Humbled and Proud

As we got back into the boat on Lake Niassa to head back to Lichinga, I pondered the day in my heart. I felt so humbled and yet so proud at the same time. The day had started much earlier, before dawn, when we woke up to travel by boat to visit a remote community in Mozambique. As we headed for the lake, our guides informed us that we could not go; the wind was creating waves that would make the journey unsafe. We would wait a few hours.

I felt so humbled and yet so proud at the same time. The day had started much earlier, before dawn, when we woke up to travel by boat to visit a remote community in Mozambique. As we headed for the lake, our guides informed us that we could not go; the wind was creating waves that would make the journey unsafe. We would wait a few hours.

I did not mind crawling back into bed, but falling asleep was more difficult than I expected. When the call came to get up, I had not gotten back to sleep. We headed to the boats and pushed into the lake. The sun was starting to rise and the lake seemed fine. In about an hour, we would be getting out of the boat to visit the community where World Renew was supporting Village Savings and Loans groups as well as a Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health project.

The guides told us that we had two choices in boats – one was faster but not dependable and the other was more reliable but slower. They had determined it would be best to take the reliable boat. I said, “Reliable is good,” and smiled and the driver smiled back at me. His smile disappeared over the next few minutes as he attempted to start the motor and it refused.

The men in charge of the boat paddled us back to shore and ran off to find a solution. Peter Timmerman, the Southern African Ministry Team leader, took the opportunity to investigate the hippo tracks on the beach. Fortunately, he did not locate the hippos.

"All I could think of was the incredible impact that World Renew is having in hard to get to places and often forgotten people."

After about a half an hour, the men returned with a different boat. We transferred everyone into it and they informed me that this was the faster boat. I said, “Faster is good,” and smiled at the driver as he started the motor.

After about an hour into the boat ride, I began to wonder where we were going. Peter had told me that the community was about an hour away by boat. I hoped that this faster boat would mean that we were close, since the waves had begun to grow and we had a couple of people in the boat that could not swim. There were no life preservers available. After the second hour in the boat, and a few harrowing moments with large waves, we pulled ashore.

I had begun to wonder if this visit was a good idea when I heard the singing. Through the tall reeds I saw a group of people clapping and singing as they welcomed us. I looked at Peter and he smiled and nodded slightly as our local partner told me that this community was thrilled about our visit. They are quite hard to get to and so visitors usually end up at other, more accessible villages. (Later, Peter admitted that he actually thought we were going to a closer village and probably would not have attempted to see this community if he had realized how remote it was.)

The singing continued the entire time that we walked 20 minutes up the hillside to the community. I was a bit embarrassed at the procession and ceremony of it all, and resolved myself to engage every conversation and each aspect of the community programs we would see upon arrival. Their hospitality would be matched by my appreciation.

After a full morning of demonstrations and explanations of how the community has experienced better health and financial growth through the trainings of the local partner and the support of World Renew, we were now about to head back. All I could think of was the incredible impact that World Renew is having in hard to get to places and often forgotten people. What a joy to be a part of this ministry! I hope that you also feel this joy, which comes from answering God’s call to love mercy, live justly, and to walk, row, serve, sing, and dance humbly with our God.