Monday, May 27, 2013

We have arrived! Fruit Happens!

Hey Everyone! Dira and I are here! We arrived safe and sound on Friday. The flights went really well and all of our things made it as well! Saturday we went to town and shopped for the essential things that we need. We have a water filter so that is a huge check off of the list. After we got back to our house we spent the rest of the day working on making our house a home. During the afternoon we went to our storage room and found all of our things thrown about the room and we then realized that we had been robbed. Most of Dira's things were stolen and some of my things were. Thankfully it wasn't anything too expensive, but a lot of sentimental things of Dira's were stolen and that hurt the most. That is the only bad news I have to tell you, but we are ok ... It's just a little frustrating. However, the house looks great now (thanks to my lovely wife) haha! I was really hoping to get a video to you guys, but it didn't work out because the internet is really really slow. I really wanted to inform you guys about everything as soon as possible so I decided to just type everything instead... I hope that is ok (cause I really wanted and still do prefer making a video for you all). We rested all day Sunday just to prepare to jump in to things today (Monday). God did a lot in our hearts yesterday as we sat with Him and really put our focus in the right place (on Him). He is the reason why we are here... He is all we want. A lot of the day yesterday my heart was really anxious about starting up my work here, but as we entered into His presence all of the lies and anxieties washed away... As they always do. We woke up this morning feeling great about everything. We prayer walked to base (because we live on the base 20 minutes walk away) which was really fun. Dira went to the church with the women and I walked up to the boys compound seeing so many people on the way and then being ambushed by all my boys with hugs all around. Being reunited with them felt more than amazing. I am finally here again. I finally get to be with my boys. No more talking about what I do in Mozambique, but actually doing what I do in Mozambique haha! I sat with the boys for hours just talking and catching up. So many things have changed! A lot of the Casa Jimmy boys that were there last year moved out and a lot of the Casa Chover boys moved to Jimmy. Also, the boys that are younger moved up and into Casa Chover. The houses are different, but I love the changes. The boys that moved out have jobs and are really doing well in the program we have set up for them after they move out, which made me really happy to see. Those were the boys that I spent so much time with last year talking with them and helping them prepare for the future and to see them doing what we talked about last year is an indescribable feeling. After all the questions that I have asked myself "Did I really change anything?" "Did I really make a difference in their life?" "Have they really allowed God to transform them?" "Do they really love God, or is it just words they tell me?" PRAISE BE TO GOD! THEY GOT IT! All glory be to Jesus Christ! Hahahaha! Another amazing thing is ... It is your fruit too!!!!! Because you all made the choice to support me and pray for me you are also reaping the rewards in heaven! Because of you there are lives being changed in Pemba, Mozambique! Dira and I are so grateful for your love, prayers, and support. It means more than you will ever know. We are praying for you! I humbly ask for you to keep praying for us. May all glory, honor, and power be to our Lord, Jesus. May the grace of God be with your spirit.