showers of blessing

I've been in Mozambique for about a week now.  We had a smooth, no trouble couple of travel days.  Not saying it wasn't MISERABLE because traveling for that long is miserable, but we didn't have any surprises or unexpected delays.   We made it home and what awaited us was a ton of surprises and unexpected delays!  The first day we got here it was HOT.  There was no running water when we arrived and the roads and property were flooded.  Thankfully we had help unloading our mountains of luggage in the muddy, sludgy, watery mess.  We made it in, got a little settled, started going through some luggage with the kids, and made dinner.  By the time we sat to eat dinner, it had started storming.  I’m not talking a little rain with some thunder and lightning.  I’m talking massive, flood-gates-opened kind of downpour rain.  The rain hitting the tin roof made for a very loud dining environment.  We had to yell to talk to each other.  In the middle of dinner the electricity went out and stayed that way until the following afternoon.  We still have not had any consistent running water.  It’s strange being back in a place where you never know if water will come out when you turn the faucet on or if the lights will come on and stay on when you flip a light switch.  And boy oh boy, the mosquitos sure missed me since last time.  They have come back with a vengeance and been on a biting rampage against me.  Big, gross, swollen red welts that itch non-stop all over my legs and arms.  Adjustment is the name of the game people.  I am determined to win this one.

We spent the rest of the week sleeping, getting the house back in order and cleaned up, going to town for groceries and other things, and trying to rest.  This week we are continuing to get things in order and starting to explore the direction of the ministry.  I really feel this is an important time at Beacon of Hope.  It is a time of renewal from the inside out.  I expect God to show up in big ways in the year that I am here as well as beyond.  I know He has some awesome things in store for us, we just have to be patient, willing, and full of grace as He prepares the way and shows us where and how to go forward.  Please be in prayer for Angie, me, the staff of Beacon of Hope, and the ministry as a whole as things are changing in the best way.

 

Back when I went to intern orientation at Globe International, there were some verses that stood out to me for Beacon of Hope and Mozambique as a whole.  I have been praying it over the ministry since and will continue to do so.

“And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season, they shall be showers of blessing.  And the trees of the fields shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase, and they shall be secure in their land.  And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them.  They shall no more be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beasts of the land devour them.  They shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid.  And I will provide for them renowned plantations so that they will no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the reproach of the nations.  And they shall know that I am the Lord their God with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Lord God.” 

– Ezekiel 34:26-30

As I laid awake the first night listening to the rain pound the roof, I couldn't help but think of the showers of blessing talked about in Ezekiel.  It doesn't mean everything will be easy from here on out, but I feel as though the Lord was blessing this place with showers of blessing, renewing it, washing away the bad and reviving the good.  A time is coming when the people of Mozambique will know and call on the name of the Lord because He has delivered them from their bondage of sin and shame.  I commonly take advantage of the fact that God is using me to further His Kingdom and bring fame to His name among the nations.  I often get caught up in the hard day-to-day things like just wanting to flush the toilet that I miss what I'm called here to do.  I know the Lord has great plans for Mozambique, and when I stop and think about how He chose me to be a part of it I am honored and humbled.  I am excited to see how things progress and what God does through me and around me.

I was very excited to see this little guy as well as the rest of Angie's kids and Beacon of Hope staff.

the final countdown

Welp, the time is finally approaching.  After talking about it for what seems like endless months, the reality of heading back over the Atlantic is starting to hit me.  I feel ready, excited, scared, sad, and crazy from the roller coaster of emotions constantly playing through my head.  These are the hardest days for me - packing, getting everything squared away, and saying goodbye.  I am leaving Saturday to travel with my lovely family for a mini-vaca in beautiful Dallas, Texas before they drop me with Angie's family on Tuesday night.  Then Wednesday through Saturday will involve some packing, computer work, freaking out, and hopefully resting and relaxing before me and Angie board a plane to fly half way across the world to beautiful Africa on Saturday evening.  We have our visas (yay!), plane tickets (kind of....long story), and somehow I managed to fit most of this stuff into those two suitcases.  

Be praying that God makes mine and Angie's bags light as feathers so we don't have to pull anything out at the airport!  

I've been doing pretty good this week.  I feel a little more emotional than normal, but I've held it together pretty well.  That is until today.  I'm not exactly sure what happened, but I ended up in a heap on the kitchen floor bawling my eyes out.  Don't get me wrong, I am super excited to be going and I absolutely know it's what I'm supposed to do!  That doesn't mean I won't miss everyone at home terribly though.  I've been away for a year before, I know the feeling of missing important events in people's lives and even just the little things like going to the movies and indulging in popcorn and Raisinets with your favorite roomies (aka mom and dad).  It hurts my heart.  One thing I realized though was that I am beyond blessed with some of the most spectacular people in my life!  God definitely outdid Himself giving me the most amazing friends and family.  As I've been nostalgic and reflected on my life thus far, I've seen Him do this time and time again.  He just keeps giving me the most amazing mentors, friends, and church families through every twist and turn.  I am so undeserving and so grateful!!! I cannot gush enough about how much I appreciate every person who has impacted my life even if it's just through a kind word of encouragement.  I definitely would not be the person I am today if it weren't for all of you (and Jesus of course)!  I love you all and am already missing everyone!!  Please keep me in your prayers as traveling begins in just a couple days (Saturday), and I won't actually be in Africa until March 17th.  I will be missing and praying for each of you!!

P.S. - Why not cut off the rest of my hair before I go to Africa?!  I'm not a fan of selfies, but I wanted to share my new 'do with all of you.