Mozambique - Heart of Joy - November 9, 2007

November 9, 2007

Hello from a very hot and humid Mozambique . Yes, we are entering into our rainy season. Temperatures have been in the 90 degree range with humidity in the 70% range. We are only beginning summer. J A couple of days ago I was entertained by a small cyclone that whipped through the area knocking down many branches and mangos from the trees, as well as toppling over one of the mango trees in our mango grove. Last night, November 8, after our Bible School graduation, Father was lightening up the sky with His fantastic fireworks which we call thunder and lightening. It was spectacular.

Since the first of October I have been traveling a great deal. I spent two weeks in Pemba where I had an amazing time of rest, great fun and being loved on by precious friends. It was fantastic…exactly what I needed and had asked Father for. While in Pemba the Holy Spirit refreshed me and filled me with His great joy. He reminded me of the vision He had placed in my heart before coming to Mozambique …the heart of an evangelist and more specifically bush evangelism. Upon coming back to Dondo my heart was rekindled with His great joy and purpose. Also while in Pemba I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a lot of time with my precious Mozambiquen brother and friend Chico . The last time I saw Chico was 1 ½ years ago when I was in Pemba . The reunion was sweet. He really blew me away with thanksgiving to Jesus to see what God is doing in his life. I was really blessed and spoiled at times by Chico while there….it was great fun. During the last three days that I was in Pemba I went on an outreach into the bush with Chico , two other long term missionaries, Mozambique students from the Bible School and students from the Holy Given Missions School. Such joy was sparked in my heart as I lead a group of these people into the village to witness and pray for the sick. Words of knowledge were flowing and hearts were being touched and transformed with each person I encountered. There is so much I could say about this trip that it could fill a chapter in a book talking about the marvelous things that God did. It was really fun helping lead this team of Mozambiquen and international students into the bush to see God’s kingdom invade. To give a taste of what God was doing I will tell of our ride back to Pemba . The Sunday when we were on our way back to Pemba our trucks tire went flat so we had to stop on the side of the road to fix it. Well, to fix anything like a tire when you are away from home in Africa is not a small task and takes time. Thankfully where we ended up stopping was in front of a bar and across the road from a market. Knowing it would be no small task to fix the tire on the truck we went into the bar to drink sodas and rest while a few guys worked on the flat tire issue. The individual working in the bar was a boy of about 12 years of age. I asked to speak with the individual who worked there and they said this young boy was the owner. His Dad had died and left his son (this young boy) to take his place in running the bar. Nothing seems to surprise me anymore here in Mozambique . During these three days I felt like everywhere I went the Holy Spirit kept bringing me divine appointments, including in the bar. A man that was in the bar was trying to speak with one of the missions students, but since the student did not speak Portuguese he did not understand so I went to interpret for him. The man was asking for a job. As I looked into his eyes I saw that he was a very broken individual that was without hope. As he sat there with a glass of alcohol in front of him and a muslim hat on his head he began to tell me how both his parents had died during the war, he was without work and how he had no one to go to for help. He said, “You can ask anyone here. They all know I am suffering that is why I am here trying to bring some peace to all the thoughts.” From that point I stepped in with the love and power of the Holy Spirit guiding Him to Jesus. His eyes filled with tears as he gazed towards the ground as if wondering if what I was saying was truth, yet knowing it was. There was another gentleman who was sitting with him in the bar on that day who kept encouraging him to listen to what I was saying. The mission school student and myself prayed for him and when we were finished another man who was just passing through and heard what I was saying came up to him and told him to listen and follow what was just told to him because it was truth. This passer-bier told me how he used to go to church, but “had been away from God” for many years but he knew it was truth. Again, another divine appointment opened up to minister to this person who was ‘just passing by’. God knew why we had to stop at that bar on that cloudy Sunday afternoon.

When I arrived back in Dondo I was only here for about two days before I had to leave again for Zimpeto and then off to South Africa . I took one of our boys, Nelson, to our base in Zimpeto so that he could have some tests done on his brain as he has had a few episodes of seizures which have become more violent. Since they only could do the tests at the Maputo hospital I left him in the care of a precious friend and nurse, Iara, who is at our Zimpeto base while Lisa and myself went to South Africa to apply for our residency visas so we can get our DIREs. Well, God granted us great favor and we got our residency visas that we need to apply for our DIREs. Praise Jesus!!! All of Nelson’s tests came back clear. Another Praise Jesus!!! But the doctor has put him on epilepsy medicine which he has to take twice a day. I am declaring healing in Nelson. Nelson was our first boy to ever fly in an airplane or go anywhere as far as Zimpeto so it was a big adventure and excitement not only for him, but the rest of our boys. Of course they all want to go to Zimpeto to visit….especially since Zimpeto gets big loafs of bread for breakfast where we get small ones. J

