My Mozambican Thanksgiving.

My Thanksgiving in 2009 (have 2 years already passed?) was here in Vilanculos with my World Race team.  It was quite memorable as our plans for the day were erased when Pastor Jaco found out it was Thanksgiving Day…we had quite a meal considering we were in Mozambique with limited resources. I was excited about eating milk tart, a South African dessert and some people even made up a Thanksgiving song.

 Being the only American here this year…I knew it wouldn’t be the same as any other Thanksgiving but still hopeful about the potential the day might have.

Being A Mozambican Thanksgiving…it was celebrated two days later, on Saturday November 26^th. When I started thinking about Thanksgiving I just kept thinking about Tina, a woman from church that I’ve been having bible study with.  I knew the Lord wanted me to invite her and her family to join us for Thanksgiving.  We had to make some changes based on availability of foods and what Mozambicans are used to.   In the end we ate two large chickens, coconut rice, mashed potatoes, stuffing, carrot salad, Mozambican salad, apple pie, ice tea and coke.

Pastor Jaco making the oven out of the old washing machine.  Reusing –a very African thing to do.  We would have used the gas oven inside but there is a gas shortage in all of Mozambique and South Africa.  So all cooking was done over an outdoor fire. We should have gas again and be able to cook inside next year.

Tina making the salad.

Stelio and Rudo playing with legos.

Neyma and her baby brother Jaco.

Rudo, adding flavor to the chicken.

It was a lot of fun to celebrate Thanksgiving with them.  It’s a real treat for some Mozambicans to have a whole piece of chicken to yourself…if they get chicken its usually much smaller pieces.  Initially we thought we’d have leftovers but our guests ate as much as they could and left with full stomachs.  It made me smile to be able to share Thanksgiving with Tina, her 5 children and her parents.

The day also began and ended with interesting findings in the bathroom.  The bathroom is completely separate from the house and is about 30 yards from my caravan.  At 5:40am I had barely woken as I was stumbling out of the bathroom when I felt something furry touch my toes.  Looked down and saw a dead rat...which didn’t really faze me as I’ve become accustomed to seeing rats and I prefer them dead anyway.  I found a shovel and got rid of it.   Then as I was about to go to bed I found a sizable frog who was fighting off  an 18 inch snake whose jaw/head clutched the frog’s neck and was initially hidden under the frog’s head.  Although the frog was certainly injured, it was too big and too stubborn to be swallowed by the little snake.  I left to tell others and when I came back I wished I had stayed to see how the frog escaped.  The frog was 2/3 of the size before (no longer puffed up) but obviously severely injured and would probably die in a day or two.   The cobra was slithering away but we caught it and killed it. 

Likes and Dislikes.

I like that I can frequently see beautiful sunsets over the lake.

I like that I can frequently see Vilanculos’ beach.  It’s a beautiful beach.  The water is already quite warm for swimming though. 

I like that I can see that orange billed and turquoise feathered bird from my window. 

I don’t like the bugs-flies and mosquitoes especially. 

I’m not as fond of frogs as I was when I first arrived here…namely because I see many of them every evening…there are even some living in the toilet.

I don’t like having rats where I live.

I don’t like living without constant electricity…it would be so nice to have a fridge again.  Eating is really different without refrigeration.

I don’t like depending on public transport.  It would be one thing if they had public transport like Europe.  But transport here involves cramming as many people as possible into a vehicle which I don’t like because its uncomfortable and many have terrible body odor as running water is a luxury where I live.

I miss big grocery stores and cheap food prices for a variety of items.

I miss being able to communicate clearly and effectively like I can in the USA. 

I do like that the food I consume here is fresh and natural…ie. I know the mango I ate today came from a neighbor’s tree.

I miss bathing in hot water without taking a bucket shower.

I’m trying to decide if I miss air conditioning or not. Although it is quite hot now, often there is a breeze.  I can get so cold in AC that I don’t miss it so much…we’ll see how I feel about that in a month or two, though.

I’m amazed at how brightly the moon shines here.  It’s incredible.  When there’s a full moon or close to it you don’t really need a light.  In fact moonlight shines in through my curtains…the way sunlight would. 

