Went out of town this Sunday on a visit to Lilini...it was great and a real challenge as there were trees down over the 'road', riverbeds (dry now) to cross and the last 45 minutes we made a road out of a footpath. They said in the rainy season it is impassable accept by tractor or bike (which you carry through the river!).
By car we covered 30 kms in 2 hours. By foot they walk for 20-24 hours to get to the village. Needless to say they were very happy to see us. I traveled with 5 of my students and we were able to stop and encourage another church along the way.
It is dry season now so all of the harvesting is over and nothing grows. They wait for the rains to start again in December. From august to December, no rain. They call it the season of hunger. AND yet, when we left they sent us with gifts for each. One pastor got a bag of beans, i got a stalk of bananas and another got some flour. Out of their meager, subsistence they give.Truly amazing people.
If you ever had the dream to "get off the grid" you can do it here in Moz by only driving a mere 20 miles off the paved road. They had everything they needed minus access to the outside world, medical care or our modern 'necessities' like running water and electricity. They had fruit trees, pigs, goats, chickens...in the rainy season their fields are filled with corn, manioc and peanuts. BUT, if they get really sick...or injured, they are in serious trouble.
All i can say is i pray my students will take back their understanding and knowledge to these churches in the future. They live in difficult conditions at best and little access to the outside world. They are hungry for hope and Jesus. They want to know Him, they want to have a hope in and beyond this world. I pray somehow this will be communicated to them, through me and others.
In their beautiful, but harsh setting they are willing to work, they are willing to sacrifice and be dependant on God for so much. May they truly know Him too.