When I arrived back in Dondo after my trip to Zimpeto and South Africa I was only home for two days before leaving again to Buzi to do outreach in the Bush. Pastor Miquel had asked me to preach at his church the first Sunday in November almost two months prior. He had wanted me to come to Buzi even before I went to the states last November so my heart was joyous that I was finally able to go and I knew in my spirit that it was God’s timing. Not knowing what lay ahead of the team and myself we took off Saturday afternoon, November 3. We were a team of 5 which the Holy Spirit had showed me to take with me on this journey. Saturday evening we ended up going to a refugee camp where there were victims from last years flooding still trying to put the pieces back together of life and materials lost in the masses of water. I had asked Joao (one of our team members who works with us here in the center and used to be one of my third year students) to preach on salvation. The word went forth in great clarity and conviction as the Holy Spirit touched those who stood around us that dark, starry evening. It was a night with bugs inundating our flood lights and dust filling the air, but these things did not bother me as Jesus was being made King in this refugee camp that night. The next morning we traveled at least two hours into the bush to a church where they had not had anyone visit them for almost 8 years. What a privilege it was to set foot in that place. When I entered the church I felt the peace of God residing there. It was at that church in the bush with those beautiful people that I preached my first message in Portuguese without having a translator. The only translator was from my Portuguese into the local dialect. I know God is telling me it is time to step over this hurdle as I have not felt confident enough to preach in Portuguese, though I always communicate in it. I have always felt it was a different level of language learning, but that day in that church the Holy Spirit anointed my mouth and filled it with His words in Portuguese. It was awesome and freeing. Upon our departure the church gave us two goats as an offering. They really blessed us. This was my first time getting goats as an offering and it made me remember the first time I received my first chicken offering last year. Now some may wonder what I did with the goats…well, one goat went to our provincial pastor and the other goat was used to feed everyone here at the center lunch and dinner today. After we left this church we headed to Pastor Miquel’s home to pack up and leave, but on our arrival we found that people had gathered in a nearby church and were waiting for us to come. They had been waiting since noon and it was already 4 o’clock. When I heard this information I knew we had to go and minister to these people. As we went I asked the Holy Spirit to do whatever He wanted because I was not going to be concerned about time or gas (as we did not know if we would make it back to Dondo…but He multiplied our diesel). When I entered that church I felt Jesus there. My heart was moved with compassion as I gazed upon these people and knew I had to come back to this church one day. Shortly after this Joao leaned to me and said “Mana Ashlee we have to come back to this church”. We shared a short word of encouragement and then felt like we were supposed to pray for whoever wanted prayer. Well, that was it…..the place lit up with such a strong presence of Jesus…..the power of God was there….deliverances and I am sure healings took place. It was a very powerful time. On the drive back to Dondo my heart was overflowing with joy though my body was tired as I was doing what I was made for…..The Lord did many other wonderful things on this trip not only with the people we ministered to, but also the members of the team I took. My God is a mighty God!!

Upon my arrival back to Dondo I had an opportunity to share my heart with Marcia (our base director). I have been given full release to take a team out to do outreach evangelism. Please pray for me in this area as these trips are not physically easy and are costly. I am asking for Father’s perspective as He knows where and when we should go. He has all the blueprints and is ready to give them as I surrender. I look forward to see all He has in store.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners….” Isaiah 61

May the Lord bless you. May the Lord keep you. May the Lord cause His face to shine on you! Through the joys and through the disappointments; in the scarcity and in the abundance He is still God!! Many blessings and love to each one of you. Thank you for sharing with me in the Harvest. Thank you for laboring with me as we work together to see Jesus ultimately glorified.

Much Love,
Ashlee

Chiquita is home - update September 24, 2007

Hello,
Chiquita, the widow who was blind and just had cataract surgery, came home today. I am sending a picture so you can put some names to faces. In the picture from left to right is me, Mama Maria, Mama Catarina and Chiquita. After Mama Catarina and Chiquita's arrival from the hospital they called me to come see how Chiquita was doing. It was so marvelous to see her happy. She had to show me that she could now walk by herself and was able to do things for herself. Today she did not have to have anyone hold her hand to guide her from the hospital back to Dondo, she was able to walk by herself. Mama Maria, Mama Catarina and myself were getting a great laugh from the joy that Chiquita was displaying because "Jesus saved her" as she kept saying. She said that it would be better to die than to live like she was blind. Tears of joy weld up in my eyes many times as I sat with these beautiful ladies and shared in the joy of Chiquita being able to see out of one eye...so far. :) Even her family who rejected her is amazed. We are praying for a quick and smooth recovery of her eye.

