Lichinga, MozambiqueMonday, July 19, 2010
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Trip Across Africa DAY #22
It’s hard to believe that three weeks ago today we left on our journey to see more of this beautiful continent…AFRICA. We safely made it back to Lichinga by 3:30 pm this afternoon. We greeted our friends Jesse and Tanya as we arrived and had one of our favorite meals with them…burritos.
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Since my first missions trips to Kenya and Tanzania in the mid-nineties until now, I can say that I have truly been blessed to see and experience firsthand what many have never, and will never be able to. For this we are so thankful to our Creator, YHWH, who has hand-crafted every mountain, desert, river and sunset that we’ve seen on our journeys; who has set apart each wonderful language and culture that we have been able to hear and get to know. We drove nearly 10,000 kilometers across over six countries, each with their own unique beauty…Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Our experiences in these places are unforgettable. We have been able to shine the Light of Christ to different people that God brought our way in each of these places. We have immensely enjoyed the time that we’ve been able to spend together on this journey. I am so glad for the technology to be able to update our blog during this trip, sharing the stories and giving glimpses of it through pictures and videos.
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As you can see from the map, we have barely scratched the surface of taking the entirety of this enormous continent in. How many other wonders are out there? As we passed the various people on the streets of Africa; some carrying firewood on their heads…others riding their bicycles...faces changing from country to country, along with the scenery. I think about the fact that each one of them have a story. What are each of their stories? It would take forever to hear each of them. None of their stories are the same. Many of their stories are void of the only One who can truly bring them hope and give them love. Yet some have received that hope and love through the Savior, Jesus Christ…all because people just like you and me were willing to give up everything familiar and comfortable and tell them about God’s Son. I think about the sacrifices that the missionaries of old made to bring the gospel to them. Most missionaries to Africa in the early 1900’s packed their belongings in a coffin, as over 90% of these missionaries died within the first two years of service because of sickness and disease. They didn’t have vaccinations, or 4X4 vehicles to travel in, or ATM cards to withdraw funds from bank accounts. “Thank you Jesus, for the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us to bring your gospel to this continent. Would You please raise up an army of Spirit-filled Christ-followers in these last days to continue to the work and to win Africa for Christ? Jesus…a personal, hand-holding relationship with You alone is the answer that will end the poverty, end the injustices, end the human trafficking, end AIDS and end the hopelessness and despair in Africa…one broken spirit surrendered to You at a time.”
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As you can see from the map, we have barely scratched the surface of taking the entirety of this enormous continent in. How many other wonders are out there? As we passed the various people on the streets of Africa; some carrying firewood on their heads…others riding their bicycles...faces changing from country to country, along with the scenery. I think about the fact that each one of them have a story. What are each of their stories? It would take forever to hear each of them. None of their stories are the same. Many of their stories are void of the only One who can truly bring them hope and give them love. Yet some have received that hope and love through the Savior, Jesus Christ…all because people just like you and me were willing to give up everything familiar and comfortable and tell them about God’s Son. I think about the sacrifices that the missionaries of old made to bring the gospel to them. Most missionaries to Africa in the early 1900’s packed their belongings in a coffin, as over 90% of these missionaries died within the first two years of service because of sickness and disease. They didn’t have vaccinations, or 4X4 vehicles to travel in, or ATM cards to withdraw funds from bank accounts. “Thank you Jesus, for the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us to bring your gospel to this continent. Would You please raise up an army of Spirit-filled Christ-followers in these last days to continue to the work and to win Africa for Christ? Jesus…a personal, hand-holding relationship with You alone is the answer that will end the poverty, end the injustices, end the human trafficking, end AIDS and end the hopelessness and despair in Africa…one broken spirit surrendered to You at a time.”
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Christian Young
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