|
Greetings!
My time is drawing short. On September 15th I will board a plane and head back to the US. Thinking back over the last month feels like many months due the answered prayers and the multiple things that I have been able to do.
The primary task of this past month has been painting. I have felt such a help and a peace from the Lord as I have worked.
Art News
“Agua da Vida” mural. -
With-in days of the last email I completed the final details.
“Alpha and Omega” mural -
The next project was to do all the faces on the mural that I painted here last year, but never completed. There are 17 people and 3 animals and of these all but one of the animals needed to be done. I also added more detail to the large tree and the flowers to the field. One of the children in the field has a Bible that she is reading to two other children. As I was painting, one of the boys asked me if I was going to put words on the Bible. I answered him saying, “no, I do not think so, I do not know what verse I would use.” As I was speaking I suddenly knew it needed a verse and what it would be. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” After I looked it up I felt I was to include the prior verse as well. It is perfect for this painting. The mural contains much symbolism which I have posted on my blog page.
“Shine” mural -
Months ago I knew the Scripture that I wanted to use as the reference for something at the boys house. It is one of my favorites, Philippians 2:14-16a.
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and a perverse generation, among whom you shine as stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”
I did not know what it should look like. One morning as I was praying God gave me the idea! I was so thankful because honestly I was a bit frightened of taking on another project. I think God graciously honored my willingness to proceed because it was so important to the boys. The idea was the prefect answer! They were able to be a part of it from start to finish. It was fairly simple in composition and skill but has a dramatic impact. I am happy with it for many reasons. Thanks be to God! I pray that he will continue to touch the lives of the boys and others through it!
Conference –
I was able to attend the conference at the Centro De Adoraçao Peniel
in Beira. It was a great honor to receive from leaders who traveled from around the world and to join in worship with this thriving church in an outdoor stadium under the open sky. Their hospitality and generosity were amazing!
Lichinga -
Immediately after the conference I had planned to drive to Lichinga with the Wilcox family. As the time drew nearer I did not feel it was the right thing to do. I still had work to complete on the AO mural and I really wanted to do something with our boys here in Dondo. Many of them had asked both to help paint and if I would do something with them. It was important to me to be able to do this. I also needed more opportunity to connect with Lee and her girls at the House of Blessing in Manga. I decided not to travel and it has proved to be the right choice!
Visa Adventures –
A greatly appreciated answer to prayer is that this time I was able to get my Visa renewed here in Beira and did not need to make the trip to Zimbabwe.
Work with Lee and House of Blessing –
The past two weeks I have been dividing my time between the House of Blessing in Manga and here in Dondo. When I communicated with my Iris supervisor regarding the circumstances of me returning to work with Lee at HOB in the future, I received a sweet email of blessing in return. I am very thankful for all of the opportunities I have had with Iris but am also very excited for this next season of partnership with Lee. My times there thus far have been filled with such love and opportunities to connect with and pour into the 17 girls. It has given me great confirmation as God is knits us together and provides glimpses into other “open doors” in this new walk of faith.
Sunday morning I awoke to a text from Lee telling me of a very serious physical attack against them in the middle of the night, by men with guns and machete’s. Greg, the missionary who serves the boys was cut badly by a machete, and was the only one physically harmed. The older boys, a neighbor and the guards had their lives threatened at gunpoint. Suddenly all the attackers fled, harming no one else and stealing nothing. The only explanation is that God routed the enemies just as in many Old Testament and current day accounts. Thank you Lord God! We pray for future protection.
I will be going back out there tomorrow morning for a few days and then will spend my last days here in Dondo.
Future Plans –
I want to paint names on two of the office buildings here on our Dondo center and 4-5 signs that can be mounted to various doors.
If I have time Lee asked if I would paint a scripture on the first building you see when driving on to their property. Their name and logo are already painted there. I think I will be able to do it. 
|
