My team was extremely blessed this month. We had the opportunity to serve at a boy's Orphanage, "Kedesh" (Dondo, Mozambique). While our base was at Iris Ministries where we stayed with the rest of our squad, we were very fortunate to be able to leave the base during the day and spend the majority of our time at the orphanage, rough housing and playing outside with the boys.
Evil takes place in a different form in Africa then it does in the states, and it was unfortunately prevalent near and around the base. While people in the US tend to obsess over money, sex, and entertainment, Africa dives deep into the spiritual realm. Witch doctors, witch craft, and demon possession are common place, making Mozambique a pretty dark environment and it became physically exhausting to those sensitive to the spirit. That being said, we started calling "Kedesh" our sanctuary before we knew that Kedesh actually does translate to Sanctuary in Hebrew.
At Kedesh, boys, dogs, and kittens run freely, roosters crow (ALL day long), volleyball games are put on pause by crossing bulls, or grazing cows, and chores are always half finished because John Wickes, kid at heart and head of Kedesh, can and will turn anything into a game. John's property is about 15 acres, and is now close to being fully self sustainable. He has planted various trees, and plants, (mango, cashew, papaya, avocado, almond, coconut, coffee, orange, pomegranate, acacias, basil, garlic, onion, peppers, tomatoes, jalapeños, corn, spinach, green leaf, beans to name just a few), which provide both shade and meals three times a day. The main building is similar to that of an adult tree house (SO awesome).
Though we came to minister to the boys at the orphanage, I can speak for us all when I say that Kedesh has definitely ministered more to us. The boys carried on with their daily chores and we would try to help, but with tasks like making quesadillas or shabat from scratch for 40+ people, making bricks, building up a house, herding cattle, clearing ponds, and digging trenches, theres was a lot to learn before we could help out. But they were patient, and laughed that we struggled to carry out something that they do everyday! Also, John knew his Bible like the back of his hand, and we would often leave mentally stretched by theological discussions. He is so much fun and such a man of God. It was so comforting for me, to have a man like my dad to hang around. It was also encouraging to see Heather, a beautiful woman also living at Kedesh, teaching the boys (in many different aspects), and showing them the correct way for a man to treat women. She had such love for the boys, and both her and John were generously hospitable to both our teams and our squad.
I grew a huge heart for Kedesh and all of the different ways they were impacting the boys. It was uplifting to see the joy the boys had, and know that they will grow to positively effect the community around them. However, I was ready to leave Mozambique at the end of this month. I knew I would have a new appreciation for running water, or even simple things like having a place to throw my trash or a slight breeze coming through a window after the world race. However, I never thought about the importance of having a healthy spiritual environment. I don't want to say that Mozambique is a dark place, because we saw and heard so many good things from others teams and their ministry sites along with the good coming out of kedesh and others working to reveal Christ to this country. But I will say without exaggerating that weight was lifted the minute we crossed the border to South Africa.
When I think of Mozambique, I won't think of the temporary inconveniences, but to the sanctuary and ease we experienced at Kedesh. From playing outside with the boys, getting muddy in the pond, climbing trees, BBQ's, volleyball tournaments, popcorn and movies, Kedesh was a boy's paradise, and a real blessing to the team's, Pharos and Nooma to Nations. I will also remember to pray for Mozambique and its people that they will learn the true healing and freedom in Christ and that they will learn to depend on him alone.
