Mozambique 2009
If there is one phrase I could use to describe what this trip meant to me, it would be that “it changed my life, my ministry and my walk with God forever”. In the seemingly short time from leaving for Mozambique on Wednesday 29 April and returning Monday 4 May so much manifested itself in both the physical and spiritual realms in my life. The first thing I realised is that God listens to you even when you aren’t praying to him. It had always been my desire to travel and see different places, and to do it ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ was absolutely amazing.
Ok…let me start at the beginning.
To start of with we almost didn’t end up going because of the number of people that pulled out initially. Then, it was very disappointing because of the preparation that was put in by Dr Dave, but now that I’m sitting and thinking about it, in hindsight the trip wouldn’t have been as awesome did everyone that was scheduled to go went. Actually come to think of it, we ended up being only 12 that went. Talk about the sending out of the 12 disciples, because without us knowing that is exactly what lay ahead of us and how God would be orchestrating everything for the next 5 days. I might get the events chronologically incorrect, but that doesn’t really matter now does it?
Day 1 – 29 April
We left the church on the 29th June and little did we know that a few hours trip would take about a day and a half. We travelled with a quantum kombi and Dr Dave’s bakkie. I have to add that uncle Wally (the owner and our driver of the kombi) was an amazing man in terms of his cooperation and willingness to support where he could. He definitely added to the memory of the trip and he very much played his part in making as memorable as it is. Anyways, on our way Dr Dave’s bakkie broke down near Nelspruit and it just so happened that there happened to be a pastor from Pietermaritzburg who happened to know someone who lives in Nelspruit that was able to help us out and house us for the evening. But to me the thing that was most amazing was that the people that we stayed with were Muslim. You’d need to have been there to understand why I say it was amazing. To received the hospitality we did from a Muslim family who knew we where missionaries out to spread Gods word was…God. From the time we got there to the time we left, nothing but the best service and catering. A son of the house gave his bed up. The women of the house (forgive me I forgot her name) woke up early in the morning to make us breakfast. And please keep in mind that this is a Muslim family treating Christians better then a lot of other Christians would have. That is what I call Gods favour.
Day 2 – 30 April
After breakfast and all cleaned up we packed up and we were on our way to Mozambique. We stopped off at a shopping complex just before you get to the boarder so we could exchange our Rands to Metticals.Yes people; they have foreign exchange bankers that come to you. I have never been so nervous about being so unsure about myself when it comes to handling money. There was huge pressure firstly needing to decide how much money to exchange and secondly not being taken for a fool with your girlfriend being with you (a male ego thing I guess). O yes. I had the privilege of also being able to have this experience with my girlfriend (Melise Bobby), which also took our relationship to another level. But more on that later.
Where was I? Yes…we exchanged money, did some light shopping and off to the boarder. This may sound really trivial to those that have been and to the experienced traveller, but there was hectic excitement in me. To for the first time see another country brought out the child in me. Our papers where sorted out by what i'm he terms a foreign affairs delegate but what I’ll term an entrepreneur. Which Dr Dave I thought was a waste of good money cause we could have done what he did ourselves. I believe you are experienced enough.
On arriving to our destination we met up with out guide, Thomas and the head pastor. We then went to the pastor’s house to meet all the other pastors whose churches we’d be visiting. When all that was done we made our way to our base to settle in and make home for the next 3 days.
Day 3 – 1 May
When this day began I did not or could not anticipate the experience that lay ahead of me. We were scheduled to go and “service” various churches. Before hand Dr Dave did tell us that we should prepare a short word to share with the church, but he didn’t say that there were people waiting on us to preach to them. You see, in my world there is a difference between sharing and preaching.
We got to the pastors house where we would be leaving from for the other churches. And from this point is where it all began. We found out that the closest church we had to go to was 1.30-2 hours away, with the furthest being like 3 hours. It was planned to split us into groups of two but it just so happened that the number of missionaries to the number of churches wasn’t enough to pair into groups of two as planned. Before we even left to Mozambique we knew that we’d be paired off and Melise and I requested to be kept in the same group. It was from this point that the biggest lesson I learnt started manifesting itself. “Don’t have preconceived ideas about events or about people”. Given the ratio numbers Melise and I ended up not being together. I actually ended up having to go alone. This was not my idea for a fun time. First time on a mission’s trip, first time visiting another church, first time in a foreign land, and I had to do it alone! But as it turned out, or rather, as God had orchestrated, it was the most amazing experience of my life. I learnt a couple of lessons that day. Some good, some not so good.
