Hello from Dondo, Mozambique,

This is a combined update covering the latest news about Filomena, about what I have been doing and what I believe the Lord is calling me to.

Filomena-

Communications regarding Filomena in Zimbabwe continue to come in by phone call and text message. God’s blessings are so apparent with Filomena, her father and Lavimo’. The biopsy confirmed the tumor was indeed Burkitt’s Lymphoma she was scheduled to begin chemotherapy but first needed to be completely healed of the infection in her arm. She began the chemo three weeks ago and although they said it most likely would make her feel sick and unable to eat she was totally fine! This was such great news. She is supposed to have the treatments on Tuesdays but last week and this she has been unable to receive it because her blood count is too low. I am not clear what is causing this or what is being done to address it. I have asked and am supposed to get more information today. This past weekend she had what sounds like a seizure. Again, not a great amount of information was given but she recovered quickly with prayer. We still do not know how long she will need to stay. They have been in Zimbabwe for almost 2 months. I do know that she continues to get stronger and is able to participate in little activities at the hospital. Thank you Jesus! There is a Pastor Kwarramba who with his wife have taken a very personal ownership in ministering to them in practical and spiritual ways. They even offered a home free of rent. The house gives Pastor Salmo and Lavimo’ a place to shower and prepare food and trade off who is sleeping at the hospital. One of them is with her at all times. We paid to remove items that were stored at the house and needed to purchase necessities such as an electric burner for cooking and sleeping bags and such. Other people have offered many of the basics like dishes and cooking supplies. We are so thankful that when we sent our friends off to Zimbabwe that God provided a “family” for them so they would not be alone in a new country. We have not been able to get any new photos but missionaries we know here who serve with a ministry based out of Harare, Zimbabwe will be going there this weekend and may be able to trade out the data card for the camera and bring it back for us. I am so eager to “see’ her even if just in photos. Thank you repeatedly for all of the financial and prayer support that so many have given for this amazing miracle girl! What a powerful story she will be able to tell as she grows up! Please continue praying for her complete healing and that the day will soon come for her to be reunited with her mother and siblings.

Laura – Past and Present-

I attached the March newsletter for our base that was put out by Susan Collmorgen. She and her husband Jason are the acting base directors until June. I was given a great write-up! J It covers a broad overview of some of the things we are involved in here.

The boys –

My life here is very full, both in having plenty to do and in it being rewarding! I have found Dondo a much better fit for me than Pemba. It is a smaller base with less children and so there is a greater intimacy. My “volunteer job” here is art but a great portion of my time and heart is invested in what comes down to “mothering”, especially with the younger half of our boys who range in age from 8 to the young teens. Three mornings a week I do devotions with them. They are such sweet times of being able to communicate the heart and wisdom of God. Each of our boys have backgrounds of pain and loss and some also abuse to different degrees. I trust that God is bringing healing and strength to them during our time together. During the day and night they stream in and out of my house. I give cups of cold water, offer paper and supplies so they can draw, help with homework, fix broken toys, apply band-aids and pray for wounded bodies or hearts. At night I join another missionary as she reads a Bible story and there are lots of hugs and good night wishes before they go to sleep. About two weeks ago we added a new little guy to our family. His name is Alberto and we think he is 8. It is pretty common here for people to not really know their ages. Births are not documented as formally as in the US so with all of the early deaths and broken families much information is lost. When Alberto came it was because his father was taken to jail for stealing. His mother died some time ago and here he was in need of a home. They lived way out in the bush and so he did not speak anything but Sena, the tribal language, and had never seen much of what surrounds us here. What a transition for him in all ways. After we finished the Bible story on the first night he was here I asked him (with assistance) if he had ever heard of Jesus before. His answer was no, never. What a priceless treasure we have been entrusted with. He is adjusting so well and learning so fast! He already understands a lot of Portuguese and is even picking up some English. He is a very smart and happy little boy who loves to come and hang around the house, loves to dance and is quite a good drummer on my table!

Art Ministry -

Early on I painted the entry gate with our name, “Center of Love”, with supporting verses on love in Portuguese. I am currently in the homestretch of painting a mural on one of the exterior walls of the Bible School. It is approximately 21’ x 8’ and gives a pictorial overview of the Bible from Creation to Acts and has children (because we are supposed to be like childlike in our faith) in a field of flowers as a harvest focus. There is also a child reclining on a lion next to a lamb. This is to signify intimacy with Jesus who is both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God. I recently have had one of our middle aged boys helping me paint. He is a natural artist but came just last August out of terrible abuse at the hands of his father who then kicked him out and threatened to kill him if he came back. He is very sweet natured but very shy. It is precious to me to see him paint. He is doing a beautiful job but I see that what God is doing in him is even more beautiful.

Since being here I continue to hear words of thankfulness for the work I am doing. As I painted the entry gate and as I currently work on the large wall mural people comment about how beautiful it is but more significant to me is that many times people say how much it changes the atmosphere of the place. I have been teaching art 3 nights a week to a group that is a combination of our boys, boys from the community and some of the Bible School students. I have been taking them through foundational art knowledge. We have also spent focused attention on drawing the face and worked some on the human body. I am so thankful for all I was able to learn from Jerry Thomas while I was in the US over the last year! My students here are eager to learn and are especially grateful for the opportunity. Our Mozambican leaders often tell me how good it is that I am here to teach this. I have been told by a number of people that a person here in Mozambique who has artistic talents, especially as related to mural work and sign painting can make a very good income. I taught the “step by steps” of mural work last week and will work with a smaller group to allow them to put it into practice.

