Where is that?

You wouldn't be the only one who asked... 

Mozambique is in Southeast Africa. North of South Africa. South of Tanzania. And across some water from Madagascar.

In case you all wondered what I am getting myself into, I'll give you some basic information about Mozambique:

Moçambique was a Portuguese colony but gained independence in 1975. 

They speak Portuguese--exciting for me since I speak a decent amount of Spanish which will make picking up Portuguese a little quicker and easier. They also speak Makua and I'm sure I will have a bunch of children willing to teach me some.

Climate is tropical to subtropical. Think 90-100 for a good portion of the year. But without A/C. Winter will be in the 70s and around 50 at night. All you Texans can somewhat relate but I'm sure you will all appreciate the luxury of A/C a little more when you think of us!

Main issues faced by the people include waterborne diseases (more frequent during drought and dry seasons)--these are preventable and unfortunately can kill in 3 days or less; malaria; drought which leads to crop loss which leads to malnutrition and starvation; AIDS virus is prevalent--Mozambique is #5 in the world with people living with AIDS although population-wise they are #51.The maternal mortality rate in Mozambique is 490/1000, In the United States 21/1000. In the Mozambique, the infant mortality rate is 72.42/1000, In the United States, 6.17/1000. 

Feel free to check these facts out and more at The World Factbook.

I wanted to give you a point of reference. We are incredibly blessed. It is only by the grace of God that we live in the US and we don't have to worry near as much about these realities for our families and friends. 

I also tell you this so that you know how to pray for us. 

 

And here is an idea of what I get to be a part of: 

The Decision

[My Zebra buddy. She is so cool.]

It was a Monday evening (April 7) when my Sunday school teacher told my sister of a missions opportunity. To go to Mozambique Africa and work with a ministry to Orphans. My sister immediately told me, knowing that I was praying about such an opportunity and it sounded 'right up my alley'. I was interested so first thing on Tuesday morning I emailed the missionary. She emailed me back within 30 minutes. I did a preliminary phone call with her state-side secretary and then spoke with the missionary later that night. As soon as I started talking to her on the phone I felt like I knew her. I was so impressed by her commitment to serve God. She really loves God. I do and I want to love Him like that. After 5 minutes of our conversation, I felt a peace and felt like this is where I was supposed to be. I don't know how to explain that feeling.
 She asked when I could come and how long I would need to make a decision. I asked when they wanted someone--she said May 26, that is 7 weeks away. I asked if I could have a few days to pray about it. I said I would give her an answer by Friday. After praying and feeling an overwhelming peace, I gave her an answer on Thursday (after reading the book she wrote because my mother wanted me to know what I was getting myself into). I will go. 
On Friday I had a plane ticket. And six weeks to spend with my family and to wrap up my affairs for a year.

[My beautiful family. I am incredibly grateful for their love & support.]

I am in awe of how God answers prayer. I often have wondered why my prayers were going up but not being answered. Thought it wasn't fair how everyone else's prayers get answered. And now I can see how beautifully He answered those prayers and completely. He loves ME, He listens to ME. Sometimes His timetable is different than mine. And so now, coming out of this period of two years of waiting for what was next, it all makes sense. 
I would encourage you all to pray. Tell Him the desires of your heart. If it is something that is not against His character, ask Him. He won't say yes to everything, but when He does say yes, it is incredible to be reminded that He does desire good for us. And that He knows you. As only He can. He gave you those desires, and He wants to fulfill them. The waiting can be hard and long, but He is good.  

"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." Joshua 1:5.  

If you want to read Brenda's book, I highly recommend it. And then you will get a taste of what I will get to be a part of! Click here to order the book.

It all started in Bolivia

I went to Bolivia in January for a 10 day mission trip. Upon the return trip, my flight was full and the airline offered me a $500 flight voucher plus accommodations at a 5 star hotel if I would return to the US a few days later. I said 'Of course!' and was happy for a 2 day retreat and also a little bit of extra time with my sister who hung out with me when she wasn't visiting her friends a few miles away at Etnos (New Tribes' mission center in Santa Cruz).

