AFRICA...And Beyond...Vol. 2

AFRICA…And Beyond…Volume 1 Issue 2
Maputo, Mozambique to Pemba, Mozambique
July 27, 2009-August 9, 2009

Salama! Salama!
(Hello Hello in Makua!!)
In the last version of Africa and Beyond…we left off enroute to Pemba, Mozambique…word of advice to travelers: Pack as light as possible…The airport in Maputo, charged our group an overage of $1600 dollars US…for the extra luggage…the first time this has ever happened to a Global Celebration group… The flight was up and down…like a bus, we landed and made a pick-up and drop-off in Nampula before arriving at our destination…

PEMBA…
Destiny Awaits…as soon as my feet touched the tarmac (Yes, we walked across)…It felt rather like “home.” We were greeted by Iris Staff and piled into trucks to be taken to the hotel Nautilus, for a 1 night stay while the staff at the Pemba base finished their preparations for our large group!
I can try to describe to you the beauty of Pemba’s breathtaking sunrise, but my words will fail me…The picture above (from my hotel deck) cannot suffice…it’s pure white light at 5 in the morning and everything is STILL. Every breath can be heard and for a moment life seems to stop…Maybe a SELAH is the better word, stop is too final;) Moments of pause were there, but after this first morning, the remainder of this trip was a whirlwind of sights, sounds, colors and experiences. Each moment watered my palate with a thirst for the water of life that Africa’s richness offered.
THE VILLAGE of JOY
Ministerio Arco Iris, Cabo Del Gado, Mozambique
DESTINY AWAITS…There was something special about Pemba that I couldn’t pinpoint until the trip unfolded like a beautiful flower before my eyes. Though I could say I was partially enamored with the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean just across the street from the Village of Joy Children’s Center, it was that my steps were being divinely orchestrated that made this journey so incredibly life-changing.

I WENT TO PRISON!!
Because I brought my guitar, I was invited to go as an extra guest on a very limited space trip to worship with the inmates at the prison…I have NEVER in my life heard worship that was so filled with the presence of God, pureness in heart, and amazing love that I nearly wept at its beauty…and that was before entering the prison!!

After we sang a few songs we were asked to share with the inmates--that were lined in a white hall less than 4 ft. in width—why we came to Mozambique. I did not expect to say what bubbled up within and broke me as it flooded out, “I am from the United States. I came to your country to learn about love and to receive love from my Mozambican brothers and sisters. I hope to learn to love as you have been so gracious to show me. Thank you for your love and blessings.” This was the first moment I wept openly—most of these men live a better life in prison then before and will never touch “freedom” again, yet they had such joy and remarkable peace. In their prison they were no longer bound by the poverty that surrounds them, the crime, or the hunger--at least in prison they get one meal a day—I did not have ANY idea what I would see in prison, and I came to be a blessing and bring love, yet once again, I left receiving more than I could have ever given…Traveling back to the base, I was caught up in my thoughts, and the day was just beginning…


THINGS TO DO @ VILLAGE of JOY
(List not complete)
1. VILLAGE FEEDING…Sunday 12:00-4:00
2. PRISON MINISTRY…Tuesday (early)
3. HANG WITH CHILDREN
4. TAKE A KID TO LUNCH
5. MIEZE VILLAGE OUTREACH…Tuesday (late)
6. BUSH OUTREACH (watch for details)
7. 24-HR. PRAYER HUT
8. CHURCH SUNDAY, CHAPEL DAILY 11ish
9. OUTREACH to OTHER LOCATIONS (tbd)
10. QUIET TIME

COMING UP… The Mieze Village, The Bush, Maringhana, and Avoiding Stones…




DESTINY AWAITS:

I have applied for Iris Ministries Harvest Mission School for the October-December ’09 months. I will be living as a missionary and prayers and financial support are welcomed and appreciated. To continue with me on this journey go to Desirama.net and use the “Donations for Africa page” and use the Paypal buttons or e.mail me at dunamisdesi@gmail.com for more information.

