Day 13: The Goodbye I Wasn't Ready For
A Quick Note from Pastor Chase
Hey everyone! I'm sorry this post is going up a little later than usual. By the time we got back to our place in South Africa last night, we were completely exhausted after saying goodbye to our Mozambique family and traveling all day.
Our Mozambique portion of the trip has officially come to an end as Gaby will explain in just a moment. It's now July 8th, and so we officially leave and begin our journey home. Most of us at least...stay tuned till the end to see why some are staying. Tomorrow so this is our last full day in Africa. However, we do have one full day together in Cape Town today where we'll spend some time reflecting on everything God has done over the last two weeks and enjoy a slightly different corner of this beautiful continent before heading back.
I'll share more reflections for tonight's blog...later today for you all, so you'll get a double dose of blog today!
But for now, here's Gaby's perspective on a trip and how it's changed her forever.
Hey everyone! I'm sorry this post is going up a little later than usual. By the time we got back to our place in South Africa last night, we were completely exhausted after saying goodbye to our Mozambique family and traveling all day.
Our Mozambique portion of the trip has officially come to an end as Gaby will explain in just a moment. It's now July 8th, and so we officially leave and begin our journey home. Most of us at least...stay tuned till the end to see why some are staying. Tomorrow so this is our last full day in Africa. However, we do have one full day together in Cape Town today where we'll spend some time reflecting on everything God has done over the last two weeks and enjoy a slightly different corner of this beautiful continent before heading back.
I'll share more reflections for tonight's blog...later today for you all, so you'll get a double dose of blog today!
But for now, here's Gaby's perspective on a trip and how it's changed her forever.
It is crazy that our time in Mozambique is already over.
When we showed up to the airport this morning in Maputo it felt like we were just there, arriving at the beginning of our trip. There were so many emotions when we had to say “see you later” to our family in Mozambique.
It is wild to me how quickly people can become your family when you have never even met them before, and the lasting impact that just a few short weeks can have on your life. To be completely honest I felt very sad leaving, but excited to come back and keep in touch with my new family until the next time we see each other.
Reflecting back on the trip, there have been so many different things the Lord has taught me. Here's just three things:
1.) The power of prayer.
We just experienced almost two weeks with a culture that fully embraces prayer. In America we stand in a circle and pray one at a time, most of the time in a quiet voice, and while that is not wrong or any less prayerful than the way the people in Mozambique pray it definitely feels different. I felt the Spirit in ways I never have before during moments of prayer with the women in Mozambique. When we said we were going to pray, everyone in the room started praying loud and boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus, worshiping him, and giving him all the glory. Experiencing that genuineness left a mark on me that will last an eternity.
2.) The people of Mozambique are so resilient.
There was flooding earlier this year and we were able to see the damages that was caused. Many of these people lost their homes, families, their jobs. As I saw how much they lost I couldn’t believe the joy they still had. I couldn’t even imagine losing what they did and still singing and praising the Lord with endless joy. The women specifically who we got to talk to would share the hardships they went through and I definitely felt the weight of that on my heart and their ability to lean on the Lord was an inspiration.
3.) The time I spent with the children in Mozambique changed my life dramatically.
I not only realized how much life, joy and value can be found in the small things in life but how important helping children understand the love of God is. As the time went on and I got to work with more kids I learned things about myself, strong suits that I have, and that I don’t need to be timid in sharing the gospel or experiences with children. I have learned so much about myself and what I am being called to do in my life from this trip and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I cannot wait to go back and visit the beautiful people I just met.
When we showed up to the airport this morning in Maputo it felt like we were just there, arriving at the beginning of our trip. There were so many emotions when we had to say “see you later” to our family in Mozambique.
It is wild to me how quickly people can become your family when you have never even met them before, and the lasting impact that just a few short weeks can have on your life. To be completely honest I felt very sad leaving, but excited to come back and keep in touch with my new family until the next time we see each other.
Reflecting back on the trip, there have been so many different things the Lord has taught me. Here's just three things:
1.) The power of prayer.
We just experienced almost two weeks with a culture that fully embraces prayer. In America we stand in a circle and pray one at a time, most of the time in a quiet voice, and while that is not wrong or any less prayerful than the way the people in Mozambique pray it definitely feels different. I felt the Spirit in ways I never have before during moments of prayer with the women in Mozambique. When we said we were going to pray, everyone in the room started praying loud and boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus, worshiping him, and giving him all the glory. Experiencing that genuineness left a mark on me that will last an eternity.
2.) The people of Mozambique are so resilient.
There was flooding earlier this year and we were able to see the damages that was caused. Many of these people lost their homes, families, their jobs. As I saw how much they lost I couldn’t believe the joy they still had. I couldn’t even imagine losing what they did and still singing and praising the Lord with endless joy. The women specifically who we got to talk to would share the hardships they went through and I definitely felt the weight of that on my heart and their ability to lean on the Lord was an inspiration.
3.) The time I spent with the children in Mozambique changed my life dramatically.
I not only realized how much life, joy and value can be found in the small things in life but how important helping children understand the love of God is. As the time went on and I got to work with more kids I learned things about myself, strong suits that I have, and that I don’t need to be timid in sharing the gospel or experiences with children. I have learned so much about myself and what I am being called to do in my life from this trip and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I cannot wait to go back and visit the beautiful people I just met.
I am excited to spend a day exploring Cape Town before many people head home.
Adi and Michka are, of course, staying here since they live in Cape Town, but the rest of our team is heading home...except for Maggie and me!
Instead of flying back to the U.S., we're traveling to Rwanda, where we'll spend the next couple of weeks serving alongside Arise Rwanda Ministries, a ministry connection of CVCA. Maggie has been there before, but this will be my first time! I'll save all the details for another time, but after this Mozambique blog series comes to an end, we'll be back with a special blog post sharing what God did during our time in Rwanda.
Thank you for constant prayer over us and please continue prayer for the people in Moz!
Adi and Michka are, of course, staying here since they live in Cape Town, but the rest of our team is heading home...except for Maggie and me!
Instead of flying back to the U.S., we're traveling to Rwanda, where we'll spend the next couple of weeks serving alongside Arise Rwanda Ministries, a ministry connection of CVCA. Maggie has been there before, but this will be my first time! I'll save all the details for another time, but after this Mozambique blog series comes to an end, we'll be back with a special blog post sharing what God did during our time in Rwanda.
Thank you for constant prayer over us and please continue prayer for the people in Moz!
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1 Comment
Wonderful update! Blessings to you and Maggie on your journey to Rwanda.????