I don’t like how dark it is without the moon.  I live a few miles from town and so there are no city lights and it is very dark and can be creepy too. 

I don’t like that there are snakes here.  Thank God I’ve only seen three so far and they haven’t been poisonous like the black mamba (deadly) my team encountered here in 2009.

Neutral things- hearing frogs, crickets, etc at night.

Seeing lots of geckos …not crazy about them but they eat bugs so I’ll keep ‘em.

Putting on bug spray at twilight….prevents malaria so I do it. 

Having a tan…I’m quite dark now, actually.

I don’t like how people yell “malungu” (white person) when they see me.

I don’t like that I can’t go into a chapa (public transport) without becoming a topic of conversation.  I don’t like people staring, especially children and I definitely don’t like unwanted male attention I get in chapas and anywhere else I go alone.

I don’t like that I just stubbed my toe.  (It’s getting dark)

On second thought I do miss air conditioning because that would mean I could sleep without sweating.  I could close the windows and wake without mosquito bites in weird places.

I do like that I am learning new languages.

I do like that there is a challenging aspect to just living here.  Somehow I feel that life in America is too easy.

I don’t like the assumption that I’m rich simply because I’m white.  Although-compared to most people here I am rich.  Its just challenging because we (locals and foreigners) tend to look at each other through economic lenses rather than anything else. People will ask for things with an attitude of entitlement…you owe me this…which I think is sadly due to foreign aid that has come in to help….giving men fish rather than teaching them to be fishers.  I am challenged by this..how to give wisely and promote economic independence rather than dependence.  Plus there are so many needs.

I like that ministry teams come through and help …the group that was here last week was such a blessing.

I like the trying different tropical fruits here..like the fruit from a cashew tree, the fruit that resembles little apples- about an inch in diameter, an unusual fruit called marsala that almost has a fluoride taste to it.  Plus fruits I’ve had like mango and papaya which are far more abundant and better tasting here that what you typically find in the States. 

Drama in Pambarra

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

And do not return without watering the earth…

So shall my word be which goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire.”

Isaiah 55:10-11.

This was my verse of the day for Thursday, 10 November 2011…and how I needed it that day. 

I read it before heading to Pambarra, where I typically meet with some church members and share the word of God with them. 

  Two Thursdays ago when I met with them it was great...many came and more than that the Spirit confirmed this is where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing.  The week after that no one came until it was already time for me to go and then it took me more than 2 hours to get home. It was just a frustrating day. 

Not knowing what would happen, the verse gave me the encouragement that I needed to go on.  I was reminded that sharing the Word of God is never in vain because it does accomplish the Lord’s purposes even if I am clueless as to the specifics of his purposes.  I arrived a little early and no one was there…about 30 minutes later the lady who lives there, Mama Laurentina shows and then leaves to talk to her neighbor, Mama Carlota who also comes to the bible study.  A few minutes later Antonio, Carlota’s husband shows up and is talking with Laurentina…Then he tells me to come to his place and we’ll simply have the bible study there.  Once I arrive there he informs me that Laurentina’s husband no longer wants to have the bible study at his house or even for Laurentina to be involved.  Antonio told me it’s more of Felizarda’s nonsense and he’s not afraid of her and from now on the bible study can be at his house. 

Over the past few months the number of people coming to church from Pambarra has dwindled from about 30 to about 6 people- largely due rumors, manipulation, threats, and confusion that people (who still come) attribute to Mama Felizarda. She’s even given death threats to three people who attend church.  She used to attend church and then she got sick.  We prayed for her healing and after about a month without her really showing any signs of recovery Maria (Pastor’s wife) suggested that there’s a spiritual problem.  Not much later we found out that she’s visiting the sangoma (witch doctor) and from there everything just seemed to go downhill.  This was in September, and since that time there has been quite a bit of drama in Pambarra.

Its been disappointing that many are no longer coming to church.  However, I see God using this as a sifting process, distinguishing people who are committed and not afraid  from the rest who used to come.

Please pray for this situation.  Its been one of the biggest challenges in local church since I have been here.  

money, money, money

I have been dreading writing this for a while now, but I know I need to sit down and do it.  Reason being is because it’s about money…which for me at least is never an easy or fun topic to address.  However it’s something that I need to do and typically comes with the territory as far as missions is concerned.  The bottom line is I am dependent on people to give so I can be here.

