Hodge Podge of Thoughts

Here's a hodge podge of what I am thinking about today...

Last week was Christmas, I can hardly believe it. I had some very special times and some wonderful gathers but it didn't really feel like Christmas. Not at all. Don't feel sorry for me. It was wonderful. It was a great experience and so good for me to see Christmas in another part of the world. The biggest thing was on Christmas afternoon. Laura, Hannah and I decided to go with some others from the Mission to bring food and a message to the Gondola prison. I hadn't quite prepared myself for what I would see, experience and feel. While there, I felt ashamed of myself that for so many years I had never thought outside of my own Christmas traditions. Never before on Christmas day had I thought about, or looked into the eyes of anyone other than my lovely family and friends. This Christmas I stared into the eyes of hungry, desperate, thirsting for truth prisoners. I then realized it is by God's grace alone that I am who I am and am where I am. My heart was full of hurt and rejoicing, joy and sorrow. I can't answer why to any of this, and I try not to ask. But I am again reminded- what breaks my heart breaks the heart of God far more. I must keep praying.

I was very happy and I was very sad this Christmas. I did miss a lot of my usual Christmas experiences (flying from sunny AZ to snowy MN) but I was, and am, right where I want to be. I'll be bringing in the new year this year with people who are teaching me and molding me, new relationships that bring me much joy!
Occasionally over the last few days I have gotten that uncomfortable rock in my stomach as I realize that I am here at the Mission for less than 2 weeks. It seems absolutely unreal, unreal! Please pray for me as I go from this place. As you can sense from my writings, over the last year I have been exposed to much and stretched to think on many new things. To fathom going on from her to any sort of "normalcy" seems bizarre BUT, I do feel God is working things out within me and I trust that the road before me will be smooth and well as I go from here. I am at yet another exciting crossroads. Thanks for your prayers.
I also wanted to just share a couple of my recent favorite pictures...
I wish you could hear the giggles and the "Sister Dara, Sister Dara"'s...



Lastly...
God is so good to the people here. With the rains (during the hungry, dry season) come invasions of "flying ants". As gross and creeped out as the girls in my house and I all get, these critters are a really protein treat for the Mozambicans. They collect them by the thousands, fry them up and enjoy!
Yes, I have tried them. No, I don't like them- especially when there was a wing left on my tooth! Ish!



What a treat!
More disorganized thoughts later...
Happy New Years to you!

Christmas in Africa

I remember last year hearing a Christmas song on the radio that says something like, "There won't be snow in Africa this Christmas, I wonder if they even know it's Christmas at all."
It's true. We barely know it's Christmas. I taught Sunday school at the Mission this morning and when I asked the children why this week is special and what December 25th is, these were the responses:
"It's raining."
"We have a party."
"Jesus died for us."
"God was born."
It's a different Christmas. This afternoon I sat doing hair with some of the girls on the Mission. As we were sitting there they started singing "Christmas in Africa..." then some Shona words that mean, "we are happy, we will be dancing."
If you know about Christmas you are happy and maybe even dancing.
Again, I am reminded how I have not chosen to know God but He has chosen me (John 15:16). It is a gift that I know what Christmas is. It is a gift that I get to chose to try to live my life to glorify the Lord. As I sit here I am listening to a favorite Christmas album. I do miss terribly what my usual Christmas feels like. I miss listening to Delilah on the radio. I even miss my own romanticizing of the holidays. I wish I could let the people here experience the joy of an American Christmas.
I am left wondering. What is Christmas supposed to look like? I am not sure it is supposed to look like what we've made it to be in America. I am not sure it is supposed to look like it does (or doesn't) here in Mozambique. I wonder where the in between is? Maybe Christmas really means to live "Christmas" all year around and then singing and dancing on Christmas day.
I am not sure. I am glad I get to see other forms of "Christmas" and I am glad I know the real reason for Christmas. I am glad I have grown to understand what that means even more this year. I don't have the same "I love Christmas" feelings this year but I can say that I love the reason for Christmas more than ever.
Thank you Jesus for being Christmas- no matter where I am.

Praise God

It's raining. I am happy to say that it has been raining for almost 2 days now! It is enough for the people to plant, or replant their seeds (if they have money to buy seeds). It is exactly what they have needed but it is so late. It doesn't help the current famine but it brings hope and work for the people. Thank you for your prayers.
Now, please pray against cholera which often follows in the rainy season. That is the last thing these people need is to lose their family members to cholera.
As you may know, cholera has taken thousands of lives in Zimbabwe. Please pray for them as well. Prayer is all that can change any of this.

"They will survive in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough." Psalm 37:19

His promises are true.

