Africa Update - Part III

My guess is that some of you might not know exactly what we planned to do during our stay in Mozambique, so I thought I’d give you some background information to help explain our mission in that country.

First, I want to explain that we met Israel Jovo in South Africa when we were there two years ago. He is a friend of Jubilee one of our dear friends and the young lady who put together the Mozambican portion of our trip. Israel is from Mozambique; Jubilee met him while both were attending Youth With A Mission in South Africa five years ago.

Israel is an extremely intelligent young man who felt called to return to his own village in order to continue the ministry his parents began years ago. He has been discipling the youth in his village and has been asked to teach even the young children who haven’t been able to go to school. Although they have no electricity or running water, and they have to walk 1 - 3 km to obtain water from a well, what the people of this village most long for is a Christian school for their children.

In the past we have sent funds to help feed 40 families during their summer months when they are unable to grow enough produce to live on. Drought contributes to the starvation taking place in this poverty-stricken area of the world. Even if it were feasible to carry enough water for crops to be irrigated, there simply isn’t enough water in the well to do so.

Jubilee began to have a burden for helping to build a school facility, and as it took shape, we joined hands with her to see it happen. We learned it would cost around $12,000 for the first structure, so we helped raise just over $6,000 of that, and we also knew God was calling us to go and help build.

Tracy and I drove our rental car from Swaziland into neighboring Mozambique, and we found the countryside breathtakingly beautiful. Entering the capital city of Maputo quickly changed our view of the country, however, as we saw the extreme poverty of the people. Trying to drive down a side road downtown was much like pictures we’ve seen of Tokyo--we could barely inch along because of the people pressing into our vehicle and the streets. Individuals hawked an incredible variety of products along the streets--everything from belts to car mufflers to phone cards to cookies. The city is characterized by garbage heaps that children dig through as they look for something to eat.

We drove three hours to the city of Xai Xai, where missionaries Orai and Linda Lehman opened their home to our team of ten. The original plan had been to stay in the village the entire time, but this was much more convenient for us and allowed us the opportunity to stay connected to civilization with those who brought phones, etc. We had plenty of good, safe water, though I admit that taking it with us to the village was a continual reminder of their need. The Lehman’s live so close to the Indian Ocean, you can hear the waves through the open windows at night and see a breathtaking view from upstairs every morning. It was a contrast with the village life we were introduced to.

The “God connections” with the people involved in this mission trip could never be explained by coincidence. Orai’s parents were the missionaries who first took the Gospel of Jesus to Israel’s parents! Jubilee met Orai’s sister Alice in the parking lot of the Wesleyan church in Bartlesville, OK, where Jubilee’s dad was superintendant of that Christian school for two years. What are the chances of her meeting Israel in Africa, feeling called to his village to help bring about the Christian school and eventually teach in it, coming back to America and following her parents to Bartlesville where she met Alice, then being connected to Orai to return to the very spot the Lehman and Jovo families first shared Jesus together? I’m astounded every time I think of it!

Israel’s father, Mr. Jovo, actually led Orai and Alice’s dad, Mr. Lehman, into remote villages where he could preach. He was a right-hand man for Mr. Lehman for many years. Mr. And Mrs. Jovo learned that people in the village of Vladimir were hungry for God, so they ended up moving there and starting a church. Christianity brought wonderful changes to the village, including freedoms for the women that they’d never known before. Before the Jovo’s came, women couldn’t sit with men, couldn’t eat meat, and couldn’t wear shoes. I’m sure there was more, but these are a few things we learned. Everywhere the true Gospel is preached, people are liberated on many levels!

Meeting Israel’s mother, affectionately called Vovo by everyone in the village, was one of the spiritual highlights of my life. This woman speaks no English, but there was no denying her passion for the Lord Jesus and His people. She gathered her extended family to welcome us to their village as she first gave a speech, then led them in singing praises to our God. She has a quiet dignity like no other woman I’ve ever met. Our hearts were knit together from the first moment we met.

We spent much time waiting for supplies, waiting for funds to be wired, waiting for every little thing that needed to be done. There was much red tape for permits, and along with that, officials wanted what Israel called the white envelope to make the red tape go away. He was referring to bribes, which everyone wants and which he refused to give. Especially when they learned Americans were involved in the project, they wanted to hike prices. This was true even at the market where we purchased our food. We were thankful for the locals who believe in the work being done in the name of the Lord, for they accompanied us as we purchased needed materials and food.

