Wow – I’m not sure I can follow up to my husband’s writings about me! What a wonderful job he did capturing my trip considering we probably only spoke for a total of 15 minutes while I was gone!
It has been quite an adjustment coming back home – so much bigger than I had anticipated. Looking back over my time away, I see God’s hand in everything we did and saw. My view of Him as the Almighty Creator is so much greater now. My world is so small . . .
The plane rides went so well. I knew that people were praying. I had a strange calmness and peace that I have NEVER had while flying.
After four planes, and almost 36 hours of flying, we landed in Maputo and I will never forget that feeling. We all just felt like we were on the verge of something – but we didn’t know exactly what. It is hard for me to capture the images I saw driving to Chiamete. As we drove, we saw dirty streets, children trying to sell mangos and cashews to stopped vehicles, street-side vendors with shoes hanging from trees, and lots of activity. As we drove away from the city (four hours later), our paved roads turned into sand and dirt, as far as you could see. The activity lessened and the poverty just became immense. I could not believe my eyes – Stone Age is what comes to my mind. We pulled into the compound and my first thought was “Oh my, I cannot do this!” I wish I could say it was more profound, but that was it! For those of you who know me, I don’t camp – at all! This was beyond camping! Knowing that we all felt overwhelmed helped us get through that first initial impact! Three area village women stayed at the compound with us and cooked our meals, washed our clothes, and basically took care of us. They were our first contact and it was delightful to meet them! That first night was strange to say the least – lizards crawling in sinks, the sound of the witch doctor’s drums, the high-pitched bats, and then the rooster crowing at 4:00 a.m.! I remember laying in my bed laughing out loud – I just couldn’t believe I was there.
God showed up every single day, like He always does. But there were times that my doubts weighed more than my faith, if you know what I mean. The women were so grateful for us to bring them the Word of God, the Bread of Life. I think of how many Bibles I have in my home and how many times I ignore it to do other things. You know, more important things like Facebook . . . I felt so ashamed. We take so much for granted. What a privilege it was to teach them and to remind them of their freedom in Christ. Rituals and traditions are a problem there – some churches teach they can’t wear earrings and be a Christian, or that after having a baby the woman has to throw the church a party (with her own money) or she can’t return, or that animal sacrifices are still required for the cleansing of sin. We talked a lot about freedom from the law, found in Galatians 5, and it gave them such peace knowing the truth. It struck me that this is a universal problem in the body of Christ – so many different denominations that have so many man-made rules that have nothing to do with the blood of Jesus Christ, and His blood alone. Even in the good ole’ USA, we need to remember this!
We had wonderful discussions about worship, about giving our best, roadblocks to true worship, and how to worship during times of suffering. They loved the story of Paul and Silas found in Acts 16. I reminded them that it is during times of suffering that people around us watch and listen. They are looking to see if we mean what we say. They want to know where our hope is found and why we even have hope. These women face such incredible suffering: many of them have lost children to death, many are widows, they work in the fields all day to eat, and work all night taking care of their families and friends. Yet they are joyful because they have Christ! Its the most wonderful thing I’ve ever seen. And the way they sing . . . I was so jealous!! We had wonderful times of sharing our thanks to God and our burdens with each other. I will never forget the young widow who was grieving all over again for her lost husband (he had died two years ago) because they had just buried her sister’s husband (28 years old) two days earlier! The whole room was in tears with her and I reminded them as sisters in Christ, we rejoice with those who rejoice and we mourn with those who mourn. It was good to mourn with her, and then I read the passage in 2 Cor. 1:3-4, about the God of all comfort! Thank God for the promises we have in the Bible!
The children . . . oh my . . . the children. I could never begin to describe the poverty I saw. All of them were dirty, little clothing – some only in underwear, and no shoes on burning hot sand. Yet they would hold your hand and look at you with a smile that would light up a room! It was hard not to cry around them because we wanted to be positive and fun, but it would hit me like a ton of bricks back in my room. I literally had 10 children walking behind me one afternoon, each had one finger, and some extra hanging on my arms. They just wanted love – don’t we all?