Ultimately it is the Lord who has told me to be here and I fully trust Him to take care of me, financially and otherwise. But in accomplishing His purposes here on earth, God uses people to do His will, whether or not they even realize it.

Let me be the first to confess I live more comfortably than most of my neighbors.  Its funny how things like wealth are so relative.  With $250/month  I am rich here. 80% goes to the family I am staying with, as I live on their property, using their food, generator, transport, etc. The remaining $50 goes quickly to communication and food,  and things that make life easier like batteries.  I also give sometimes. Its challenging because I see so many more physical and financial needs that I can possibly meet.  Like Julia and Sergio…it would be nice to buy them a house but I don’t have the income to do that.  I can do things like buy my neighbor laundry detergent and soap.  Or Bibles.  I wish we could give every literate person in church a bible.   

 It was really refreshing to go to South Africa but financially it set me back about $500 which was spent on transport, my visa, communication, and supplies.  Renewing my visa is another costly thing that needs to be done.  While in South Africa it cost me $100 to get a one month visa.  Clearly I would like to get a longer residential visa for 6 months and it will probably be at least a few hundred dollars.   So getting a visa is another place my money is going. 

It has been my privilege to be here in Mozambique for more than 3 months now.  But in  order to be here I am dependent on generous givers.  I am asking for funds so I can live here and have things like some variety in my high carb diet, or have enough money to have internet access so I can do things like communicate with my family and friends, write a blog, etc. Please give me money.  I need your help just to be here. 

If you would like to give go to: http://www.razoo.com/story/Beloveinc?referral_code=share

or visit beloveinc.org. for more information about BeLove, the organization I"m working with.  

Thanks!

A forced vacation

I was traveling 300 miles two Fridays ago, in hopes of getting another stamp on my passport, prolonging my visa for another 30 days.  Instead I was told I must leave the country immediately…as my visa expired on October 2^nd and it was already September 30^th.  I had spent 90 days in the country on a tourist visa and it was time to go. I was already unhappy about spending 8 hours in a cramped vehicle that day just to go to Maxixe and back and the news of having to leave country just added to the frustration.  As we (Andre, the translator came with me) were heading home the Lord changed my heart, assuring me that leaving the country and having a break in South Africa would be for my good.  I became excited as I thought about people I could visit and all those comforts I’d have again, like a hot shower without boiling water and ice cream and cheese sandwiches.  I knew I could relax in a way that I can’t in Mozambique.

 I got home within an hour of sundown and didn’t even attempt to sleep until 3am when I was once again in a cramped vehicle headed to Maputo, Mozambique’s capital.  Ten hours and 700km later I was dismayed to find that Jaco’s friend, who I had hoped to stay with, was out of town.  Great, I’m a city I don’t know anything about.  The only thing I’ve really been told is to carefully watch my stuff as crime is common and I’m sure I’m an easy target- a confused malungu.  I took a taxi to a hotel, astounded by the prices of both; I talked the taxi driver down to 500 instead of 800 meticais ($1=27mets), and then spent $83 on the hotel room…which is a lot when you live off $250/mo. and you were told it should cost half that much.  I could be in the States at this price.   Fortunately the hotel was within 2 blocks of a greyhound bus station, so arranging transport for the following evening was easy. I made the most of 30 hours I spent in Maputo: ate at KFC, slept in, had a nice breakfast at the hotel, went to the beach that afternoon and had a far more comfortable over night bus ride to Johannesburg.

                                             View from hotel room in Maputo.

I’ve spent the last 10 days in South Africa, and I’m leaving for Mozambique tomorrow. It’s been nice to be in a developed nation again. To speak English. To have constant electricity.  To eat a vegetarian wrap with hummus- things you just don’t get in Mozambique.   It’s even been easier to pray here as well…there’s not the same spiritual darkness as in Vilanculos.  I’ve been staying with the Homan family that I met in Mozambique when they came out to do an outreach in July.  It’s been fun and relaxing to spend time with them and see how God is working in them and through them. They’ve taken good care of me…I even have Marcel’s room for the time I’m here.   I’ve visited a handful of other people too.  Last week I visited a couple, Barry and Helen who went on that same outreach in July…I have to say they spoiled me…I got a massage and probably the best bath of my life. Then I spent the next day with their granddaughter who accused me of “trying to trick her into praying” I thought that was hilarious. Helen and I prayed for Angie, the masseuse and we both see that the Lord has great things in store for her.   I had good conversations with them as well as their maid who was very interested in hearing about Mozambique.  The following evening I visited with some childhood friends; ate out and went to another friend’s house.  It was really nice to catch up. I also saw some people that I met last June in the World Cup outreach.  Chris Dirks’ family was a lot fun with young energetic kids and then also talking with Sammy who is sensing God’s leading in a new direction in his life.   God has truly blessed me with each encounter that I’ve had.  And I’m looking forward to a prayer meeting tonight.

                                           Lexy, who later said I tried to trick her into praying.

Julia and Sergio

                                            Julia and Sergio

They’re a young couple at church.  After being here for a few weeks Julia started to stand out to me as someone of great promise and potential.  I also felt drawn to her, like she’s one of the particular people I can minister to individually.

On a typical Sunday there are about 100 people, most of which come to church with the help of Pastor Jaco driving in all directions to pick up people before and after the service.  But the past two Sundays when Jaco was out of town, and we had no means to transport people and as a result, less than 40 people came to church.  Sergio and Julia live over 18 kilometers away from the church, and are actually farther from the church than any one else who comes regularly.  However they made the effort to come.  They trusted God for the money needed to take public transport and they came.  Sergio and Julia also come to the Bible Study in Pambarra on Thursdays…often Sergio will translate from Portuguese to Xitsuwa. Clearly they are committed to coming to church and growing in their faith.

Another interesting thing about Julia and Sergio is that they don’t have a house, or really any shelter.  They sleep in the bush.  If it rains, they get wet.  Suddenly, being woken by rats in my caravan is a minor inconvenience.

Even as I think about them now, my heart is drawn to them.  I know God wants to do huge things with them.  I know that spending time with them is not and will not be in vain.  They are eager to learn.  I also know that I need to help them with a house. I don’t know anything about building a house. They don’t have property to build on or any money for a house. I wish I had the money just to lay down and give them a new house, but I don’t.  But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If it was that easy, I wouldn’t learn anything or depend on God.

 I want to help them get a house, not just give them a house.  I want them to have ownership in the planning process…I want it to be the house they want…if they want a round windowless house made from canisu (reeds) which is most common here I want to help them achieve that goal.  I don’t want to do this for them.  But I want to help as much as I can while still giving them a sense of ownership and leadership in the project.  Right now its on my heart to match every penny they have for the house…but I feel like I need to do more.  Its tricky because they don’t have jobs nor do they have property that they could build on.

I feel like the Lord is telling me to build with them. Both in the physical and spiritual. How do I do that?

Blossom like a flower

I recently came across this verse…and it’s my new favorite!

Hosea 14:4-5

I will heal their waywardness

I will love them freely

I will turn my anger away from them

I will be like dew to Israel and

He will blossom like a flower. 

This verse is so beautiful because it’s God’s promise of love, healing and restoration in spite of our disobedience and sin.

If you are familiar with the book of Hosea, you already know that God tells the prophet Hosea to marry an active prostitute.  He even buys her again when she returns to prostitution to demonstrate God’s jealous love for Israel.   At the end He could have easily said “Forget you, you stubborn and rebellious people” but the Lord was compassionate and forgiving, and promises to help them.  To heal their waywardness, no longer angry but loving them with all of His heart.  I couldn’t ask for a more hopeful closing to the story of Israel’s infidelity. 

Although being compared to a prostitute is not something many aspire to – I think God chose this deeply personal illustration to demonstrate his relationship to Israel and even the church. The Lord uses a jealous husband to show that he is a jealous God.  Giving anything else the love, respect, praise, glory, or worship that God alone deserves is spiritual adultery.   It was easy to see in the Old Testament when there were other gods of nations that Israelites would worship instead of HIM. God calls it spiritual adultery.  He is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5, James 4).

Similarly in Mozambique ancestor worship, visiting witch doctors for help, or calling up a dead relative is a fairly common occurrence…and not as strange as it sounds to the Western mind.   These practices are the traditional  and cultural norm in many, and are often accompanied by communal pressure.   And even in churches many people are trusting in traditional healers instead of in the Lord. 

And So I am praying this prayer of renewal and promise over Mozambique.  That God would heal them of the ties they have to ancestor worship and with witch doctors.

  Do we really believe that God will heal our waywardness?  Our addictions, bad habits, impure thoughts, etc.?  The things we say there’s no way God can love me because of This whatever it may be?

Even though you treasure things more than me, you love your sin more than Me- I will redeem you, renew you and restore you.  I will heal you.  I love you and I will not be angry with you any longer.

What a promise!

My life...on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I've been here in Vilanculos for two months and in my blog I want to give an accurate picture of what I am doing here, including things from my daily life and ministry as well.

  I’ve started up bible studies with ladies from the church…which has been challenging as many do not know how to read and have minimal if any Scriptural knowledge.  A few weeks ago a friend from the States visited and made the statement that the average American Christian has enough biblical knowledge to teach a bible school here…which I think is an accurate portrayal of just how little people know.  In some ways it makes teaching people  easy because almost any bible story is new.   But its also challenging because I cannot refer to other bible stories as examples.  For instance David and Goliath is well known, but here people  just do not have that same background.  They don’t value biblical stories in the same way because they don’t know them.    Also, people here either speak Portuguese and/or Sitchwa- a local Mozambican tongue.  Therefore 2 interpreters are needed for bible studies.   Fortunately I can speak Spanish which is similar to Portuguese; sometimes the words are very similar and other times not so much. 

  One group is in Pambarra- a town 18km away and they are the most consistent group.  The other group is in Vilanculos, where there have been different people hosting the study but no one has really committed to coming every week.   In Pambarra Mama Eliza, a woman old enough to be my mother, is one of my favorites because every week she says thank you for coming and teaching.  Even though she only speaks Sitchuwa I can see how she listens intently and soaks it in.  Her hunger and attitude of gratitude speak volumes; she values the teaching of the Word.  One of my challenges is simplifying the message so that it is easy to translate, with  examples that listeners can relate to, without diluting the power and truth of the gospel.  

There is a group of early teenage girls and I am hoping to start something with them as well.  They are literate and they have more free time than the older women.   Plus I think it’s a great age to reach as they are open to learning and are not set in their ways, the way adults are.

Hopefully this gives you an idea of what I am doing and give you insight to how you can pray for me.  God Bless.  

My time in Nova Sofala

I’ve been in Mozambique since Saturday, July 2^nd.  On July 3rd a South African team on their way to Sofala, (the province directly north of us) surprised us with a visit because one of their vehicles had broken down.  It was truly God’s plan for them to stop and stay here…as it provided a time for them to bond and unify as they came from different cities and churches, as well as an opportunity for Jaco and I to go to Sofala with them.  It was a blessing for me to be part of a team my first week here in Mozambique.

 On Tuesday July 5^th, the long ride north began and about 7 hours later we arrived and tented on the shore.  The group I was with has been coming to this area for a few years and so they already knew Pastor John and some of the other locals.   A typical day would begin with a team devotional time, then going to a church and having a time of  singing and worship, followed by  separate teachings for the children and the adults.  Once the sun went down, we showed the Jesus film and many people came to Christ.  We had three short days like this, then we returned

My favorite things were playing games with the children in the afternoon and praying throughout the day, and especially praying for people after teaching and  the Jesus film. 

Here are some pictures of my experiences.  Thank you for your love and prayers.  

We stopped to pick up a chameleon crossing the road. Barnie's head was its favorite place. 

This is the beautiful beach where we tented.  Unfortunately we did not get to spend much time there as we were busy with ministry in the day.  

A nice African mud puddle.  This vehicle did not get stuck...the other one with a trailer got stuck. 

The crowd welcomed us with songs.

My favorite picture from Sofala.  The boy is walking home from school...note the bookbag on his shoulder.  Women in background carrying yellow water jugs on their heads. People, especially women,  can balance just about anything on their heads. 

This is Pastor John- who we worked with in Nova Sofala. 

Blessing the children.

We had a medical clinic every day....people would come non stop...for many it was their only chance of getting medicine unless they go to witch doctors.  Natasha, a nurse is on the left, our translator, Carter, in the middle, and a local woman on the right. 

The church kitchen.  Most kitchens in Mozambique look something like this. 

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On another note....as you may or may  not know right now it is Ramadan- the Islamic month of fasting and prayer. About half of Vilanculos is Muslim owned...even the lodge where I am currently sitting.  So although they are not the majority, they do have a lot of influence in the town. 

  On Wednesday a few of us were praying at the church and I saw this dark cloud over Vilanculos..its like something that limits the prayers and then on Sunday Pastor Jaco sensed the same thing and they say there's always darkness like this during Ramadan. Plus we're starting up some new  ministries so I know that we are under Satanic attack.  Please pray for me and other believers here.  

Reflections on my first month in Vilanculos, Mozambique

…Things that have I learned…or even expectations that have become true or proven false.  

Africa definitely has its own pace and perception of time.  Things just take longer.  But people just aren’t in a rush to do things like they are in the “developed world”.  At times it can be very frustrating when things don’t run as smoothly as planned or just take longer.  Like it takes a longer time to start something completely new…like a women’s bible study at church or successfully get the internet on my computer.  Often I find that God works in our lives in the same way…often time changes aren’t immediate..but come in layers and stages that often is not immediate.  Wait. And Listen. Or how about be still and know that I am God. 

I have had a few opportunities to teach.  On July 21^st and 28^th, I spoke at prison, as there is a consistent weekly ministry there. I also preached July 31^st, as Pastor Jaco and his family were in South Africa that weekend.   I’ve enjoyed teaching.  I sought the Lord for a word and he has given it to me.  I know that the when Scriptures goes out it is not in vain, but produces fruit.  The following is some of my thoughts after speaking on the 28^th.

I’m reminded of what Darcy (my roommate at the time) told me in Venezuela in 2006, “Leigh, you don’t know this yet, but you like teaching”.  And I feel like I am seeing this come true.  I remember being extremely nervous for that time, before speaking.  And here speaking in the prison, and even at church…when I was here in 2009 and I’ll speak on Sunday…minimal nervousness but surprisingly comfortable and at home doing what I’m doing.  And I know God uses it.  Today about 30 people were at the prison…and while I was talking about 10 left, one by one, as I was speaking.  But the 20 who persevered through my explanation of Romans 12…talking about the end not repaying evil for evil but Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.  I told them how each one of us is responsible for our actions and will be judged by God for everything we have ever done: good and bad.  But I am not afraid to stand before God, even though I know he could destroy me in one second if he so desired, because I am covered with the blood of Jesus, and therefore have the righteousness of Christ, and that is what the Father sees when he looks at me, the righteousness of his son.  And I wasn’t planning to but I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to do a salvation invitation and so I did…and not to my surprise….one man wearing a black shirt sitting almost directly in front of me…you could just see he was intently listening..he gave his life to the Lord today.  Please pray for him that he may grow and mature in his faith.

Other things about Mozambique...   

It actually is cold here at night…like in the 50s. Its in the high 70s in the day.  This morning was cold…temperatures in the 60s.

This was taken on my 26th birthday...I had a steak dinner with cauliflour and mushroom sause... 

I eat lots of rice now.  Bread too,but I’ve pretty much always done that. 

Having a baby (or a few) before your 20^th birthday is the norm.  One lady at church is one year older than me-27 and already has 5 kids, ranging in age from a few months  to 11 years old.

Vilanculos really is a beautiful place.  Gorgeous beaches. But a little too cold to go swimming as it is winter here, which feels like going to the beach in March.  Flying into Vilanculos was by far the most beautiful areal view of the ocean I’ve ever seen: descending over the water at low tide when the coral reefs and different colors of water are most visible...absolutely stunning. 

Beach sand is everywhere.  I am sure that at one point the sea level was much higher because almost every corner of Vilanculos is covered with sand…I stay a 10 minute drive from town… (about 4 miles) away from the beach and I can’t get away from the sand…which means dirty feet and mataqueñas are a way of life.

