What a month. This is going to be really hard to sum up what has happened this past month in Mozambique. But one thing is for certain, the Bible is alive here!
Let me explain. Every morning we wake up to the sounds of the witches drums beating in the distance. We would get up and do chores on the base, mainly watering all the plants. That involves taking buckets to the well, hand pumping the water, then walking them back inside the gate for about 35-60 minutes. After a morning devotion we got ready to go walk to the villages.
Life in Guija is quite like life was back when Jesus was alive. The women and children go to the well for water every morning. Many carrying babies tied to their backs. The boys tend to the herds of cows or goats. Many of the men are away trying to find work.
There is a drought in the land, and not much can be grown right now. The land is so desolate. People are literally starving because they can’t grow food. They do have the chance to collect amarillo nuts which is a sign that times are bad for them.
As we walked in the villages we visited many people. There are so many elderly that are not being looked after. So many people with HIV/AIDS or malnutrition. Some children suffer from seizures, and they fall in the fire, just like in the book of Matthew. Many people cook over an open fire. Most people live in a single room mud home, about 10×20 feet. There is not much running water, much less hot water.
Yet, on Sundays families come together and go to church. They come expectant and thankful. The come to learn about Jesus. They have such a community. They care for each others children and look out for one another. Amidst all of the witchcraft in the area, they still come wanting Jesus.
Miracles are alive here!
I just read through the new testament and see that this is what life was like when Jesus was alive. Life in the USA is so different than life here. Here people have joy, and hope and faith. Their faith is out of necessity. Necessity for food, shelter, and safety. The people are so grateful and have such joy, yet they have so little.
They are so giving out of the very little that they do have. It is what church and community should be like. I am so privileged to have been a part of it for a short time.
Here is a brief glimpse into what Mozambique looked like for me. 🙂
Did you even see Mamma Marta in the photo above? She was so sick this day!
We prayed for her, and sang. You know what, when we visited the next morning to take her to the hospital, she was all better. Sitting outside doing her normal thing. 🙂 Miracles have happened here!
Love this church with no doors!
This is a typical village. See all the houses? 🙂
