The training wheels are off. I now know what they mean by consuming heat, I feel like I’ve been consumed and have come out the other end. Mozambique. A constant party is apparently going on somewhere in our neighborhood, the music starts at roughly 8:30 AM and goes ‘til around 10:30 at night. We sleep in our tents in rooms that have windows, that are deemed futile because there is no cross ventilation, and our sleeping bags stick to us. Sleeping outside is not an option because the neighborhood is not safe, and sleeping with your tent door open is not an option because of malaria. Counter to my upbringing the water from the sink and shower is not safe to drink, the water from the water spigot outside is safe to drink. Flies will follow you everywhere you go, no place is sacred. We all smell, a lovely combination of DEET, sunscreen, and sweat, lots, and lots of sweat. Chanel should bottle it, essence of missionary number 4. Our ministry is driving out into the bush to pray over members of the many of the churches in the area. Some of them are sick, some are hurting, and some are just in need of prayer. Driving to their homes is always an adventure. We bump along in the truck bed down sand roads (not dirt, no, no, sand) that require a special navigating skill that God has blessed our contact Antonio with. It’s always a big deal when we show up, chair get borrowed from the neighboring huts, hot water is set out for coffee (instant) and tea, small loaves of bred and fruit and/or peanuts. We are told the family’s story, and then what we should be praying for. The people here are so grateful for prayer and the presence of the Spirit. There is such a stark contrast between the Holy Spirit and the stories we hear about the witch doctors that live just down the sand road. Everything here is so different from anything I have experienced so far on the race. Pray for guidance for my team and I. Pray that we are able to shine the light of our Heavenly Father in this place so consumed by darkness and myth. Thank you for reading. I love you all and miss you!