AFRICA...And Beyond...Ver. 1

AFRICA…And Beyond…
Maputo, Mozambique to Pemba, Mozambique
July 27, 2009-August 9, 2009

Salama! Salama!
(Hello Hello in Makua!!)

It is with great pleasure and much anticipation that I am finally able to write about our recent adventure in Mozambique, Africa. I would apologize for my delay, but a crashed computer and a bit of African time delay has made the timing of this letter—just right!! So here we are!!

First, I will express metas obrigados (many thanks) to you who joined me on this adventure in prayer and finances. The overflow of love was and remains astounding!! Your support made the trip much more meaningful as it was refreshing to have gone with sooo many of you!! The prayers you poured out lifted my heart and my spirit when my eyes saw some tough conditions!!

This will be the first of a series of letters about Mozambique. And I will continue updating as time progresses. Pretty soon you will be able to find these letters on my website: www.desirama.net There you will also be able to follow and continue on the journey as this is just the beginning. The adventure has not stopped…more adventures await!

Enjoy this portion of Africa and Beyond…Stay tuned for more!!
Ciao,
Desiree
e.mail: dunamisdesi@gmail.com
MOZAMBIQUE 2009

MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE…Ministerio Arco Iris, Zimpeto Base…

After two rigorous days of travel, including a 12 hour delay in Frankfurt, Germany (and no plane…long story), and a 9 hour delay in Johannesburg, South Africa, team Soul Safari arrived in Maputo (Mah-Pu-too), Mozambique. It took 3 hours to get through customs and receive our visas. We were the last to leave the airport. We arrived at the Ministerio Arco Iris, Zimpeto (Zim-Peh-too) Base—a children’s center that feeds and houses orphaned children. On the base is a school and a soccer field for play.

Our trip in Maputo was very quick and adventure-filled, but the highlight was when we visited the Bocarilla garbage dump city. Never before had garbage taken on the appearance of beautiful treasure as it did that day. Amid miles and miles of mounds of dirt and filth were beautiful people with such loving hearts. Who was I to be found so worthy to bring song and dance to a people who is forgotten, forsaken, and abandoned? Climbing to the tops of the heaps of garbage and seeing beautiful smiles as we brought LOVE to them, I felt like I was an observer witnessing a phenomenon…The stench of burning rotting goods became an aroma of pleasure as we saw the villagers come to life as we sang songs and spoke to them and listened to them talk. When they realized we were there just for them, they and we wept for joy. To embrace those who’s lot in life was to be born into abject poverty, I felt poor. What could I truly offer these beautiful people that they did not already have? I did not have the means, the medicine, or the food, yet I could hug and love, and sing and smile…and what did I receive? Perfect Love. Not even dirt, flies, and garbage could disguise the wealth hidden beneath these mounds. The villagers, especially the children, were so eager to share the bread WE brought for them…They were the wealthy ones…Though I was singing and playing my guitar, I was very silent as I pondered, “What LOVE is it that even the poorest of the poor are willing to share their bread with me? How can I know and begin to love like they?” Here I was, a California girl, who knew NOTHING about lacking anything, and yet the generosity of the Bocarilla villagers showed me that there was a greater depth to LOVE that I needed to learn. In the midst, of the garbage, I began to learn about and see the goodness of the Lord through little acts of love and the mission to expand my own capacity for love became established…

After the Bocarilla, the Maputo portion of our 12 day adventure flew by! We were able to watch a sunset graduation of Iris Ministries’ newest pastors. Many of them, young and old, men and women alike, have left their villages, both near and far, to spend three months learning to read and preach the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to bring back to their villages!!

Less than 36 hours of our arrival in Maputo, we hugged many children, took tons of pictures, and in a flash we were back at the airport, flying to the next destination…




UP NEXT: Pemba...Prison...The Bush...and MORE!!!

All Pictures from Maputo and Bocarilla...at right, Amy, Jessica, Shawna and Me!!