The Simple Life

Life moves a little slower in Mozambique. To say the least. It's such an incredible change of pase from the crazy business of American life. It's a place and a culture that is so event oriented, that the value of time is placed directly on the event going on at the moment. That is the priority. That is where people focus. The next thing does not start at this or that time. It begins when this event, whatever it be, is finished. It's a very different approach to time and one that really makes room for Holy Spirit to have His way whenever He wants. He is not bound by the restrictions of time, of things ending at blank o'clock. He is given priority to do what He wants, when He wants, however He wants to do it. I have really enjoyed that. And I don't agree with the entire outlook on time and event priority but do believe that there is important value to learn from this culture if we want to see relationships grow and God sweep the land with revival.

Anyways, that just came out. Not planned. Haha. Event orientation is grabbing a hold of me. I wanted to share a bit of day to day life with y'all. So basically, the days are long and wonderful. Sun rises at 5am. I'm usually up by 6 or so unless I go run or swim earlier. Grab a couple bread roles and tea foe breakfast and have some alone time with Papa. Class starts at 8am. We usually worship Jesus for an hour or two. Event oriented worship is the best! No time limit! Then a speaker teaches followed by another speaker finishing off the morning. At 1 we go have beans and rice for lunch. So glad I brought spices because rice and beans everyday get bland. Usually there are optional classes or sessions in the afternoon. On Tuesdays and Fridays there are usually soccer games versus the Mozambican pastors or the boys Iris team. Dinner is at 5:30. Rice and something. Monday and Wednesday night there is class. Tuesday night is family dinner. Thursday night there is soaking worship. I'm usually in bed by 9 unless we stay up chatting with new friends or having a Holy Ghost party. Water is a privilege. Sometimes there is no running water. Bucket shower or a swim in the Indian ocean across the street is the solution. We share a room with 10 men, including 3 mozambican pastors. It's a little tight but wonderful. Really great group of guys. Life is simple. And I've really enjoyed the simplicity of life.

So I'm beyond blessed. God is doing so many incredible things daily. It is a blessing to be here. There is something so special about being around a group of 270 people from all over the world that are hungry for God and giving Him their lives for Him to transform the world. There is such an atmosphere of joy, peace, and love that permeates everything that goes on and electrifies everything that God does with expectancy and faith!

Much love from Pemba!

Joy is Serious Business

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and JOY in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)

Oh Africa. It's incredible to watch a people enjoy the JOY and goodness of God's love in the midst of terrible poverty. In the natural, Mozambicans have next to nothing and yet possess an inheritance of incomprehensible worth as children of the King. Papa Rolland is a man so full of the joy of God that, though he has 10 years of theological education, He loves to let Holy Spirit have His way in every meeting. He has said some really profound things about joy:

"the Holy Spirit is just in a better mood than you are..."
"Christians that miss the joy of the Holy Spirit are missing out on a third of the Kingdom"
"we honor God by rejoicing in Him in the midst of any and every situation"
"would you rather be a missionary or happy?"

I pray that you would know the joy of the Holy Spirit in the midst of any situation you are facing, because it is when we really understand God's goodness as the cornerstone of all things that we can enjoy Him during the good and the crappy stuff life throws us. That though Iris experiences terribly hard and sad situations in ministry, they rejoice in the presence of God always and honor Him above life's circumstances.

I can't post pics right now cuz I'm on my phone but I'll try to soon.

Blessings to you and may joy abound,

Juanpa