Monday, December 30, 2013

New Year...

Well…My Christmas was wonderful! Full of merriment, Christmas cheer, family time and getting well fed! However Christmas is done and dusted. Now to look on to the New Year and of course, organise the house.

My life seems to be on a standstill right now. Not knowing when I can go home and not knowing what things will look like. I would have been leaving in eight days had everything gone according to my plan. I would have sent my packed suitcase with my sister who lives very near Heathrow and would be starting to say my goodbyes.

A huge part of me is devastated.

The other part is enjoying the hot running water, fast internet, constant electricity and lack of rats running around the house.

I can’t help but enjoy the every day comforts that I used to take for granted. Well…I use the word comfort loosely.

What is comfort? I miss my kids, friends and my family out there. I miss being in the center of where God has called me. I feel that when I am in that center I experience real comfort. Wow I have changed! I would have swapped anything for regular access to good chocolate, four years ago.  

Do I wish that center had all these home comforts? Why yes. But I find it such a joy to give it all just to see those beautiful Mozambican smiles every day. To see what God can do when you say yes.

I don’t always learn that from me saying yes, can I just point that out. I am defiantly still learning. I watch these amazing locals who give up everything for God, getting radically changed. I see them learning to rest, run and regain strength all in His joy. I see Jesus in the face of  them daily.  I learn from them daily.

What a joy.

So yes, this New Years I will have itchy feet to get back to ‘normal life’. I however am loving seeing my beautiful friends and family here in England. Learning to rest in His plans and not mine.

One comfort that I haven’t had this last year is not suffering from a sore throat in one degree or another. The amount of times I have had tonsillitis is ridiculous. So they are coming out! This Saturday I will be saying goodbye to those little things that have caused me much pain, and saying hello to a illness free, full of his presence 2014.


HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!


Monday, December 23, 2013

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

I want to be able to use this space to express my thanks and appreciation for everyone who has been praying for me this last year, cheering me on and supporting me financially. It means so much to me and I would find this all ten times harder without it! I am looking forward to walking through this next year with you all and I am excited about what God has in store next in Pemba! :)


I have always loved Christmas. The time to really thank and celebrate the fact that God humbled himself to our level, became a baby born in a stable and sacrificed so much. THANK YOU JESUS! Always faithful, always true and always big in every way. 

Praying for you all over this Christmas season. That you all have a great deal of fun with Him embracing all He has for you. 

Seasons greetings! 

Monday, December 2, 2013

Seasons Greetings...

Well the Christmas season has started…I have seen two sets of lights been turned on, many a tree and 5 people walking down the street in Santa outfits. I am rather over excited for this time of merriment. My brother and lovely wife will be returning from the states and both my sisters will be around. So come the end of this month I will be with my siblings under one roof for the first time since May 2010. God is so kind to have made this happen.

I have been to London and Norfolk so far seeing loved ones and seeing my Norfolk church, Fountain of life. It has been lovely spending time in rest and being blessed with so many conversations centering around Him. I truly desire to use this time to be filled up before being sent out once again and I can see that God truly sees this. He has placed the perfect people around me at the perfect times. So I want to say a big thank you to all those I have seen so far that has blessed me so!

Plans for returning to Mozambique has changed slightly due to health reasons. All who see this from the UK knows the waiting times for certain tests can be long. I need many tests so this has resulted me to be placed on many lists. Although things are moving quicker than normal, in all reality the 7th January will not be the return date. I am not loving this fact as I do miss home, my friends, the kids and the girls already. However I am just resting in Him and seeing how it goes. I will keep everyone up to date when I know more, however for now…time to prepare for the winter, holiday celebrations and continue to get filled up!

Below is a little video of scenes and pictures before I returned back to England. Also there are a few pictures of what I have been doing in England!

Blessings!


Prayer points:
* For the political situation in Mozambique to return to peace
* For all residents in Pemba to continue getting access to running water and well water. (There has been a big shortage of any water recently)
*Safety for all during the rainy season. No more houses to fall and no more deaths.
*For favor for myself within the NHS system
*For finances
*For me to receive all that He has for me during this time!

Full of Wonder... from ruth Alexander on Vimeo.








Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Heaven minded...





I am nearly 26 and facing the reality that I haven’t a penny to my name, not married and no children. I am truly out of those ‘teenage years’ and I can’t help think about my pension. What will I do when I am old?!? What am I doing with my life?! I am being totally vulnerable with you, many a times I think ‘time to get serious Ruth, get a job or even a degree and settle down.’

