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Saturday, May 19, 2012

When Death Knocks at Your Door

For everyone of us, we will have no choice but to open the door when death knocks.  It is as sure as God's existence and as sure as the gravitating force that pulls us towards it.  Whatever one believes as the reality behind that door is the key that unlocks our choices in life. 

Maria L. and her husband came regularly to the Project Life Bible studies. He had a little business by his house selling a small variety of inexpensive goods. They had six children; the youngest was four. Facing the AIDS virus, it wasn't a surprise when I learned Maria's husband contracted TB.  Too weak to walk, I spent several weeks arriving at 6:30 a.m. to be at their small mud house to take him to the hospital for his TB treatments.  I witnessed Maria's tears as his care became too much of a burden for her. Two weeks after I left for the U.S., he passed away. She still continued to attend the Bible studies though her life took on a heavier burden.

Then a little over a year later, her health gradually declined.  On my recent return, I saw her less and less at the Bible studies.  We ministered to her by her bedside in the hospital but I could see a certain coldness in her countenance. I sensed she was in the midst of a battlefield of unseen forces. Then one day she disappeared from the hospital.

I went to her home hoping she was on the road to recovery.  Instead, we found her lying on her earthen floor in the attendance of a local witch doctor. Heartsick, I knelt by her and pleaded with her to fight this spiritual battle before the door of death opened and shut behind her forever. She listened quietly to my pleas.  The witch doctor's expression was heartless.

I heard the news that she walked through that door of eternity a couple days later. The embedded beliefs of her ancestral worship took precedence as she came within walking distance of it. I can only hope that in her last brief moments she chose the right key.

It is a tragic truth that some Mozambicans in facing the fear of death - though previously embracing the gospel - return to their ancestral worship and witchcraft before they die. Often it is the families themselves that try to force the person who is sick to return to the witchcraft. It is a very real spiritual battle here in Dondo. Please pray for our patients in Project Life who face this terrible pressure when their death is imminent. (Ephesians 6: 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms).

We had a pause in our Bible studies this week as we took
the time to rejoice over the 80 lessons we have finished
in the New Testament.  The women here are worshiping
in singing and dancing.

We asked questions in review over the whole New Testament.
If anyone got the answer right, we threw candy at them!

Activista Maria de Fatima learned how to make
cakes in the Ray of Light bakery. She is showing
off her "Bible" cake that helped us celebrate in
the bairros this week.

Meet Paz.  It means "peace" in Portuguese.  Of course it is
a play on words since he has...well, white paws. :-) But there
really is a purpose in his name. Read the story below.

It is never too early to take your baby to the
Bible studies.  Paz is loved by everyone.

It is said that the measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest members.  I believe that.  In a society entrenched in deep poverty, the weakest members are the animals.  It is understandable that when day to day survival is a struggle, animals will not be a priority. What disturbs me is the abuse and neglect given to the many dogs and cats that roam the streets in Dondo.  They too are part of God's beautiful creation and if taken care of, can be an asset to one's life, not a liability.  So I decided to buy a puppy ($1.10) and demonstrate the joy a dog can bring to one's life.  A well-trained dog can be both a companion and a help.  At first, everyone thought my puppy was funny.  I think they started questioning my sanity.  But of course it didn't take long for Paz to win people's hearts.  Everyone wants to hold and play with him when he is with me.  This is going to be fun.....:-)

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Introducing Grace & Light Subdivision!

This is a first for us....we now have a subdivision in Macharote.
We built five houses here - and now we are dedicating them.
Noemia has named this Grace & Light.  It is by God's grace
that these people were blessed with a home and it is our
prayer that the love that brought these houses here will be a
light to those in the community.

I found it impossible to take a picture of all five houses as
my camera would have to be a really weird triple wide angle
with the capability of a few twists and turns.  Here are two houses.

Here are a couple more. 

We couldn't believe all the people that showed up for the
dedication today.  Phil thought over 300! As you can see,
lots of children!

You probably know by now I love taking pictures of
children caring for children.

The crowds gathered around to hear the dedication program.

Kids have caught on to bring their own
cups to the dedication and they get
to have some pop......a special treat for them
but maybe not the best for their teeth!

Jeronimo is sharing the gospel, government officials in
the forefront.

The kids waiting for the ending....then it is pop time.

I have to admit, she cried right after I took her picture. Some
children don't appreciate white women with cameras.

It is a bit boring when you don't have a clue as to what the
adults are talking about.

This is Vasco, Joana, and Pame's house.  They are patients
in Project Life.

Rute's house.

Fernando's house.

Chica previously had a house built for her
and now she is happy for everyone else
who has been blessed with a house.

Trying to divide pop among so many is quite the math problem.

I leaned over and said to Noemia...."Do you remember the
story about Jesus feeding the 5,000?  Well, I guess we are
going to see something like that today!"

I love the smiles.

Rute comes to our PL Bible studies faithfully.
  She is a very humble and sweet person.

The bairro leader is addressing the people.

One more pic....

Rute in front of her new Green Door home.

Some of the guys that have been helping with the painting.

Vasco, Joana and Pame in front of their new home.

Fernando receiving his keys from the municipal official
from Dondo. Thank you American donors who have
made this day possible.  You have reached across the
ocean, community to community, in the name of Jesus.
Welcome to our new Grace and Light Community!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Sharing Snapshots

Can you see the snake? I almost stepped on one
of these little green guys the other day.  They
are rather camouflaged in the green background of Africa.

Sometimes the beauty of Africa is breathtaking.  God loves
to paint pictures showing His glory.

What a cutie.  A little neighbor girl of Fatima's at her house
dedication.  We love to serve them treats.

Fatima, one of our activistas is now blessed with this home.
We tore down her falling apart - mud home and constructed
this cement block home.  She told me today that she slept
so well last night because she could finally lock the door.

Women at the dedication.  You can see part of our "Green
Door" in the background - how funny!

Fatima, to the right, is singing with the children and Jeronimo.
Everyone loves a party!

Praying a blessing and dedicating Fatima's house in the
name of Jesus.

Eva, a patient in Project Life was blessed with a Green Door
 home too. The donor was blessed with her first home
 the same time Eva was moving into her's. I am always
so moved by the sacrifice of our donors who care about
the poor and hurting in Africa. Now Eva and her son
Manuel have a safe place to live.

The bairro leader of Bairro 25 addresses the crowd at Eva's.

Praying again for Eva's house.  These dedication prayers
are important to this culture (see story below) and represent
our desire that God gets all the glory.

Jeronimo handing Eva and Manuel the key. 

Phil is taking pictures of the children. Chris, a
friend and missionary from Germany couldn't believe
how quickly these children can pose for a picture.
It is one of their favorite things to do - and
they insist on seeing themselves in the photo,
even if it is for a brief moment.  

The days go by so quickly here that sometimes it all seems a blur.  Each day is its own day with a life of its own. I make plans, but loosely because any minute plans can change.  I was driving home today from Beira calculating how much time I had between arriving home, rushing off to pay our rent, gobbling down a meal, and getting to a meeting that I was teaching at in the space of an hour.  I noticed at the Lusalite gate a woman lying in the street.  Sometimes people drop and sleep in the strangest places here but a nudge in my heart told me she was not in the middle of a siesta.  She was dangerously in the way of vehicles but no one seemed to care or notice.  I dropped my passengers off and sent Xadraque, a patient in PL and one of our CRI gardeners to go quickly and see what was wrong.  He came right back and reported that she was quite ill and not even talking.  I was cautioned not to get involved because if she died in my car, I would be liable.  They don't have Samaritan laws protecting people in Mozambique.  There was a myriad of possibilities as to why she was there; my reasons for not responding to her aid were legion. It was another interruption on my busy schedule. Nevertheless, I grabbed my translator and went out to help her...isn't that what we teach in our Bible studies?  This was just as real, and my choice was now.

She was indeed very ill.  That morning she had been to the Lusalite hospital which in reality is more of a small clinic. They are very limited on their equipment for diagnosing and hadn't even had the capability of checking for malaria.  Given some medicine for high blood pressure, she was sent home. She had collapsed on the way.  It turned out she was a neighbor of my translator and a Christian from the Good News church!  We took her home and informed her family and made arrangements for her to go to the Dondo hospital.  I can't believe that we almost ignored her plight. I am thankful for these divine interruptions in my busy life here in Dondo.

* * * * * * * * 

"Did you hear the story about the banca?" Noemia asked me on Saturday. The banca is a little kiosk that we have been building for the basket ministry.  It is quite small, and in front of the ROL bakery. Its purpose it to be able to sell the baskets that our Project Life patients are learning to make.  Some of them have become quite good at making baskets and this is a means to earn some money. We had just completed building the banca and were making plans to use it. 

"No," I replied with curiosity. "What happened?"

She explained that someone had approached one of our workers at the bakery telling him that we needed to perform a ceremony of dedication to the spirits.  He wisely explained to this person that we were Christians, and we did not need to do that.  The person left, but apparently with the intention of returning.

Noemia went on to explain that they returned that night performing the ceremony over our banca without our permission!  I couldn't believe my ears. So after our activista meeting this afternoon, we all walked to the banca, surrounded it completely while singing and praying God's blessing over it.  It hurts my heart that worshiping dead spirits is so entrenched in this culture. I hope this person returns and sees how God is going to bless this little kiosk.