9/21/07 Friday

Thursday we arrived in Zimpeto. Over 50% of the children speak only Portuguese and the local tribal language of Shangaan. This means communication is interesting. Some of the kids speak English very well and are even taking English classes on base here. Some speak just a few words or understand more than they can speak. They are cute trying to ask you how to say something or just acting like parrots, repeating everything over and over, laughing at the sounds. Thank goodness more and more spanish is coming back to me, cause its allowing me to at least pick up on some of what they are saying and guess at what words I can try to use since Portuguese and Spanish are similar.


I have been blessed with a room full of amazing girls. We had worship tonight for just all the kids, staff, and missionaries at the center. The children are amazing and all dance around, filled with joy and love for our God. Their joy despite their circumstances or the past they have been saved from is unimaginable.

Today we went to the Bocaria-the city garbage dump. About 3,000 people call it home and live with absolutely nothing-no roof, clean water, any utilities, ect. Many more come here during the day, scouring through the trash to find anything they can use in their home or can sell. There are also hundreds of homes within the walls of the bocaria that live daily with the smells as well as smoke and heat from the fires that spontaneously errupt everyone on the trash heaps. Everywhere you looked there were people bent over digging through the trash, from the oldest women to tiny children with ratty clothes on. We began and ended our time there at the church that Iris has started at the bottom of the bocaria. It was filled with children singing, dancing, laughing, and joy. So we danced. Even the tiny tots who could barely walk danced, clapped, and raised their hands, smiles spread across their faces. We danced in the middle of a trash heap and poured our hearts and eyes out to the Lord. I was surrounded with girls about 5 years old that had babies strapped to their back....some were so small that the baby they were carrying practically touched the ground. Yet there they were dancing around and singing. My heart was filled with such heaviness as I sat down listening to the pastor in portuguese with 3 tiny kids in my lap and about 2 more hanging on. I was completely struck by what I saw-beyond their situation, it was their response that hit me hardest. In the middle of the dump children were so in love with God that they did nothing more than worship Him with a joy I can say I have never seen in any church back in the states.

We went up onto the dump and walked for about an hour, asking whoever we met, if we could pray with them. One lady we met said she had never heard of Jesus and through translators we shared the gospel and prayed with her. At the end of our time, we went back to the bocaria church and asked the children if they had anything they needed prayer for. I turned around to a room where 75% of the kids held tiny hands in the air. We went around and prayed over them, some with tears streaming down their face, hugging or holding hands with the child next to them. I couldn't even communicate with them so I prayed as I felt the Holy Spirit led me. For most of the kids I prayed that God would raise up a generation of His warriors, using these children, His precious children, to turn this earth around, starting smack in the middle of the bocaria, then stretching to the small huts boardering it, then Maputo, then Mozambique, and across Africa.

After the prayer time, we handed out loaves of bread as the children left. Some of the children immediately gobbled it up faster than you could blink, the rest of them grabbed the bread with both hands, pulled it to their heart and then hid it underneath their shirts near their heart, running towards home with their prize to share with the rest of their family.

"Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heir of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?"-James 2:5

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has annointed me to bring good news to the ppor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted..."-Isaiah 61:1

Back Home

Well, I'm safe back in the states and attempting to recover from some serious jet lag. We were blessed-all our bags made it safe and sound both to and from Mozambique and neither of us had trouble with jetlag after arriving at Zimpeto. I am so thankful for all of you that continued praying for us while we were away. We could both feel the effects of everything you lifted up. While I was there I spoke with the Assistant Directors about my desire to come on long-term with Iris. I have to wait 30 days before applying. They use this with all their applicants as a cooling off period to be spent in prayer. After applying, they will give me a timeline of when I can expect to hear back from them. They pray over applicants and wait till they here God speak. I was informed that they always need nurses so hopefully it won't take too long. I would love to know before Christmas as my lease ends 2 days after. The only other things that could delay me going would be when they would have housing openings ON base and obtaining all my pledges to cover my financial needs. At this time, they require a 1 year committment, which I am prepared to make after making my visit there.

Prayer requests in the meantime:
-I will have a stillness and peace, a time to recharge in these next 30 days
-Financial support will continue to come in (praise-my first trip was completely covered by gifts and pledges and i have 1/4 of my monthly support goal met with pledges).

Since I had no access to internet or phones while there, I'm posting some of my journal entries and pictures now.

9/20/07 Thursday-We're in South Africa!

