The following is an excerpt from a blog post by Africa Immersion team member Kaity Marko, which originally appeared on her personal blog, 'Hope for AfricAid'. Their team is currently traveling to the small south African country of Lesotho, where they will spend their final six weeks.
In Mozambique, the day starts when the sun comes up. I realize that this happens in many cultures and time zones all over the world, but in a place where electricity is not common, the sun is necessary for work. In my house, the chickens wake up first, followed by Avõ, then the kids and then me. They let me sleep in a bit, since I am a guest, but most days still start around 5:30am. The door of our house opens to the most beautiful sunrises I have ever seen, and, somehow, sweeping the floor and crushing mandioka for breakfast isn't as terrible with God's beauty staring me in the face. Not many things are awake in the world when the sun is just rising, and families don't really start to communicate with each other or others until later. And, even though I find it hard to form words at 5:00am (let alone in Portuguese), there is a stillness and a peace that my Abba is in the very center of, beginning every day with His love and beauty.
I wish there were words in any of the five languages I have learned on this trip to describe the brilliance of the stars when there is no light for miles, but after 6 weeks, none come to mind. Words cannot describe how incredible my God is and how beautiful His stars are. As I laid under the stars at night (my host family thinking I'm crazy), I stared up at the moon, stars, and galaxies in awe of the complexities and intricacies of the sky and how creative my Father got when creating the world. But more than that, the Bible says His thoughts for me outnumber those stars. I'm so unworthy of that amount of care and, ultimately, grace. I have never felt so small, yet so loved in my entire life.
Evenings bring a welcome breeze through our house and porch. The atmosphere changes when the sun goes down. Families make dinner and spend time unwinding together before heading to bed around 8:00pm because the sun has gone away and so has the ability to see. But for a short while, everything stops. No more working, no cooking, no yelling, at my house everything stops and Avõ and I just sit together starring out over the land. We don't usually say much. Sometimes Avõ gives me a quick Lomway lesson, but other than that we simply sit together and enjoy the quality time and silence we have been given. His power is evident in the stars, but His presence fills the air and calms our spirits together.
I have had many hard days in Mozambique. I have been tested and tried in ways I never thought I would be or really wanted to be. At times, I have questioned why I'm even here and what my presence is doing for my family and the community. But I'm reminded that my plan is nothing, and God's plan is everything. His plan is perfect. His timing is perfect. He has a purpose for it all. I am not called to plant, water, see growth, tend the field, and reap the harvest. He has called me here for this season and I don't have any entitlement to see the others. I'm satisfied with trusting Him and His plan to know that no matter what I see or do, His plan will be carried though to completion.
Everywhere I look, there are faces. Faces of children. Faces of grandmothers. Faces of men. Faces of mothers. Faces of orphans. But in their faces, no matter how broken, tired, or lonely, I see His face. And it is a beautiful face filled with joy like none other. God is here in Mocuba, Mozambique. No matter how hard it may be to see at times. He is here and working in ways we may never see.
LEARN MORE | Summer 2013 IMMERSION Program in Mozambique!
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