Hi all,

Greetings from Mozambique via Detroit, Amsterdam and Johannesburg! I am home I arrived yesterday (Saturday) around 2:00pm after almost 48 hours of flights and layovers. It all went really well. I had such favor/answer to prayer in regard to my luggage, which consisted mostly of art supplies.

1) In St Louis they did not choose to inspect either the checked baggage or my carry on. This was great because it was so tightly packed it would have been hard to get back in.

2) My checked luggage (2 large plastic bins) were checked all the way through from St Louis to my new home - this has never happened before!

3) They both made it!

4) Although I was stopped, questioned and luggage inspected here in at Customs I was allowed to go through without them trying to get $ from me. No haggling no nothing. This was an act of God!!! You have no idea how not normal that was. When I got into the car of the person who picked me up she asked if they gave me a hard time and I explained what they did. She told me that yesterday a group of visitors who arrived had huge problems with the customs officials and had to pay a large bribe. Wow … thank you God! Thank many of you for the prayer coverage. 

Another great happening - had a really good conversation for much of the flight between Detroit and Amsterdam with a man from Germany. He had such a tender heart. He works in IT and looks at life through his background and education in science but admits that so much of the greatest science/scientists come to a place where there are things that cannot be explained. He shared that because of something that happened when his father died 5 years ago he has been searching for answers. He was so open with his wonderings and questions and current views as well as open to the perspective I was able to give him of Jesus, His love for him and the kingdom of God. Like I said earlier he had such a tender heart. His name is Martin if anyone would like to pray for him. (I know that before I left at least one person specifically prayed about my seat assignments and the people I would sit next to and if there would be anybody God would have me talk to!) 

Life snapshots:

Arriving at the center, seeing and getting hugs from so many of the children I have gotten close to. My touch quota is once again met and exceeded!

My first meal of beans and rice (then had it again 2 times today)

The brilliance and quantity of the stars in the sky last night. It made me think of Abram at that point childless being told by God to “count the stars if indeed you can count them” then he said to him “so shall your offspring be”. What a great reminder of God’s faithfulness in those situations he has spoken to us that seem utterly impossible. (like me being here)

Having my character and physical strength stretched to keep a child wrapped within my arms when putting the child down would help me feel better but I know holding them helps them to feel better.

African church service - worship pretty equal to high intensity aerobics, prayer time on my knees and face on the grass mats.

The sweet ringing in my ears of the words Mana (mama) Laura, Mana Laura with a Portuguese roll.

Getting moved into my room just over 9′ square, picturing where I can put the easel I plan to make from bamboo.

Back to no running water and sleeping under a mosquito net

Took three of the children to swim and get a soda

My first child coming to ask me to dress his wound

A heart full of gratitude and worship!

God bless you all!

Laura

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 16th, 2007 at 3:48 pm and is filed under Updates . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.