Visiting Homes
Last week, the Guzak family arrived in Mozambique. Their (Bob’s) first visit here took place about 16 years ago, when the work was only just beginning. There were no programs yet, only dreams. There were no buildings, clinics, schools, houses, bridges, machines, or water…just tents, brush fires, and the wild bush. Things are so different now, and what a pleasure it is to have them back again for a visit. There is so much now to see.
In the first week, we visited a pastor’s home, a church, the school, clinics, an orphan home, a student’s home, and more. Each experience was so unique and we are grateful for what the Lord has done in this place over the years.
Pastor Paulo receiving an ox cart–a Unique Christmas Gift item. He and his family were so thankful! With that and the cattle received through the program, they no longer have to haul grain and other bulky items in their hand-drawn cart!
The gift of cattle and an ox-cart is vital here as the family can now increase their production of grain and haul it to where it needs to go. The cart has many other uses as well, of course, such as taking a sick person to hospital. What a blessing these Unique Christmas Gifts are!
Enjoying an African-style worship service on Sunday. Even the ground shakes to the rhythm of the drums, dancing, shaker shaking, and singing!
Afterwards, we are honored with a meal of stiff maize porridge and stewed chicken at the pastor’s house.
We did a 3:30 a.m. ambulance run with this mother of twins last week when she gave birth. Here, Cara enjoys a moment with the precious little girls: Grace and Hope.
Cara, Bob Guzak, Ernesto (health worker) and I visited the home of one of the mission school’s students one day. First, we drove 15+ minutes over horribly eroded dirt roads. Then, we walked the “short” distance of about 1.5 km to the home. (In fact, we passed the very place we had tented with Bob many, many years ago before it all began.) The kids were SO excited!
When we got to the home, a grass mat was brought for us to sit on. This is the Mozambican bush home’s equivalent to a living room’s comfy sofa. It was a great time to chat with the family. It was also a good video/photo op which always delights the kids immensely when they see the playbacks.
We all enjoy seeing moving images of ourselves, but it’s especially fascinating when it’s the first time ever.
The momentum really picked up when Bob videoed the whole scene and replayed it on his ipad. I don’t think any two apple screens have ever been touched by such wondering fingers.
Photo fever reached an all-time high as I snapped a few more shots with my camera and kids squealed with delight to see themselves again, in different poses. “The dog! Take a picture of the dog!!” they cried.
This seemed a boring subject to me but I took it for the kids. When I showed them this shot, they howled with laughter. I guess seeing a photo of yourself and your friends is funny, but seeing one of your plain ol’ dog lying in the dirt is just plain hilarious.
Finally, we managed to pull ourselves away from the fun. We took the opportunity to encourage the children to stay in school, and study hard, and then we prayed for the family.
Our visits, gifts, prayers, and moments with others are all important because they communicate love and hope, and because they encourage dreams for a good future. They are our eternal investment in the lives of others.