New Birth
Below is a blog post I wrote while living in Pemba, Mozambique 4 years ago. When I describe my time there, I tell people that this is where I was given new life, where I was re-born. Lately, I have been struggling with my purpose, better yet, what I want my story to be. When I went back to read old blog posts I stumbled upon this one, at such an appointed time. I was quickly inspired by my own words and belief and was quickly reminded of what my purpose truly is. Read to the end to find out ❤️
30 days and counting without running water, strategically hand washing my clothes from a dried out well, drinking through a life straw, being stung by killer baby ants, taking bottle baths, eating with my hands, eating more bread in a day than you could imagine, being attacked by crazy African bees, exhausted from the heat, worrying about malaria and worms, running up a steep hill to the latrine just to go to the bathroom, being caked by red dirt and sweat, being consumed by the smell of garbage, diesel and feces, yet still I’m more in love with Jesus, more than ever captivated by the smiles from an orphan who is adopted into a family of Christ, taken by the hand holds walking back from town by sweet Mozambican children, praying for the crippled man out side of the super market, kissing the cheeks of sweet old mamas who work long hours each day to provide for their children, and weeping while my feet are being washed by a Mozambican man training to be a pastor after years of abuse makes me count all of the hard things as amazing, unexplainable joy. Learning Gods heart in a mission school while doing missions enables you to learn about our creator while stepping into his heart as well. My life is already changed after a month because I have met Jesus in such a tangible way here. I’ve met him through the village people, the other harvest school students, and the 11 other girls I live with from 5 different nations, and trust me that isn’t easy, yet we are so united as sisters.
Along with the harvest school here in Pemba which has 300+ students from 40+ nations, they also have a Mozambican bible school that takes in mozambican men who have dedicated their lives to Christ and over the course of 4 years trains them to be mighty men of God to take back their nation!
I tried to think of one of the MANY amazing experiences here to write about that could sum up my experience so far, here’s a good one:
A few weeks ago I got down on my knees in front of a mighty man of God, one of my Mozambican brothers. I felt so unworthy to be in the presence of a man who has been through so much poverty, abandonment, starvation, and harm, yet he chooses to praise The Lord. I couldn’t help but to weep in his presence. I knelt down below, holding his feet and I prayed for The Lord to make me love and believe like he does. Depend like he does. I wept as I washed the dirt off of the most precious feet I have ever seen. I look up to see such a sweet illuminating spirit. As we switched positions and the Mozambican brothers knelt before us I then understood real love. I saw Jesus in them. Jesus was about to wash my feet. I was so overwhelmed with the love of the father, with the vast anointing he has laid on my Mozambican brothers. It was so unbelievable in the natural, but in the supernatural such a beautiful representation of how Jesus humbled himself in front of sinners. Jesus in front of me, taking his time, washing beneath my feet, and between my toes. Kneeling before me crying and praying over me. I can’t even explain the colorful healing that was taking place in my heart. The fire fell that day.
Jesus takes his time, he goes low and slow. He washes between the cracks, removes and dirt, and makes us pure. When we allow our selves to be positioned in the center of Gods holy heart we remember why we are here. We remember the beauty and unconditional love that Jesus showed by dying for us on the cross.
Jesus, you bring such an exhilarating thrill to my heart and life. I long for a love like they have for you. I’m so touched. To be in the presence of the most precious men I have ever seen washing my feet, to be able to get on my face and weep a heart wrenching weep in the presence of men who embodied my savior even through heart ache and pain. What an honor that was and will ever be. Thank you my sweet papa God.
So this is where my heart was born. This is when I realized I was made for more than just doing normal life on this earth. I was made to love and to be loved by our mighty father. So my heart is for adventure with Jesus. Taking the adventure to love his children no matter what the cost.