Work in Progress

The time here in Pemba, Mozambique has been intense on so many levels and we have done five weeks of Harvest School 25 already. The other evening I almost had to pinch myself thinking I was on a movie set (not that I have been on one before) with all these amazing "actors" around me. I just see the most beautiful people whose eyes quite literally sparkle and every week I wonder whether this Love bubble is going to burst. Far from it as these fellow students and staff display such a genuine affection and sincerity that runs so deep.  What an inspiring picture of hope to see a community living in an atmosphere of preferring one another and celebrating the gift or favour on the one sitting beside you. We have heard the word "relationship" and "family" quite often in our school - how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! Psalm 133

Worship under the Bread Tree

One evening we had a combined colour group meeting which is our Harvest School students of 15 people with a similar number of Mozambican bible school students and we had a chicken feast under the bread tree ( a baobab tree in the student village where two owls have their home). Then we worshipped together and we sang the joyful Macua songs with plenty of dancing. It was already evening and I tried to capture the moment on my little Fuji X70 - somehow in my attempts I accidentally moved the camera in a vertical direction and because of the low light and subsequent slow shutter speed I ended up with the above image. I would normally discard such a blurry photograph but after some processing I saw something which for me describes worship - the uplifting of our gratitude to our Father who is so Good and so worthy of worship. Later that evening under the same Bread Tree, as we were preparing to practice a skit for our upcoming outreach we as a group had such an encounter with God that was so profound and unexpected.

God about to create Adam and Eve - our skit on outreach - with Bart Simpson shadow! 

We did get to practice our skit on a later day which was the story of creation, the fall, the Cross and the Redemption - The Good News of the Gospel. Simon played God and he did a sterling job on outreach as did the whole team. Our two night outreach entailed sleeping in a village in our little tents and visiting houses praying for people with each evening consisting of doing our drama, testimonies, preaching and the showing of the Jesus film. There are so many children who just love to hang out, play and have fun.

Kids having fun

The afternoon of our outreach we ended up at a beautiful beach where we swam in the warm water with kids splashing all around us. For a while I just floated relishing the moment, thinking of how little one needs to be really content - some kids had basically nothing swimming stark naked. Later on I took my Nikon camera with a polarising filter and managed to capture some stunning shots of the blue blue sea and kids frolicking in the waves. After an enjoyable afternoon we returned by truck back to the base. On arriving back at the base as I climbed off I realised my Lowepro camera sling bag was gone - such a sinking feeling. My Nikon D750 camera and my wallet and the precious moments of the afternoon. The driver very kindly drove back on the very bumpy track and we even went back to the sea but alas there was nothing. I subsequently checked some images on my other small Fuji camera and the Camera bag was still on my shoulder before I climbed onto the truck. A later picture in the truck of Andrea and myself showed no bag over my shoulder. There were several really bumpy sections and I even joked to myself as the group sang a chorus in Portuguese "eh bon" they were singing "airborne"! The sides of the truck are covered in plastic tarpaulin but there is a gap where the bag can easily fall through.

My whittled camera kit

People rallied around me in prayer and a fellow student Virginia was so encouraging - she had lost her passport and wallet the night prior to leaving Johannesburg when they suddenly had to evacuate the room they were staying in due to unexpected flooding. Against all odds and an impossible situation she was issued a new passport and visa and able to attend the school in Mozambique. I previously wrote a blog about the word "Whittle" and how my camera kit and life were about to be trimmed down - little did I know this was going to happen! There have been many questions, what were you thinking, what were you not thinking, etc,etc,etc - all I know is that I hold onto the word that He has declared - "for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11. Accidents do happen - is there a lesson - Life isn't always One Big Lesson but One Incredible Journey and who else better to experience it with than my Saviour and Best Friend, Jesus! I still trust for an amazing testimony from this "accident" - Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

Thank You South Africa

We have arrived in Pemba, Mozambique where it is hot and humid but the air is thick with expectancy and anticipation! Our time in South Africa was life changing in so many ways and I write this just as a small tribute to our beautiful country with it’s beautiful people. I confess that when I first heard the school was going to be divided into two parts with the first part to be held in Nelspruit, I did feel a bit short changed as I really did want to get to Pemba. The two and a half weeks in Nelspruit turned out to be such a blessing on so many levels and I am so grateful for that time.