What am I called to? I am called to love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind. What does love look like? Sorting out my finances and making sure I have security in my life? Making sure that when someone says, ‘so what do you do?’ I have a great answer. ‘Oh yes, well I am training to be a pre-natal surgeon with the top medical university in the world.’

I am called to Obey Him. I have been called to love on those in Mozambique. The widow, orphan, prostitute and pimp; the missionaries, the pastors, the visitors and guest speakers.

With this calling I don’t see myself getting a great credit score. My life is an adventure; I call it a joy to dance to the music.

May I never give up, focus on the wrong thing or decide my worth is in what my CV says about me. My life is all about Him and in all reality I couldn’t choose any other thing.

I am resting in faith, His plan and His truth.

If you read Job you can see that he is constantly fighting for what is right. There is no embarrassment or desire to just go with what his peers are saying to him. He was one that was truly dancing to the music in every circumstance.

My true desire for my life is to be holy, pure and oh so close to Him. I want to be heaven minded.What a joy it is to be called daughter. 

Friday, October 25, 2013

What do you see?...




What do you see? Is this just a picture of a bamboo hut? An old, run down, very breakable bamboo hut. It has a full and very open latrine one side and rotting fruit the other. Our neighbour uses the front of our hut to sell his fruit and veg while placing his old unsold products in his bamboo hut. We get the rats using the hut to run from one side to the other, leaving their droppings as they go. Our chairs have termites eating away at them and spreading into the bamboo and wooden posts.

However I see so much in this hut. I see a nicely made cement floor that, on Friday nights you can’t see as there are so many people squashed in. I see character and I see a safe place. I see the home that deaf ears have heard and lives have turned to God. I recognise it as the place my family meets regularly to chat, get their nails done, play games, learn the bible and meet with God. My family from all walks of life, and from different countries. Whether they have been trafficked from Tanzania or they are a missionary from Sweden. We are family.

To me I see beauty.

I see potential.

I see God’s character shine brightly each week and I am honored to be called to this place. To this little bamboo, very hot, full of mosquitoes, hut. This is where miracles happen. This is where girls are brought to safety. This is where the sex/slave trade could finish in Mozambique. 

A note from a fellow missionary...

So I am generally quite bad with using my words to describe life as a missionary...however my friend who ministers in the war zones writes a great blog! I recommend checking it out...

http://pursuingnormal.com/blogposts/687

Blessings!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Joy...


Each morning I wake up, put the kettle on and make my morning coffee. My coffee pot is blue with a bird on top; musical notes are near its mouth like it’s the happiest singing bird of them all. However it just reminds me of each morning my mum would come wake us kids up by singing ‘morning has broken,’ purposefully out of tune and very loudly until we got out of bed. Makes me shudder at the thought. I am not a morning person, which makes my coffee all the more important. I like my slow steady mornings to wake up and for the peace to last as long as possible.

Peace and quiet isn’t something we get here. Although I’m not complaining. Last time I was back in England it was so quiet my ears hurt and I couldn’t sleep without my white noise, aka the base line that comes from the club music blaring from the brothel and bars outside. It’s odd what becomes the new normal.

Once coffee and bread roll are consumed time is ticking for me to get ready and out the door, normally having no idea of what the day will look like. It’s a ten-minuet walk to the other base where the children live and most programs run. The mission’s school is about to start so there are lots of extra faces and a sense of busyness in the air trying to get things ready. I go to the baby house, which has been named Casa Shalom. I store my bag there and do most admin, organising from there. I love this house, mostly because it is a home. I say hello to my babies that are happily playing by this point. Breakfast consumed and showers taken. I am once again reminded of God’s goodness and kindness as I look into the faces of little ones that might not be here if it wasn’t for God. I talk to the educators who work four days on, four days off. Ladies who give up so much to work in our children’s home. Ladies, who have so much going on at home that they hardly talk about, yet live daily in His joy. Laughing and chatting away, not letting anything get them down. Wonderful examples.

In Psalm 91 it begins with praising Him for His goodness, saying ‘I will sing for Joy at what your hands have done’. I watch these ladies who work with the children and the ones who work on the street. I watch as they learn more about God and grasp the revelation of His love and amazingly I watch how the first big change in them is His joy. They don’t rely on their own feelings or how their day has gone. But they rely on God and the revelation that He is bigger than all things and loves them more than anyone ever could. What a challenge when you get grumpy in the mornings if you don’t get your peace and quiet. Sitting in the dirt with the poor simply is the best way to learn. It is such an honor to be here, serving under a beautiful ministry.

