Day 2: The Shirt I Couldn't Hide

June 26th, 2026
by Amanda Jones

Let me first start this post by assuring all of our family and friends following along that after two flights, one short hour and fifteen minute flight and one looooong fifteen hour flight, we, along with ALL of our pieces of luggage, have arrived safely in Cape Town, South Africa. We also met up with Adi and Michka Wilson, the final two members of our team traveling from outside Mozambique, and are spending the night at an airport hotel before completing the final leg of our journey to Maputo, Mozambique tomorrow morning. And because I know some of you will ask, our two little travelers did great too. Hez slept for almost seven hours straight!

Now....

It might surprise just a few of you reading this blog to find out that I am naturally an introvert. I really don’t like drawing attention to myself, and specifically dislike to do so in public places.

A few years ago Pastor Chase, who if you don't know is my husband, had “Bride” and “Groom” shirts made up for our 10th anniversary (shout out to Mrs. Gomez for making them!). We wore them in the airport and Chase has requested we wear them every year since on our anniversary. As you can imagine, wearing these shirts brings about A LOT of attention. Lots of people staring at us, as well as conversations and congratulations from complete strangers. Chase loves it. I can’t put a jacket on fast enough.

All of that to say, walking through multiple airports with a bright red/orange/pink shirt that says "Rooted in Christ" in Portuguese, the primary language spoken in Mozambique, alongside 13 other people tends to draw a lot of attention. It guarantees stares and almost always invites conversation.

I was surprised by the amount of people asking about our shirts this time around. It had to have been at least 2-3x more than our last mission trip. However; what’s surprised me most is the overwhelmingly positive reactions from strangers after sharing with them the purpose of our trip.

This has made me think. How many times in the past has the introverted side of me stopped short of opening up Gospel conversations because I’ve been scared of a negative response? How many times have I seized the first opportunity to cover up my shirt both physically and metaphorically?

This trip is already drawing me out of my comfort zone, and we’re not even in Mozambique yet.

As I reflect on this travel day, two things are sticking out in my mind.

1. Our church's theme last year was "UnAlone, UnAfraid, UnAshamed." It was a reminder that because of the Gospel, we never have to face life or His mission alone, in fear, or ashamed of our faith. Surprise... we even had T shirts made!

I love how well that phrase describes our team traveling to Mozambique. We're traveling as a group of believers to meet up with a community of other believers in an unfamiliar place and culture, united by one purpose: to boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus.

2. I'm reminded of something Pastor Chase has said recently from the pulpit, “We’re not trying to build up an audience at The Corners Chapel, we’re raising up an army.”

I truly felt that in a tangible sense today. All of us have been prayed up and sent out from our church in our matching “uniforms”. We picked up two faithful recruits today in Cape Town (Church, send your love to Adi and Michka!), and tomorrow we march on to join the allied forces of believers in Mozambique!

I'm filled with great expectation to see how the Lord will move in the next two weeks. My prayer is that we wouldn't just wear our shirts unashamedly, but that we'd wear the name of Jesus that way too.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Physical safety for all as we finish the last leg of the trip.
That we are able to encourage the local body of believers in Mozambique.
That our team remains flexible.
Sweet times of fellowship within our Corners team as well as with our local brothers and sisters.

Posted in Global Outreach, Mozambique 2026