Its been 1 month since I left the cool breeze of fall behind in Ohio and ventured into the beautiful uknown of Mozambique, Africa. And this past weekend, I got a REAL taste of this beautiful country.
Last Thursday, October 20th - I joined a group mixed up of classmates from Harvest school and Mozambiquans, to travel by flat bed truck for 5 hrs deep into the heart of the bush of Africa to preach the Gospel! Bumpy, dusty roads were our constant companions, tents were our homes, and latrines (holes in the ground) were our bathrooms, and my joy? To preach the GOSPEL!
We finally arrived at our little village around 8:30pm, and by the grace and favor of God we were allowed by the village chief to stay, though unexpected. We quickly set up our tents by headlamps and flashlights, and then immediately set up for an outreach. Music, testimonys, lots of dancing, preaching and praying for the sick! It was amazing, and so worth the drive there! Although no one could understand me, as I prayed without a translator. I really believe the Holy Spirit was working and blessing the beautiful people of this village.
The next morning we had a childrens program, where I really learned how to go low and slow, as i played a game were I was literally crawling around in the dirt- but it was SO much fun!
I also got to experience my first mud floor church that morning. They had a church next to our campsite, we got to sing and worship with them, and then our Mozambiquan Pastors preached and encouraged the church.
My favorite part came later that afternoon, as we broke off into 2 teams and were walking house to house, talking to people and praying for the sick. I'll be honest, I was a little dissapointed at one point because I was staying closer to the back and praying since there was so many of us, i didn't want to overwhelm the people. When suddenly the Lord opened my eyes. In my dissapointment I had failed to recognize thar most of the village children were standing around me, playing with my hair, asking me my name, whatever small amount of communication we could accomplish.. and as I knelt down in the dirt- I began to speak life over the future generation of this village. Even though I knew they couldn't understand a word I was saying, I believe that they could truly see Jesus shining through me, and their spirits were receiving everything I was saying. Ah, it was such an amazing moment!
That night we showed the Jesus film, preached the gospel again and saw incredible healings! An older Muslim man who we had visited his home earlier that day, who had cateracts really bad in his eyes and a lot of body pain, was completely healed and now the whole village knows that he has given his life to Jesus! It was incredible! In all, around 50 people came to know Jesus!
Before leaving the next morning, we got buckets of water and were able to baptize the new christians, hug on new friends and leave with full, joyful hearts! I truly feel like I got to experience the book of Acts! It was a life changing weekend.
This past week of school has been incredible as well! The Lord has been doing so much in my life, teaching me a lot about dreaming big and walking in my identity in Jesus, as well as stirring up new dreams for the nations... more to come on that. :)
It has blessed my heart SO much to hear of all the good things going at home as well- like the "Go Conference" led by the amazing Lauren! and all the great things going on in Underground! The Kingdom is truly being released in the Earth!
Last Thursday, October 20th - I joined a group mixed up of classmates from Harvest school and Mozambiquans, to travel by flat bed truck for 5 hrs deep into the heart of the bush of Africa to preach the Gospel! Bumpy, dusty roads were our constant companions, tents were our homes, and latrines (holes in the ground) were our bathrooms, and my joy? To preach the GOSPEL!
We finally arrived at our little village around 8:30pm, and by the grace and favor of God we were allowed by the village chief to stay, though unexpected. We quickly set up our tents by headlamps and flashlights, and then immediately set up for an outreach. Music, testimonys, lots of dancing, preaching and praying for the sick! It was amazing, and so worth the drive there! Although no one could understand me, as I prayed without a translator. I really believe the Holy Spirit was working and blessing the beautiful people of this village.
The next morning we had a childrens program, where I really learned how to go low and slow, as i played a game were I was literally crawling around in the dirt- but it was SO much fun!
I also got to experience my first mud floor church that morning. They had a church next to our campsite, we got to sing and worship with them, and then our Mozambiquan Pastors preached and encouraged the church.
My favorite part came later that afternoon, as we broke off into 2 teams and were walking house to house, talking to people and praying for the sick. I'll be honest, I was a little dissapointed at one point because I was staying closer to the back and praying since there was so many of us, i didn't want to overwhelm the people. When suddenly the Lord opened my eyes. In my dissapointment I had failed to recognize thar most of the village children were standing around me, playing with my hair, asking me my name, whatever small amount of communication we could accomplish.. and as I knelt down in the dirt- I began to speak life over the future generation of this village. Even though I knew they couldn't understand a word I was saying, I believe that they could truly see Jesus shining through me, and their spirits were receiving everything I was saying. Ah, it was such an amazing moment!
That night we showed the Jesus film, preached the gospel again and saw incredible healings! An older Muslim man who we had visited his home earlier that day, who had cateracts really bad in his eyes and a lot of body pain, was completely healed and now the whole village knows that he has given his life to Jesus! It was incredible! In all, around 50 people came to know Jesus!
Before leaving the next morning, we got buckets of water and were able to baptize the new christians, hug on new friends and leave with full, joyful hearts! I truly feel like I got to experience the book of Acts! It was a life changing weekend.
This past week of school has been incredible as well! The Lord has been doing so much in my life, teaching me a lot about dreaming big and walking in my identity in Jesus, as well as stirring up new dreams for the nations... more to come on that. :)
It has blessed my heart SO much to hear of all the good things going at home as well- like the "Go Conference" led by the amazing Lauren! and all the great things going on in Underground! The Kingdom is truly being released in the Earth!
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