On Saturday mornings I teach art at another location that offers classes to children who are AIDS orphans but live with extended family members.

Other Ministry –

I have been able to participate in other areas of ministry as well. Some of these include preaching at a church in Beira where I spoke on being in “one accord” and looked at it from the perspective of how it was used for harm and how it was used for good. I have been able to speak at the local prison and had a creative way of using Noah’s ark in relation to those who are in prison but have surrendered their lives to the Lord. A few weeks ago I was able to speak about “preparing for the bridegroom” at a conference for girls on purity. One Saturday before I began the art classes I was able to help out with food ministry to the widows and was also blessed to take a bike tour through the villages to visit some of the widows that we are helping with their homes. That was a highlight.

Future Plans –

I have never been to this location in Mozambique prior to this trip and I wasn’t sure what I would find but believed it was where I was supposed to go. I really felt that is would be “a fact finding mission” for things God had put in my heart. I came with a vision to establish and facilitate a school or studio of art which has as a foundation a desire to train and equip artists who will in turn glorify and reveal God through the excellence of their work and the integrity of their character. It will be a place of mentoring, a place of mothering and fathering. It will offer a life skill or trade that can be a source of financial provision. As I mentioned above I have been told that an artist here who is skilled in mural work and sign painting can make a very good income. I desire to impart the understanding that if you are able to do very well it is not just for you individually to grow greater but for you to turn around to serve, help and equip others. There is a unused empty building on our center that would be perfect for this. I am waiting for final approval for this to be released to me for use. I will then need to begin the process of looking into grants and raising support.

Shortly before returning to Mozambique I was researching some things online and found the sight “Artists for Humanity”. Artists For Humanity’s mission is to bridge economic, racial and social divisions by providing underserved youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts. I was so excited to find this! It is so similar to and is a “live” functioning example, of the vision I carry for Mozambique. Just before returning to Mozambique I was able to go to Boston for three days. I spent time with Susan Rodgerson, who is the founder, and her amazing staff as well as some of the the students and observed the place in action. Susan was above kind and gracious and I continue to be in touch with her.

Prayer Requests and Needs-

Filomena – Blood count to stabilize, to be able to continue with treatments, no more seizures. Total healing! Overall care, provision and endurance for all three who are there.

Laura –

Prayer Coverage –

• Knowledge for specific placement in the body of Christ. After much prayer and time of consideration I withdrew my membership at what was my home church.
• Clear direction and connections both here and in the US for all things related to establishing this art school.
• I need a Mozambican “partner” for this program. I have very specific qualifications I am looking for. I think God has shown me who this could be. I need confirmation and will need provision for his salary.
• Health – Overall I have been very healthy but was sick for about a 2 week period. There are many extra concerns here and the combination of sickness and full days and extreme heat can really take its toll.
• People who would be willing to assist in practical ways, especially someone who would be willing to act as sort of a business or administrative manager in the US.
• To better understand and get the legal/business side of things in place so I can market my artwork for sale.
• Financial partners – Monthly supporters or one time gifts

Financial Support –

I have been very negligent to share my financial needs. On one side it is because I very much want to walk by faith and place my trust first and foremost in Jehovah Jireh – my God who provides. There is another side and God is making me deal with that. Although “I know that I know” that God has called me here to Mozambique I struggle with breaking free from the fear of communicating it and feeling like it is not quite good or valuable enough. It has been an issue for me for some time and there has been grace but God wants me to overcome this. He is allowing me to see that if I am unable to share and offer people the opportunity to partner in what is being done here it does not affect just me. It affects all of those that I am supposed to be here to touch. So – Here are my current financial needs.

• I have gotten behind due to my lack of sharing so I do have some immediate needs.

• My monthly bills in the US come to $224.00 a month.
• My housing is provided for here but we contribute $30.00 a month to pay for internet.
• At this point I do not have it but need to get emergency heath and evacuation insurance.
• My additional expenses here are for food to supplement the basic diet of rice and beans and etc, for personal needs and to have extra to be a blessing to those around me.
• I would like to have a minimum support of $550.00 a month.
• Finances for the art school and supplies will be separate and I will detail those in a future email. (This will include the salary mentioned above)

Thank you so much for anything you do to support this labor of love. Your greetings, words of encouragement, prayers and financial partnership enable me to do what I do.

Much love and God bless you – Laura

Links –

Donations

Tax-Deductible – (Takes approx 1 month to process. All support comes to me.) In the “Gift Notes” box please indicate that it is for Laura Eubanks – Dondo, Mozambique

https://www.irisministries.com/get-involved-giving.cfm?

Non Tax-Deductible – (Available Immediately. I incur a 3% fee). The yellow “Make a Donation” button at the bottom of the page. This takes you to PayPal.

http://laborofloveforthenations.com/donate.html

Artists for Humanity

A great video interview with Susan - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Artists-For-Humanity/94976170572?ref=ts#/video/video.php?v=52560676376

www.afhboston.com/index.html

I highly encourage you to become familiar with them even if you are not an artist. They are changing lives!

