1. Your skin changes 3 whole shades when you take a bath.
2.You have to scare the pig and her babies out of the latrine before doing your business.
3.You're awoken to the human cuckoo clock at 4am.. only to find out its the village wichdoctor right outside your camp.
4. You don't think twice about piling 35 people, all their camping gear, a generator and sound system, 10 lbs of bananas, 2 live... yes live chickens and a partridge ina pear tree on the back of a truck for 4 hours in the 100 degree heat that is summer in Mozambique.
5. You blow bubbles for a group of kids and they all run away at first because it's probably the first time they've ever seen such a thing.
7. You open your tent first thing in the morning to find 10 little faces staring at you with their bright curious eyes.
8. Pigs wander through your camp at night.
9. You pray for close to 100 people in one weekend for healing and the majority experience total or partial improvement.
10. Your sitting in church ang you feel that warm sensation.... only to realize that the baby you are holding (who has no diaper) has just peed on your lap!
11. You see "dinner" walk by on a leash and give a farewell "baaa" just a few hours before scooping it onto your plate.
Ahhh... This is life in Africa. Sweet and strange... and never dull!
Blessings my friends!
More later!
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Diving Deeper
The Indian ocean is a constant reminder of the immensity of the Love of God and how incomprehensibly huge He is. Every morning as we worship I can look out and see this physical picture He has given us of just how wide, and long, and deep His love is. He is taking me deeper and deeper into this. Intimacy is the theme of this time.... deep.... true.... constant... abiding intimacy with Jesus. I've heard stories that blew my mind of the intimacy that some experience.... opening my spiritual eyes further to this unseen realm that we were created to live in. We who are born of Spirit and called strangers in this world... Jesus says, we are not OF this world.... and elsewhere Paul says that we are citizens of Heaven. So I'm learning what it is to be a citizen... an ambassador or Heaven here on earth. I'm learning that it is all about Intimacy with the Father, with Jesus and with the Holy Spirit. As we become one with Him... His presence and all the reality of Heaven goes with us where ever we go. It is THIS Presence and NOT our strength... ability... or wisdom that CHANGES LIVES.
Pray that the Lord will expand my capacity to absorb all He wants to pour into me in these next few weeks..... it's intense and can be exhausting at times..... but it is all beautiful!
love you all and I hope to share more later!
mel
Pray that the Lord will expand my capacity to absorb all He wants to pour into me in these next few weeks..... it's intense and can be exhausting at times..... but it is all beautiful!
love you all and I hope to share more later!
mel
Saturday, November 1, 2008
A Beautiful Journey through the Fire into the Heart of God
It could be described as a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage, a baptism by fire, or even
“Survivor”- The Mozambique Edition…
A 6 day trip with 100 people crammed into the beds of three Camions (Trucks) careening across the African Plain… in the open air, under the hot sun….and of course, surrounded by angels of grace, mercy and protection the whole way.
At times it was incredibly beautiful….like singing African worship songs as we watched the red hot globe of the sun sink into the horizon, or greeting the hundreds of children that ran along the side of the truck as we drove through the villages of round mud huts and thatched roofs, and the beautifully unique mounds of rock that rose hundreds of feet above the plain like huge fingers reaching out of the earth, or the multitude of stars dancing overhead as we drove on and on into the night.
At times it was very stretching …. Like when we had been driving for 10 hous and one of our trucks got a flat tire and we had to camp with 50 tents in the back of a police station at 2am only to break camp at 5am to move on before it got too hot, or driving on pothole ridden dirt roads perching on a tiny travel pillow, being covered in red dirt, sunscreen and the sweat of the person sitting next to you!, or when the sun was beating down on us with so much heat we thought we would burst into flames at any minute!!....
Oh… but the eternal fruit that comes from such a journey!!
The fruit of 100 hearts that began as almost complete strangers from 19 different countries being bonded together in the heat of adversity… to be introducing your self one hour and sleeping on the person’s shoulder the next, to pray and cry together, laughing and pouring water on each other, piling our legs a top of others so much that we’re not sure who’s leg is who’s… listening to testimony after testimony of God’s goodness in the lives of those around you…prophesying into eachother’s lives and over the villages that we drove through.. these were all beautiful things.
There were also fruits of thankfulness, patience, humility, kindness, joyfulness and praise in difficult circumstances, honor and submission to authority, long suffering and sooo many others.
And that was just the JOURNEY. The conference was also incredible… I could write many blogs about the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness to pour out His love and power on these people…including me. The presence of the Lord was powerful and intense as we worshipped alongside hundreds of our African brothers and sisters. They were sooo hungry for a touch from God, so open to His word and His power, soo desperate for His presence. Revival came to this city and the fire is just beginning.. Many were saved, many were healed both physically and spiritually. I had the opportunity to look into the eyes of a blind man who saw for the first time by the Power for the name of Jesus… I was able to pray for a deaf woman and watch the smile grow on her face as she heard for the first time. I too received prayer for an anointing from the Holy Spirit to walk in more power and He began a work of deep inner healing of my broken heart as I received a gift of JOY from the Lord like I’ve never experience… laughing harder than I have for a long time.