According to people who live there, nothing happens fast in Africa. To be completely honest, Tracy and I were prepared for the possibility that we wouldn’t even be able to round up enough supplies to begin the work on the school. We’re full of gratitude to the Lord for making a way, and we’re also filled with respect for Israel because we have some idea what kind of time and effort he had to put into the preparations for us to actually begin building. He made countless phone calls, caught rides into the town (which is a 45 min. drive), even rode his bike sometimes to take care of business.

One aspect of village life that stunned me was the washing of clothes. The women use the river, which I expected, but I had no idea they had to watch for crocodiles! Recently a little boy narrowly escaped a croc, and the next day a man lost one of his two dogs to the croc. Thankfully some men were able to shoot it. But this was a huge reminder to me that the situation in this village is more than stepping back in time a couple hundred years; there are real dangers to be faced in daily life, and things we take for granted end up being life-threatening for these women.
The women in Israel’s family graciously fed us many meals; most consisted of the ground corn meal that has the consistency of our Cream of Wheat here, beans, and rice. We took those products with us, along with some fish and vegetables. They butchered a calf in our honor, although I had to overcome recalling the hairy legs and hooves sticking out of the wheelbarrow of raw meat that day, I still fully appreciated the sacrifice made on our behalf. These women also made the best eggs and fried potatoes I’ve ever eaten!

Getting enough water is a continual challenge; there is a well 1 km away, but the women and children must carry it in a five gallon plastic container on their heads up a steep incline. I walked it without a load, and I could still barely navigate it. When that well is out of water, they try another one 3 km’s away. When both are dry, they simply go without.

In order to build, Israel purchased water from a neighbor with a well. When rocks were delivered, young men had to spend the night beside them so none would be stolen while others slept. Israel has a wonderful group of devoted young men who willingly, cheerfully serve alongside him. We were blessed to see how he’s training up faithful men who will then also teach others.

His nephew Israelito (little Israel) is one example of just such a young man. Israel trained him to lead the preschool children in learning English. He has a simple chalkboard, a stick from a tree to use as a pointer, and an eager group of little ones sitting at his feet--often more than fifty of them huddled together for their classes. Talk about classroom management--these children are so thankful to be in school and so well-trained that he easily handles the entire group. We loved working on the building to the sounds of the alphabet being sounded out in unison!

And we were thrilled that during our days in Vladimir, the foundation for the school was completed. We helped clear the land, then the stronger members of our team dug the trench for the foundation. We carried bricks to them and helped cut wire for making our own rebar. We watched with amazement as they mixed cement and poured it. We were able to participate in a dedication service that was extremely moving as the dreams and prayers of Vovo, Israel, Jubilee, and the desperate parents and children finally became tangible. There is a team of trustworthy men hired to work alongside us who will complete this first building for the school. God be praised!

The needs are many, shown most clearly at the church service we attended in the village. First the youth group gathered at the front to sing for us, then the young women, followed by the mothers of the church. Each of these were nice-sized groups. But when the fathers of the church took their turn to sing, my heart was in my throat as I fought tears. There were only three fathers standing before us. I believe some of the younger men were also fathers, but they weren’t taking their places with the other men in our midst. Truly, this is a fatherless generation. Some of the men have died, while others have gone to South Africa to try to find work in the mines. Mozambicans are being mistreated and even shot at in South Africa, for the men there resent having the jobs taken by outsiders. Israel has a vision for doing more than merely educating the children through high school; he also wants to provide training for them in the areas God has gifted them. For example, he has a plan for a garden that will sustain itself even in their climate, but he doesn’t have time to do it all himself. He is keeping his eyes open for a young man who is gifted with growing things, one who has the desire to learn and help the village. When Israel finds one like this, he’ll take him to the city to receive training so that this young man can grow crops to feed his own family and have enough to also sell in the village and beyond. Israel can see this happening in many areas until they have trained up many of these young people with vocations that will change the futures of an entire generation.

But it starts with schooling for the young, and this is where we come in. The need for sponsors is great, and we ask you to ask the Father if He is calling you to become one of the 200 sponsors we’re looking for over the next few months. Sponsorship is only $20 a month, and all of those funds go to the needs of the child. It covers tuition, a uniform, and some food.

We ended our time in the village by washing the feet of Vovo and Israel as our way of honoring those who are serving so selflessly. It was a tremendously moving experience as we prayed over them and encouraged them--another highlight in my faith journey.

Thank you again to those who have prayed for us even as we’ve returned home and tried to reintegrate into life in the States. Many of you have asked about the heaviness I’ve been feeling, and to be honest, it hasn’t completely lifted yet, but I’m finding His joy is truly my strength. More on that soon!