I stay in Rosettenville that is infamous for the number of foreigners in the area. I won’t lie. Sometimes you get prejudice, but let me tell you how God, the potter moulds you and your attitude.
The taxi we took to the churches in the various provinces we were visiting dropped me, a pastor and my interpreter a few kilometres from the church because it was somewhat out the way from the direction of the other churches. We had to take another taxi would then drop us on route the church. And this is when I received my lesson. We get into the taxi and the foreigner (me) gets a seat. All is good and well till I start getting really nervous because the loading of passengers just doesn’t seem to stop. I stopped counting the number of people in the taxi when I reached 25. This country is hot so its needless to say that there are 25, o no, 26 smelling natives and a foreigner in a 15 seated taxi. And with his awesome sense of humour, God just has to drive the point home by putting a lady with a crying baby (which God knows is the most irritating sound in the world to me) standing in front of me. I could move because of a lack of space (25-30 people in a 15 seated…) so God at least took pity on me by keeping the baby quiet. BY GETTING HIS MOTHER TO WIPE HER BREAST OUT JUST ABOUT IN MY FACE! So after that and till this day, I feel no prejudice to know person.
After what seemed an endless nightmare we finally got to the church. I was picturing this church with a decent sized congregation, but ya! (That preconception thing). I got something way way better. The church was a small building consisting of four walls and a tin roof, built on the pastor land. Beautiful land I must add. Beach sand, plants, trees, just beautiful. And when walking into the church was the next most humbling experience I got that will forever be with me. I was schedule to be there at about 9am but only ended up arriving at about 12pm or so. Not one person left out for frustration. To arrive at a place and to be received as though you where a king is an amazing feeling. To preach a simple word of God to such receptive and hungry people is a humbling thing. So its needless to say that the church thing I was dreading ending being an absolute blessing to me. But that wasn’t the most amazing part of the day. To my pleasant surprise lunch was prepared for us after church. Now picture this in mind. The most tranquail peaceful place you can think of. Where you can go and just allow all of lives worries to leave you. That is the place I had lunch that day. And there is no restaurant in South Africa that can top the meal or the setting.
Once we were done there we made our way back to the head pastors church. In short-the trip back opened my eyes to a lot of things. You want to know what impoveraged is, do to a place where people sell what they can to make it from day to day in the most vile conditions. And i’m not over exaggerating when I say vile. And to go on with you daily tasks in those conditions as though it be normal. You start appreciating the smallest blessing you have in your life.
Day 4 – 2 May
The day started with a presentation by Dr Dave to all the pastors for the churches we visited. There is one moment that is in my heart from that day at church. I didn’t know it then but it has been revealed to me in a photo and I thank God that I can keep that moment with me. For you the inquiring minds. It’s a photo that was taken of Melise laughing and smiling at me for some reason or another. But it’s not just a smile. It’s everything that she is that comes through that moment.
From there we went to the beach. No no no. From there we went to the most beautiful beach I have ever been to. Everything that God is became evident that day. Again this isn’t really an experience that can be fully spoken about but one that needs to be experienced. All I can say is that is was really beautiful. Those that were there i’m sure will give testimony to that.
When we got home the event that changed my relationship with Melise took place. After, or was it just before dinner? By Dr Dave’s request we had to wash each other’s feet. We paired into twos and naturally I paired with Melise. I always did respect Melise and the women she is, but that evening my respect deepened for her. The love I have for her deepened. In Gods word it speaks about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. The symbolism of that is really deep. And I would encourage any family, any two people in a relationship and marriage to do that. Something in the spiritually realm moves in your relationship. I can say that because that is exactly what happened for us. My love, respect, adoration, just general gratitude for Melise deepened. And for God to do that, or rather orchestrate that in the setting and time he did, can only be God…
Day 5 – 3 May
Final day in Mozambique and final request to preach. I was lucky enough to preach at the head pastors church. I was really amazed firstly as to God can use you if you are willing to avail yourself to him. Its just crazy how the Holy Spirit spoke a word that was so relevant and how God affirmed that word when we were making our way back to the pastor’s house. You should have been there to know what was spoken about and how it was confirmed.
In the beginning I spoke about how freaken A it was that God orchestrated it so that only 12 of us ended up going. I never saw it then but it brings my mind to parts of Matthew 10:5-40. Our trip to Mozambique was not as hectic as the warnings Jesus gave his disciples, but from day one parts of that chapter manifested itself. From being received the way we were to being able to speak Gods word through the Holy Spirit. God showed up in my life. And since then he has just increased. We all have a moment in our lives that defines who we become and where we are going, and the Mozambique trip of 2009 was my moment….
Hope to see you on the next one!