During those two days, I was alone for a good bit of it and enjoyed the time alone with God. I was reflecting on a week of growing in the Lord and being challenged by a very godly team who I had just parted ways with. During that time I pondered my life. Who am I? What is God's purpose for my life? What is my next step?

I didn't have any answers at that time. I began praying for a way to serve and for an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, into a new place where I have to trust God. Where I get to experience first-hand that He restores lives. Because in America, I am realizing that often we don't 'need God'. We can live life, fulfill our 'dreams', be successful and its all based on our hard work. But I don't believe that is what He has in mind for His followers.

As I read the Bible, I see the disciples caring for the poor and devoting themselves to the gospel. I don't see that in normal life. I don't see that in my life. I prayed for a change of heart. I prayed that I would be able to serve those who need it. I began hoping that someone would need help, ask me and that I would be able to fill that spot. You see, I am blessed. Ridiculously blessed. I have an incredible family. I was able to pay off student loans and car loans so I have no debts, I have no bills. My health is good. I have people who love me and would support me if I was called to go. 

God asked me why I was keeping it all for myself when there are people elsewhere who have none of those things. I have been given much. That means much is expected of me, right? 

So I surrendered my car to Him, my money to Him. My time--which is something I hold to very tightly--to Him. He is Lord of my life and sometimes a Lord tells you to give up things for the good of His kingdom. Since I love Him, and want to love Him more, I slowly and somewhat reluctantly began to give those things to Him--if He wanted them. You see, kings don't always ask their subjects to give everything up, just sometimes when they are needed. Not all men are always drafted to go fight for their country, but sometimes, they are needed and they are called to go. And they do.

I realized that God had given me a desire to be a mother--actually, I wanted to be a mother since I was still a small child. I would play dolls with my sisters and we would each have as many kids as we could (we would find stuffed animals, baby dolls, whatever we could) to see who would have more kids. I guess that's what coming from a large family does to you.

I asked God why He didn't take away that desire when it was something I wanted so badly, but it was something that it didn't seem like He would fulfill in the near future. And I felt like He gently said, "I am not going to take it away. I gave it to you for a reason. I want you to love and nurture kids, even if they are not your own. You can love and care for children who need a mother." I said, ok. When you put it like that it makes perfect sense.
So I sat down and thought about my life. What do I really want? If I could have any type of work/ministry, what would I want it to be? So I made a list:

I want to work with underprivileged kids in a long term relationship and I want to be able to share Jesus with them.

I decided to pray for all of these things and that I would accept a job/mission if it fulfilled this list.
Guess what...

The beginning of a new journey

If you have known me long you will know there are a few things that I am pretty attached to:
My car(s) --they are my babies and they are pictured below.
and my schedule.

God knows this and its something that He has been showing me this lately.
Cars are replaceable. They are wonderful to get you to wherever you are going, but if your car gets scratched, or for some reason you lose it, its really not a big deal. After spending a good bunch of money to upgrade from my blazer, believe me, I was very particular with the G6. I freaked out once when there was a scratch on the bumper. The whole while my sister was telling me it wasn't my car but I was too concerned with the scratch to actually listen to her. It was pretty hilarious after the fact, and she won't let me forget it. But it also reminds me that while I say that things don't matter, my heart is still wrapped up in them.

People are irreplaceable. Life is valuable. And sometimes my schedule prevents me from investing in the lives of people the way that I should. How many times I have said I couldn't do something because I had something else planned. Or how many times do I not take a minute to talk to someone because I will be late? And how often do I freak out that they are being hurt, taken advantage of and oppressed because I am too concerned with my life to worry about theirs.

I started praying for ways to invest. And for a heart that was willing to. And this is the very first part of the story.