Iris Ministries

http://www.irisministries.com/

My web sites

www.laborofloveforthenations.com – Ministry and blog

www.laborofloveart.com – Future site for art work

This is a quick post to show the progression of the mural that I have been working on. The wall is 20′ 9″ Wide and 7′ 8″ high excluding the top area which is white. The mural is an overview of the Bible in picture form.

The days have been very full. By the end of the day I have much to share but not the focus and energy to be able to convey the emotions of my heart from all that I have encountered. I am well and I am so satisfied in my spirit to be “home” in Mozambique. I have been able to do so much that blesses me from doing devotions with our kids, to time spent with our kids, to preaching at the jail, to painting the front gate, to just walking down the street and stopping to love on the little children who wave and giggle and say hello. Ah yes … this is life abundant for me!

Yes, it is very hot and I sweat almost constantly. The gate I am painting is a strong metal and I have to wrap my hand in fabric to keep from literally burning it as I steady my hand against it to paint. I think it has been in the mid 90’s but so that I do not get horribly sunburned I wear a long sleeve shirt, long pants, socks with my sandals and a long scarf draped over my head to protect my neck and the sides of my face and I hold that in place with a baseball hat. I am sure it is a comical sight but it allows me to get the job done. Needing a long ruler I took a slat from my bed which I forgot I had not replaced until I crawled under my mosquito net. There are regular visits from the giant cockroaches, the flying termites invaded after the heavy rain soaked the ground and their mounds, the oversized spiders occasionally show up and the rat made its rounds tonight. The power goes off whenever, sometimes to return in a few minutes but one day it was off 12 hours. The water needs to be filtered before drinking. There are no “cushy” chairs or couches to sit and relax on. I could say more but the point I want to make is this – this is still the abundant life for me!

Where am I?
I am in the USA.

When did I get back?
I arrived here in the end of October 2008 for what I thought would be approximately a 2 month stay before returning to my home in Mozambique. I was praying for the specific date of my return and was pretty surprised when “I heard” that I was not going back right away. I sensed that God wanted me to stay here for a season. It has been six months of mixed emotions. There were plenty of “unknowns” as to the reasons why I was staying but there was one definite ‘known’ – I was supposed to be doing my art.

What have I been doing?

• I have been missing Mozambique.
• I have been painting!
• I have been able to be very involved in the prayer room at my church. (www.destinychurch.org)
• In January we opened a second campus and I have been able to be a part of this by helping with set up and tear down, ministry to the children and worship team.
• I have been able to take part in art clinics on Friday afternoons and am now taking my second class on Monday  mornings with Jerry Thomas, a great artist and teacher in many mediums.
• I am currently teaching a small group/art class for children at my church on Tuesday evenings. I am covering foundational art while at the same time partnering each aspect of the “foundational art” with the “foundations of our faith”. This has been totally new for me and I seek God for my material week by week. It has been great so far! I am very excited because I know that this will be something I can use when I return to Mozambique.

When will I return?
All along I thought that it would be in June, yet all along I also had a sense that things were going to be changing – and I did not know what that meant or looked like. Now I know…

What will I be doing?

…………………………………..I will be “flowing with the changes” … I am moving to Dondo!

Quoting from an email I received April 28^th:

“Dondo missionary structure has changed radically – and we’re looking for people who’ve had experience in this culture and who have gifts which are desperately needed in Dondo – it’s crucial. The main leadership has been changed to involve Mozambicans and missionaries together – and training up some older youth in for example, art, for them to teach others, would be a wonderful expressive, creative and healing program for them.”

I have a real confirmation in my spirit about this although it does not come without personal “cost” – but I’ll address some of those thoughts in my blog and later communications. Let me tell you a little about Dondo. It is a short distance from Beira (which has a reported 35% HIV infection rate) in central Mozambique. It is a much smaller center than Pemba. Currently there are 27 boys between the ages of 8 and 16 for whom this is home. It also hosts a Bible school and oversees food distribution and care of 5,000 orphans in the surrounding areas. If you are interested in more details you can follow this link : http://www.irismin.com/ministryLoc_dondo.cfm

There were conversations of different changes prior to this recent email which I will detail more on my blog to keep this from getting lengthier. http://www.laborofloveforthenations.com/blog

I will share more of my personal vision for the arts and ministry in a future letter.

Where does my support come from?
The only way I am able to do what God has called me to do is through people who feel called to partner with me in various manners. These include …

Prayer – This is foundational to all that I am able to do.

Financial donations – These can be made through my web site. It is tax deductible through Iris Ministries or non tax deductible through my paypal account. Both are accessible through this link

http://www.laborofloveforthenations.com/donate.html

Juice Plus+ - I am a distributor and purchases through my site help to support me.
Because of their dedication to the health of the younger generation they offer free Juice Plus+ for 3 years to children between the age of 4 through college. Both links below go to my site which contains vast amounts of research and information.

• https://www.juiceplus.com/nsa/content/Home.soa?site=le59629
• http://www.lauraeubanks.com

Artwork – Originals, Prints and Note Cards (still to come)
http://www.laborofloveart.com

What are my prayer requests and needs? - Foremost … daily direction!

