Running the Race

I had the privilege of joining a group of six people from Akron, Ohio who traveled to the villages of Chaimite, Koka Misava and Macalawane the end of May. We were joined by a group of six from Young Life.  They were a wonderful asset to the team as they are experts in working with youth. Their skits, games, and stories with the kids and youth were excellent and they kept us moving in the evenings as well. No board games were needed to entertain us this time!

We were also joined by the people who are always working on the ground - trainers of discipleship groups, agriculture managers, cooks, a construction guy, drivers, interpreters, kids' clubs leaders coordinators. They are wonderful people and we had a good time getting to know them better - they are the unsung heroes.

The group's theme for the week was "running the race" from Hebrews 11 and 12. For one of their skits they acted out a race. Four volunteers came forward. Three of them were "hindered" as it talks about in Heb 12:1-2. One had a blindfold, one had hands and feet tied, one had to carry a bucket of water on her head. The last one had no weights or hindrances.

Here they are at the lineup.

The "unhindered" woman won but the lady

with the water came in a close second! She was
wet and laughing.

 Mozambique - where the
women are strong ...

I was very excited to see the multiplication of the discipleship groups. That has been the goal since they started three years ago and it is happening now.  I spoke to Rabeca (below) and asked her why she wanted to start a group. She said she is like the Samaritan woman at the well who went to tell her neighbors and family about Jesus. She wants them to learn the truths she has learned.

 

Isabel, the leader of the original groups for the last three years is on the right. She now leads new groups and is supervising 26 people who are starting their own groups. Please pray for these people as some are new in the faith.

I also met another Isabel. She is so excited about what God has done in her life. She has started a discipleship group in the agriculture field that is supported by The Chapel and World Relief plus another group at her home. Isabel spends a lot of time in the fields and is one of the top five producers. Even though they lost a lot of their crop with the floods in January, they are very hopeful about the beautiful crop of tomatoes that are ready for harvest. She used to sell tomatoes by the road with other women and now she produces the tomatoes and sells to her friends as well as to the wholesale market in Maputo.

I met Regina in the neighboring village of Mukhotwene. She shared with me that being in the discipleship group has saved her money because she no longer pays the witchdoctor to find out who put a curse on her. Now when something bad happens, she prays and leaves it in God's hands.

These are just a few of the stories we heard and I was very encouraged. There is still a lot of work to do, but it is wonderful to see how God has been working in people's lives. You can read more about the discipleship groups here.

When I returned home I found out the riot police had been to the Central Hospital just across the way from our house to arrest the leader of the medical association. The doctors, nurses, and other workers have been on strike for the last three weeks, wanting 100% increase in their wages.  Now there are rumors that the teachers will strike. Everyone wants a piece of the pie from the big new industries that are producing gas and coal in the center of the country. Unfortunately it is not trickling down and you can read more about that here if you are interested.  There is plenty to pray about - intercessions and thanksgivings.


Photo credits - Julie Davis (I forgot to take my camera!)