So how do we keep the joy and keep our eyes fixed on Him. Well I have discovered that the best way is to remember it is not about me. It is not about how my day has gone or how I am feeling. It is all about Him and keeping my eyes fixed on the One who is all together lovely. Keeping my identity in Him and resting in His love. Trusting Him with all things.

Yesterday I was doing bible study with two of my girls. A beautiful hearted missionary who is in the Rahab team was doing it and at the end she asked if they had any questions. One spoke up and said she was delighted to have read 1 John 3V1 ‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!’ She then goes on to talk about her brother’s funeral that had happened on the weekend. He had been in a car accident and she had lots to sort out with the family. Part of that was meeting the people that hit her brother with their car and caused his death. She was saying most of her family were crying and were angry with them. She however spoke out and told them not to be angry with them, that God has a plan for everyone and it was time for her brother to go to heaven. She forgave these people and talked about Gods destiny for each person. So she was happy to learn that it talks about us being His children in the bible because she had basically preached that to her family; and these strangers who had caused her brothers death.

Not much could be said after that apart from ‘wow’. I have a brother and I love him dearly, so if someone caused his death I don’t think forgiveness would be on my mind. I am just being honest here, it takes Jesus. However once again it’s not about me, it’s about Him and His love. Living in His joy is such a pure and wise thing. Yes we need help to do this, we are human! However He is so worth it! 




Friday, August 23, 2013

Family...


Wow what a wonderful 31 hours….God is just so good...Nothing huge but it's all in the little things. To start with there is a wonderful osteopath visiting here that is being so kind and working on our kids and some missionaries. She worked on me yesterday and found that part of my lung wasn’t functioning as it should. Those who know me know I have had discomfort with breathing so this totally explained it and now I feel the difference! She worked on some other things as well. Found the whole thing truly fascinating! God was so creative when he made us!

Had a relaxing evening in with me myself and I, where I made homemade soup. The kitchen is my happy place where it’s just me and God creating together. Introvert at heart. Love my alone times with God.

Then today I had a day of doing admin and getting lots done…spoke with some friends and my lovely ‘Tia’ who is part of my little family. Heard about my friend Ana who I work with at the baby and toddler house, chased a robber through the village today. They got lots of stuff back but not all…but the police are on it! She then gave me some Chinese noodles she had made, which due to timing resulted in me eating two lunches. :) Love the community I am part of. Love my home.


I then got the barraca ready for tonight with one of the boys who works for Rahab each Friday. He cleans each Friday afternoon and guards, translates and looks after the male visitors in the evening. I put up two pictures that some artists did for us in the last mission’s school. Made the barraca look more homely. I then had a chat with our worker as he has some real struggles in his life and at home. I so wished I could help further but thankfully we are in an amazing body of Christ. I sent him to the right people to connect with knowing God will do something and all will be fine. While I was chatting with him one of the girls I met on the street last Sunday came over. In her school uniform and a Christmas tie, she had bought me a present. A necklace and some earrings. So precious of her. We ended up talking about her dreams. She wants to become a pediatrician and then get a passport to go help the poor in Haiti. Her compassion shocked me and once again I was stretched and learnt more at the feet of the poor than I do anywhere else. She is 16, smart and I know she can do it with God’s help.


I showered with running water…first time in months. Felt clean.

Ate leftovers from my first lunch and got ready for Rahab.


From the first moment we started Rahab this evening it was pure peace. Jesus was in that room and joy and laughter could only be seen. As we washed dirty, worn-out feet we chatted about God, how their weeks had been and asked God for help in the difficult things. Working jobs were organised at the relief of a newly made widow. Aching stomachs and colds where prayed for, wounds where bandaged up and all nails in that room looked beautiful. The ipod speakers stopped working so we sang. We discovered new songs and sang known ones. We were family relaxing in His house. God told me to make that place like a sitting room on purpose.


I returned home with a huge smile on my face knowing He is good…in the little and the big. He is good.


Showered again with running water. I will never take it for granted again. Got ready for bed.

Praying for His peace that we experienced in that barraca tonight to happen on the streets. Praying for my kids that I didn’t get to see today and truly miss. Praying for tomorrow in excitement of what my heavenly Daddy will have for me. Goodnight all. 



Saturday, August 3, 2013

Aprender a amar...

