We just went on a walk into town via a shortcut through the villages…it was beautiful, and eye opening. I went with my roommate, Robert, who is from Kenya and actually lives in a village similar to the one we visited. It is great having him with me when I go into the villages not only to translate but to show me the proper way to interact with the culture. Robert is also a painter who sells his work to give to local orphanages and to support the local widows in his village. He has been such an inspiration to me on what it looks like to use what God has given you to bless others. The highlights from this past week would probably be Fred Rice from the Toronto Church talking about the renewal movement and the Father’s heart and Pastor Cheon from the Harvest Rock Church in LA talking about “The Call.” Both of these guys changed my thinking on two things I have been struggling with…the renewal movement and the prosperity doctrine. It seems like a small issue, but it has transformed my thinking on the kingdom of God. Besides that, we were blessed to have Heidi for a few sessions before she had to travel for the weekend. The night of the first night she was admitted to the hospital with severe dehydration from dysinteria (sp) conjunctivitis, and a fever and the next day she showed up to teach at 3…noone knows how she does it. It was really powerful and brought me, once again, to the dirt asking God to help me surrender my will for his. Thanks you all for writing me...it has been really encouraging...also making me miss you all...Blessings!

We just went on a walk into town via a shortcut through the villages…it was beautiful, and eye opening. I went with my roommate, Robert, who is from Kenya and actually lives in a village similar to the one we visited. It is great having him with me when I go into the villages not only to translate but to show me the proper way to interact with the culture. Robert is also a painter who sells his work to give to local orphanages and to support the local widows in his village. He has been such an inspiration to me on what it looks like to use what God has given you to bless others. The picture above was from the trip...Solomon is the boy in the picture who I am getting really close with. He speaks a little English, but not much...Robert is the guy in the backround. The highlights from this past week at the school would probably be Fred Rice from the Toronto Church talking about the renewal movement and the Father’s heart and Pastor Cheon from the Harvest Rock Church in LA talking about “The Call.” Both of these guys changed my thinking on two things I have been struggling with…the renewal movement and the prosperity doctrine. It seems like a small issue, but it has transformed my thinking on the Kingdom of God. Besides that, we were blessed to have Heidi for a few sessions before she had to travel for the weekend. The night of the first teaching she was admitted to the hospital with severe dehydration from dysintery (sp) conjunctivitis, and a fever and the next day she showed up to teach at 3…noone knows how she does it. She preached on the good samaratin and the focus and vision of the ministry. It put me in the dirt once again asking God to bring me further into that place of surrender. I hope you are all well...thanks for writing...it is making me miss home, but also encouraging me...bless you all!

I think that girl is ashamed of me

This is a picture from a local Catholic Orphanage that Robert has done some painting for. It only has about 20 children, so it is very intimate.

