Our time in Mozambique has been an absolute joy and I can safely say it has been my favorite country thus far. The people and the landscape are absolutely breathtaking.
We have all commented that the sky seems much more blue here and the clouds much more white. We spent some time out in the bush and one day walked about 45 minutes to a small bush church and the entire time we marveled at God’s creation, and prayed that the spitting cobras, black mambas, and pythons that we had all heard about would stay safely in the bushes where they belonged!
One of the most memorable nights in Mozambique was when we went with our local contact, Jaco, and showed The Passion of the Christ to the local people of Vilanculos.
I was astounded to learn that anyone could roll up into town and throw up a movie screen and show a movie anytime they desired. In the States, this would probably be a big no-no, but we drove to the center of the bar district. We had been previously told that we were going to a very challenging area, as this is where all the bars are, the prostitutes hang out, and the truckers park over night. We showed up about 7pm and set up a huge movie screen and set up our simple sound system. And the people came. By the hundreds.
We played some worship music to draw a crowd, but there really wasn’t a need. We definitely had their attention. Movies are not something the people of Vilanculos are accustomed to on a regular basis, so they were very curious.
During the showing of the films our calling was to simply to walk through the crowds and pray over the grounds, for the people there, for the Holy Spirit to just fall on the place and people. I felt very burdened to intercede the entire night for the people watching, especially for the small children. I was very worried about their little eyes seeing so much violence. I remember when the movie was released in the States there was a lot of talk about how children should not see it. There were scores of local kids sitting front and center and I felt their little eyes needed to be covered in prayer.
Interceding for hours is not one of my personal strengths and it is something that I have definitely been learning a lot about. I knew that it would be a challenge for me to stay focused in prayer the entire duration of the movie. Apparently, God knew that I would be challenged as well and decided to give me a little comic relief about halfway through the movie.
If you have seen the movie you know it is very intense and at times can almost be too much. I was literally marching up and down the street deep in prayer for the people when I hear it. “Bleeee…Bleee…Blee…”� I stopped and wondered what in the heck is that noise? You have to understand it is very dark, there are hundred of people milling around, and all kinds of activity besides the movie. I continue walking and praying and hear it again “Blee…bleee…bleee…”
About that time I turn around and my eyes are drawn to a large bus that has pulled up. It is much like the bus that we rode on our way to Mozambique. Except for one small difference. The “blee…bleee…bleee…”� is coming from the top of the bus. By this time I was distracted enough to walk over and inspect a little closer. That’s when I saw it.
There was a goat on top of the bus. On. Top. Of. The Bus. A goat!
I seriously did a double-take. What in the world would a goat be doing on top of the bus? It was too dark to really get a great picture, but I thought that you must see what I saw.
I talked to our local contact and come to find out this is really quite normal. And many times there are up to 20 goats on top of the buses, this is how the people transport their livestock. I was told they are usually tied to the top of the bus and sometimes if the bus stops too quickly one little goat can meet his demise early by being hung. Imagine riding along in the bus and then suddenly a little goat is hanging outside your window!
Of course, I had to call the others over to inspect and we all agreed that was probably the funniest thing we had seen in a few weeks. Until the goat decided he needed a potty break and he squatted right near some poor unsuspecting person’s luggage, which was also tied to the top of the bus. That nearly put us over the edge in laughter. Sometimes the only response is to shake your head and say TIA (this is Africa).
Suffice it to say, I had trouble getting back into my prayer groove after the goat incident, but God is faithful and quickly led me back into prayer for all the people of Mozambique. Our eyes were opened that night to the darkness that covers the nation and also their hunger for a God who can heal them both physically and spiritually. We had many come forward for prayer that evening and about 15 who accepted Christ. Our communication was difficult as they understood little English and we definitely don’t know much Portugese, but the language of God is universal.
I tell you this story to give you an inside look at our times in Africa, but to also challenge you to do something outside your comfort zone. Praying for hours, in the dark, in the middle of the bar district full of Africans was not something I was comfortable with and definitely challenged me. God knew that and sent some comic relief to help ease my discomfort and remind me that He is in control. I praise Him for being the God of Mozambique, the God of America and the God of my heart.