Rahab:

Those moments when you can't put into words how you feel...one of my girls from the street phones me to say her malaria has gone and she will see me tonight...all excited...opening herself up to be vulnerable. Someone who finds it hard to trust is phoning to say she will see me tonight. It's all baby steps but I cheer with that just as I would when one of our babies makes their first steps. God is so kind, gracious and caring.

Some nights I get discouraged as I witness such foul play. My little 13 year olds telling me she was forced to have an abortion, as her client was white, as she takes off her long trousers to reveal her short shorts. She is ready in her work uniform. She starts walking the streets, well known to many it doesn’t take long until she finds someone claiming to own her for the night. It breaks me every time.

What is this huge thing before me? Just as Moses felt overwhelmed, so do I. But I have been called to set His people free. I have been called to Love. Come what May.

I am learning.

I am learning to give each thing to God.  

I am leaning on the baby steps. I am leaning on the fact that girls are coming off the street and finding jobs. I am leaning on the fact that they are getting their dignity back. I am leaning on the fact that God saves. I am leaning on His promises. I am leaning in His love.

Please join me in prayer for each one of these precious girls. We know about 60-70 girls now and we won’t stop until they are set free. Please pray for the men caught up in this. Please pray for this nation that it won’t be used for its state of poverty. Please pray.

Baby/toddler house:

Our children are just fantastic and God is showing His miracles through them every day. They know how to party and how to rest in His joy. They know how to fight off the orphan spirit and to praise Him in all things. They know His goodness and His salvation. May our ceiling be their floor from the word go. Please pray they are encouraged every day, that they are lead only by the HS in all things and that even when they are sleeping, they are pioneering. We believe in great things for our kids. :) 





Saturday, July 20, 2013

May I never get used to it...


I don’t think I will ever get used to this place. Get used to seeing children go through trash to see if there is anything they can use for toys. Seeing skinny malnourished women trying to feed their hungry child. Mud and bamboo houses that are falling apart, next door to a cement house with a gate. Ladies selling themselves on the street to men that claim they ‘own’ the girls, letting them know that’s their only identity. Skinny babies coming to live in our children’s centre that have to deal with being rejected or their parents dying at such a young age.

However I don’t want to. I don’t want to get used to anything that is unjust! May God never let me get used to this.

I also don’t want to get used to the miracles I see each day. Every time I walk into that baby or toddler house I look into the eyes of a miracle. We have children that would not have been alive if it wasn’t for God running around and teaching us about joy. When I am doing street ministry and I bump into a lady who has thrown away her old way of life and has started working for a sewing business that we set up just for them. They have a new way of earning an income and a new way of life with Jesus! If God hadn’t have stepped in who knows what would have happened.

I don’t want to ever take Him for granted. May I always be in a place of thankfulness. May I always be in a place or worship. May I always be in a place of hope. I lay down my life to stop for the one. To serve the one. 

Friday, June 28, 2013

Joining Forces...


Some of my friends who I have met through Rahab ministries at the barraca are learning to sew! My great friend and fellow missionary has started a sewing school at the Base to allow men, women, boys and girls the opportunity to learn, start new occupations and to realize their potential.

Here is the link to the websites:
https://www.facebook.com/GaleriaDosSonhos

Three of my girls have helped make these dresses, clutches, napkins, purses etc. I am beyond amazed by what God has done. You stop for the one and God does wonders.

These ladies own barraca’s themselves. Dealing each night with 'customers' that use the surrounding area for a bathroom. Treat them poorly and pay very little. The ladies were stuck in these positions due to lack of options as they try to make a living for their family, who they never see. Making fish and xima (a type of thick porridge made with water and corn flour) for anyone who would like to stop by. They are asked daily to find girls for the men that come to their humble bamboo huts, just like it would be something on the menu. They tell me the preference is skinny 13-15 year olds. Working right in the middle of the red-light zone they are bringing the light into the darkness. They became Christians last year and although they didn’t like their job at their barraca’s they have used it to evangelise to everyone who walks through the door. They are my heroes!

However they now have an option. They have been asked to dream about what they would like to do. They have been given a way out. And each lady gives all the glory to God. :)

Watch this space everyone! It’s just the beginning.







Monday, June 3, 2013

His loving kindness....

My first week here has been...well I don't think I can put it in words. I celebrated children's day, the farm growing many crops where before nothing had grown before and seeing all of my family once again. One big celebration is hearing of all the great things that have been going on with our girls since I have been away. These girls are making life changing decisions to get into school, learn new languages and the best of all...giving their lives to Jesus. There is such a excitement in the air for this next season and just hearing these testimonies makes it even more so!