The camping ground we stayed at was perfect for meeting new people and the hospitality shown by the South Africans catering was so welcoming and generous. We even had traditional Bobotie (with raisins!) and a tasty braai with our host Cecil modifying the braai on the fly by drilling larger ventilation holes - classic South African resourcefulness! 

Lekker Braai and Mission Ventilation 

From the campground the students from over thirty nations were taken to the Riverside Mall and it was a surprise to hear how impressed the foreigners were with "our" mall - the variety, quality and generous food portions! Then of course it was safari time and the glee on the students' faces as the safari game viewing vehicles arrived and all the subsequent stories of lions and amazing sightings from the Kruger National Park. These all made me feel "Proudly South African" however it was my experience with the local people that touched my heart.

Just driving in a taxi to different churches and locations was an experience alone especially after having my own altercations with them on the roads. A term I heard here at Pemba was "isolation chambers" which describes cars and how they do insulate you from the culture. Then it was the actual visiting of the churches - some with incredibly loud music and some with just the voices but all were filled with such joyous and spontaneous worship.

Riding in the back seat of a taxi

The highlight of our time in South Africa was our two night outreach in Hlau Hlau. We arrived at dusk to attend a revival tent meeting where worshippers were singing and dancing up a storm and then at one stage the pastor asked us to introduce ourselves. As each student announced their name and where they were from their was a great applause. Then a young South African student said where she was from and the crowd clapped louder than ever and when it came to Andrea and my turn they also responded with such a warm welcome. Plenty has happened since 1994 and it was such a symbol of reconciliation for us. After a beautiful evening and while waiting under the stars, Andrea recognised the pastor as the man in the film "Finger of God" who was raised from the dead. He looked remarkably similar and after a while I just asked him and he said it was him - little did we know we would be staying two nights in his home.

Introductions of the Harvest School team in the tent meeting

We arrived at Pastor Shongwe's home later that night where his wife and family served us a delicious chicken dinner for at least fifty people. Their hospitality and way of honouring was so humbling and we had the privilege of being in their company for the next two days. After so many continued to ask Pastor Shongwe about his testimony of being raised from the dead he agreed to share it at his church the Saturday morning. We listened attentively as this humble man of God spoke about that day he was beaten to death in an area not too far away but his story was not about the details. He then described that suddenly he was in heaven and spoke of the throne room of God after which he was overcome with such a reverence that he started worshipping God. We all joined in and it was a moment to cherish as we had a tiny inkling of his heavenly experience.

Pastor Francis Shongwe in front of his church

After some fun with the kids in the church we went out into the community where we would walk and people would stop and ask us for prayer. Some asked for healing, some asked for prayer for lost family members and some just asked for a blessing. In one tiny hot shack a woman had asked for healing and during prayer somebody in our small group started worshipping - all I can say is the presence of God was in that tiny place and I saw a desperate woman overcome with the Love of God. Further on three large men - a father and his two sons were relaxing in the shade and the father asked for prayer for his knees and lower back. We asked him to sit down and we prayed for him asking him if he felt better - he stood up and started touching his toes! There was no way to "verify" he was healed but the smile on his face and his mobility was unforgettable.

That evening in church as we were worshipping our group leaders asked Andrea and I to preach! Good Lord I have never preached before and I started laughing but strangely for some time I have had "sermons" going through my mind. As this was called Harvest School what better place to learn - so in we jumped. My opening line was "who are we?!" with nobody realising it was more a question and declaration to myself asking what right do we have to be standing there! I spoke on the faithfulness of God and that "He will never ever give up". Our first sermon wasn't very long and Andrea ended by saying "we love you" - so few words but with such power when full of sincerity. Shortly afterwards an ex gangster from Cape Town preached revival but we were so grateful for the way God took us by the hand into new terrain.

Walking home from church that night I was chatting to a super bright twelve year old who wants to be a lawyer. Somehow we spoke about learning languages and how after a few months of attempting to study Sotho ( from a grammar book) I made no progress. He turned to me and said "father, as you said - Never ever give up"! The time in Hlau Hlau was so precious and travelling back in the taxi I realised what a priceless experience I just had - no safari, exotic getaway or even photographic trip could match this. It is all about the people and I was so grateful that God had connected me to fellow South Africans right here in my own backyard. The journey from seeing Black & White to seeing His full spectrum of rainbow colours has begun. God bless South Africa and all who dwell in this beautiful land.