We definitely received far more than we gave as we were overwhelmed by the love and generosity of the church who hosted us… they are truly a people that walk and meet with God intimately and who expect Him to move in power in their lives and in their city. It is incredible to be in a place where being overwhelmed by the presence of God is normal, where miracles are expected and where daily transformation before the Throne of our King is a way of life. He truly is alive and worthy to be praised!!
I am falling deeper and deeper in love with Him each day.
So thank you for your faithful prayers and support… I am truly blessed. The Lord has been good to me. Celebrating my birthday in the back of a truck with 25 other people was supernaturally glorious and it was the best day of the trip by far. God even gave us clouds the whole way!!! It was the best birthday gift! And for those of you that prayed that I wouldn’t be motion-sick …. THANK YOU!! I had the blessing of not being sick at all!! Thank you again… until next time my sweet friends and family!!! Let me know how I can be praying for you!
“Survivor”- The Mozambique Edition…
A 6 day trip with 100 people crammed into the beds of three Camions (Trucks) careening across the African Plain… in the open air, under the hot sun….and of course, surrounded by angels of grace, mercy and protection the whole way.
At times it was incredibly beautiful….like singing African worship songs as we watched the red hot globe of the sun sink into the horizon, or greeting the hundreds of children that ran along the side of the truck as we drove through the villages of round mud huts and thatched roofs, and the beautifully unique mounds of rock that rose hundreds of feet above the plain like huge fingers reaching out of the earth, or the multitude of stars dancing overhead as we drove on and on into the night.
At times it was very stretching …. Like when we had been driving for 10 hous and one of our trucks got a flat tire and we had to camp with 50 tents in the back of a police station at 2am only to break camp at 5am to move on before it got too hot, or driving on pothole ridden dirt roads perching on a tiny travel pillow, being covered in red dirt, sunscreen and the sweat of the person sitting next to you!, or when the sun was beating down on us with so much heat we thought we would burst into flames at any minute!!....
Oh… but the eternal fruit that comes from such a journey!!
The fruit of 100 hearts that began as almost complete strangers from 19 different countries being bonded together in the heat of adversity… to be introducing your self one hour and sleeping on the person’s shoulder the next, to pray and cry together, laughing and pouring water on each other, piling our legs a top of others so much that we’re not sure who’s leg is who’s… listening to testimony after testimony of God’s goodness in the lives of those around you…prophesying into eachother’s lives and over the villages that we drove through.. these were all beautiful things.
There were also fruits of thankfulness, patience, humility, kindness, joyfulness and praise in difficult circumstances, honor and submission to authority, long suffering and sooo many others.
And that was just the JOURNEY. The conference was also incredible… I could write many blogs about the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness to pour out His love and power on these people…including me. The presence of the Lord was powerful and intense as we worshipped alongside hundreds of our African brothers and sisters. They were sooo hungry for a touch from God, so open to His word and His power, soo desperate for His presence. Revival came to this city and the fire is just beginning.. Many were saved, many were healed both physically and spiritually. I had the opportunity to look into the eyes of a blind man who saw for the first time by the Power for the name of Jesus… I was able to pray for a deaf woman and watch the smile grow on her face as she heard for the first time. I too received prayer for an anointing from the Holy Spirit to walk in more power and He began a work of deep inner healing of my broken heart as I received a gift of JOY from the Lord like I’ve never experience… laughing harder than I have for a long time.
We definitely received far more than we gave as we were overwhelmed by the love and generosity of the church who hosted us… they are truly a people that walk and meet with God intimately and who expect Him to move in power in their lives and in their city. It is incredible to be in a place where being overwhelmed by the presence of God is normal, where miracles are expected and where daily transformation before the Throne of our King is a way of life. He truly is alive and worthy to be praised!!
I am falling deeper and deeper in love with Him each day.
So thank you for your faithful prayers and support… I am truly blessed. The Lord has been good to me. Celebrating my birthday in the back of a truck with 25 other people was supernaturally glorious and it was the best day of the trip by far. God even gave us clouds the whole way!!! It was the best birthday gift! And for those of you that prayed that I wouldn’t be motion-sick …. THANK YOU!! I had the blessing of not being sick at all!! Thank you again… until next time my sweet friends and family!!! Let me know how I can be praying for you!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Beautiful beaches, dirty feet, and Dancing with Mozambican pastors
As I flew into the small dusty airport in Pemba, I was greeted by many mud houses with thatched roofs and a beautiful beach overlooking the sparkling Indian ocean... and finally hundreds of beautiful african smiles at the children's village. I have 3 wonderful housemates and will be expecting 3 more in a few days. The red dirt is always with us to remind us that we are in Africa...i understand the meaning of Jesus washing the diciples feet so much more now. Your skin actually changes a whole shade when you take a shower...which you wish you could do like 4 times a day but due to water shortages... I'm more than thankful for one a day! We have been really enjoying the presence of the Lord during our worship and prayer times. We danced in some incredible African worship with the hundreds of Mozambican today that are being trained in the Bible school here...it was a blast and soo beautiful to see the Kaliedoscope of God's family represented there! I spoke with one who is 24 and already pastors 3 churches!!
