Im Here

Well here we are. I'm sitting on Denea's lap in an internet cafe in Pemba. We just bought a peach soda down the street and handed one to a handicap guy selling pens. everywhere we go there are people wanting to sell jewlry and have long stories about how long its been since they've eaten. God is challenging my "ändrea theology", I am finding out that the gospel of andrea is not enough. The gospel of Jesus is the only one big enough, the whole story. He is very big. God is up to much more in the world and with all nations and bringing his people to him, much more than I really believed.

Culture shock you might wonder? yes, for sure. But good. very good. There are people everywhere, God has brought all kinds of people to school here (Russia, Norway, Brazil, Holland.....) and little kids running around everywhere, and begging kids at the beach, and new pastors from villages in Mozambique, who act very quite and humble to us because of the language and culture barriers.

We spend hours and hours a day just worshipping, and thats what they call class. Deliverance and crazy kinds of hallelujah expressions... Its a very animated scene, and a whole different culture shock.

I have been sitting in the courtyard of the Kingdom of God, and happy to tell about the great things inside, but now he is inviting me inside. He always has been, but I have not wanted to go. It is one thing to know about the work of the kingdom of God and it is another to be a part of it myself. scary. but God is patient in bringing me in.

Love you guys,

I will probably not write more than once every week or two, but i'm journalling so i can fill you in later. P.s. i do kinda like this place

Andrea

transition between chapters - "At Home"

This week has seemed quite long enough, as has the whole month, and I there is a part of me that is very ready to just go ahead and be there. Its kind of like the feeling that one might have after finishing up a semester of school in another state, and can't return home for several weeks, but is really done with what they came to do at that place for that time.... and looking forward to going home, but can't yet. Thats how I feel, even though I am 'home' in Allen techinically. This has become more of my launch pad, where I touch down and rest between new places and journeys and temporary homes. Of course I know that this world altogether is not my home, but also I know that God has brought a chapter to a close in my life, and the next one starts in Mozambique. That is my next temporary home. And the thing about my temporary homes is, that because it is God who designs them and goes before me and behind me in them, wherever they are they are strangely comfortable and familiar, even if I've never been there before, and i think even if I don't speak the language(that theory is about to be tested). That is the gentleness of God in my life, I feel very at home in him. (As King James would say, I feel at home because I know that he is with me withersoever I goest)

So here I am, resting in transition, and also anxious to move on.

Destination: Pemba, Mozambique

Pemba Center
Where I will be staying for 7 of the next 10 weeks.
These are all pics from the mission center I will be at in Mozambique.

The Holy Given School of Missions has a required list of books to read before we finish school. I have read almost all of them already so that I don't have to carry them along in luggage, and although I don't like to finish books, I have finished these, and they have been awesome.

Book List

Some of them particularly life changing and faith challenging. I recommend any of them. My favorites were "There is Always Enough" which explains the idea/faith behind the whole ministry I will be with in Mozambique; "Peace Child" which is the story of a missionary to a cannabal tribe and how they were changed with the power of the gospel, and "Like a Mighty Wind" which is the story of what happened to a small Indonesian church when the Holy Spirit brought his own revival there. All of them are quick to read and narrative, story style. Some of my new favorite books. If you read just one, and want to understand what I am doing/think i am doing, read "There is Always Enough" by Heidi and Rolland Baker, the missionaries who started the ministry 10 plus years ago that now includes the school I will be attending.

Durango Half Marathon!! (click here for pic)

Yes I actually did it! To all my doubtful adoring fans.... I did actually train a little, and even when I didn't feel like it, and even when I had a super bad attitude, and we did actually finish the race on our feet. This link is to a picture from the run. Also, at this website:
Marathon Pics

if you type in bib # 599 you can see Denea in blue, or 530 and 531 for Les/Jenny who also ran with us. I'm sure they would be delighted for you to see them all sweaty and happy. We had an awesome trip, in my opinion way too much fun for just running 13 miles. I think I'll have to do it again sometime. God is so good to me, he doesn't just make things do-able for me, he makes them fun and surrounds me with amazing friends and encouragers along the way. Of course I think I can do anything, after all the support he has always given me.. He is good.