• I have immediate need of finances for my flights and ongoing need of monthly support.
• I am asking for wisdom and favor over logistics for flights and supplies. I feel a need to go to Beira first to drop off what I can bring from States. I would then need to get a flight to Pemba to move out of my house there, say my goodbyes and head back to Beira . Weight allowances for luggage will be a very limiting factor for the final “in country” flight from Pemba to Beira.
• My Africa cell phone “died” in its ability to send text messages a month or so before I left. Over there text messaging is the main and cheapest way of communicating with others. I can still make calls with the phone but it is very expensive. The other option is to walk all around to find the person you need to speak to.  So, if anybody has upgraded their phone and has a tri or quad band unlocked phone lying around it would be of great help to me!
• Ongoing need … language learning! (Does anybody have the Rosetta Stone Portuguese course?)
• Organization and completion of administrative tasks here.
• I desire greater freedom in the artwork creation process.
• I need wisdom for the reproduction and marketing of the art.

How can I thank you?
This season in the US has “painfully yet peacefully“ proved that my utter dependence is upon the Lord. I so greatly appreciate each of you that He has used in the various ways. Most times I feel inadequate in my ability to thank you. I pray that I will continue on to become the person He created me to be and that the fruit of my life will also be attributed to you. For now a hearty and humble “Thank you!”.

For the Kingdom and eternity … because of love.
Laura

 

 

Communication is especially difficult these days. My computer just up and died on me on the 30^th of June. We even had a computer expert here at the time and he could not revive it. It is very difficult to be here without access to the outside world. At the time I was making arrangements to have some artwork printed and delivered here for the Solemn Assembly. A visitor coming from the States would be able to bring it. In addition I was 2 weeks away from having to leave Mozambique to renew my Visa and still had all the arrangements to make. The embassies have become much “tighter” with the Visa’s they issue. The last time I was in the U.S. I applied for the same Visa as I had on my previous trip, a 6 month Visa which was the longest available. It was after I arrived here I discovered it was different. It was a 6 month Visa, but I had to leave the country to have it renewed every 90 days. This adds a huge expense. It cost me pennies under $1,050.00 for the trip without any food expense or extras. The flight alone was almost $800.00 and then there were busses across the border, Visa Fee, border taxes and accommodations. At the time there is only one airline that flies to the Capital city, Maputo, which is right on the border. I had to overnight there and in the morning take a bus across the border into South Africa. In Nelspruit there is a home that is a “ministry” to missionaries. They have beds available for only $5.00 a night and help with trips to the Mozambican Consulate and etc. The married couple, Kent and Shay, who run it are from Florida and they are fantastic. It is such a respite. For the first time in 3 months I had a warm shower and glass on the windows … both good things because it was cold! We are much closer to the equator here in Pemba. I’d like to say that my trip was successful as well as enjoyable. Since I had to go to all the trouble to leave the country and etc I was applying for a different Visa … a Residence Visa. With this I would be able to get a Dierre, allowing  me to be in the country for up to a year. After some challenges and needing to return to the consulate a second day I was told yes they issued me a Residence Visa. When I came back with this Visa I was informed what they gave me was not what they said and so I would not be able to apply for the Dierre and needed Immigration to revert to my original Visa to avoid having to leave the country again after 30 days instead of 90!!! Thankfully, that did happen. My lessons learned are now benefiting those currently needing to renew their Visas. They are trying other options rather than to incur the expense of travel to SA for a visa needing to be renewed every 30 days. This morning a family of 5 left to drive to Malawi and next week 2 female missionaries will be traveling part of the way by truck with the Mozambican Bible school students who will be returning to their villages after graduation and then taking the train the final way. Life here is certainly an adventure. J

 

Children in rags with big holes in their britches

 

Buttons are missing and there’s no thread for new stitches

 

If they were right there in front of your eyes

 

Would you be shocked or maybe even despise -

 

That they are dirty, often smelly, maybe covered with sand

 

But as they run to you with outstretched arms

 

Would you embrace them and take their hand

 

 

 

They may tell you lies and may steal your belongings

 

And do all manner of things which you find appalling.

 

So many are devoid of a mom or a dad

 

Darkness and poverty breeds what is bad

 

By the Spirit, can you see through, to their destiny

 

In love release vision of who they can be  

 

And walk with them until they’re free

 

 

Some have eyes full of love and true joy in their spirits

 

The song in their heart brings delight when I hear it

 

Ecstasy abounds as they flip in the sand

 

A bag from the trash makes them “Superman”

 

In small hands an empty spray can drove like a car

 

True joy does not come from the price of your toy

 

It is a fruit that takes root, in your heart

 

Laura Eubanks

August 10, 2008

 

 

This poem loosely follows the tempo of the lyrics of the classic song from The Sound of Music, “Favorite Things”. Why … I am not sure … maybe because the poem is about some of my favorite “things”. J The tune sprung up in me as I began to write immediately followed by the idea to do it this way. It was inspired by moments throughout my days. The initial verse is based on my recent thoughts of how desperately poor many of the people here are. It is absolutely common to see children wearing old, filthy clothing with huge tears and holes. I guess I was pondering it afresh from the perspective of how an outsider would see. What would it be like to find a child looking this way on the streets in the United States? I am not “ok” with it but I am used to it, and it really does not capture my focus. I am captured by the beauty of their faces and the tenderness of their hearts. I just accept that I cannot stay clean throughout a day! Sometimes the first thing I do is encounter children who need hugs and affirmation. They sit, play and do amazing gymnastic feats in the dirt and sand. When I hug them and especially if I pick them up, I get dirty as their legs and little bare feet dangle down or wrap around me!

