Some of the more defining EXPERIENCES.

11.5----
"Hundreds of Africans dancing---their clothes heavy with sweat. Orphaned kids searching for the next generous westerner to give them anything of value for free. Portuguese being shouted, distorting the microphone, only to be followed by an even more passionate translation in Macua (a local language). there I was in the middle of a Mozambiquan revival Sunday church service. Manuel, an undersized orphan from the streets- asleep in my lap, and Suzette, an Iris kid---leaning into me with half her body weight while taking pointless shots in abundance with my camera. It was in this moment I found myself thinking one of the many expressions of the gospel-----I have no reason to not be as happy as Ive ever been, right now." It was one of those moments where my only expression was that "it just doesnt get any better than this." These moments, which happened often, played a huge role in my time in Africa. I had nothing but a simple revelation of what Jesus did and a few beautiful people around me, yet experienced a level of happiness i hadnt touched before.

11.10---
"Bandana around my neck. Wind in my hair. I found myself sitting on top of the cab of a large pickup truck (made to seat 25) with 37 Mozambiquans and Internationals in the bed. We are 4 hours into our 7 hour off-road journey to a village in central Mozambique.




We're going to tell them that the kingdom of God is already here. We're going to tell them the revolution has already taken place." This was my first of 2 outreaches. In the moment i wrote this, the romantic idealism of outreach was very much alive. There was no trace of that idealism the next day. It was a hard two days. People met Jesus. People got healed. We preached. We prayed. We sang. We danced. and my favorite part---we got the hell out of there. Back to the comfort of our roofs and box-fans.


11.29--- "Times on the floor with God are always fun, but not always significant---this time was though. I felt the power of God free me into an authentic forgiveness of people close to me. It was like an active filling of the grace of God. The expression was this---It's just alright. He/She might have really screwed me in different ways, but its just OK. I'm free." This time came after Heidi taught us about the superiority of giving mercy, and told us about the time she forgave the man who raped her daughter. I stepped into the importance of forgiveness have really felt different ever since.


12.16--- "Plans to enjoy my last day in Mozambique on the beach with a $18 buffet to top it off, were spolied miserably when i found out about a pastors conference in a village and Holy Spirit "got" me with a desire to go. Ran in the house, grabbed some agua, popped a pill to keep my dyria from ruining the day, and jumped into the convey truck. The conference ingredients---Pastor Jonne (leader of 170 churches in southern Mozambique), Ricardo (a long-term Iris missionary), Jeanne (another LTer), Darren (an australian pastor), myself, and a sound system. 3 sessions. 40 pastors from the bush. Richardo brought a call to intimacy. Pa Jonne brought quite alot of excitment and noise with a unique and smooth dance-style-preaching. As Darren preached about the River of God, God released the river in the church. As we laid hands on the pastors and told them just to drink of God, His presence poured in. Anyone willing to drink that night got off the floor fed. The best beans and rice and mangos were just a bonus."