Every sound has a beat. There is a rhythm here that is purely African. A shovel to the dirt provides the back beat. Children singing and clapping songs over the big cement wall at Iris creates a far-off melody that soars above the sound of the laughing boys around the tire swing. The sound of a hammer clinks against metal in the distance sounding like a woman with a soulful solo. The occasional rooster crow shakes things up and yet sounds so right, so natural. I love this sound. The heartbeat of Africa.
I go to bed at night with the sound of High Life music blaring next door. Some are annoyed by the intrusion of sleep and I…I just lay in my tent and smile. I love it. The “noise” doesn’t bother me one bit—in fact, it brings joy to my soul. I easily fall to sleep content and at peace knowing that the song of Africa is written on my heart…
Tomorrow we leave Iris and head 7 hours further into the heart of Mozambique to a town called Merimbala. Flooding hit this area very hard and we are going to partner with World Vision’s Food Relief program there for at least one week. They tell us to plan for refugee camp-like environment and people who have lost everything. The closest image that my mind can wrap itself around is Hurricane Katrina and I only saw the pictures and the news reports.
I’ve decreased my belongings to one small backpack—the bare necessities—the rest we leave at the base here in Dondo for when we return. I’m extremely excited for our chance to serve in this way. I honestly don’t really know what to expect. The worst is over as the flooding was months ago, but the devastation remains. Pray for our teams as we head into the unknown. We know we are protected by God’s grace so we have no fear! His grace is new every morning!