Many blessings!
As you see this picture...enjoy their beautiful faces.....and when their names come to mind please keep them/us in prayer. :)
Ashlee

Touching the Father's heart - update September 21, 2007

Greetings to Everyone!

It has been a while since I have sent an update so many may be wondering what has happened to Ashlee??? J I am still here and very alive. These past months have gone by like the wind as there is never a dull time here. Lisa and I are still here alone at the base, but Marcia is returning at the end of September. I can honestly say that I am ready for some Ashlee time. Because of this I am planning on going to Pemba and Nampula October 8th for about 11 days to rest and hang out with Jesus. I am looking forward to visiting some friends I have not seen in a very long time as well. I am ready to have some fun and relaxation.

CLINIC
I usually tell what God is doing in the Bible School and with our boys, but this time I want to tell you about what has been happening in the clinic. As many of you know upon my arrival back to Dondo at the end of April I picked up the responsibility of the clinic again. Nurse Amadi (Mozambiquen that I worked with before I left for the States) had just turned in his resignation and we had hired a new doctor to work in his place. The new doctor’s name is Dr. Neves (“Neves” means snow in English). It has been such a big blessing to work with him. He is a very well respected and well known individual here in Dondo. Though he only comes two days a week to check-up on anyone who is ill he is always available to me when I need to call him. He has been having fun teaching me things as well. My heart is to see him know Jesus with his whole heart and life. God has been using me to be salt and life to him.

Praise report! God has given me a good dentist to take the boys to!! Hallelujah!!! Before Marcia left she had given me a number to a dentist that she sees in Beira when she needs something done with her teeth. I had quite a few of our boys that were having severe problems with their teeth, but did not feel confident in the treatment that they would get at the Beira Central Hospital . I had tried to call this dentist many times, but his phone was always off. I figured he was out of the country and not sure if or when he would be back. It came to a point when I had to take the boys some place so I tried taking them to the hospital where there is a dental clinic, but after three trips there without success I was a bit frustrated. The whole time I was praying for God to show me what to do as I did not want to see their teeth end up in worse shape than when they started. So….I was going to try to make another appointment for our boys to go to the dentist again in Beira when the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said “try Clerysnan again”. Clerysnan is the dentist that Marcia had recommended. So I picked up the phone and tried his number…..this time it started ringing and on the other end a man’s voice said ‘hello’. It was Clerysnan and he had just arrived in Mozambique . He was still at the airport waiting for his bags!! The rest is history from there. J This last Saturday I took 9 of our boys to see him and his wife. Clerysnan and his wife are Christians and basically gave us dental care for the cost of the materials….what an amazing blessing. While each boy was being treated, Clerysnan’s wife was in another room teaching the others about dental care. It was a great lesson for each of them to hear. This Saturday I am taking 5 boys again to see him as they still need treatment. Jesus is faithful in all things….even our physically needs. J

WIDOWS
Here in Mozambique there are so many widows that are forsaken. Our church is filled with many of these women. With this comes responsibility on our part as the family of God. The sad thing is that the church has not been helping them so God has been allowing me to pour out His love on them in a very practical way. Right now one of these women just received cataract surgery. Over three months ago she completely lost her sight. Her family has neglected her and would not help her. There she sat at home with no one to help. When I was made aware of the situation I knew I had to help. When I said that we would help her she got a bit worried because she thought we would also abandon her and then who would she have….but Jesus does not abandon us….He loves us all the way through to wholeness!!! With the help of Mama Maria (who works with our boys and brought this lady to my attention) we found another woman; Catarina, in our church who offered to help this widow/grandma. Mama Catarina has treated her like her own mom who she lost years ago. She is the one who took this widow to the hospital and continues to visit and bring food to her. This widow had surgery on one of her eyes on Wednesday and will be able to come back home on Friday or Saturday. In about 2 months we will help her with the process of getting surgery on her other eye. Mama Maria, Mama Catarina and I are rejoicing and praying for quick recovery.