Recovered

I realize that after notifying a bunch of North Americans that I had malaria I should probably follow up and let you know that I have recovered very well! The last couple days I feel wonderful. Thank you for your prayers and messages. I think God was gracious to me- I wasn't as sick as most people are when they get malaria. I was blessed to be treated quickly and recovered well.
I also want to thank all of you who have sent me wonderful Christmas packages. I would venture to say that our cute little house is probably one of the best Christmas decorated houses in all of Mozambique. As most of the country doesn't know the holiday is coming- Laura and I have many wonderful reminders. We'll both be experiencing our hottest Christmas ever and we are only dreaming of a white Christmas this year!
Tomorrow Laura and I will be off to the coast one last time! We'll enjoy a couple days of reflection on the beach before picking up a new Hands at Work volunteer who will stay on after we leave. It is truly unbelievable that we'll be leaving this place in 1 month!
As the time quickly winds down please pray for a number of things:
*RAIN! Still not a drop- people are starving to death. Carlos said today, "if this many people are suffering already, just think of Jan...Feb...March!" It truly is terrifying.
*All that needs to be wrapped up before we go...
*My heart as I prepare to leave this place behind and all the amazing relationships that I have developed.
*Good health so I can finish well.
*Whatever it is that God would have for me next...
Thank you...I am off to bed. Will write more soon.

For to us a child is born,
To us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9: 6

Praising the names of the Lord in this Season!

Tuesday morning started like any other Tuesday. Laura and I did our morning routines and headed off to our Tuesday gather place to walk in the community making visits with the volunteers. I went with dear sweet Ines. She is one of strongest woman I may ever meet. She walks miles each day, up and down large hills- I have trouble keeping up. This day was no different. We walked to this one woman’s house; I have been to see her a few times recently. As usual the situation is critical and unfortunately, typical. She is sick with tuberculosis and is HIV positive. She is a single mother of 5 children. She is not taking TB treatment or antiretrovirals. As I asked questions, I found that she had been to the hospital last week for malaria. Then she showed me the medication she did have. She had half of the tablets left for her malaria treatment. Malaria treatment consists of taking tablets 2x/day for 3 days. She should not have any tablets remaining. I found myself getting frustrated, even angry. I suppose this isn’t so surprising considering I have seen these desperate situations for many months now. In my frustrated state I asked, “Ines, Why? Why does she still have tablets left?” Ines asked the woman. She responded to me, “She has no food and they make her sick in her stomach.”
Oh. Oh, I thought. Of course. Why would she take them? She feels terrible all the time anyway- TB, HIV, malaria, hunger. Who wouldn’t? And then, we expect her to take these tablets that do what? Make her feel worse.
I said no more.
Over the next few hours this made even more sense.
Walking these hills with the summer sun beating down upon us it was hot, I was sweating. At the next visit we sat in the shade. Suddenly I wasn’t feeling okay. And I was cold! I was shivering! Oh, gosh, something isn’t okay. (To continue with the point of my story, I will skip forward a number of hours.)
By 2 o’clock I myself was laying in bed with malaria. (Don’t worry I didn’t collapse or anything dramatic) By 230pm I myself was taking malaria treatment. By 4pm I felt worse than before taking anything. I now could relate to that woman. I didn’t want to take my own malaria treatment.
Thank you Lord for helping me to emphasize more.

Next...

The malaria ran it’s cycle, my dear friend Fena came to visit me while I was in bed one day. When she arrived I was finishing watching the movie PS I Love You. She and her baby sat and joined me. At one point the woman on the show was crying. I said, “Fena she’s so sad.”
“Why?” Fena inquired.
“Her husband died,” I said.
Raising her eyebrows and nodding in affirmation like only African’s can she said, “hmm.”
A moment of silence passed before she blurted.
“He died from what? Malaria.”
Trying not to chuckle I said, “No Fena, he had a brain tumor.”

Yet another vast contrast of the world I am in here.

(PS: I am feeling much better now!)

Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer



Lord, send the rain. Until then, have mercy on those who are faithful to you! Amen.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

In April was the first time Laura and I met Carlos. He came to South Africa while we were there. At this time we had no idea what was ahead of us. One day Carlos and Santos (who doesn’t speak English) came to the house where we were staying. We were all sitting around the dining table. Our two other housemates were sitting in their rooms- within earshot. After we had a moment of prayer together, Carlos started singing, “Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy one. Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ His son. Give thanks for the weak say I am strong, give thanks for the poor say I am rich because of what the Lord has done, for us…”
As he sang Laura and I looked back and forth wondering what we were supposed to do. We joined in. At the time it felt a little awkward. I am not too used to singing with 2 others- I am usually most pleased when I can sing and no one can hear me. Anyway, we sang, we gave thanks. I didn’t know what my life was about to experience.

As tomorrow is Thanksgiving day this memory came back to me. I have been thinking about what it means to give thanks.
Now, 7 months later my lists of thanks would be different than it would have been then as we sang around the table. As the days fly by here I have to deliberately remind myself that it is the Holiday season back home. Tomorrow will just be another day in Mozambique. If I don’t take the time to reflect on the things I now know to be thankful for it’ll just slip by. My heart is grateful. This year my eyes have been opened to so much more. I have still more to be thankful for.
The holidays may be different this year but I am thankful for it. I am thankful to be here. I am thankful to see more, to be part of life here, to be given the opportunity to experience the relationships I now have here. In the midst of the storm I am praising God. I am thankful!
A special Thanksgiving greeting to all of you from my new friends! This greeting comes to you from Mozambique, Canada, Zambia and the USA! Enjoy your time with friends and family. BE THANKFUL! I love you and miss you.