On our last day, one of the women spoke and she said she couldn’t wait until the day we were all together again in Heaven with no limitations, no barriers, no unfamiliar language, only togetherness, worshiping our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It almost felt like Heaven right at that moment. The family of God is a mysterious thing, but it is real. I saw it and experienced it first hand. We ended our stay by participating in a concert with other groups. Wow – that was awesome – to be able to sing “Mighty to Save” with our African brothers and sisters – the words of that song still ring in my head “Savior, He can move the mountains. My God is mighty to save!” And He is, and He does, and He will continue to do so until He returns to take us home!
I could type on and on – so many great things to talk about. But I don’t want to bore you! Thank you so much for those who prayed for us. We truly lived off of those prayers every minute of every day. Please pray for the people of Mozambique. Their needs are many – so much that its hard to know how to pray! And I encourage any of you who are struggling with obedience right now . . . if God is calling you to do something that you feel you cannot do . . . He is worth trusting. It is not easy – and I will not tell you that this trip was a piece of cake. It was THE hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but I can honestly say that I will never be the same. God was with me each step, even the one that led to the lizard in my sink! ha ha
In Christ Alone,
Melisa
Melisa, sure are glad you’re home. I know that by know you haven’t only been stretched but have actually become “gumby!!!” I know the culture shock also of going 7 times to India and third world cultures – the bigger shock is coming back home. Somehow, I think this thanksgiving may take on a new light for you!!
praying for your reentry,
Dennis & Tamela
Hi Melisa !! So glad to have you home. It seems like only yesterday that you were crying in your living room and very anxious and fearful about your trip. Glad you answered the call to go. You triggered a lot of thoughts for me: 1) All that you and the team went through is worth it even if only one person gets saved or groundwork was done in the name of Jesus whether a physical, emotional or spiritual need was met, God will and did use it. 2) When I went to Ghana ( on a pleasure trip, wedding ) I soon forgot how bad things were for the average person there. At first I felt guilty but then I realized it was impossible to maintain that perspective forever living where I live. I love Acts 17:26 where God knew even the very places we would live. He chose for me to live in Ohio. This is my mission field. I can go on mission trips as He leads but home base for me is Akron. I have work to do here. 3) I realized after awhile that I can’t change the world. I can’t fix the poverty, injustice, confusion about witch doctors, disease etc. It helped me live with my guilt for living in America. But I can give God the credit. I don’t know why I am so blessed but I have been called to minister among the blessed. 4) I heard a story about a boy who helped a blind man cross the street but he felt bad that he couldn’t help him see. His father told him that he had met his immediate need and only God could meet his blind issue. I am learning to do what I can for those in need but there are some things only God can do. I guess I am writing some of this to help you reconnect to life in Summit County, Ohio because this is our reality. 5)It was probably a great relief for the people to hear that it is Jesus only ( his shed blood ) that saves. It’s a big burden to carry the legalistic load and other “add ons” that some leaders put on people.6) We are just people. When I went to Ghana the people treated me there like I was royalty. So I started calling the people at the hotel “sir.” When they said good morning sir, I would say good morning. How are you sir ? I would hold the door open for them. They felt very uncomfortable. I told them we are just people. I am a white American and they are black African but we are just people. They thought we are all wealthy ( and we are ) but I told them I am a truck driver and I would have to save up a long time to pay for my trip. I couldn’t do it even evry 5 years. They started to get the picture. 7) So, Melisa, your trip is a reminder to me to keep dialoguing with my sphere of influence to see where they are at with Jesus. They may not believe in witch doctors or other mystic stuff but maybe they are trusting in their own goodness or religion or or or or —- You brought clarity with the Truth of God’s Word. Thanks for the update. Tom kept us posted and he is your number one fan as it should be. Look forward to seeing you guys again. Steve Bauer