Month 8 out of 11 is the time in the race when us racers start to feel worn out and think about life after the race. How can month 8 begin if we are continued to be denied entrance into the country for month 8, Mozambique?
Some of us squad mates laid on our sleeping bags in the middle of the road and stared up at the stars on Friday night. How vast and wonderful were the stars above in constellations we had never seen. Perhaps, this was the time to take a time out from life/the race and just reflect. Staring up at the stars we couldn't tell a shooting star from a bat flying overhead sometimes. We laughed and sang Disney songs. Instead of stressing about the situation we were in this was the time to remember that God was in control.
The situation we were in as we stared up at the stars was that the Mozambique border wouldn't let us into their country and the Malawi border wouldn't let us back out. No bathrooms, the night grew colder. Going to the bathroom in the brush when the power goes out well that was memorable…
We continued to stare up at the stars as our squad leaders and logistics team tried to work out a plan to get us out of the "pickle" we were in. The security guards wouldn't budge and phoned their boss. We were in a "pickle" somewhere between 2nd and 3rd base, we couldn't leave 2nd base because the the Malawi border was closed and the workers went home. And we couldn't go to 3rd base because we were denied entrance into Mozambique. So in baseball terms we were officially in a real life "pickle".
A true "pickle" we were in! And to make things more interesting we weren't allowed to sleep or camp at the Malawi border…in simple words we couldn't go, we can't go back and we can't stay. Thank goodness for the stars…
Eventually, they had to let us leave the Malawi border. 40 people camping out with all their luggage well, that could get dangerous. At 10pm we drove two hours on a bus to a home of a world race host. 40 people in a small house with one squatty potty and two working stove top burners…we were grateful.
A couple days at that home. It felt like we were in a sorority/fraternity. Every corner you turned you were running into someone. Yet, these were the moments not to stress, but laugh.
We stayed there a couple of days. And half of the squad went to a Malawi vs Benin qualifying game! That was interesting! First, time Malawi won in 10 years. Perhaps, we were good luck charms. Sunday, we had church at the house! 80 kids, 20 moms/babies and 10 men. Dancing with kids I will always remember…but will we ever get to Mozambique?
Half the squad got through a different border and made it to their sites for the month. A 24 hour mini van ride, rumor has it they had to sleep in it that night. I'm sure that was memorable!
For a week and half each morning us (the other half of the squad) prepared to leave for Mozambique. And after a week and a half of being in "limbo" we were officially denied entrance.
This frustrated me. One man stood in the way from us entering. And this man confronted each day had no reason to not let us into the country. We had all the visas, bios and invitations stamped to enter and he still wouldn't budge. We prayed daily for a change of heart for him, But after hearing no over and over we finally realized perhaps this was Gods plan all along. That God had more for us to do in Malawi.
The ministry we were supposed to be at is continuing to fight for justice on our behalf. If they can win this, then future World Race teams can continue to come in and help serve the Mozambique people.
So what does God have for us here in Malawi? I have no clue. Yet, I know it's time to dive and get creative. Yesterday we went to 6 elder widows home. Widows caring for orphans with no income was tough to hear. We prayed and encouraged them that God hears them. One woman explained that she has no blankets to keep the kids warm at night.
Blankets are only 5 dollars here. Perhaps, we could provide for them physically as well as spiritually.
If you are interested in donating money for us to buy blankets or food let me know. I can hopefully set up
a pay pal and get started! (:
