Tremor de terra

What have I been doing with my days? Well, I wish that I had miraculous stories to share. Maybe stories of physical healing or manna raining down from the heavens to feed the hungry or a revival of people coming to know and trust the Lord. I don’t have those stories to report. At least, not yet.

I don’t feel I have anything incredible to share as of yet but I can share a few things of what daily life is like.

Some mornings I come out of the bathroom to find a small face with little hands cupped up against my screen, curiosity just overflowing from the mission children wondering what “Sistah Dara” is up to. (Sleeping that’s what I’ve been up too!:)

And this morning I woke to an invasion of bees coming into my screened in kitchen/dining area.

I am not always confident God knows what He’s doing when He sends me off alone on adventures like this. I would rather defer situations like this to someone else. I’m typically okay with a little squirming, maybe screaming, and leaving the room. I did what I knew to do (sprayed Raid and left the room;) Usually a can of Raid lasts longer than 2 weeks doesn’t it? I’ve been busy fumigating). To no avail the bees kept coming. Manuel and Timosse both told me their two cents and assured me “Carlos is coming.” 

Carlos came prepared. Before I knew it Carlos was waving flaming paper around INSIDE the house saying, “They don’t like the smoke, they’ll be gone soon! They don’t like the smoke!” 

Ha! It worked.

If the morning hadn’t been exciting enough, when I finally got settled down to work on some computer stuff I was meant to do this morning, it wasn’t long before something started happening. I heard what I initially thought was some crazy thunder. I immediately looked up from my computer screen to Manuel and Timosse for some reassurance. They looked as confused as I was. It continued for a number of seconds and my table shook slightly. When it stopped, there were some unfamiliar Portuguese words exchanged (most are unfamiliar) and I guess, it was a “tremor de terra,” an earthquake!! Can someone please google and see if inland Mozambique really gets earthquakes??? What was that?

There you have it, some of the “exciting things” that have been happening. As much as I desire to see more meaningful things happen, and as much as I would love my life to be an intriguing novel of African miracles, some days I am just living here. Maybe I’m not here to solve any ones problems. Maybe I am just here to live life with the people, to walk beside them. If that is all I do here am I willing to trust God that that is enough? Is loving people not enough? I am not sure, but I think it may be.

Perhaps spending the afternoon and becoming friends with women who put chickens in beautiful baskets does more that is apparent.

I hope so.

3 things to share

#1: Abundant GRACE

Someone asked me the other day how I am doing. I honestly responded with, “Actually, I think God is being really good to me. I am doing pretty well, far better than I would expect.” Jacqui gently responded, “I think that’s what we call grace.”

I have been thinking about this since she said that. I started asking myself—what is grace? In my situation right now, what is grace? My definition is this: Unexplained okayness in difficult times. I realize okayness is not a word but it fits. Not knowing if I really am understanding grace here and now, I looked to my Bibles definition which states: God’s Free and unmerited favor toward sinful humanity.

Yes! That’s it. Completely undeserved okayness in a difficult time and place! God is SHOWERING me with GRACE! This is God at work in my life. I am experiencing undeserved okayness.

#2: Baby Dara

I had forgotten that just prior to my departure from Moz last time that one of the volunteers that I worked with (Mesa) had had a baby and they named it Dara! I saw Mesa for the first time today and the first thing he told me is that his “Dara” is now crawling all around! Oh!!!! I am humbled. I think this could be called grace too! Watch soon for a picture of Dara and Dara. I look forward to meeting this little one!

#3: Stars that Shine Brighter

It seems, hmm, what would I say? Ironic? Not really—Divine. I am currently reading a book called “God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer”. It has touch many places in my heart as I do feel I am in a silent place in regards to a few areas of my life. Anyway, the quote that I want to share with you (written by Pete Greig):

I don’t know why your prayers haven’t been answered. But I do know that the very best thing about our lives—the most incredible thing we’ve got going for us—is that the Creator of a million stars is entirely and eternally good, that He is utterly caught up in the details of our situation, and that He cares for us more the we care for ourselves.

I love that. The Creator of these “stars that shine brighter” cares for me. He cares for you! And He’s gracious—so, so, so GOOD!

More soon! I hope you’re well and experiencing His GRACE too! XOXO

The Stars Shine Brighter

The stars shine brighter here in Africa
My wounds are deeper
My questions are harder
My heart lays rawer
My cries are louder
But the stars, they shine brighter here in Africa.

My longings surface faster
My desires intensify
My fears are more numerous
My flesh is weaker
But the stars, they shine brighter here in Africa.

While here in this place of brokenness and pain
I surrender
For God is here, closer
God is calling my name
God is saying, “come, I adore you. All of you—each.” God, He’s among us
He’s on His throne
And He whispers softly, “I’m shining brightly, I made those stars”

Those stars that shine brighter here in Africa.

Lead me in the right path, O Lord,

or my enemies will conquer me.

Tell me clearly what to do,

and show me which way to turn.

Psalm 5:8

 

 

Until I know what to say,

It was a good day.

Praise the LORD

Have you seen my beautiful new niece and nephews??? Praise God all went well and all babies are healthy and, as far as I know, my sister is recovering well. There are pictures on their blog: www.thedaucs.blogspot.com Thanks for your prayers for them!

I got my cell phone and internet access set up. Please feel free to call me and or text message (you dial) 011 258 82 351 5386. I think that is right.

More to come soon.

I am doing quite well.

I am back

I’ve made it. After a long exhausting journey I am here. It feels good. It feels bad. I cry for what I left behind, I cry for what’s ahead. More importantly I try to cling to what I have heard the Lord ask of me in the last year and a half—that’s how long I feel like God has been preparing me for this time.

Once I got on my way from DC everything went pretty well. My time in Johannesburg was nothing but blessed by kindness from an arranged mutual friend. I was well taken care of and graciously received from and returned to the airport with enough Rand (SA currency) in hand to enjoy one last latte!

I managed to maneuver my luggage and get checked into my flight to Beira, Moz after a few grouchy ticket agents and a $250 “rebooking fee” since I missed my flight in DC. Some of you would be proud of me—I am not totally passive in such situations but sometimes you’re just at other persons mercy when your traveling—especially in Africa! I wasn’t thrilled by this expense.

Now that I am back at my house in Moz it seems like I never left. I was going to move into the bedroom Laura lived in before but I couldn’t—it didn’t seem quite right. I am back in my old bed. I did change my mosquito net to a nice, fresh white one which may be a bit less restrictive than the one I suffered under last time. Other than that, I still hate cockroaches, there are still large “crack spiders” that I have chosen to continue to make peace with and the sound of passing sheep could be my alarm clock.

It’s been raining a lot since I have been here. That’s nice though—it does seem to cool it off some. Snow is suddenly a distant memory. I’m suddenly back to a constant state of “moist” and wish I didn’t have bangs to form a nice big curl in the middle of my forehead.

As I sit her with my still packed bags starring me in the face I guess I should try to “settle in”. I still feel quite reluctant by my arrival. I woke up this morning feeling like I was in a very familiar place but feeling very unsure of how I got here and why. I do know why but I need prayers for the strength of it. I feel quite overwhelmed by what I left behind.

My sister’s c-section is on Tues—please cover Disa and Trevor and all involved in prayer. And since I am not there, and you could be, will you help any anyway they need? I know they’re well taken care of. It breaks my heart that I’m not available.

Sarah has graciously let me borrow her phone which allows me to post this. I hope to get my phone arrangements completed tomorrow, so, if successful I’ll send me number out then.

Until then dormir bem. (sleep well, well at least I’m going to sleep:) xoxo

A rough start

After a number of days of heartache and tearful goodbyes, I was minimally relieved to walk through security in Minneapolis. After I pulled myself together and dried my tears I started to look forward and dwell on the excitement that was to come. God even sent a concerned man to show much needed kindness to me after recognizing my obvious sorrow. I felt well taken care of.