 

There is a huge problem with theft here. Some is on a small individual basis and there are some big things! Recently there has been an increase in muggings. In the last couple of weeks two happened out in the city, another happened just outside our center (in full daylight!) and one occurred on Center 2 in the prayer garden just after dark by people who had climbed over the walls. There was also a mugging just outside my center but it was after dark. So far all of the victims except one have been short term visitors or students who are now being told to never walk alone and not to carry things that make you an inviting target. So … I am keeping alert and getting rides as I can between my home on Center 1 and working with the kids at Center 2, but it is really not feasible all the time. (It is a 15 min walk at a brisk pace) I do not have a sense of fear but am trying to be wise. In some ways I think there is less danger and more of a respect for those of us who live here because we are known by and know so many of the people. Yes, there are “giants in the land” but there are people in need of the love of Jesus and the freedom which that brings … so we press on.

 

On Saturday, August 8th I was walking to Center 2 because a group of visitors were doing a game day or “Iris Olympics” for our children. I was their contact person for the equipment so I thought I would go over to make sure they hadn’t run into any last minute problems or needs. I had just begun walking and I heard this loud joyful singing. A large truck approached full of children. It was one of ours! At the other base I found out that there was also a special beach event planned for the village children at our base in Maranganha. (Still am unsure on that spelling) That was the truckload of children which passed me. Much later in the day I decided to go take a walk at the beach. I again heard the sound of loud joyful singing. It was the truckload of children returning from their special day. Moments like these are my treasures here!

 

It saddens my heart to see children having to resort to playing with trash, sometimes just pulling random things along on the end of a string. I am also amazed at their joy, innovation and contentment. This week I saw some of our little boys with different size pieces of the trunk of a banana tree which they stacked to look like a boat. They held these layers together with thin pieces of bamboo put through them like a toothpick. They attached a string and were happily pulling them around through the dirt and sand. From this came the thought – “True joy does not come from the price of your toy”.

 

 

 

One day he comes running

 

His amigo matching his stride

 

One by one I scoop them into my arms

 

And wrap them deep inside

 

 

I pray prayers of blessing

 

That they would know the Father’s love

 

And whatever else poured through my heart

 

And set them down to a few last hugs

 

 

I remember being impacted

 

By the similarity of their names

 

I remember being impacted

 

By the sweetness of the embrace

 

 

A couple of days later

 

The same spot, different scene

 

There was a crowd of people

 

All gathered on the street

 

 

At first I couldn’t see much

 

Through the many people who were there

 

Then in a surreal moment

 

In horror I became aware

 

 

On this hot black street

 

Under the Mozambican sun

 

Under a colorful kapulana

 

Lay the lifeless body of a young one

 

 

So many were gathered

 

So many prayed

 

Yet when all was said and done

 

They took him away

 

 

As the crowd began to disperse

 

One final act I saw

 

Was someone spreading sand and dirt

 

To absorb where his life had been poured out

 

 

Now three days have passed

 

Since that child so alive, was struck dead

 

The final image, a dirty stain

 

Remnant of the blood and matter from his head

 

 

I recall the memory of the purity of his face

 

As he nestled into my legs on that last embrace

 

Now all evidence of him is seemingly erased

 

Abba, please tell me, is he in a better place?

 

Laura Eubanks July 7^th 2008

 

 

 

On Friday the 4^th of July a child named Abudo was fatally struck by a passenger truck just past the front corner of our center. I was returning after going to my home for lunch. If I walk home mid-day I often encounter the children from the villages who are coming for lunch at Iris and see them again as I return and they are leaving. They excitedly call out “Mama Laura … Mama Laura” and run up for hugs. It certainly increases my “commute time” but I cherish it! I really try to give all the love I can in those brief encounters.

When this 8 yr old but very tiny boy was killed I reminisced with gratitude for those times. Just a couple of days prior to the accident there were 2 small boys who ran up to me. I picked them up, hugged them, prayed for them and asked their names. One was Abudo, the other Abdul.

One thought that gripped me in this tragedy is that his family most likely does not have a single photograph of him. I have lost family to premature death and even estrangement but at least I can look at photos.

A comfort I have found in this situation is that attended our primary school and he was one of the children who came to Iris for lunch. It warms my heart to see streams of children flowing into our center for a good meal. Of more importance is that in addition to physical food they are being loved on and fed “Words of Life”.

 

This poem began in my head as I was walking to Center 2 a few days after Abudo’s death. I was thinking of him and praying for his family and friends. He was not alone when he was struck. His friend Abdul was there along with another child. 