Early tomorrow morning we leave to go to minister in a village 3 days drive (in the back of a truck!!) from here... we will be gone about 12 days. Please pray for incredible deepening of relationships on this BONDING experience ... it can be tough to build deep friendships with soo many of us here... and that the Lord will go before us and prepare the way for an incredible move of His spirit... that Jesus would be lifted HIGH and lives would be transformed... beginning with mine!!! Please also be praying for safety and for me to not get car sick on the long trip!! :L) He is sooo good and I'm soo thankful to be witness of how great he truly is... and He is at work even at the ends of the earth. I love all of you and I thank you for holding me up in prayer!! I'm honored by your love. Blessings!
mel
Early tomorrow morning we leave to go to minister in a village 3 days drive (in the back of a truck!!) from here... we will be gone about 12 days. Please pray for incredible deepening of relationships on this BONDING experience ... it can be tough to build deep friendships with soo many of us here... and that the Lord will go before us and prepare the way for an incredible move of His spirit... that Jesus would be lifted HIGH and lives would be transformed... beginning with mine!!! Please also be praying for safety and for me to not get car sick on the long trip!! :L) He is sooo good and I'm soo thankful to be witness of how great he truly is... and He is at work even at the ends of the earth. I love all of you and I thank you for holding me up in prayer!! I'm honored by your love. Blessings!
mel
Friday, October 10, 2008
Another Adventure Awaits
Sweet Friends..
My heart is growing more and more eager to breathe in the air of the Indian Ocean, to feel the red African dust between my toes, and feel the arms of a precious orphan wrapped around my waist....but even more I can't wait to soak in the healing, transforming, empowering, freeing Presence of my heavenly Father.
For those of you who don't already know I will be embarking on yet another global adventure in just a few short days. I have the great joy and privilege of joining the Iris Ministries team in Pemba, Mozambique along with over 100 other students to sit at the feet of Jesus, worshipping and interceding for the world and for each other, and hopefully learning to be His hands and feet to the poorest of poor and to be a Light in the darkness. All in all, I will be there for 11 weeks in all.... giving me the joy of spending Christmas with the children!
During my time there, I will also be loving on the many orphans at the center, serving and blessing the long-term staff in any way I can, hopefully working in the medical clinic, and sharing the love Jesus has poured into my heart to surrounding bush villages by proclaiming His kindness, giving medical help, and intercession.
Please be praying:
I arrive in Pemba on Oct 15th so please lift up my travel from the 13th to the 15th... that it will be smooth, as restful as possible, and full of His presence and divine appointments!
Love you,
mel
If you would like to join with me in this journey financially, I would be soo blessed!... you can send cash or a check made out to me to my parents address even after I have left!
Their address is:
425 Frost Rd.
Sandia Park, NM
87047
My heart is growing more and more eager to breathe in the air of the Indian Ocean, to feel the red African dust between my toes, and feel the arms of a precious orphan wrapped around my waist....but even more I can't wait to soak in the healing, transforming, empowering, freeing Presence of my heavenly Father.
For those of you who don't already know I will be embarking on yet another global adventure in just a few short days. I have the great joy and privilege of joining the Iris Ministries team in Pemba, Mozambique along with over 100 other students to sit at the feet of Jesus, worshipping and interceding for the world and for each other, and hopefully learning to be His hands and feet to the poorest of poor and to be a Light in the darkness. All in all, I will be there for 11 weeks in all.... giving me the joy of spending Christmas with the children!
During my time there, I will also be loving on the many orphans at the center, serving and blessing the long-term staff in any way I can, hopefully working in the medical clinic, and sharing the love Jesus has poured into my heart to surrounding bush villages by proclaiming His kindness, giving medical help, and intercession.
Please be praying:
- Protection for me both physically and spiritually
- I will begin again to dream His dreams for my life and for the world.
- Most of all that: His kingdom will come and His Will be done both in me and through me over the next 11 weeks.
May my life never be the same after this pilgrimage with the Lover of my Soul!
More to come....
Until then...
More to come....
Until then...
I arrive in Pemba on Oct 15th so please lift up my travel from the 13th to the 15th... that it will be smooth, as restful as possible, and full of His presence and divine appointments!
Love you,
mel
If you would like to join with me in this journey financially, I would be soo blessed!... you can send cash or a check made out to me to my parents address even after I have left!
Their address is:
425 Frost Rd.
Sandia Park, NM
87047
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