I was off on my first leg of the journey—to Chicago. Things changed drastically upon arrival. When I found the monitor I realized that my flight to DC was already scheduled to leave an hour and 10 minutes late leaving me only about 20 minutes to get from the domestic arrival in DC to my international departure. I will miss my flight to Johannesburg.

A long story short…many hours later after a weather delay and a mechanical delay I did arrive in DC—over two hours after my flight to South Africa departed. I placed many phone calls and attempted to get a message off to Carlos whom I was supposed to be meeting in DC and traveling with. I was fully unsuccessful but thankfully Carlos out witted me and asked a stranger to send me a text message stating where he was and then I got to talk to him. Carlos is on his way and here I sit at a very nice resort with none of my belongings. You would think that with the traveling I have done I would pack a little smarter in my carry on! I do have some deodorant, some body lotion, some hand sanitizer, some toothpaste (no toothbrush), a couple undergarments, a tee shirt and a pair of lounge pants.  And don’t worry, I have 2 chap sticks, 3 lipsticks and 2 lip glosses! Nice packing DARA! What was I thinking? Needless to say I got an early start on hand washing some clothing! I am going to start my journey looking just great tomorrow!

I feel exhausted—as if I have already traveled an 18 hour flight, but no, I’ll get to do it all as scheduled, just a day later, alone.

Pray for tomorrow to be less eventful and for my luggage to get to Johannesburg! Also pray that in the midst of trials I stay focused on what I know the Lord has called me to.

I’m tired, I’ll enjoy tonight in a king-sized bed with no mosquito net! It’ll be awhile after this.

I’m on my way.

the day is drawing near

As the day of my departure draws near, I'm brought to a place of realizing ONLY through prayer and strength from the Lord can I walk away from all that is happening here. I go praying for more faith to trust the Lord with all that is ahead of me, all that is ahead for my family and all that I leave behind.
Please pray for my travel on Wednesday. I depart Minneapolis at 1020am, arrive in Chicago and stop in Washington DC before making the long flight to Johannesburg. I will arrive to Mozambique on Friday afternoon.
Pray for me.
Pray for my family and the 4 new ones on the way.
Pray for peace.
Pray for strength.

Who am I trusting??

Seriously! Someone tell me to chill out!! (Well, maybe not when I am in the midst of my "crisis", I may get mad at you;) I just got my passport! After the fact it's easy to ask myself, "who am I trusting? The King of the Universe or the United States Postal Service????"
Lord, thanks for being faithful when I am faithless!!!!

Prayer Please

These final weeks/days prior to leaving for Africa are always tough for me. This time is proving to be no different. The Lord seems to be asking me to trust Him more and more. Things are completely out of my control and I need to trust! Each morning I start my day by writing a list of things I need to let go of. I have been reminded of the verse: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 So, with that stated, God has called me to Mozambique so he'll get me there, right???
Not without a passport He won't!!
Will you please pray as I found out today that my passport (that I sent away to get my visa put into) has been sitting at some post office in Washington DC waiting to be picked up by the embassy! Ahh!!! I was supposed to have it in hand by now!
Another area to trust God with.
Please pray for me to have peace as I may not get my visa/passport until just days before my scheduled departure. Phew.
It's also extra challenging right now as my sister was admitted to the hospital today for monitoring as they await the babies. It's a wonderful time, but really hard to be preparing to leave. Pray for them. Pray for continued good health for Disa and all the babies. I can't praise God enough for all the support that has been surrounding my sister's family. We are reminded of how God truly is our provider and sustainer. The Church (being the body of Christ and community) are really rising up caring, as we're called to do.
My family is being reminded of how when we "lose control" of our lives we get to a place where we allow God to be God! When we can't know the end results, when we can't understand how things are going to work, when we don't know how we're going to make it, it's then that we're on our knees. It's when we're at a place were we really NEED the Lord that He has the opportunity to be who He is. I AM.
There's a lot to praise God for, and a lot to continue to be lifted up. Thanks for being there for me-- for us!