We got them! We got them! We got them! We finally purchased our tickets and we’re on our way to Mozambique … TO LIVE !!! (Alright, I’m a little excited.)
It seems like we’ve been waiting for this moment forever!
We’ve been working toward this day for the last 10 years! During these years we have been busily preparing for this day. We sold our home and downsized so we could eliminate all of our debt. I went to Seminary. We helped start the Global Outreach Ministry at Life Covenant Church. We helped to start the two Melanie Centers (Orphanages) in Beira and Chimoio. We’ve seen sixteen churches planted and hundreds of new believers baptized. God has been good … and now we are going to meet Him in what He’s been doing.
I feel excited, overjoyed, freaked out and intimidated. Then I stop and remind myself of WHO is calling me, WHO it is that empowers me, and WHO it is that does everything anyway … It is my faithful God. I am a tool in my masters hands. I pray that I am a faithful tool and a ready tool so that I can be used to bring Him glory.
So, what do I expect life to look like in Mozambique? I’ll sweat. I’ll sweat a lot more as we get into the hot rainy months of December and January. I’ll make a lot of mistakes. I’ll learn a new language. I’ll hang out with pastors and evangelists and we’ll talk theology. I’ll go to the beach and play in the Indian Ocean. I’ll learn how to shop and cook in new ways. I’ll learn to drive on the “wrong” side of the road. And, then for fun I’ll sweat some more! This will be my life, and I can hardly wait!
As for Al … he’s so excited! He’s excited about starting this new adventure! He’s looking forward to hanging out with a bunch of Mozambicans and talking about God. He can’t wait to be in vocational ministry. And the thought that his job is to live out the first and second commandments: ‘loving God and loving people’, brings him huge amounts of joy!
So, now it’s time to start packing our bags (twenty of them) and go start this new life. We leave Monday, September 14th and arrive in Beira, Mozambique on Wednesday the 16th. We take with us all those suitcases, two beautiful little boys, and the love and support of so many friends. We owe you such a debt of gratitude. You have been our faithful family. You have made many sacrifices of time, money and prayers for us and for the work of our Lord. To say thank you seems so small when what we want to do is have a parade in your honor!
In the end all I can say is thank you and we love you!