We only have one more flight before we're finally in Mozambique. We were greeted by an amazingly gorgeous sunrise upon landing here in J'burg. So far, so good...we're just hoping the same for our luggage! I thought I would share my journal from my flight to Paris on Wed. It kinda summarizes everything I'm feeling:

9/19/07-I sit here on a plane high above the Atlantic Ocean-smack in the middle. Everyone around me asleep, lights dimmed, all is quiet; but outside the plane's windows it is bright as day-clear blue sprinkled with white fluffy clouds. Then you called to me. I read through Philippians and as I do, I am amazed at your goodness, faithfulness, and perfect timing. This very weekend one year ago I told you I would not go to Africa and you brought me to my knee. After months of trying, patiently waiting for me to sit still in your presence and listen, you had had enough. Mute for 3 days we wrestled and in the end, you spared me. I walked away with only a limp. I conceded and fell at your feet. You restored me and continued sharing your vision with me-a vision I am carrying out in this moment as I am on my way to Africa. That semester in Inversion, we dove into Philippians and you spoke to me often through those words. Funny now, one year later to the date, as a body, Fellowship is studying these words again. As I read over it a few moments ago, I was reminded of how you spoke to my heart and how all these things have been fulfilled since then.

"And I am sure of THIS, that he who began a good work in you WILL bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

-Phil 1:6

"Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus...but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant...he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death...so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory tof God the Father."

-Phil 2:4-11

"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do ALL things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you SHINE as lights in the wold, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be poud that I did NOT run in vain or labor in vain."

-Phil 2:13-16

"But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining foward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

-Phil 3:13b-14

"Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved."

-Phil 4:1

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say REJOICE. Let your reasonablesness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do NOT be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God. And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

-Phil 4:4-7

"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abudnance and need. I can do ALL things through him who strengthens me."

-Phil 4:11-13

"To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."

-Phil 4:20

It is such wonderful reassurance to watch Him work out His plans for His glory and I know that many unimanginable riches are in store. I cannot explain the peace this has given me as I embark on this journey-truly giving my life wholly to Him!

"In hope he believed against hope...He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body...No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he has promised." -Romans 4:18-21

After true acceptance of His promises, I feel these verses sum up this past year of my walk. I feel and pray it will remain true for this coming season!

Just 12 days before leaving.....

"I once was fatherless, a stranger with no hope

Your kindness wakened me, wakened me from my sleep
Your love it beckons deeply, a call to come and die

By grace now I will come and take this life, take Your life

Sin has lost it's power, death has losts its sting

From the grave You've risen victoriously

Into marvelous light I'm running

Out of darkness, out of shame, by the cross

You are the truth, You are the life, You are the way"

-"Marvelous Light" by Charlie Hall

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. " -Isaiah 58:6-12

As I prepare to leave for Mozambique in 12 days I am completely filled with 15 different emotions. Now is the time to cling to Him and trust in Him for every good provision. This recent season has been dry and filled with spiritual warfare with my mind as the battle ground. I have often wondered if I'm loosing my footing, or possibly my entire sanity. Tonight I sat surrounded by a room full of women with unfamiliar faces there for the same reason and I my heart was warmed by the transformation He completes in all of us. I was reminded of the verse Ephesians 2:10 " For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." When I started this journey a year ago I was given the verses from Isaiah above as my promised land......what He was calling me to....to give of myself to the hungry, thirsty, poor, homeless, the naked, the motherless....to be their LIGHT completely protected by Him....to restore ruins of many generations and secure the foundations of the generations to come for those in Africa who can see no hope or future, completely forgotten.

Leigh and I are leaving both feeling completely vulnerable and broken at this moment in our lives but VERY assured that this is the place He has called us. We are willing and open to share His love with the children we encounter and we are overjoyed to have this opportunity. We both need ALL the prayer minutes you can afford. I especially am going into this and need direction to come from this experience. Is Iris the minstry I should join?...is this where I am to be? Pray for clarification. Pray for our safety, our health, for all our travels, for Iris Minstries and all their missionaries we will be working alongside, for us to yield to the Spirit and share His amazing love with His people. I cannot wait to return and post pics as well as stories.....

It's Official....

Leigh and I bought our tickets to Mozambique on Friday. That being said....one time donaters I would love to talk to you . We are leaving September 18 from Nashville and returning Oct. 3 very tired and delirious from jet lag. Approximate travel time to Maputo: 35.5 hrs (that's 22.5 hrs in the air; 13 hrs of layovers and plane changes). Return travel time: 29.5hrs (21 in the big blue sky). Many books, endless naps, multiple meals at odd times, 10 airports, and 7 planes later.....it will be well worth all the anxiety and money as I see Him working together His plan. At least I have an experienced travel mate (and fellow nurse) to hold the barf bag and tell me to breathe as I'm hyperventilating in midair. These two wks will fulfill my requirement with Iris Ministries and allow me to go long-term with them (hopefully in January).

This brings us to current and pressing Prayer Requests:

• sending out an "official" support letter
• financial and prayer partners to support me on this and the latter part of my journey
• motivation and encouragement in learning Portuguese (since half of their medical staff doesn't speak English....and it is their official language)
• nailing down exactly who's going to be the keeper of my money during all this
• continued spiritual support until I leave

As always....thanks to everyone so much for sharing in my life, pointing me towards new friends that possess the same joy i do, and for not calling me crazy. I enjoy the emails and phone calls...usually it's perfect timing and i needed the encouragement-so never hesitate. Without each of you, this would not be possibly.