If there is one phrase I could use to describe what this trip meant to me, it would be that “it changed my life, my ministry and my walk with God forever”. In the seemingly short time from leaving for Mozambique on Wednesday 29 April and returning Monday 4 May so much manifested itself in both the physical and spiritual realms in my life. The first thing I realised is that God listens to you even when you aren’t praying to him. It had always been my desire to travel and see different places, and to do it ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ was absolutely amazing.
Ok…let me start at the beginning.
To start of with we almost didn’t end up going because of the number of people that pulled out initially. Then, it was very disappointing because of the preparation that was put in by Dr Dave, but now that I’m sitting and thinking about it, in hindsight the trip wouldn’t have been as awesome did everyone that was scheduled to go went. Actually come to think of it, we ended up being only 12 that went. Talk about the sending out of the 12 disciples, because without us knowing that is exactly what lay ahead of us and how God would be orchestrating everything for the next 5 days. I might get the events chronologically incorrect, but that doesn’t really matter now does it?
Day 1 – 29 April
We left the church on the 29th June and little did we know that a few hours trip would take about a day and a half. We travelled with a quantum kombi and Dr Dave’s bakkie. I have to add that uncle Wally (the owner and our driver of the kombi) was an amazing man in terms of his cooperation and willingness to support where he could. He definitely added to the memory of the trip and he very much played his part in making as memorable as it is. Anyways, on our way Dr Dave’s bakkie broke down near Nelspruit and it just so happened that there happened to be a pastor from Pietermaritzburg who happened to know someone who lives in Nelspruit that was able to help us out and house us for the evening. But to me the thing that was most amazing was that the people that we stayed with were Muslim. You’d need to have been there to understand why I say it was amazing. To received the hospitality we did from a Muslim family who knew we where missionaries out to spread Gods word was…God. From the time we got there to the time we left, nothing but the best service and catering. A son of the house gave his bed up. The women of the house (forgive me I forgot her name) woke up early in the morning to make us breakfast. And please keep in mind that this is a Muslim family treating Christians better then a lot of other Christians would have. That is what I call Gods favour.
Day 2 – 30 April
After breakfast and all cleaned up we packed up and we were on our way to Mozambique. We stopped off at a shopping complex just before you get to the boarder so we could exchange our Rands to Metticals.Yes people; they have foreign exchange bankers that come to you. I have never been so nervous about being so unsure about myself when it comes to handling money. There was huge pressure firstly needing to decide how much money to exchange and secondly not being taken for a fool with your girlfriend being with you (a male ego thing I guess). O yes. I had the privilege of also being able to have this experience with my girlfriend (Melise Bobby), which also took our relationship to another level. But more on that later.
Where was I? Yes…we exchanged money, did some light shopping and off to the boarder. This may sound really trivial to those that have been and to the experienced traveller, but there was hectic excitement in me. To for the first time see another country brought out the child in me. Our papers where sorted out by what i'm he terms a foreign affairs delegate but what I’ll term an entrepreneur. Which Dr Dave I thought was a waste of good money cause we could have done what he did ourselves. I believe you are experienced enough.
On arriving to our destination we met up with out guide, Thomas and the head pastor. We then went to the pastor’s house to meet all the other pastors whose churches we’d be visiting. When all that was done we made our way to our base to settle in and make home for the next 3 days.
Day 3 – 1 May
When this day began I did not or could not anticipate the experience that lay ahead of me. We were scheduled to go and “service” various churches. Before hand Dr Dave did tell us that we should prepare a short word to share with the church, but he didn’t say that there were people waiting on us to preach to them. You see, in my world there is a difference between sharing and preaching.
We got to the pastors house where we would be leaving from for the other churches. And from this point is where it all began. We found out that the closest church we had to go to was 1.30-2 hours away, with the furthest being like 3 hours. It was planned to split us into groups of two but it just so happened that the number of missionaries to the number of churches wasn’t enough to pair into groups of two as planned. Before we even left to Mozambique we knew that we’d be paired off and Melise and I requested to be kept in the same group. It was from this point that the biggest lesson I learnt started manifesting itself. “Don’t have preconceived ideas about events or about people”. Given the ratio numbers Melise and I ended up not being together. I actually ended up having to go alone. This was not my idea for a fun time. First time on a mission’s trip, first time visiting another church, first time in a foreign land, and I had to do it alone! But as it turned out, or rather, as God had orchestrated, it was the most amazing experience of my life. I learnt a couple of lessons that day. Some good, some not so good.
