Whew!
What a couple of past weeks we have had!
Arriving in Mozambique a couple of weeks ago, we were pretty sure of the ministry we would be involved with.
But true to my previous experiences on missions trips and Africa, plans change like the wind changes direction and we just roll with the punches.
After a grueling night on a super cramped bus, we rolled into Vilanculos around 9:30am.
We quickly found our contact and were shipped to our new home in Pambara, a village outside Vilanculos.
It was the first time we had seen rain in three months as we pitched our tents on sandy ground.
But I was excited to be in our new home.
Coming to Mozambique, we anticipated being heavily involved in disaster relief.
However, when we arrived we noticed that though the palm trees still slant unusually far to the side, the homes have been rebuilt and most of the grounds have already been cleaned up.
This was surprising, but we found out that much of the aid came directly after the cyclone and was finished about a month ago.
Right now, they are still needing to build homes but are waiting on money to buy supplies.
So, this put us in an interesting position.
We had a wonderful week in Pambara with the people and the children, but found that our contacts there did not have much for us to do.
Since then, we have moved to the house of a missionary couple named Jaco and Maria and have been coming along side them to help them with building projects (they are working on building a ground here that teams can come to minister) and other various tasks to help them out.
For three days, I have been sorting their receipts that were ruined/scattered during the cyclone and putting them into a database that will help them put their finances back in order.
Dad, can you believe I am working on finances out here in Africa?!
J
Last night, we had the opportunity to show the Jesus film in a village not far from here.
We are heading into winter, so the night was very chilly.
But we still had a great turn out!
Almost 200 people showed up to see a film in Portugese that showed them of a Saviors great love for them.
The gospel message was clearly given and it seems as though half of them came up to receive Christ into their lives!!
It was awesome for me to be a part.
I sat among the children and adults as the movie played.
I even taught some of the kids how to chant, “Movie, Movie, Movie!” before it started.
But to see their reactions to a gentle and loving man being crucified will be ever imprinted in my mind.
It brought back so many emotions of hearing the message for the first time and made me so thankful that there is a God who cares about a silly American white girl as well as these people out in the bush of Africa.
I feel overwhelmed by his love that knows no borders and reaches to every corner of the world.
From here me and six other teammates are planning a trip to the bush.
This past week we had an opportunity to visit an orphanage that Jaco started two months ago.
Right now there are 23 children that were completely abandoned and have no family.
They are sleeping under a green tarp held up by wooden beams.
Up until yesterday, they were sleeping on the dirt ground in the one pair of clothes they own.
We had the great opportunity to bring them food, straw sleeping mats and blankets.
I wish each one of you reading this were able to be there with me as I saw their faces, dirty and emotionless but in need of so much love.
So that is what we are gearing up to do!
We are going to spend four days playing with orphans and establishing some kind of ministry in this small community and three nights sleeping next to the children on our own straw mats.
Thank you for your messages and prayers up to this point.
Please continue to pray for our time here in Mozambique.
Even though we aren’t doing the ministry we intended on, we are finding God and his plan for us here in Vilanculos.
When we arrive in Swaziland, late next week I will update you all more on our time here.
In other news, I AM A PROUD AUNT!
My sweet sister had her first baby in Australia yesterday and my stunning new niece is named Alyssa Grace Schanely. She is going to be one godly gal, let me tell you!
Some kiddos from Pambara…climbing on trees is their favorite activity!
Church time…after the flooding they lost their church and now meet here until more supplies can be purchased to build a new one
A beautiful gal!
Laura, Pastor and Jito
(I wish I could claim these pictures as my own, but since I didn’t bring my camera to Mozambique, I snagged them from TimWeismann photographer extraordinare)