God has also given me the privilege to help others. Right now we are treating another widow. Her name is Queen in English (Reinha in Portuguese). Her hands, feet and knees are filled with mantikanhas (worms). She also has no one to help her, so we are. When I visited with her and Margarita (another widow who was very ill and we helped) both women were vibrant and full of life and joy. Jesus has really touched my heart for these precious ones that have been forgotten by society, but not by Him!!! J

BIBLE SCHOOL
Just a quick note about Bible School …we have started a new session and I have 9 students right now. Most of them are from the Zambezia and Tete Provinces . Since I will be away for a bit in October I am teaching more often each week so we do not get behind. It has been such a joy teaching. The interaction that I have with my students is fun and causes them to really think and apply the truths of the Word to their lives. So far these 9 students have been a joy to interact with as I challenge them to dig deeper. J

“This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27

Many thanks to all those who have been praying for me and supporting me financially. As I have said before, I could not be here if it were not for your sacrifices of love. Thank you!

Truly Together in the Harvest!
Ashlee

August 17, 2007 - Apples and Eggs

Let’s have some fun!
So if you are looking to have some fun why not do an egg toss with 31 boys?! Not just any 31 boys, but 31 boys who live in Mozambique , Africa and value an egg completely different than a boy in a first world county. Well, guess what? I did just this. On Saturday, July 28 we had the 2nd anniversary of our boy’s birthday party here at our center in Dondo and it was a blast. The egg toss with the added bobbing for apples kick were enough to make anyone’s belly hurt from laughing so hard. The faces of our beautiful boys were full of tenaciousness as the object of the egg toss was not to be the first team finished, but was to be so careful with the egg as not to break it because they wanted to save it and eat it later. And in the event that the egg did go splat against one of their chests as their teammate threw it too hard or it was crushed in their hands the whole team would run to eat the raw egg quickly before continuing to the next egg. It was such a sight to see. I knew their reaction to the egg toss would be very different than children’s in the States, but I did not know what exactly to expect.

And then bobbing for apples came….it was a time to conquer as they had to walk on their hands with a friend helping them– wheel barrel style – and then grab the apple with their mouth…no hands allowed! This year our little boys did much better as they learned last year from our bigger boys to dunk their whole head in the bucket to grab the apple. Their faces of tenacious energy were absolutely great! You would have thought they had never had a maca (apple) before. J It was a blessed time.

Cade is back home!
This past Sunday afternoon Esau and Cade had a special service to dedicate Princila to the Lord. The first thing they did during this time was thank God for his miracle of healing in Cade’s body. On Tuesday evening Esau and Cade, with their two children, moved back into their home. Hallelujah!!! I have attached a picture of myself with Cade and Princila on the day of the dedication. They are both happy and healthy!

New Library
We recently had a visitor come and bless our base with a library for our children and Bible School students. She brought one laptop computer with a typing program so that our children can begin to learn how to type and use the computer. The boys are enthusiastic to learn to type and are enjoying the library very much. It has been great to see what types of books each boy chooses to look through. Some enjoy books about space, others like things about the human body, and there are quite a few who are enjoying the English dictionaries. Our little boys in particular like the fact that they now have a good place to come and draw/color. Our older boys are really enjoying having a place to listen to the variety of praise and worship CDs/cassettes we have.

Trip to Caia
I just got back from a three day trip to the district of Caia which is about 6 hours drive from my home in Dondo. It was great to once again be in the home of Pastor Phombo and his family and see the work that God is doing in this district. On the very last night Pastor Phombo took us to Chirimadze. As he spoke about this place and told us that the chief of the village would be there he had fire in his eyes. He had such a fire of passion in his heart to see this chief come to know Jesus this very night. There was such unity amongst the team as we lead the people in praise and dance before Jesus. At first the people who were there were hesitant and just stood and watched, but as some time went by they began to join in and their faces brightened with joy. I still have the face of one woman who was close to me engraved in my mind. She was short in stature and wearing a capulana (African skirt) as usual with a green and blue head wrap. She kept looking up at me with hesitation masked with a smile. At first she just looked at me and then she began to move a bit. As she joined in the celebration of dance with us her face began to shine more. The whole night was absolutely beautiful under the starry sky. We showed the Passion of the Christ movie and explained it to the crowd in Cisena as it was playing. At the end of the movie Pastor Phombo got up and spoke with an invitation to come to Jesus. Many people came quickly to the front to surrender to Jesus. This night we would plant a new church in a place where there was none. We presented to the people the man who would pastor the church along with the secretary. We also honored and blessed the chief of the village as he accepted to fully work with us. My heart was so happy! I felt Jesus smile! The next step is that a physical “building” will be put in this village so they can have a place to meet for church. The next day the man put in place as pastor of the new church in Chirimadze went door to door through out the village to do follow-up.