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

It has been just over a month since I sent out my last formal letter. I have been able to write some smaller letters so some of you may be familiar with pieces of this info. I was really in a difficult place then. The areas of my responsibilities (art and hospitality) were both at maximum demands. Somewhere in the middle of all of that I also moved for the 3rd time in 3 months. There were serious behavior problems with some of the children. In general it is so very difficult to find a place and time to retreat without constant interruptions or people with needs. Mixed in this all was Sabina, a vulnerable child most horribly violated, who was in need of extra love and care. In hindsight besides being exhausted I see I had allowed my emotions and focus to respond to problems, causing my heart to get somewhat hard, rather than keeping them fixed on Jesus and on all the good things that were happening.I did finally get away to that campground I mentioned just last weekend. We had some major rains earlier in the month that made the road in impassable and then I got busy again with the day to day responsibilities. I had all these great ideas for my time away … like uninterrupted time with Jesus for refreshing and direction with situations I faced. I brought my drawing paper and pencils. I brought my cd player (non-walkman) because I was told that there was solar power. I got there and there was no power so I had silence … just the birds and the bugs … and I slept and slept and slept. Really! I was only awake for about 8 hours Sat and 4 hours Sunday. Every time I’d wake up I’d say “God I really want to spend time with you, I really want to hear from you” and I sensed He was saying to me “just rest” so I’d lay there and fall back asleep! I knew I was tired but had no idea I was that exhausted!

The best news I can possibly share in response to what was in my last letter is that Sabina now lives here at the center!!! We crossed through the gate of Iris with her for the first time after getting a verbal ok of her release to us on Dec 31st just after 1pm. What a perfect visual she is of the year 2008 being the “Year of New Beginnings”. Within hours she looked and behaved like a different little girl. As I tried to explain it to somebody else these words seemed to sum it up so well … “She now had security and so she was free to just be a little girl”. In this way her life is another great word picture or lesson. If we truly had or grew in our understanding of the Heavenly Father’s desire and ability to protect and provide for us, how would it change our behavior and even appearance? I can’t express how much it still means to me to have her living here. With all the challenges, chaos and things that break or do not work right, there is something greater. A little girl of 5 maybe 6 no longer wanders the villages alone without somebody to see that she is protected, fed, washed and has a place to sleep. It really puts it all in perspective, and she is just one of many. Yes, other situations need addressing but personally seeing Sabina come from being neglected and abused and then raped to life here has refreshed my appreciation and gratitude to be able to pour out my life here! Oh … and so far her HIV tests are negative!

I have had some great breakthroughs with many of the other children also. I will share one. She is an older girl and almost always looks angry and hard. For Christmas we used two large fabric billows around the base of the tree that a friend had left here with me a year ago. When I discovered it had been cleaned up I asked about them because I really wanted them back. They were for the children to use and dance with. I found out that this girl had been told by the person in charge to give them to Tanya, one of the other missionaries. Long story short – they are gone – nobody knows anything – and they never show up again. Honestly, I was mad when I first found this out. I think both from the feeling of personal violation and also because I had a hesitation in my spirit when asked for them to be used that way but in my busyness I ignored that. So then I brought it before the Lord and over the next week would check back with her and the girl over her in the dorm with no success. I just decided I would forgive and let it go. A couple of weeks ago I went up to the girl’s dorms at night to get something from one of them but also because I heard them worshiping and I just wanted to be there. When I sat down and joined in this girl came and sat by me but not right next to me. I could see her watching me. After a couple of songs she apologized to me and I was able to stare her straight in the eyes and say “I forgive you”! Since then there has been a “little crack” on her hard exterior. I make sure anytime I see her to greet her even if she is not looking at me. Last Thursday was the girl’s day for art class. She brought down some photographs and her journal and wanted help putting the pictures in. I showed her the best way to do it. Then she showed me how some of the pages were loose so I was taping them back in. As I was doing that she was staring at me and she said/asked in a very quiet and humble manner, “You really do love me, don’t you?” I smiled real big and responded “Yes”. J

Another great thing is that for 3 weeks now about 5-6 of us missionaries meet at the prayer hut every morning M-F, 7-8. It has been wonderful to join together in prayer and worship and to see the results in various areas. It is so good … God is so good!

I have been in touch with the Ben Schumacher, the founder and director of “The Memory Project” www.thememoryproject.org I am praying about involvement with this. There’s a story leading up to the contact but I think I will save that for another time.

I will be returning to the states a bit earlier than my ticket was originally booked for. I leave here on the 19th and arrive back in St Louis on the 20th of February. I will fly out to Bethel Church in Redding , CA for a conference on Prophetic Arts Feb 27th -29th and will stay for their weekend services. I plan on returning to Pemba April 15th. It will be good to see friends and family back there but it is going to be very hard to not see “my” kids for that period of time!

Ten days ago my computer completely locked up apart from a password which was not set and until now is still unknown. (Thankfully at this point I have access to the Hospitality computer) Within days of that my camera began not working right. For the past 2 days I have been sick.(First time since I have been here) Today I brought Sabina up to my room to sleep because she is being treated for Malaria and was vomiting. (The toddler house is not the most quiet and peaceful place to be if you are not feeling well.) She pretty much slept all day until 7 pm when I brought her back down to her dorm. There are many trials at this time but I am so encouraged with all that God has in store for this next season of my life.