The first two weeks

I hope this finds you all well and having a good summer. Have a St. Arbucks iced coffee and take a bike ride to the rope swing for me…two things I sort of miss. I guess for now I will have to have rice and beans and go swimming in the Indian Ocean…not a bad compromise, less the rice and beans. Since last time I wrote…four days into the trip…I could write a small novel on what God is doing in my heart and in Mozambique. But to save your face from passing out on the keyboard from boredom I will just share a few things. What I love about this culture is their emphasis on relationship. The western world is very focused on time and on how the process is going to lead to accomplishing the goal. The Mozambicans are much more interested in the process and the journey. For example, when the outreach team is going to a remote village and gets stuck in the mud. Many of the western missionaries are motivated to do what it will take to get the truck out of the mud to get to the village. The Mozambicans turn their energy to the process of getting the truck out and the community effort that it involves. One more example would be…if a Mozambican is walking to work and meets someone on the way, the walk is now about connecting with this new friend and less about walking to work. The consequence is that the man might have been walking to finish your roof, so you learn not to have expectations on when things will get done. There are many things the cultures could learn from each other. Beyond learning about the culture, learning Portuguese, and connecting with the people here, God is continuing to show me my heart toward him and to others. Childlike faith and humility starts to make sense when you do not understand the language, the culture, and all of your comfort of “home” is taken away. For example, this past weekend I decided to walk in town (about two miles) to meet some village people and get to know how they live. On the way in town, we saw a drunken man passed out on the ground. We stopped and got him up and prayed for his addiction (he has no family and drinks all day) as we were doing this, the whole village gathered around us to see what we were doing. (Luckily, a boy offered to interpret for us) As we were getting up, a mother and a child approached us with her child. She was very sick and her child had the same problem. She had no money to afford the hospital and there are not government programs and social agencies to help people in her situation. She came to us in utter desperation as if to say, “Do you really carry any good news for me?” It made me think of the way we argue theology and manage “God” in the west… while the whole world is watching with the same question, “Do you really have any good news.” So back to the woman…we prayed for her and her child and we went away praising God for showing us, yet again, our total need his wisdom and ministry. I love not having any other option or plan other than God showing up. One other thing I will mention that is wrecking me is Heidi’s teaching on missions and evangelism. I am used her preaching and seeing the power of God flood through her message, but so far it has been very laid back and practical. Her primary message is that we must move with the rhythm of God’s heart for others and be just ourselves...something that I could probably meditate on for the rest of my life. Anyways I feel like I am rambling…this experience is getting better everyday and I still cannot believe I am here. Thank You all for being a part of my life and being interested in what God is doing in Mozambique…I have not been on an extensive outreach yet…but the stories that are coming back from them are beyond comprehension…eyes, ears and backs being healed….hundreds coming to Jesus from a culture of oppression and corruption…it is really good stuff…but it hasn’t been made real yet. Bless you!!!

First Week in Pemba...wow

So...it is about the fourth day since I arrived in what some would call an airport last Tuesday. Forgive the cliche...but I stumbling to find words to desribe this experience so far. It is a dangerous place for me as well as the most exciting place I have ever been. It is dangerous because I am reaping all of the dangerous prayers I have ever prayed...like, "Lord, show me how my culture has allowed me to justify my complacency and apathy...and how the western paradiagm creates arrogance." God is ripping this all apart and showing me my false comfort. It is painful, but the Holy Spirit is doing it because He is kind and I asked for it. God is also showing me what it is like to really give everything you have for Him. It is the most exciting place I have ever been because the ministry I am with is walking in the power of God and in Intimacy with Him. They are going out in the "Bush" and planting churches in villages that have never heard of the name of Jesus. They are also bringing first aid and fresh water and are loving the culture without changing it. They are also seeing the dead raised (60 recorded), blind eyes and deaf ears opened. It is the full Gospel...it is such a testimony to our God. They are praying about buying a boat to take the Gospel to nearby islands that have never heard the gospel. I am sure there are many places like this, but this is the first time I have experienced it. Our schedule is class from 830 until 12 and then 130 until 5 and then dinner and on to playing with the orphans. Class is studying missions, and Intimacy with God right now...we will be going on to other things as the summer progresses. I start off my day at 530 worshipping with the Mozambican pastors which is getting my white butt dancing a little bit...which as some of you know...I could do a little more of. I then fall on my face because without God working through me, I will die here. Most of the day chidren are coming up to you with a face that says, "Love me." In my own strength, I do not have enough...praise God for showing me His Love...thanks you so much for praying for me...I feel lifted up...bless you. -Steve p.s. sorry for all the grammar mistakes....internet time is not long...also I feel God is telling me to stay on the base as much as possible so I will only be writing a blog every other Saturday...I will also be checking comments...so please tell me how you are doing and how I can be praying for you. Peace

Pemba Bound

I am leaving soon and trying to learn this whole blogger thing...I will figure it out start updating it as things are happening. It is starting to become more real to me as I put my bags by the front door to load into the car. Blessings...-S