The work is so great here, but the laborers are few. I am physically very tired after this trip, but it was well worth it and I am looking greatly forward to visiting Chirimadze hopefully in the near future. My heart has been really burning to go out into the surrounding areas again to preach and teach, but with only Lisa and myself here at the base right now it is not really possible. Please pray for God’s timing and guidance in this desire that He has placed so strongly within me.

Thank you again for your love and support. “For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:15-16)

All glory to Him who is ultimately faithful!!
Ashlee

I serve a Mighty God! (update July 18, 2007)

Greetings from the beautiful land of Mozambique !

My God is a mighty God…mighty to save, heal and deliver. He is full of mercy, love and grace! My absence in sending an update on my friend Cade and life here has been purely lack of time and I apologize for this. I have been preparing for the departure of Julie (a new missionary who came last November) and Marcia (the director of our base). As of Saturday, July 21 Lisa and I will be the only missionaries here on our base which leaves us with a lot of added responsibilities. Marcia (from Brazil ) and Julie (from Canada ) are going to be gone for about 2 or 3 months for a time of rest. Please keep us in your prayers.

Update on Cade

I mentioned in my last update that Cade’s husband took her out of the hospital and told the doctors that they were going to seek spiritual help from our great physician Jesus. Well, since that time Cade has been resting in a mission house that her church has built. Each time I have gone to visit Cade she has been surrounded by people who love her and worship music playing. I have felt very much that I have been fighting in this spiritual war with Cade and her family. Many nights I could hardly sleep. BUT….last week on Tuesday I got a phone call from Cade. She told me that she was doing much, much better. I began asking her questions to see how much better she was….She began to tell me that she could move her arm completely and her leg. She was even able to walk, but still was gaining strength in her leg. My heart was so ecstatic….I kept thanking Jesus and saying ‘hallelujah’! When I visited her the other day she was outside visiting some women that had come to visit her. She is now able to nurse Princila (I misspelled her name in the last email) and completely take care of her. She does not have anymore problems with pain in her head and no more problems with her heart!! She is able to walk by herself!!! The only thing that is left is that her left foot is quite swollen and does not have complete movement when she walks so we are still declaring the complete healing of this foot. Once she is fully back to full health she will be going back to her home. Right now her husband and children are staying with her at the mission so that they can be together. My God is a mighty God!!

Birthday Party

Next Saturday, July 28 we are going to have a birthday party for our boys like we did last year. This will be the second one they have ever had.

Women’s Conference in Amatonga

This past Saturday, July 14, I was invited to speak at a women’s conference in Amatonga which is about 2 hours from where I live in Dondo. Julie, Lisa and I left home in Dondo about 5:30 am to set out for a great time. Both Lisa and I preached during our time there. Before leaving Dondo the Holy Spirit so beautiful prepared both of our hearts with the words that he wanted to speak. It was amazing to see that where I left off in my message in the morning Lisa picked up in the afternoon. At the very end we had a time of washing the women’s feet. It was the very first time for these women to have their feet washed as Jesus had demonstrated to His disciples. The presence of God was very strong and women were spontaneously delivered. I felt that deep roots of prejudice and hurt were being uprooted and healed in some as we washed their feet. I’ll never forget this older women whose feet I began to wash. As I looked up into her face with a kind smile of love she looked down at me with tear filled eyes. I knew the Holy Spirit was healing deep hurts of slavery – I could feel it so strongly in my spirit. It was a really beautiful and powerful time. As a missionary ministering in a man’s world were women and children ‘are the least of these’ it was such a blessing to love on these women who many have had such harsh lives and been so trampled upon. I have attached a couple pictures of our time during this conference.

To each of you that has been praying for my friend Cade…a big thank you! For those that have been praying for me and have given financially….a huge thank you as well!! My prayer is that you will see the fruit of your labor of love in your daily lives. I have been gearing my heart to be prepared for this next season of time and praying for God’s continued wisdom and grace to cover it all. I want to leave you with one more thought from Scripture…”But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (James 1:22) Let’s go out in victory and see this world transformed by the love of Jesus!!!

Grace and peace to each one of you!
Together in the Harvest,
Ashlee