Rachel's Reflections

"My future and all to which I relate hangs in the balance, and You tell me wait?!?" This has honestly felt like my life this week. Waiting on the Lord, waiting for other people, waiting for decisions to be made. I am still waiting for the biggest decision to be made, but at least the smaller one was finalized yesterday. Early Thursday morning I will be taking a bus from Maputo to the border of South Africa (SA), crossing the border, and then re-entering Mozambique within two hours with the Word of Life team from SA coming into Mozambique for the English Camp (see below). I have to exit Mozambique because my first 30 days expires during the camp.  Last Sunday I was able to attend church with my friends from December camp, Catarina and Elina. To step into their lives in their home and community environment apart from camp was an honour. I wish I could describe it for you. A small black church nestled in the heart of their community but with hymns from the Western culture t...

Mais Descobertas aos pes da Cruz  (More Discoveries at the foot of the Cross)   " If anyone would come after Me [Jesus], let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? "  Mark 8:38-36 The above title and verses are from my Portuguese Quiet Time (QT) this past week. They sum up a little of what I have learned this past week.  What discoveries lay at the foot of the Cross? I have discovered the depth and reality of surrender and what peace in the presence of my Lord means. In the course of the week, and in different ways, God has asked me to surrender to Him every single   area of my life. I have been stretched and challenged more than I thought possible in one week and have only bourne it in the strength of the Savior. I cannot share everything with...

Alexandra and I sat on two couch cushions and talked in the seminary/office/church building on Wednesday. I was sharing with her, “After the camp in April last year where we met I struggled spiritually and did not read my Bible as often as I knew I should…” she interrupted,” how often do you try to read your Bible?” “Every day,” I responded, “but I am not perfect.” Her eyes widened in shock, “EVERY DAY?!?” I tried to explain that this is a habit every Christian must learn, but it comes in levels. To illustrate my point I used the couch cushions we were sitting on. “This cushion has a crowd of people who either do not believe in God or know about Him but have not believed in Him to save them from their sins. This valley in between cushions is the point where a person decides to make that decision.” Alexandra interrupted again, “I’m on that side of the cushion.” For her to say this openly and honestly is huge! Last year in April at the English Camp, when she was in my cabin, she kne...

I arrived safely in South Africa Wednesday evening and have had a wonderful time so far, although I was a little jet lagged on Thursday.  I am leaving Monday morning for Mozambique (traveling by bus). Please pray for safety as I travel.  Friday night I had the opportunity to go to youth at the church I attended most of last year. It was so great to see everyone again! A few of the girls were not expecting to see me and their reactions were priceless. :)  One of the missionary families in Mozambique is here for the weekend, on their way to the airport tomorrow afternoon. They are leaving for Brazil for their furlough. I am really glad I got to talk with them today before they leave for a few months, and I got to practive my Portuguese.  My accountability partner/best friend and roommate from last year came to visit me this weekend!!! :) What a joy to my soul to see her again after 3 months. We have talked a lot, updated each other on how our lives have been going,...

On Tuesday I board a plane for Africa and land in Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday. Why did I have to wait so long? God knows the full answer but a few blessings inlcude: extra time with family and friends, having several much needed conversations, seeing my brother interact with his new girlfriend, and spending time with my first Portuguese tutor. There are still other areas of my life where I am waiting to see what God will do. It is hard to wait, but I frequently go back to this poem and am reminded of God's most precious answer. He has a purpose in all He does, including extended periods of waiting.  Wait by Russell Kelfer Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate And the Master so genlty said, "Wait" "Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why! Is Your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By fait...

Departure Date: February 21 Arrival Date in Johannesburg: 22 February Possible Date for Maputo: 27 February Torn. Divided.  My heart has longed to return to my African home. I miss all of my friends and family in the Lord.    How is my desire so great to return to Africa when I have been with family and friends in the U.S.? Why does it feel like I am going home when I have been sitting at home the past several weeks? I was born in Africa; I know and love the culture and the ministry. I am a Third Culture Kid (TCK). I call many places home in two distinct cultures but one day I will have one, true Home with God for all eternity. I am looking forward to being part of the ministry in Mozambique again. I have been keeping in touch with several girls and can't wait to talk with them in person.  My foot  has finally healed enough for travel as long as I am still careful. Please pray for safe travels and a fast adjustment so I can jump back into ministry....

I am still in the U.S. waiting to head back to Mozambique because of an unexpected health issue. Back in December I got blisters on my feet from new shoes. The blisters were healing well until one of them got infected in January. It turned in a staph infection and I was immediately put on antiobiotics. The infection took much longer to heal than the doctor expected and though it's not fully healed yet and I'm still on the antiobiotics he is happy with the progress it has made this past week. My departure date is delayed because of the infection but I am hoping to leave around February 15, Lord willing. Along with the infection I was struggling with my visa situation. I now have a 30 day visa that I am going to try to extend once I arrive in Mozambique. A new intern to South Africa, Nikki, is still waiting for her visa and we hope to fly out together.  My prayer is that I use this extra, unexpected time wisely with family and friends.  It can be hard to sit still and wait...