Coming and going into and out of Mozambique is not always simple. This trip, it was complicated and we found ourselves delayed for two days in Johannesburg. We had prepared to be open to whatever God wanted to do with us on the journey, but it took a little while to get that maybe he had a "plan" for us in South Africa before we ever got to Mozambique.Her name was Angela~ and she responded to prayer like a potted plant that longed for a drink. She was our cook the first night at the guest house in Johannesburg and we connected with her in prayer the second night. She asked for strength to live the kind of life God would want her to live. She was orphaned and lonely. I believe with all my heart that she was the one of the reasons were were there.
On Wednesday, we finally arrived in Mozambique. We drove through Inhambane to get some metacais (Mozambican money) and while Jill and I waited in the van for the money transaction to take place, two young guys asked us to buy some coconut bread. These are delicious little rolls sold on the streets by kids for about a dollar. Pastor Jonathan bought a bag for the team then went with the others to handle the money transaction. The driver took the van to put some air in the tires then returned to the area where we had dropped off the rest of the team. As we waited, these two boys showed up again. At first we dismissed them~ we had already bought their bread; but eventually we yielded to their winning smiles and started to try to talk with them. In halting Portuguese, I asked their names and they responded: Sergio and Joao. Sergio, it turns out, knew a little English~ whew, that made communicating much easier. I know just enough Portuguese to get myself into trouble. As we "talked", Sergio pointed to the word "Methodista" on the van and said he was a Methodist. I asked him to tell me what he knew about Jesus. At first he seemed stumped, then as I started to tell the story, he began to talk about the third day~ His face lit up and his eyes were alive with excitement. He knew all about the resurrection and was very impressed that Jesus rose from the dead. So, by the way, am I. ( Sergio is the one in red and Joao is in blue.)
Out of nowhere, Sergio pointed out that his friend Joao had no shoes. Caught completely off guard, I looked down and saw that indeed, Sergio had no shoes and it looked like he had never had any. Immediately, we started asking where shoes could be found in Inhambane. The language barrier slowed us down tremendously, but God had his plans.
Out of nowhere, Sergio pointed out that his friend Joao had no shoes. Caught completely off guard, I looked down and saw that indeed, Sergio had no shoes and it looked like he had never had any. Immediately, we started asking where shoes could be found in Inhambane. The language barrier slowed us down tremendously, but God had his plans.
Pastor Karen came along with the rest of the team right about this time. She saw what was happening and dug her suitcase out of the van, out from under all the other suitcases, right there on the street. She took out a pair of shoes (I believe she had just bought them in Johannesburg) and put them on Joao's feet. He hugged her with gratitude and we all knew that once again, God had his plan. This is only the beginning of our "comings and goings" in Mozambique!
