April 19 - 2006
Hello from beautiful Mozambique!
It is with great joy that I am finally able to send you all an update on the great things God is doing here. First I want to say a “huge thank you” to everyone who has been praying for me – your prayers are truly felt. As most know I encountered malaria after only being here for 5 days. Though my body was extremely weak and achy my spirit was very alive. All I could do was sleep and pray for all of you.
Since I have been unable to email until now I feel I have so much to say so this update is a bit long, but I pray that it blesses you abundantly. If you just want to hear the testimonies you can go to the last portion of this email where it says “Testimonies”.
As I always enjoy sharing the glories of God I see while living here in Mozambique it has been on my heart to also share more of the struggles and realities of life here. In sharing the struggles you will also have a better understanding how to pray not only for me, but the people I am blessed to work with.
Everyday I am surrounded by great poverty. Everyday I see people who are severely crippled. Sadly the blind are abundant here. Many times the blind person’s child or a child from their family spends all day leading them around begging for food and money. The masses of orphans and neglected children are beyond county. It is a very common site to see little girls as young as eight years old carrying their baby brother or as they walk alone throughout the streets each day. At such a young age they are made to take on adult responsibilities. There is a cry amongst many missionaries here to see the Mozambique’s learn to care and love for their own.
On another note I found out this week that the province of Sofala (which is where Dondo is located) is known to be the most corrupt in every sense, as well as not welcoming Christian missionaries. This is the reason it is so difficult for Christians to get visas in Dondo.
Yet with the challenges I face everyday and the things that surround me I must be the hands and feet of Jesus. What does love look like? It has a face and a name! And it is with this pure love of Jesus that I so long to see this nation and these people transformed. As I look into their faces – into their eyes – I can see Jesus. They too were created in the image of God. They too carry a piece of God’s heart. The scripture comes to mind that it is not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit must constantly be my guide. I know as I continue to yield to Him everyday He is going to teach me how to love these people to life.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers as the work here is great, but the laborers are so few. I so much know God has sent me here – though I do not fully see why yet, but it is being revealed more and more as I am here in Dondo. I will continue to stop for the one and be the fragrance of Christ to the people of Dondo.
What am I doing in Dondo?
One thing I will be doing while here is overseeing the medical clinic which is a huge task. Please pray for great understanding and grace as I work with all those involved as I believe the Lord may have me change a lot of what is being done. Pray for His creativity and great wisdom. The Mozambiquen’s way of thinking and seeing things is very different than the West’s. So in this I must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as I learn to walk with them and be incarnate in the culture as Jesus was.
My time in Pemba…
My three weeks in Pemba was fruitful though I had nine days of contending with malaria. Upon my arrival to Pemba I felt as though I had never left. It felt so familiar and I knew I was supposed to be there. Everywhere I went I would hear my name being called or come across an individual who knew me from the guards that work at the Iris base to the people in the village. I was warmly welcomed with joy. When I went to the new center to visit the children it was so great. Their surprised faces continue to stick in my mind, especially Adelino’s. Adelino is one of the boys at the center. He is about nine years old and one who God has knit my heart with. When he saw me his face lite up so bright and from that moment on he was back at my side whenever I was at the center. It was really hard when I had to leave to come to Dondo. He just clung to me as tears ran down his beautiful little face. Though I lovingly explained to him that I had to go and help in Dondo the tears still flowed. It was difficult for me to leave, but I knew it was time to go to Dondo.
Testimonies…
Many of you may remember some of my precious friends from my last time here so here are a few updates on them:
CHICO: My 18 year old friend Chico (one who I call my little Mozambiquen brother) is doing very well. I will not forget the day he first saw me after I arrived. He was glowing as he ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug. He is now working with the children at the center on the weekends and during the week he is helping at the medical clinic on the base when he is not at school. He still has a beautiful heart for Jesus and is like a David – one who is a worshipper.
FELSHMIL: My friend Felshmil who I visited in prison is doing very good as well. Many probably remember the amazing story of how I had the opportunity to visit him in prison and how God released him. He is living in the city with his mother and going to school. He still loves Jesus! I was not able to see him while I was in Pemba, but his cousin Carlito relayed this information to me. I also found out that the day I left Pemba in August, Felshmil’s mother had prepared a large gift to give me which included a chicken and many other things. She was so full of gratitude for what God did as we visited and prayed for Felshmil that she wanted to say thank you. When she heard I had already gone she was saddened. After hearing this, oh how my heart was filled with gratitude for what God did in Felshmil’s heart and now to hear how it affected his family.
CARLITO: The last testimony I want to share is about Carlito.
Many may remember him a well from my last trip. He and his family are so very precious to me. Carlito ha a call of God on his life, but the constant heartache and hardship of life here have been waying very heavy on him. I pray that the Holy Spirit will give a few of you a burden to pray for him and his family.
The day I went into the village to see him it was raining, but I knew I had to see him before I left Pemba and I was leaving the next day, so Chico and I set out to the village. When it rains here everything becomes slick mud. There were small streams in the streets; mud so deep my feet would get stuck. The travel was slow, but joyous as all I could do was laugh. The people in the village enjoyed it also. I think they found it funny to see me there and would ask where I was going. When I finally arrived at his house he had just left to another person’s house. I visited with his mother Julia for a while and visited with a girl I had prayed for two days earlier who was very ill with malaria. She was now sitting up and smiling feeling so much better. I know Jesus touched here body.
A young girl knew where Carlito was so she took Chico and I to find him. It was another adventure through the mud further into the village – it was a beautiful area. When we arrived Carlito came out and was overjoyed to see me. I sat with him for the next 1 ½ - 2 hours and allowed Jesus to minister to him as I heard how he was. It was great to visit with him. There were many tears as the Holy Spirit gave me words to speak over him and as I heard the hardships he has gone through. After I left he entered the Bible school with Iris for the three month term. But in November his mother’s husband died and things became very hard on Carlito as his mother was basically alone and would just sit and cry. She would not eat, there was no food, no money and Carlito was hit with this burden. He is now working a very hard job for an individual who does not always pay him for his labor so he and his family go without a lot. Through all this he has not turned his back on God as he know God cares and will take care of Him because He is faithful. I prayed for him and was able to bless him financially to help with the needs of his family (thank you for those who are sowing financially into God’s work here because I can do things like this). Chico and I had a beautiful time with him. I will be in contact with him and his family as much as I am able to while I am here because his brother (another friend of mine – Florencio has a phone). If God puts Carlito on your heart please pray for him and his family.
Thank you again for all who are praying and financially sowing into the work God is doing in Mozambique. I love and think of you all often so much wanting you to see the fruit of your giving. Feel free to email with questions or encouragements. Through I may not be able to respond quickly I will try my best as internet is not very easy here. For those interested in sending packages I have put the mailing information at the end of this email. Huge blessings to each of you and your families!!
Working together for the harvest!
Ashlee
To send packages:
Ministerio Arco Iris
Attn: Ashlee Cladek
Caixo Postal 1237
Beira Mozambique
Africa
Tax deductible giving:
FireStarters Ministries
18923 – 217th AVE E
Orting, WA 98360
(please put a note “For Ashlee in Mozambique”)
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