wildfire

Chibuto's morning blaze dawned all types of new.

Learning opportunities were everywhere.

Pastor-brother, Felito lead the pilgrimage...

Around the dreamland he loves...

Opening our eyes to the fire...

Papa has placed in his heart.

Funny thing about fires...

Especially wild ones...

They spread quickly.

In the right conditions...

They can be nearly impossible to contain or put out.

The flames grew brighter...

Linking us closer together.

Mission finally in full swing...

Passion alive in the blaze.

You can imagine my surprise when Pastor led us...

To the sign that stamps His property.

A board that spills the heart of The King...

On a people needing new warmth from His fire.

"Houses of Hope."

The very name God had given our home after losing our twin sons...

Over two years ago.

Now...

Names a place of refuge for orphaned stories...

Sons and daughters of The King in need of earthly parents.

This makes my heart smile.

Houses of Hope on 2 different continents...

Grieving...

Longing...

Pressing in for more...

Allowing Him to restore Hope.

We carried on in our learning.

Mindful to see opportunity with each step...

Carrying the Living on our heads... in our hearts.

As the dreaming continued...
So did the spreading flames...
ALL eager to sew into the story being newly illustrated.

We LOVED seeing.
We LOVED experiencing.
We LOVED feeling the heat from the fire.
We TREASURED being a part of history in the making.

A church that had been an empty dream for some time...

Now...

A place of spiritual combustion...

Power was present as we teamed up.

The Spirit is alive in this place.

Oh... how He loves His bride.
Fancy buildings in the states...
Stick shacks in the bush...
The structures make no difference...
It's the hearts He's after.

We have been forever touched by the African blaze...
We cannot turn out backs.

The soil of our hearts have been marked for more...

 

He has lit the land with His love...

Amongst a starving people...

His good fruits are in abundance...

Ready for His children to consume.

Though not starved...

We came hungry.

Ready to team with the with The African royals...

We brought more Spirit fuel to the land.

Ignited with His affection...

We walked on in Faith

 

Carrying His presence...

Bringing love and healing...

Adding more wild to His fire. 

sabbath

Sabbath...

A day for...

Sharing smiles with servant- pastors.

A day for...

Returning our ears and hearts...

Back...

Towards The Living Well.

Inviting others for a listen...

To the majestic, music-waters stirring deep.

Standing pure...

While surrounded by the dirt and clay we've helped create.

Resting in His vision ALONE.

The only red He sees is the crimson of His affection.

Blessed by His flow...

Continuing to cleanse from the inside out.

Not forgetting the costly steps that were taken on my behalf...

Making everyday h2o...

Come alive!

Thankful for Our Good Papa.

He not only washes...

But His well is ALWAYS deeper than our deepest thirst...

NEVER running dry.

Praying you find soul refreshment at His well today.

Sabbath Blessings,

The Hopefuls.

needy

Back on the road again...

We headed for our new home.

Partaking in another long day of travel...

I tried to stay mindful of my present view.

Living in the unhurried means you get to watch others see...

A gift!

After about 60 hours on wheels...

You realize quickly...

Being bus-bound...

Reveals a whole new level neediness.

It's a healthy and important part of mission-learning.

One we might choose to do without...

But it's value is immeasurable.

It invites new levels of sharing...

The sweet...

As well as...

The messier sides of life.

The rain beat hard that morning...

Allowing us to experience new forms of African soil...

Thankful for able bodies...

And willing-brother hearts.

Sinking their feet...

Deep in the muck so our "little-bus that could..."

Might motion on.

Getting stuck...

Out of our control...

Staying stuck...

Not an option.

After a quick unload...

And some strong pushes...

We were back on our way...

Right as rain...

With winter days cutting light short...

We entered Chibuto's camp in the dark...

Headlamps our only source of seeing...

We set up bug huts and tried to "make house."

Worship was LOUD...

Celebrating our arrival.

Dinner ...

You guessed it...

Yummy rice and beans.

