Mozambique, a Jesus Revolution!

Ok, it's time to get real. 

When the invitation to follow Jesus to the margins of civilization was extended, you nudged Adeline and informed her that you felt God calling you, so you were going to sign up. 

Adeline nodded, "me too."

A few weeks ago you, Mariah, and a few of your friends joined the Overland Missions crew to embark on an expedition through the rural poverty of Mozambique, Africa. We had heard reports of islamic threats to the Christians, but you were souled out on the mission! Leaning into the mystery of martyrdom and evangelistic fire, you packed your things and disappeared for two weeks.

There was radio silence. We waited and prayed, for any kind of response... How were you? I trusted that God was holding you in His care, but I also know that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." 

Finally, a text came through from Dan Peerbolte. He confirmed what I already believed to be true... that my daughters were warriors and pillars of faith in a dark world. Specifically, "Ambria may be quiet, be she is a LION when it comes to preaching the gospel!" 

One story that trickled back to us: After experiencing resistance from a certain family, and teen girl in particular, you felt so burdened for her. She was not receptive to your invitation to surrender to Jesus, and she refused to take off her charm necklace (an indigenous witchcraft). You could not sleep that night, and kept picturing her face... two days later you felt so burdened to return to her, that you marched back to the village to hunt (see also: LION) her down. 

But this time, she had a totally different disposition toward you. She was happy, kind, and receptive. She reported through a translator that she had actually experienced healing two days earlier when you had prayed with her, but she had too much pride to say anything. Now she was ready to receive. She repented and trusted Christ. You led her in the prayer of salvation, and after she accepted Christ, YOU SOBBED UNCONTROLLABLY because God had spoken to you, and you heard from Him, and trusted His leading! 

Then next day, the young woman's boyfriend came to find you. He had heard what had happened and now he too, wanted Jesus! So you took him out into the water and baptized him into the Kingdom of God! You went from door to door, village to village -  p r e a c h i n g  and singing and dancing and  p r e a c h i n g and performing and acting and praying for healing and testifying and loving and loving and loving and loving the beautiful people of Mozambique!

Praise God for this experience, and the bonds that were formed with your Missions Team! For Dwight and Betsy Beal, Dan and Rose Peerbolte, Adeline and Piper, and Kylie and of course your own sister Mariah who gave witness of your witness, and testified of your testimony! 

Bury me now, a happy man. A father who has realized his deepest dreams to be true. My daughters are walking with Jesus, and preaching the same gospel message that had been handed down to me from my dad.  

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