I have been in Africa for one week.
WHAT?!
Yes. Africa. One whole week.
Crazy.
Eleven women from my squad are working at a boy’s home in Matola, Mozambique.
It is called Beacon of Hope, and is located just a little bit outside the capital.
It’s an incredible organization, and the woman who runs it, Angie, is as hospitable as you would expect her Texas upbringing to require.
The boys are funny, kind, responsible, eager to learn, and in love with Jesus.
We are truly lucky to be staying here this month.
[seems like God heard my prayers about indoor plumbing]
We’ve taught classes, prepped meals, played at the beach, mopped floors, slept in tents, been bitten by mosquitos, grown together as a team, worshipped as a family, carried babies on our backs, and I’m about to have my hair braided “the African way”.
I’m already in love with this place.
With this life.
With this overwhelming sense of joy and peace that God has whispered to my soul.
It’s hard.
I’ve been uncomfortable.
But “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want,”
And it is this:
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
[Philippians 4:12-13]
Today, we had African church.
They speak Portuguese.
We speak English.
All week long it’s been difficult…like there has been a barrier between us.
Today, the boys sang in Portuguese, we sang in English, and Daniel played drums on his giant, empty, milk jug.
And I heard that soul whisper again.
This time, it took down that barrier that I had felt all week.
I felt instead the rhythm of the drums go through my body the way one feels a heartbeat.
I felt the singing melt together into one voice, and it reminded me of the way laughter can fill a space so quickly and completely.
That soul whisper reminded me that God’s spirit is in each of His children like that.
Like music…heartbeat…laughter.
It’s universal…immune to language barriers.
It connects us and bonds us together across oceans.
I don’t know what I expected from Week One.
I’m not sure why God chose Mozambique and Beacon of Hope as our first stop.
But I do know that he is making sure I understand that He loves each of the children here the same as He loves each of his children on our squad.
My hope moving forward is that I can show that love to everyone I encounter these next 11 months, and beyond.
No matter what “job” we are given, my ultimate job is to love so deeply and so unconditionally that it can be understood across the barriers created by land and sea and language.
No biggie.
“With human beings this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
[Mark 10:27]
Thank you to those of you who have supported me financially and helped me reach my $10,000 Launch goal.
By the end of February, I need $13,000, and I must be fully funded by April.
I’m close, but I need your help to get there.
If you want more frequent, detailed updates, pictures, and souvenirs from around the world, becoming a financial supporter is the way to do that!
My final fundraiser is Adopt-A-Block.
I will be FULLY FUNDED when this square is complete.
Here’s how it works: Pick a square. Pay attention to the number in the square. Click “Support Me” at the top of this page. Donate the dollar amount of the square you picked. Tell me which number you picked so I can color it in.
[slow internet connection has prevented me from uploading a picture of the grid 🙁 you can find it in my previous blog. Squares 1-9, 25, 64, and 75 are now taken. So sorry, and thanks for understanding! #thirdworldproblems]
Thank you!!!