I stay in Rosettenville that is infamous for the number of foreigners in the area. I won’t lie. Sometimes you get prejudice, but let me tell you how God, the potter moulds you and your attitude.
The taxi we took to the churches in the various provinces we were visiting dropped me, a pastor and my interpreter a few kilometres from the church because it was somewhat out the way from the direction of the other churches. We had to take another taxi would then drop us on route the church. And this is when I received my lesson. We get into the taxi and the foreigner (me) gets a seat. All is good and well till I start getting really nervous because the loading of passengers just doesn’t seem to stop. I stopped counting the number of people in the taxi when I reached 25. This country is hot so its needless to say that there are 25, o no, 26 smelling natives and a foreigner in a 15 seated taxi. And with his awesome sense of humour, God just has to drive the point home by putting a lady with a crying baby (which God knows is the most irritating sound in the world to me) standing in front of me. I could move because of a lack of space (25-30 people in a 15 seated…) so God at least took pity on me by keeping the baby quiet. BY GETTING HIS MOTHER TO WIPE HER BREAST OUT JUST ABOUT IN MY FACE! So after that and till this day, I feel no prejudice to know person.
After what seemed an endless nightmare we finally got to the church. I was picturing this church with a decent sized congregation, but ya! (That preconception thing). I got something way way better. The church was a small building consisting of four walls and a tin roof, built on the pastor land. Beautiful land I must add. Beach sand, plants, trees, just beautiful. And when walking into the church was the next most humbling experience I got that will forever be with me. I was schedule to be there at about 9am but only ended up arriving at about 12pm or so. Not one person left out for frustration. To arrive at a place and to be received as though you where a king is an amazing feeling. To preach a simple word of God to such receptive and hungry people is a humbling thing. So its needless to say that the church thing I was dreading ending being an absolute blessing to me. But that wasn’t the most amazing part of the day. To my pleasant surprise lunch was prepared for us after church. Now picture this in mind. The most tranquail peaceful place you can think of. Where you can go and just allow all of lives worries to leave you. That is the place I had lunch that day. And there is no restaurant in South Africa that can top the meal or the setting.
Once we were done there we made our way back to the head pastors church. In short-the trip back opened my eyes to a lot of things. You want to know what impoveraged is, do to a place where people sell what they can to make it from day to day in the most vile conditions. And i’m not over exaggerating when I say vile. And to go on with you daily tasks in those conditions as though it be normal. You start appreciating the smallest blessing you have in your life.
Day 4 – 2 May
The day started with a presentation by Dr Dave to all the pastors for the churches we visited. There is one moment that is in my heart from that day at church. I didn’t know it then but it has been revealed to me in a photo and I thank God that I can keep that moment with me. For you the inquiring minds. It’s a photo that was taken of Melise laughing and smiling at me for some reason or another. But it’s not just a smile. It’s everything that she is that comes through that moment.
From there we went to the beach. No no no. From there we went to the most beautiful beach I have ever been to. Everything that God is became evident that day. Again this isn’t really an experience that can be fully spoken about but one that needs to be experienced. All I can say is that is was really beautiful. Those that were there i’m sure will give testimony to that.
When we got home the event that changed my relationship with Melise took place. After, or was it just before dinner? By Dr Dave’s request we had to wash each other’s feet. We paired into twos and naturally I paired with Melise. I always did respect Melise and the women she is, but that evening my respect deepened for her. The love I have for her deepened. In Gods word it speaks about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. The symbolism of that is really deep. And I would encourage any family, any two people in a relationship and marriage to do that. Something in the spiritually realm moves in your relationship. I can say that because that is exactly what happened for us. My love, respect, adoration, just general gratitude for Melise deepened. And for God to do that, or rather orchestrate that in the setting and time he did, can only be God…
Day 5 – 3 May
Final day in Mozambique and final request to preach. I was lucky enough to preach at the head pastors church. I was really amazed firstly as to God can use you if you are willing to avail yourself to him. Its just crazy how the Holy Spirit spoke a word that was so relevant and how God affirmed that word when we were making our way back to the pastor’s house. You should have been there to know what was spoken about and how it was confirmed.
In the beginning I spoke about how freaken A it was that God orchestrated it so that only 12 of us ended up going. I never saw it then but it brings my mind to parts of Matthew 10:5-40. Our trip to Mozambique was not as hectic as the warnings Jesus gave his disciples, but from day one parts of that chapter manifested itself. From being received the way we were to being able to speak Gods word through the Holy Spirit. God showed up in my life. And since then he has just increased. We all have a moment in our lives that defines who we become and where we are going, and the Mozambique trip of 2009 was my moment….
Hope to see you on the next one!
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