Hello from the place my heart loves!Yes again, it is obvious that emails are not my strong suit.

It is May 31st. I typed what amounted to 3 plus pages back on the 4th of May and became overwhelmed, not knowing how to condense so many things that my first 2 weeks consisted of. I attempted to get back to it but then the problem was only magnified because there was more to share! So much to do and very limited access to the internet access now that I am living on the other base have also exasperated the situation. (To be able to use the internet there I either need to have a ride or a car to use, on occasion, I have walked with my computer in my backpack but it really is not totally safe, even in the daylight.)

I will try again.

If I had to summarize the total of my time here thus far, it would be the sense of “wonder” I have that “this is my life”! Living conditions are more challenging than in the West and situations I deal with are difficult, yet I love living here. I often find myself feeling as if I live in a novel I have read or a movie I have seen.

Seeking first the Kingdom - Upon my return, I jumped right back into a small group who gathers every M-F morning to pray. We began doing this about a month before my break back in the States. Although this is challenging as other things put demands on my time and attention, it is an honor to be a part of this critical foundation for the many areas of ministry and specific needs as they arise. One new area being covered in prayer is outreach to the islands. We have a small medical team who has already gone to two of the islands just north of here, Quirimba and Matemo. They do not have their own medical facilities. One of our missionaries, Pilot Joe Vaine (Flying for Jesus) takes them out in his small plane. There were initial meetings with the chiefs of the islands and government officials for permission to be granted. Matemo wants just the medical care but on Quirimba they have been open to prayer as well. There is also a situation involving a man from South Africa who felt an urgency from God to purchase property on Ibo Island to donate for establishing a Christian base there. It involves so many amazing God details but for time I will skip those. It is still in process but looks as if we will have a ministry base there.

About a week after arriving, we showed the video “Transformations”. The Mozambican Bible School students and local pastors were invited to view it. Some of our children were there also. It was translated audibly and with subtitles into Portuguese. It is a documentary of cities in crisis transformed by the power and presence of God in response to the humble yet persevering and bold prayers of people called by His name who were willing to “pay the cost”. It is an amazing video. The desire was for the men to catch the vision and passion to see God come and move like this in their villages, cities and nation. There will be a “Call” - Solemn Assembly here in Pemba, Mozambique on July 26th. Wesley and Stacy Campbell are the international directors for “The Call” and will be bringing a team with them. Please!!! We would appreciate prayers for this event. There is a great need before this event to join the area pastors and churches from all denominations. Melissa Stanton is the missionary here whose key role is that of prayer. She is very fluent in Portuguese and has been joining Pastor Jose in meetings with many of the local church leaders. Just last week she told me she found out that some of Pemba’s pastors had gotten together and prayed last Jan/Feb about a desire to see the city’s churches united. It was at this same time in the United States that discussions were taking place, which birthed the plan for “The Call” in Pemba! Another situation bringing the churches together here is that there is a push by an organization called IPAS trying to get abortion legalized in Mozambique, and other African nations. It is to my grief that this is being financially and otherwise supported and pushed by organizations from my home country, US Aid and Planned Parenthood! Is it not shameful enough that we kill our own children but we want to inject that spirit of murder into other nations under the premise of healthcare?

Therefore, prayer is a huge part of my focus here. Psalm 2:8 says, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance”. I am asking Lord!

Prayer and art combined - I was asked by Melissa to paint a large map of Mozambique on a 4½’ x 6′ floor cloth. She wanted it for use in the prayer room so the children so they can actually place their hands on the different provinces and cities as they pray. I invested close to 40 hours on it over 8 days in addition to my regular activities. Working on it was in many ways an act of prayer and worship, a labor of love. I am very pleased with the outcome, finished and delivered yesterday. Next week I begin a simple mural and Scripture on a gate in Center 2.

Heidi and Healing - Heidi flew in for 5 days shortly after I arrived back. Our Monday staff church turned into a very intimate time at the end as she shared her heart. She strongly emphasized how much we need the presence of God to be the focal point of our gatherings. She shared how God had spoken to her concerning an increase in the supernatural healings here and that as a sign of that beginning there would be a woman healed who had not been able to stand up straight for many years. That day a woman who had been hunched over, unable to stand up straight for 5 years was totally healed! This really excites me! For years I have had the desire to see this that the Word of God says should be a normal part of a believer’s life. Here the issue is even more pressing when I face numbers of people, crippled due to various reasons. Most have no crutches or wheelchairs and just have to crawl or drag themselves along the ground on their hands and knees. Some use wooden blocks with a handle rather than bare hands. Paul, one of these men I have spoken with wears a pair of shoes on his hands. The ground here is very dry sand/dirt with many ruts and rocks. In concept it is unthinkable that people have to get around like this but many do and even with a pleasant and gracious attitude. I want to see them healed! Heidi also spoke about her husband Rolland who has been ill. She has been spending time caring for him in the States but the desire is to bring him “home”, to be a part of the family and community here.

Current news clips-

I love my kids and Sabina is doing great!

I have just arranged for a local artist, Joan (or John in English) to begin teaching our children in the afternoons with me. It is another amazing account. I met and became friends with him when here last time and brought him in a few times as a guest to demonstrate his painting. Shortly after I arrived back, we were in contact and he expressed desire to teach the kids. I had already been praying if he might be somebody I could “raise up”. Our goal here is to equip the Mozambicans, not just to bring missionaries in to do a job. We are temporary here! I was talking with a visitor about this and she said that she had money she would like to donate to allow me to sponsor or hire him. We still need to work out some details but he started on Thursday and was great with the preschool age children and was equally as good with the older teenage boys on Friday!

There is a new group of around 100 Bible School Students from various locations in Mozambique. I am feeling stirred to request to teach a class or two on creativity. Just today, I began reading again the book of Genesis and took delight in the first verse, “In the beginning God created…”

Mission School starts on Tuesday. Most students arrived yesterday and today along with a visiting team of 54 who will be here for two weeks. We have been praying quite a bit. I have an excitement for them in my spirit as I think back on all that God brought me through 2 years ago to be able to attend the school. In my school and the others, I have found many people have equally or even more compelling stories.

I go to a children’s center in Miese, a village about 20 minutes away, once a week to work with 30 - 40 children. It is an inspiring project sponsored by Don and Elizabeth Kantel. God provided a young man to interpret and assist me.

I begin Portuguese lessons this Monday evening. Yea!

We are going into winter season here as back in the U.S. you are heading for summer. It is 20 min past midnight now and the thermometer in my room reads 79 degrees F. I am feeling a little cold with the fan on its lowest setting!

God bless you all!

With love, Laura