Two weeks ago I had my first mataqueña…a flesh eating bug that lives in the sand until it finds a human host.  When I felt it I thought it was a splinter and attempted to get rid of it.  As mataqueñas eat flesh, they become fatter and look like an obese black head or other acne.  

Then last week I decided to trim my toenails and I was disgusted to find several (9?) mataqueñas where my big toenail used to be.  When mataqueñas are big enough to see them as yellow, and not just their black heads they’re huge and it’s just gross. I have never been so disgusted with something in my own body as I was with those mataqueñas. Sometimes you can feel mataqueñas bite when they’re in your skin, other times you can’t. I did feel some pain in my toe but because I didn’t see them under my toenail, I assumed I didn’t have mataqueñas. Was I wrong!  I had a total of 15 in my toes that were taken out last Monday.  Fortunately Clara, the maid, is quite skilled at taking out mataqueñas…it took her about one hour to take out 15 with a needle. Since mataqueñas are so common here locals know how to take them out.  Also, once the mataqueñas are gone the skin where they were dies, it turns black and hardens.

You might be thinking, “Leigh, this is disgusting, why did you blog about it?”  Although disgusting, it’s really a normal part of life here.  I want to give you an accurate picture of life here.  Pastor Jaco joked that my first mataqueña was a rite of passage for doing ministry in Mozambique.

I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for eating chicken as they raise and slaughter chickens here. Occasionally I’ll help feed them or clean the cage.   Also, I have eaten parts of chicken that I’d never tried before like stomach, heart, neck, and feet…which all taste better than liver if you ask me!  

Please keep me in your prayers as I'll be starting bible studies with women in the church this week....one on Tuesday-tomorrow and one on Thursday.  

Be Safe

“BE Safe” she told me as we were saying our goodbyes.  Not long before I had told her all about my plans to go to Mozambique in which she questioned me if I had the shots I needed, and the safety of bus travel, etc. 

Being involved in overseas missions, “Be Safe” is a fairly common phrase I hear, expressed by people who show a genuine concern for me and my safety.   But honestly, it can be annoying.  I know I was born to do more than be safe.  Nor is it not what God asks of me.  He says,

Be filled with the Holy Spirit- Eph 5:18

Be strong and courageous – Joshua 1:9

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord- James 4:10

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing.  1 Thessalonians 5:16&17.

Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind Romans 12:2

Now there is nothing wrong with being safe or encouraging me or others to be safe.   It’s smart to be safe which can be wearing a seat belt or planning ahead, or having insurance, or saving money, etc.   Sometimes safety is as easy as avoiding idiotic behavior like: attempting your favorite stunts from action movies or playing with rattle snakes or standing on top of a building during a lightening storm.  There’s nothing wrong with praying for protection or traveling safety of loved ones or yourself.  Clearly safety is a normal, human concern. 

So why does it bother me when people tell me to be safe?

A few years ago I heard Louie Giglio teach about prayer. It changed my life.  I am still humbled and challenged by what was said.   He explained that the ideal way for us to pray would be the opposite of how we normally pray because we tend to be self-centered rather than God-centered in our prayers.  For example, “God, please bless me and give me this” which isn’t wrong or bad, but consider praying “God, how can I be a blessing to you? How can I honor you and serve you? What can I give you?”  A very different prayer, isn’t it?  Giglio specifically addressed the prayer for protection and safety- a very normal, common prayer.  A good thing to pray for but, in the Kingdom of God the glory of God always trumps personal safety.  That’s right; God cares more about his glory than my personal safety. Skeptical?  Let’s look at some examples.

1.       Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego.  Three men were given the choice of bowing down to the golden statue (safe) or being cast into a fiery furnace (not safe).  Did they play it safe?  No. They said our God can save us from the fiery furnace and even if he doesn’t we’re still not going to bow down to you. Can you imagine the courage it would take to say that to a king, especially since he was giving them a second chance? But we know the story, that they weren’t burned because Jesus joined them in the fire. Then the king acknowledged that they were servants of the Most High God, mandated that anyone who spoke ill of their God would die, and the three men were promoted.  Daniel 3

2.       Apostle Paul.  He obviously failed when it came to the protection and safety prayer: Imprisoned, shipwrecked, bitten by a snake, beaten, etc.  Clearly “being safe” was not his top priority. But Paul goes down in history as one of the most important leaders of the early church, starting many churches, and writing several letters that are in the Bible.  Paul’s lack of safety has resulted in millions coming to Christ.   Aren’t you glad He counted his comforts as a loss for Christ (Phil. 3:7)

3.       Louie Giglio told this story of an Australian missionary family who served in India.  A father and his 2 young sons were sleeping in their car overnight and were burned to death by Muslim extremists.   When his wife was interviewed by a national newspaper, it made the front cover when she said she forgave them because of Jesus Christ.   So the Name of Jesus makes headlines in a nation of one billion people.