Another Video

Good afternoon from Mozambique! I just wanted to let you know there is another video about Hands at Work Mozambique. I hope you can watch it and continue to see what life is like here and the WONDERFUL people I work with. The link is: http://www.vimeo.com/2183369
Enjoy!
Here’s also a picture of me playing a game with some of the kids in the community on a home-based care visit.



and, kids outside a home of one of the patients we visit regularly...



Also, would you pray for rain? It keeps getting drier and drier. The maize that was planted is now drying up. The food problem is great and the future without crops is very grim. Please Lord- send rain!

Hope

In the midst of what I may be portraying as despair, desperation and hopelessness. I need to share how exciting it has been to see a young group of girls growing…
A number of months ago we talked with Carlos and Pascua about their desire to do something for teenage girls here. Pascua in particular has a heart to do something for orphaned girls who, without direction, self confidence and something to add to their self worth, will likely soon turn to sex work to get money just to survive. We’ve supported Pascua with a few initial gathering with these beautiful young ladies. Last Saturday I found it especially exciting and hopeful. Twenty-one girls gathered. We sang some songs, shared from the Word and then they divided into 2 groups. The first group was given flour, oil, and sugar to go home and make these little donut type things (what they learned to make the previous month). The hope is that they will then go and sell them. With their proceeds they’ll be able to buy what’s needed to continue this process.
The other group was chosen to commit to coming to the center on a regular basis to learn to sew. Thanks to you faithful supports we were able to buy 4 new sewing machines. Giving the girls the opportunity to learn these skills could literally change their lives! Knowing how to do something and may be make a little money from it gives them far more hope that they could get anywhere else. Again, I am the fortunate one who has been able to see your support make a difference. Thank you.





I also just wanted to show this picture. This is the little girl, Neddie, who has captured my heart. I have told many of you her story- I will share it with many more of you one day. She is just beautiful, with a joyful spirit and story I wish never had to be told…



Lastly, I hope I have been receiving all my emails. I know of one person who has written a number of times and I have never received her messages. If you have written and expected to hear back from me and haven't, maybe I never received it. Although I am also VERY slow at responding. I have a number of messages that I need to reply to. I can't blame much on internet error!

More soon...

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves

I have debated writing this blog for a while now. It feels uncomfortable for me to write. When this verse came to me I realized, yes, go ahead, tell what is on your heart. Proverbs 31: 8-9 says this: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those who are perishing. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”
I am here to speak up for the people of Mozambique. The people I see each day. The people I work with and the people I have grown to love. Over the last 9 months statistics and stories have turned personal and I continue to be heavily burdened to share much more.
Recently 2 major secular funders for Rubatano (Mozambique Home-based care I work for) have completed their financial commitments. This has left a gap and a huge need to find individuals, churches, or groups to financially assist in the continuation of the good work I see happening here. As I have shared repeatedly, life is challenging for the Mozambican people. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria affect almost every individual in some way. Families bury loved ones on a far to regular bases with the motto being, “That’s how life is.” Nevertheless, they grieve each loss like we would, death is death and it is never easy.
As you may recall, adding to this difficult life, fires burned the land, homes, and individuals in September. October began with hopes of rain but we saw the first bit of it just 2 days ago. As a result, crops are behind and people are hungry. Crops also failed last year leaving the people with not enough food stored for the rest of this year. Almost every home I visit now has no food. Even our volunteers are telling me they are hungry. I often wonder if I were hungry if I would be out caring for people? I am not sure I would be. I can’t fathom any of this. I have no idea what it must feel like to be hungry.
These people are born into this life, with no escape. I always have something to fall back on. I will go “home” in a few months. This is their home. They are the ones who can’t speak up for themselves. There names are Adao, Mario, Adriano, Lucinda, Luis, Natalia, Maria…they all have faces and I have stories for each of them. I love them all.
Please if you desire to give in anyway or have further questions please ask. Please read the Hands at Work website: www.handsatwork.org or email me. If you want to give you may send tax-deductible money to Rubatano by mailing checks to:

Hands at Work in Africa, USA
951 MacArthur Blvd
San Leandro, CA 94577

Please make checks out to Wellspring Church and write in the memo line, Hands at Work Mozambique.

Hands at Work in Mozambique is currently caring for (by providing basic health care, education assistance and food security) over 1,000 orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs). This number is rapidly growing and the need is still great. It cost approximately $15/month to support each orphan that is visited. They also visit and support patients who have HIV/AIDS (most also have tuberculosis). The financial needs include direct care for the OVCs and for operations and expansion of the home-based care. If you do feel lead to give (to care of the OVCs or for expansion), please feel free to indicate which area you would like your money to be used for.
I challenge you to be part of ensuring justice to those who are perishing here in Mozambique. Please do as your heart is led.