Determination in Mozambique

Similar to many other afternoons at our house in Mozambique, we were outside playing with the neighbor's children. As the sun set, we had to lock up the porch gate. Tony, who is five, thought it would be funny to throw his shoes onto our patio fully expecting us to simply give them back. As any future mothers would probably do, we used the opportunity to teach him a lesson about accepting the consequences of his actions. Therefore, we merely looked at the shoes and his laughing face and apologized in Portuguese saying, "Goodbye shoes!" As he realized we weren't going to just give him back his processions, he became somber. Even with our probing for him to ask nicely by saying please, he just sat there (or maybe he didn't understand, though we believe he did). To our utter amazement and joy, little Tony walked away and came back with a giant stick. We laughed and laughed as this boy stuck the stick through the gate to successfully retrieve both the shoes he had thrown. Well done, Tony, well done.

Tony successfully scaling our outer wall

I tell this story not only because I think it will bring readers some joy, but also to illustrate the determination of Mozambicans. They do not give up easily and they work hard to accomplish the tasks of their day.

Through determination, Mozambican women feed their children and provide them the things they need. These women may wake up in the early hours of the morning to work. They make the meals, bathe themselves and their family members, and make necessary errands on foot to town.

From what I have witnessed, the people here are innovative when they do not have what they need to accomplish a task. For example, I watched as a teacher writing with chalk could not find an eraser. Without hesitation, she tore out a piece of paper from her notebook and began scratching the notes off the board.

I admire the people's determination. I am reminded that it is important to persevere. Giving up leads to laziness and allows us to be easily defeated. The Mozambicans I have met are strong. Though they may be attacked by a multitude of things including poverty, sickness, and a fatigue that comes with living each day not knowing if food will be available, their spirits are not easily defeated. They choose to get up and keep going. This is an overall strong people and I believe many people could learn, as I myself have, a lesson about diligence from witnessing how they live.

Gratitude in Mozambique

As my second week in Mozambique comes to a close, I am overwhelmed by the great joy the people exhibit despite their circumstances. From observation, I believe this joy comes from their gratitude. If nothing else, Mozambicans come to church praising Jesus for the mere breath in their lungs.

I am grateful for this beautiful view of the Indian Ocean

Recently our team has discussed how powerful a grateful heart can be. God tells us over and over in His word to be thankful and He definitely has good reason for this.

For one, gratefulness keeps us content and therefore, happy. Mozambicans understand how to look at the glass half full instead of half empty. In American, we are so often tempted to want more and more in our materialistic culture. When we cannot find contentment in what we have and in our circumstances, we are deprived happiness and joy. Recently I have been playing with a few kids that live next door. As we used passion fruit to play catch, sand and a stick for hopscotch, and various pieces of trash for entertainment, I was amazed by their great joy. They understood that being happy and having fun is an attitude rather than circumstantial.

Gratefulness also helps us remember that our God is good. When we see only evil, poor circumstances, a lack of what we could have or what life could be, we become discouraged and even depressed. God has shown me that thankfulness is key because when I look for good and for all the blessings God has given me, I see that they outweigh all the evil Satan accomplishes. Though people I love die or my relationships seem to crumble, I have life. I have spiritual restoration and I can count on being fed daily. I have health and I get to witness the beautiful sky every day. I have a family and a place to call home.

Humility also stems from gratefulness. As we give credit to God for all He has done in us and in our lives, we are reminded how little we are capable of without Him. Our lives would be empty and meaningless if not for the love of our Father who gives us precious gifts. He gave us life to begin with. Who are we to question His goodness when He is the One who gave us the ability to question in the first place? Thankfulness helps us remember who is really in charge and who actually has the power.

In our culture, cynicism and complaining rule. As Christians, one of the best ways we can be lights and stick out from the culture is to stop complaining. How cool would it be if we were known by how grateful we were? Instead of pointing out what is wrong all the time, we should be focusing on what God has blessed us with. When we give Him credit, He is glorified and we are blessed.

Simplicity in Mozambique

I've been living in Mozambique a little over a week now. It's been an amazing experience to embrace the culture and learn from it.

From what I have observed thus far, I think simplicity permeates their lives here. I love it because they learn to be content and make do with so little. For example, instead of having a kitchen full of different utensils to cook with, Mozambicans use very few tools to make delicious and fresh meals. The people fill their spare time with dancing and singing and just being together. They don't need sound systems and decorations to have a good time. Children play with sand and leaves and items that others may consider trash. Closets have about ten outfits each.

Being here has reminded me that having the newest gadgets and a beautiful home is nice, but not needed. Sometimes in America we may believe that we need new and nice things when maybe we should just focus on the people God has put in our lives. We also may believe that filling all our time with things to do is what is expected when in reality, sometimes just being with family doing nothing is enough.

There is beauty in simplicity. Simply being. Simply doing. Simply loving.

Of course there is a time and place for complexity. God is both simple and complex. But in America, we need to be reminded to strive for more simplicity in our lives, and that is what I am being shown here in Mozambique. In America, we do a lot of things we think need to be done but in reality, these things could be easily bypassed. When we overcomplicate our lives, it can create exhaustion, stress, and a sense of failure, because we are not capable of doing and being everything we think is expected.

In Mozambique, one whole day could be dedicated to making the evening meal. To Americans, this may seem a waste of precious time. We may even come in and convince Mozambicans to make the task more efficient so they can accomplish more with their day. However, from personal experience, I have found that hard work, even for just one task in a day, produces great joy and a sense of accomplishment, no matter what the task or how big a deal it may seem.

I would advocate not for everyone to completely devoid life of complexity, but maybe if we expected less from our days and our lives, we would be more joyful. Simply being content with little and not needing to always be doing something will allow us to rest in God and take a step back from the busyness.

God made beautiful things and tasks for us to enjoy, but we must remember that living simply can be enough.

Be still and know that I am God.

My (?) Rights

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8

Recently, God has showed me I need to give up my rights more. For example, over the past month or so, I have been extremely agitated when I woke up thinking I did not get my needed sleep. I was irritable when things woke me up. I always felt behind on sleep. I let my lack of sleep justify my moodiness and irritability and inability to do work or love people. Looking back, it was kind of ridiculous.

But after hearing a sermon on these verses about Jesus, it basically convicted me to the core. Not only had I believed sleep was a right, but I also believed getting food and love from others were also basic rights. As I went through my daily routines, I noticed I believed that a lot of comforts in my life were things I believed to be my personal rights. I would not have admitted it at the time, but I truly believed that without these rights, I was not able to live for the kingdom. I could not share food or help someone in my math class if I was too tired or hungry.

As I thought more and more about this whole idea of personal rights, it kind of hit me this morning:

I should be in control of my body, not the opposite.

As soon as I let my body and its lusts and emotions control me, I give Satan a foothold. Wow. That is serious and scary truth. After thinking and meditating on what God is telling me, I looked up verses to see what He has already said in His Word. I am amazed.

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to other I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Romans 13:14

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations (or discomforts), knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31-32

And the list goes on....I think God knew this was an important thing for us to learn. It is very hindering to His kingdom if we can't lay down our rights and our lives for Him.

He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:39