Clearly God used these people who were not “being safe” to expand his Kingdom and His renown.  God uses persecution for His glory.  Even today, there are so many martyrs in unsafe countries around the world.  For instance, Voice of the Martyrs is an organization filled with stories of people who choose Christ rather than safety.

I don’t desire to be burned to death or beaten…I would much rather have an easy life without facing the kinds of obstacles I just mentioned.  Fortunately that’s what God gives us a lot of times.  I am very thankful that most of the time God does not ask me to comprise my safety to serve Him, usually I can obey God and be safe simultaneously.   

I am weary of the phrase “be safe” because if using it as a guide, its easy to keep from doing what is right (what God has said), if ever it seems unsafe or simply uncomfortable. If I focus on “being safe” its easy for paralyzing fears to creep in, in the name of safety, thus leaving me immobile and defeated.  But if I focus on being obedient and walking in the power of His Spirit, I am armed for battle, ready to fight off fears and any thing else, knowing I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

  But really, there’s only so much one can do to ensure safety anyways. There’s always a possibility of something terribly wrong happening- that’s what it means to be human-  we aren’t perfect or invincible- but we are frail and vulnerable to diseases, natural disasters, all kinds of oppression, wars, homicide, and  even freak accidents. 

What I'm doing

For three weeks in November and December of 2009 I served in Vilankulos, Mozambique, one of several ministry locations I visited while on the World Race.  I had only been there for a few days when I felt in my heart that God would bring me back to that place.  Now I am preparing to return and serve there for one year. My team worked with Pastor Jaco Rudolph and his family- a South African who has been serving in Mozambique for a couple of years with an organization called Jesus for Africa.  Our ministry was multi-faceted and flexible including prayer walks, visiting the hospital, the prison, and people in their homes, sharing the gospel and praying with them.  On Sundays our team would lead church services for the local Mozambicans.  During our final week in Vilankulos we experienced an amazing time of celebration as several believers were baptized in the Indian Ocean less than a mile from the church.   In Mozambique I’ll be serving in these ways, and my desire is to extend God’s love to the women in that community. 

While I was in Mozambique, one of the most exciting things was the prison ministry.  Over 100 people, from every corner of the prison, prayed to receive Christ when the gospel was presented to them.   I didn’t see them turn to Christ (only eight from our group were allowed to visit the prison each week) but I came the following week and to quote my journal entry, “this place is more alive than most churches I’ve been to”.

What strikes me most about spirituality in Africa is the intense hunger for God in spite of many demonic strongholds that are still intact. It’s a battlefield that has held dark strongholds for centuries but light is quickly conquering the darkness. It’s an intense and exciting place to be!  Many people are turning to Jesus yet there are few resources and few leaders to guide them into maturity. Not that I have all the answers, quite the contrary: I often feel insignificant, questioning what I have to offer.  However, I know that God has told me to go and I am confident that God empowers me and will work through me to draw people to know Him better.

My goal is to leave at the end of June and stay there for one year.  I will be working with Jesus for Africa, which is a recognized organization in Mozambique and South Africa, but not in the USA. So I am also partnering with a non-profit called beLOVE Inc. Check it out online at, www.beloveinc.org  In order to serve in Mozambique for one year, I need to raise a total of $11,000 ($5000 for visas, travel expenses, etc + $500/mo.) for the year as I step out in faith to the calling God has placed on my life.  If you would be willing, please prayerfully consider making a tax deductible donation by mailing a check to  beLOVE Inc with my name on the memo line.  Please join with me as I help bring His kingdom from heaven down to earth.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  I’d love to hear from you.        

           God Bless. 

Leigh Leckman