It was great to finally arrive.

My heart was beyond blessed by the intentional hearts and hands...

That tended to me like a sister.

And though moments of our day were quite needy...

We celebrated His promises fulfilled...

And we thanked Him...

For helping us arrive...

Right on time.

In search of The Lion...

Morning came early...
We had our last drive during the 5 a.m. window.
Winter in Africa is still winter for my body...
COLD...
Buried under blankets...
We drove...
Safari style.

The majesty our eyes had beheld up to this point...

A tribute to the kindness of The Maker.

But we hungered for more.

We were in search of The Lion.

Oh how our hearts longed...

Just to see a glimpse.

I prayed with great fervor.

Desire was high.

This time...

Only tracks.

Showing and reminding us...

He is near.

And, it is the joy of man to seek Him out.

To follow hard after Him...

To see Him... in all that He has made.

To stay the course...

Go deeper.

Eyes sharp...

Looking for more...

Prints from His paws.

As we wrapped up our drive...

We pushed out towards purpose.

Hunger higher than ever...

We loaded back onto our little friend.

Another all day drive sure to be in our future.

As amazing as it all had been up until this point...

It is NOT why we had come.

Our appetites were roaring.

We were ready to partake in our mission.

With humility...

Bring His life giving water to a thirsty land.

Those that help water desire refreshment as well.

I am a thirsty girl.

Maputo... next on the map.

In Africa...

It's really not worth making plans.

Flexibility is key...

Always asking blessing on the desired progress.

Aware that God uses all sorts of vehicles for our "arrival..."

Willing to cross ALL borders...

To get our hearts expressly where they need to be.

He is not in a hurry...

He never wastes...

He is not stingy...

He is not bound by timetables or agendas. 

Choosing to use small windows...

Jungles...

Buses...

Gas stations and parking lots...

Anythings He pleases...

As His office.

He is ALL around.

He is ALWAYS working.

When we create space...

We see His tracks more clearly.

Breathtaking hope is stirred... 

More deeply into the sands of our lives.

We didn't quite make it to the destination of choice that night...

After all...

"This is Africa!"

But Papa knows best.

We enjoyed a final shower...

A clean bed...

And my personal favorite...

A toilet.

Opportunities for learning are everywhere...

Just like in the states...

Some take more tissues than others.

Ohhh....how I still have much to learn.

The lack can overwhelm if I choose to study the problems...

Rather  than The Teacher.

Thankful my eyes are NEVER content with just tracks...

I will never give up in my search of The Lion.

No matter the amount of pit stops...

He will be found by me.

all smiles

As we were about to embark on another 8 hour trip...
Venturing from one side of the jungle to the another.

We were all smiles and on a mission...

To search.
Seeking out all sightings.

Open wide...
We were hungry for new encounters.

Locking arms...

We loaded up...

Asking Papa for presence...

Eyes to experience Him more fully.

Inside and outside our little bus...

We were full of delight and wonder at what He has made...

Enjoyment alive and in the air.

Authentic "ahh's..." from every seat.

No doubt...

One of the truest forms of worship.

The beauty of the land...

The beauty of the beasts...

They enlarge our picture of who He is...

How He loves.

Not forgotten with the ark...

His animals are dear to His heart.

They too have story...

Silhouettes of cats napping...

Ultimate nesting...

Deep soaks...

Unlikely friendships...

And...

Of course...

Community refreshments by the river.

In the heart of the jungle lies...

Enough dazzles for a lifetime.

But as we enjoy...

We must be sure to honor.

Cautious not to threaten the beauty of "the circle."

As I know from personal experience...

When danger is sensed...

Towards our entrusted ones...

We will abandon ALL comfort...

Waltz deep into the streets...

Stopping at NOTHING...

No matter the honking noises behind...

We march onward ensuring our message.

As we arrived at His other end...

We celebrated the connections we encountered...

With the animals...

With each other.

Hearts...

Minds...

And Eyes...

All smiles.