(This was written Tuesday Dec 4^th)

Here I am knowing I need to write but unsure of what I am to say. So much time has gone by since a real update. So much has happened in that time. Much of what I do here is truly a labor and if it were not for love I could not do it at all or at best it would be ineffective. The name “Labor of Love” continues to reveal itself as more appropriate and prophetic than I understood when given it 16 years ago.

As of 2 weeks ago I have stepped into a “hospitality” position. The lady who had been doing it felt God was leading her back home to South Africa. I am doing most of the face to face help with welcoming visitors giving tours and answering questions and I live in the compound where they stay. Another missionary oversees the room preparations, maintenance of the compound and airport and town runs. This has added much to my daily routine and at times has tested and stretched me to the extremes yet I know that I was to volunteer to help in this way. I would not have taken it on apart from much prayer for confirmation. In the midst of the testing it has been wonderful to connect with people from all over the world … so far… England, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, Canada and the US.

Art classes have been improving. It enables me to connect in special ways with the children. Last week we did a special project and Christmas cards for Papa Rolland and Mama Heidi that went into a scrapbook. Heidi arrived back on Saturday for a brief visit and we wanted to send it back with her. I finished a drawing just days before that which I was able to get copied and include in their book. It was from a photo I took on a previous visit and as I drew it the phrase “we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children” kept coming to mind. I looked it up and it is found in 1 Thessalonians 2:7. It seemed so “on target” when considering the many thousands of children’s lives that have been touched and changed by their mother’s and father’s heart. This week we will start with Christmas decorations but I must admit it “feels” nothing like Christmas as I have known it most of my life. The temperature has been climbing and mangos are in season! Heidi is throwing a Christmas party at the beach this afternoon for our children and the village children … totally fun … totally chaos … most likely some of both! After that we have our staff Christmas party. It is quite early to accommodate Heidi being here and the missionaries who begin what will seem a mass exodus in the coming days to go home or elsewhere for the holiday.

{It is now Dec 23^rd)

There never seems to be an end to the demands on my energy and attention and I must admit I am feeling very in need of an escape right now but want to get this out. Without a vehicle there is really only one place to escape to and it would be unsafe for me to walk there with my computer. So I am tucked into a little corner of the gazebo that houses my kitchen. It is very hot but there is a great breeze. Since I’ve updated last Holy Given School had its graduation. Some students left and others stayed and went on a 10 day outreach and returned this week. There have been many more people in and out of here. Hundreds of decorations have been made and get passed out tomorrow evening so that all the dorms and the dining area can get decked out for Christmas Eve candlelight service. We will then have popcorn and ice cream, thanks to a specific donation for this, a huge treat for kids and adults alike! J Christmas morning we (long term missionaries, students and visitors will bring presents to our kids dorms. I have the baby house. J We will stay and play with them for about 2 hours and then go for our Christmas meal for all Iris people. After that we will serve dinner to the community people, kids and adults, and hand out gifts to the children. We had a great plan to avoid riots and mass chaos but this morning there was something announced that ruined that plan! I have not yet heard if the announced situation has been reversed or rescheduled … greatly appreciate prayer coverage!!!

I still feel at a loss to explain day to day life here … and my day to day is much different from those who do the outreaches. On outreaches there have been so many miracles; salvations, blind seeing, deaf hearing, people being delivered and set free. Yea God! Yet day to day life as a whole is very difficult. There is such great darkness and need yet also those whose stories are based out of greed and deception. There is great need for discernment.

Just over a month ago I grieved in a way unlike ever before. I found out that Sabina, a little 5 yr old girl from the village that I am friends with was raped … or enticed into sex in exchange for some rice! To make matters worse many of the other village children were taunting her and telling her she was bad because of it! This has all been investigated and she has been checked out medically. She did contract a STD and was put on meds. The results for the HIV test will not be back until Jan 6th and I need to call for the results. The man was never identified. She and I had a “special day” yesterday. She was with me from about 7:30 am – 4 pm. We ate breakfast together, she played at my room and then we went out for lunch and a swim at the beach. I found a stuffed Dora doll at a Goodwill store this past summer and just knew I needed to buy it to bring with me to Africa. I know Dora is not African but it is still great to have a doll with brown skin, hair and eyes. Even before coming I prayed to know who I should give it to. I believe Sabina is my answer. I am giving it to her for Christmas.

Last Sunday at church as a young girl was transferring a baby to her back from the back of another girl I saw the baby had witchcraft cords and fetishes tied on in three places. This is very common here and also grieves me so.

Electricity and water are randomly non-functioning. Laundry is done by hand. I do have a precious Mozambican woman named Bertina who helps me 1 x a week but I still wash things in between. I am very grateful to have moved 2 weeks ago (third place in 3 months) because I now have a bathroom!!! (And very few ants) There are a couple of drawbacks – it is much hotter and also darker in this room. I have only 1 window in the front and a very small one in the back of the bathroom. There is a wall just a few feet behind it so really no air comes from that direction. A strong box fan would be great to draw air through the place but haven’t seen such a creature here as of yet!

