Dec 10th Christmas Past

It was 11:00 about 15 minutes ago.  I was tossing and unable to sleep.  There are many things troubling my mind of recent days, most of them selfish as the troubles my friends and family face are too much for me to bare and therefore I am not much help at all.   I laid there praying about their battles, wallowing in my sorrows and irritated that the TV preacher I had turned off had offered no scripture just his opinions.  A thought came into my mind – Exactly one year ago I was in Africa – my lifelong dream was a reality.  I wrote over 70 pages in a journal during my trip, I wonder what I wrote on Dec 10th, 2012?  I turned on the light, grabbed my black book and read – I laughed and cried.  I found it so facinating that in the middle of the entry I check the time and it was 10:42 pm Dec 10th USA time when I wrote it – that is so close to the time it is now that I am motiviated to share.

**************

When we arrived home last night about 5:30 pm I was so exhausted I collapsed.  When I woke up I showered, refused supper and went back to bed!  In the night came a most glorious rainstorm and it has been raining or pouring down ever since.  Back home I would say this would cause much flooding as I am sure it has here.  I am not sure whether Ernesto will be able to come and get us today or not.

As we left the Community Center yesterday I heard thunder and I saw the massive storm coming – I wish I had photographed it but it did not occur to me as I was obsessed with not passing out.   We loaded the van, that in America would be considered an 11 passenger, we had 18 I think.  Surprisingly I could only smell myself – I thought

the smell would have been worse.  Here they ride as many as they can fit and if all seats are full, the last passengers stand over those seated – it is quite a site.  We have taken pictures.  So, anyway, as we piled in the van and I saw the storm cloud I thought it was the Holy Spirit coming just as so many from America  predicted would happen. 

We had had a full day and were very exhausted.  Lorraine taught a women’s class and the Praise & Worship.  The most powerful moment of worship was when our interpreter was overcome by the Holy Spirit and she wept – crying

“Thank You Jesus”.  Many were in a “one on one” worship experience and some, it seemed,  for the first time.  Lorraine taught them that our bodies are simply containers and that our spirit is housed within – as we raise our hands our spirit is tuning in the the Spirit of God and our hands and arms are like two antennas outstretched to receive the transmission from His Holy Throne.  Everyone responded with understanding and it was glorious.

It was also gloriously hot – and I felt as though I might lose conscienceness at times.  The sweat was pouring all the way from my head to my feet, running down my legs into my shoes.  I have never perspired like that before.  One woman collapsed and needed healing prayer, Lorraine heard from the Holy Spirit that she was dehydrated.  We quickly got her water and she was better.  She came up to me later and her communication told me she was believing that she was healed, it was beautiful.  But these women must be taught about water and hydration.  Maybe this is also the reason for the downpour of WATER!

It is still raining and I have been journaling for at least 20 minutes.  Not sure what the time is I will go check and get Mom’s card for “Day 4”.  Today marks the first day I am not crying.  I am still homesick but not as much.  I do hope Richard was able to purchase a “modem card” yesterday for us to use here at the hotel.  We stopped for one in the village of Marracuene but I was too exhausted to see if he was successful.  To be honest I was also caught up in the “judgemental” observations of the villagers.

The civil war here lasted until 1994 and men are said to be scarce here but in Marracuene and Maputo I observe that there are young men everywhere – 20 something year olds and they carry themselves exactly like American boys – with disregard and disrepect.  There is a Promise Keepers gold mine here and if I get the chance I will share with Ernesto, and back home.

I went to get Mom’s cards and could not find them.  I was struck with fear thinking they were missing but they had only slipped down into the suitcase.  I did not realize how much I need her encouragement until I thought it was gone.  I checked my phone for the time – 6:42 am December 11th here means 10:42 pm, December 10th at home.

My heart aches and tears swell as I want to call my family.  I will not as I don’t know how much phone calls are and I alone have made 3 or 4 already and I will only cry.  I am certainly not calling my mother as I will cry and cry, I know that I should but I am afraid  to scare her.  I am in my room, the electricity comes and goes – I am writing by the light of an open window shade.  Even though it is pouring rain here the sky is light.  A beautiful bright gray.  No sun, just light.

“Day Four Mom’s Card”

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth! “

She writes “You are full of love and I pray God’s blessings be with you and you get to see all you want to while you are there.  I love you. I miss you, Mom.”

There are no words to describe how much the love of a mother means to her child.  She is everything to them and she has the power to make or break them.  She cannot be both Father and Mother so she must be a good Mother.

  Strong, supportive, wise !  I am blessed with such a mom.

Holy Spirit Soap – When I teach the women about soap I must teach them about life.

Water and Lye = danger and heartache

Oils, different kinds = different attitudes

Mix together…get soap ! 

24 hours leave alone to cure = no control

Life can have danger and horror but if mixed right it will give you a balanced, useful and successful life!