yard. There is even a pool but is too cold to go swimming. It is the start of winter here. A big change from the hot and humidity of Southeast Asia.
Please pray for our squad. Pray that we will be solely focused on God and will be one with him and each other. Pray for both physical and spiritual health for our squad. There have been lots of colds, back pain, a dislocated knee, and infections. Pray that we will hear God and be on our way to Mozambique soon. Also pray that all logistics will work themselves out for us in Mozambique. I really do not know where or what I will be doing in Mozambique or the rest of our time in Africa.