We have goats and chickens on the property. In just the past few days I have had to chase the goats out of the visitor center because they were eating the banana trees which were just planted. I had to correct children for suddenly deciding they wanted to kill some chickens to eat – even though it was at the exact time that lunch was being served! This morning I was set to begin a tour for new group of visitors which included many young men. One of older girls came in and said that she needed to ask me something. As I approached where she was I saw she was wearing a very provocative skirt even for western standards but especially for this culture! I needed to excuse myself from the group for a moment to ensure she went back to her dorm to change. She shortly after apologized to me and I got to really pour into her about her true beauty and attraction and the dangers of soliciting the other kind of attention. Much of my days energies are spent doing things parents do … but there are so many more children! This afternoon after typing on this for a while I was much more peaceful and refreshed and took a walk. On my way saw about 10 of our little boys swimming in one of the cisterns … yes … this is not good! I was on my way to a little Mozambican gift shop. I am friends with one of the painters there. I was given an acrylic paint set and papers by a visitor from England who said that their artist friend sent it with them to give to an artist. He gave it to me but I knew it was just to pass through me and go to Johnny. Mission accomplished. Upon returning I went to the kitchen and got some rice and Matapa, put it in my kitchen and went in search of another little girl, Fatima, who lives right outside the top gate of the center. On my way I encounter a group of about 12 of our young to middle age girls. Two of them were drumming on an upside down plastic wash bucket and the rest were singing and dancing. I absolutely love it! I stayed briefly and then continued my search for Fatima. No one answered at her house so I enter the center again and am at the top of a big hill by our school. There is a full moon and I have an amazing view of the ocean. I take in this beautiful sight and again my spirit is refreshed. I head back down the hill and stop and enjoy the girl’s activity for longer. Then my name is being called by other girls sitting in a gazebo off in the distance. I go over there and they show me pictures that they made with supplies I gave them this morning. They are excited to decorate their rooms for Christmas. There were 4 girls there, one named Viaze, whom I had begun to connect with when I was here last. When I returned this time she was different … she seemed tougher. I found out recently that during the time I was away she went to spend some time in a village with some family members. She was apparently asked repeatedly for things and threatened with a curse for not giving what they demanded. Upon returning here there was a situation where she literally ended up with razor like cuts on her legs due to this curse. Witchcraft is not harmless childs-play. Even this morning as I saw her at church I prayed for her and prayed that God would allow me to connect with her again. Hours later I am with these 4 girls, Viaze one of them and they are full of laughter and play. Viaze then says that her head is hurting and I pray for her. She lays her head in my lap and asks me to come see her room tomorrow. Thank you Jesus! Ok, so now it is dark and I tell the girls I need to go back and eat. As I leave the place I immediately see one our visitors with Sabina. They had taken her to eat and swim with their 5 yr old daughter but then she wouldn’t walk home. She kept motioning to this visitor that she wanted to come to the center to eat. Dinner was over here. What she wanted was to get some food to take home. So I went and got the rice that I had put in my kitchen earlier, put it in a plastic bag for her and off she went. At home this would horrify us, a five yr old girl out on her own all day, pretty much every day, and walking home after dark. But this is Sabina’s world and to some extent a part of this culture. Her mother died in childbirth or shortly after. Dad lives in another city and grandma who she lives with is an extreme alcoholic since the passing of her husband.

Monday of last week I was able to listen to and pray for a South African woman and her 11 yr old daughter who came driving into the center in the midst of crisis. It’s a long story but they have lived here in Pemba for 8yrs and the marriage is very abusive, 3 children involved. It was a “God appointment”. It is always great to see something that was painful in my life be used to help another and to give God glory.

We received two new children at the center last week. One is a beautiful baby girl who was 6 days old when she arrived. Her mom died during a ceasarian delivery. She, Agira, looks to be in very good health. There was also a little boy, about 10 yrs old who walked in one day. (I just found this out today.) Both of his parents are dead and he was living with a grandparent. Somebody told him of us and he got on a bus and took about a 2 hr drive here! So we have had 2 Christmas arrivals.

There is one last thing I will share. Last Thursday I was trying to work on getting decorations organized in the art room which doubles as the Preschool in the mornings. The children were playing with homemade play dough compliments of a visitor. As they played they laughed and sang. I heard this amazing voice and thought that maybe one of the older children had come in. I looked around and didn’t see anybody extra. Later I was up getting more supplies and again heard that voice. I turned around to see whose mouth movement matched the song. It was Cassilma a little girl I have known since my second trip here and the one whose picture Meghan used at the top of my web page. The hair on my arms literally stood up. Here’s this little 6 year old girl with a voice that I thought was coming from not only somebody older but I was thinking a boy because it is so deep. Wow – I totally sensed the presence and anointing of the Lord in her song and it was a highlight of my day!

I know this is long but maybe this will explain both why I am not so good at writing and some of what my life consists of here. Most nights I am exhausted mentally and physically but I praise God that I have remained very healthy (with the exception of messing up my knee a month ago). There have been only 3 days since arriving where I have been able to totally get away to Murrebue, a remote beach. I have heard of a little family owned campground that I may try to go to for a couple of days after the New Year starts. So, life here is pretty demanding but at the same time I am so blessed and thankful to be here. As I was finishing this off, now the morning of the 24^th, Romans 8:18 came to mind. I looked it up and it says … “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”. Amen!

God bless you all as you celebrate the birth of Jesus and all that is available because of His arrival!

With love,

Laura