“Is not this the kind of fasting I
have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food
with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the
naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then
your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly
appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord
will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will
cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.”
Isaiah 58:6-9
When
missionaries are “evaluated” by their supporters or organizations, they are
usually asked some of these questions: How many have you lead to Christ? How
many souls have been saved? How many children are on your program? How many
programs have you started? Understandable for those supporting you with their
hard earned money…some sending what little extra they have to support the
Kingdom through you and your family.
I do not
have huge numbers to report to you all this past month…I can tell you that for
me it was a month of death, struggle, hunger, pain, heat, and political unrest.
I can tell you that one of the men we were caring for, advocating for and
praying with hung himself from a tree as he could no longer bare the shame and
rejection cast upon him by his father. A shame he knew on most days was already
taken care of by his heavenly Father and crucified with Jesus. I can tell you
people still have HIV and people still seek healing in the darkness of
witchcraft and human sacrifice. I can tell you crops are not sufficient as the
intense sun has scorched and stunted their growth. I can tell you a woman
killed herself as her child had starved and she bore the responsibility for
what this physical earth could not provide them.
BUT! I can
also tell you that there are three Mozambican ladies that love Jesus, love
their community, and walk miles in the heat to sing and pray with those taking
their last breath…they bathe the rejected and outcast. I can tell you that a
loving wife used all that was left of her clothing to bath and care for her husband,
and we were able to provide her with five blouses and two new capulanas. I can
tell you a little boy and his mom were rejected after an HIV diagnosis but now
cared for by the local pediatrician as well as the nurses at the milk clinic
and after meeting with him, her dad took her in from an abusive husband after marrying
her off at a very young age. I can tell you we supported a single dad and his
four sons with food provision. I can tell you people find comfort in listening
to their audio Bibles and hearing songs of praise in their own language. I can
tell you that there is HOPE. I can tell you that when you call on HIM, the Lord
will answer and He will say HERE AM I. I can tell you He answers the
Mozambicans’ prayers through us but really it is through your prayer, your
support and your Hope that He will do what He says He will do. Why? Because He
is a good, good Father and He loves us, He loves Mozambique. Because this is
what we work towards…as reminded by a dear friend this past month…Revelation 7:16-17…”Never again will they
hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, not
any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their
shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away
every tear from their eyes.” I believe this promise…I believe we change
communities one life at a time. I believe the Giver of Life has conquered
death. I believe there is EVEN MORE for the people and land of Mozambique…I am
thankful to co-labor not only with Jesus but with all of you. I am thankful…
No comments:
Post a Comment