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.