It has been one month since i left Australia to embark on this journey in Africa. In some ways it feels like i've been here for ages, while in other ways it feels like only now am i starting to even get a hint of what life here is like!
I find myself going to bed some nights wondering why God called me here.. I have limited training with children, i've never learnt a language before, and i lack so much knowledge in everyday essential things (like cooking!!)... Basically i feel very weak. BUT that's ok! Because then i can't rely on my own strength. I have to look to God for His strength, so He can use me to do His will. That's why i'm here. Thankfully God does use the weak. Whats more, He gives us the endurance AND equips us. Because of these truths i can push forward and do what i'm called here to do, with passion and purpose, knowing God is using me. I want every action i do here, every schedule i plan, every conversation i have to bring honour to God. I can confidently wake up each morning, knowing each day is a gift, and have a grateful heart knowing God has given me His grace.
Two passages that have stood out to me have been included at the very bottom of this blog...
So as you can probably tell, i've had some time to do a bit of contemplating.. This has been the first week that i think reality has really set in (in a really good way!) Unfortunately it had to come about in a not so nice way.. Early in the morning on Tuesday i suddenly got sick. It lasted all day and into the night and left me feeling very wiped out. I couldn't eat or sleep and was just feeling yucky.. it completely disrupted my normal routine but it did give me a lot of time to think (and catch up on a few emails!!!). It was a good time to consider why i am here and how i am going to respond and act during my time here. And also to look at how i have been responding so far. Do i have a grateful heart? Am i being an encouragement to others? ....I appreciated the time to stop and just be in God's presence.
So thats a bit of openness. Possibly too much to be putting in an online blog but then whats the point in me writing these posts if i'm not going to share with you whats actually going on :)
I've met so many amazing people here already. A couple of weeks ago Heather C held a ladies night where all the ladies from other organisations came over and shared a bit. It was a great time to get to know each other and get an idea of the work that is going on around Lichinga. I even met a couple of girls around my age! One is doing a very similar thing to me- in looking after children within her organisation. The other is only 26 and got a call to come to Mozambique when she was 18- along with her twin sister. Her family followed and they've set up some incredible outreach ministries around town. It's been very encouraging to hear other peoples stories and to witness how God is leading them here and now!
Within the GIA team the social life is pumping! We had a curry night on wednesday to celebrate Tobias' birthday. It was a grand affair and we took the opportunity to dress up in our best Indian garb...
Friday was youth group night. Totally fun and the theme was crazy hair. Everyone got right into it and it was a blast being around such energetic and fun young people!
For those wondering who i am with over here....I have to repeat that the people on this team are amazing and fast becoming incredibly close friends. I really am encouraged daily by them. The way Kath and Cam juggle language lessons, looking after three children and settling into a new environment and way of life is phenomenal. It doesn't mean it's easy but they have such a strong faith and it is encouraging- these guys are great! Tobias and Heather are also new-ish on the mission field and i am learning so much from them by how they go about each day here in Lichinga. They are so willing to be used by God and are up for a challenge- it's exciting to witness. Alan is a legend in the way he has fitted into the culture here. The local people here love him as he is so willing to build relationships- through so many different ways- including joining the local bbl team. I don't think people are going to want him to ever leave!!
Jonno and Heather are such passionate people with a shared focus in reaching the Yao people. It is an absolute blessing to be included in their family and to have their friendships. Their individual gifts compliment each others in such a way that you just know that God has had a plan to use them as a team since the beginning.
And these are the people i get to be surrounded by daily- awesome!
Here are some pics of various things I've been getting up to.. Again (it's becoming a common theme through out my posts) i must apologise for the length- once i start writing i can't seem to stop!!!
 |
| A new group of friends. Hannah, Josiah and i went exploring on the weekend and these guys showed us around- great fun! |
 |
| These kids were excited to show us the muddy stream nearby! |
 |
| Tob's birthday! Indian/Curry night! |
 |
| Crazy hair night at youth group... |
 |
| Seems to be a theme in dressing up...Kath and I in our glorious find at the markets! All dressed up for Ladies Night |
 |
| Youth Group! Fun group of people... |
Thanks for reading :)
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (Paul writes)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong
Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
