Mozambique. Where do I even begin?
So many emotions and thoughts and ideas are spinning through my head and heart, that it is almost impossible to explain in words all I am feeling and experiencing. But here goes…
It is beautiful here. Palm trees everywhere. Sun always shining. Streets bustling with life. It is almost an exotic place, and so exciting. But all the external beauty can’t even compare to the beauty of the Lord I have seen here through the people.
I will start by introducing you to, quite possibly, one of the most amazing women in the world. Her name is Mama Rita. (Now, when I first heard about her I was picturing this elderly lady, a bit overweight, and quiet–but I assure you, that is not Mama Rita at all!) She is a little spitfire full of spunk, acts like a teenager though she is probably in her late 40s or early 50s, and could probably go out and run a marathon right now and win.
She, along with a handful of others, are the backbone behind and incredible ministry we are working with here in Beira. They run an orphanage. But this is not some nice, government funded, well-built orphanage. This is a small sqaure concrete house in the middle of thousands of other small square concrete houses in and around the city of Beira. This is an orphanage that is housed in Mama Rita’s own home.
She and her late husband (who died a martyr’s death) started it a few years ago by taking in kids whose parents had died. Now there are 20 orphans living there. She feeds them, clothes them, sends them to school, does their washing, serves them constantly, and loves them infinitely.
Since we arrived here on Sunday, we immediately became part of their family. There are several women in their 20s who come during the days to help Mama Rita, and they have become our sisters. The children have become our children. And Mama Rita has become our mama.
We live in the house along with Mama Rita and the kids (and the rats–which we are trying desperately to kill). And we are daily shown the love and joy that abounds from this beautiful woman and those who serve alongside her.
They are an incredible testament to how the Lord provides and sustains. They work hard constantly, and give every single opportunity they have. They provide us all our food and they wait on us hand and foot. How incredibly humbling is that?!
I have really never seen such an amazing picture of the goodness and joy of the Father before–literally. It just oozes out of these people in the middle of nowhere in Mozambique. They are family. They really are family. And I have grown to love them deeply and dearly in this short week.
Just when I thought that Africa was destitute and hopeless–just when I was so fed up and frustrated with how overwhelming it all is–just when I thought there was such little “aliveness” here–God shows me how active and alive He is really is here.
His ways and His plan are so big. And my mind and my heart have a hard time keeping up sometimes. He has to hold my hand and help me along. He is so good and leads me to flowing springs when I am so dry. He gives me a picture of heaven here on earth. He leads me to this beautiful woman and her ministry to show me how good He is. He fills me up and blesses me through the most unexpected ways. He sends me to the poorest and meakest, to be served, and therefore humbled. He shows me His love everywhere. Oh how great the Father’s love is.
So, all that to say, I love it here. I feel like I say I love it everywhere, but oh, how I have seen and experienced so much of the Father’s love through His people here.
Mama Rita is beautiful. Her heart is incredible. And her ministry is such a true picture of how the Church should look and act. She is bringing the Kingdom of heaven down here in Beira, Mozambique, and I am so loving being able to witness how God is moving here.