The beginning of the year I ask you all to pray specifically for one of our 5 year olds, Madelena. She has had many struggles with her health and development. However due to prayer and physical exercise she has learnt how to crawl!!! I could do nothing but laugh and cry with joy when I watched her. God is just so lovely and I thank Him for all He has done in Madelena's life. Here is the video and a picture of her doing some exercises.




I went out on street ministry for this first time this friday and I would love to ask for more prayer covering over this area. Yes there is so much to celebrate Him for, but there is so much yet to be done. So many lives that have yet to hear the good news. When I see two of my 16 year-olds with one man, a demon possessed girl who is so enslaved by her pimps it the worst I have ever seen and a man so full of drugs and alcohol he is ready to beat up a women over a piece of chicken. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed but I know He is in control. It is all about trust. Please join with me to pray for more of His power in this place.

Here is some photos from children's day! Thank you all who gave towards the gifts for our children. It was such a wonderful day full of gifts, food, games and celebration. We had around 4000 people who came to our kitchen to eat that day. We gave a meal of chicken, rice, salad, a lollypop, and a fizzy drink. As I saw the children who live in the surrounding villages leave the base with full bellies and food around their mouth; I couldn't help but thank God for His loving kindness for providing all. He would have done it for just one of those beautiful children.




Eating their chicken dinner - 


Enjoying their gifts - 



Thank you all for your prayers and support...please keep in touch!

Lots of love,
Ruth

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Come away with me...


This last year has been a crazy season. From June 2012 to February 2013 there have been so many ups and downs it been hard to keep track. God has certainly taken me on a journey that’s for sure! During this though He has taught be how to love the unlovely, to search for Him in all things and to stay intimate with Him. I wouldn't have changed it for anything. During this season He has sung over me the song ‘Come Away’ by Brock Human.

The words are as following:

Come away with me, come away
It's never too late,
it's never too late,
it's not too late for you.

I have a plan for you,
I have a plan.
It's going to be wild,
it's going to be great,
it's going to be full of me

During each time where I had fear to step out and obey, fear of what might happen and fear of man, all I could hear was this song. He has a plan for me and it is going to be wild and full of Him. When all was crumbling around me He was, and still is the stable promise.

I have returned to Pemba and excited for this new season! Please be pray for all those involved in the Pemba base and surrounding areas. That His desires for us will be done in this place! He has given me such a dream and passion for this area, I can’t wait until I witness His promises come into place.

I would also love prayer for this Saturday. It is children’s day, which is a huge celebration for children in Mozambique. We will be feeding about 3000 or more children a chicken lunch and giving our children presents. We would love prayer for energy, for it to run smoothly and that God is the centre focus of the whole celebration.

Bless you all in your continued support and prayers! Please keep in touch – ruth@irisglobal.org

Love and prayers,
Ruth




Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Normal days...


It’s 4:00pm and my housemate and I are wishing to get a take-away and watch a new movie someone has brought over from America for us. We plan to meet at 5:00 and go via the hospital. One of our babies is in the hospital having treatment after a scary night of convulsions. Her temperature could not be brought down and the convulsions lasted for an hour. She is a vulnerable baby girl, that we can say it is only because of God that she is alive. When she came to us she was two years old and could fit into 3-month-old clothing. The typical child you see on the Oxfam adverts. We give thanks to God for her daily, God gets all the glory!

The hospital still has the blood on the floor that was fresh that morning. New people are in and the lady who was passing away in the bed next to her has gone. Our sweet baby is being looked after by one of our fantastic staff member that works in the baby house. I bring them a chicken dinner and get the latest information on our baby girl, finding out that she will be allowed home tomorrow! Praise God! As doing so I notice more and more people crowding around us as the smell of the fresh food I have brought in starts to overpower the smell of sickness. I smile, as I know our loving staff member will share her meal once I am gone. Knowing there is always enough when God is our provider.
It is time for me to leave. 
I run out excited to wash off the days sweat, blood and tears before tucking into my big meal and being entertained by our new movie. But wait. I forgot the clean clothes for the little one in the hospital. Back we go. On the way we find some of our teenage girls leaving the compound to visit a friend in the village after dark. This is far too dangerous and they have a typical teenage meltdown before we get them into the car to take them home. 

It is now 7pm and my stomach is growling, my feet are tired and I can’t tell if I have got tanned during the day or if it is dirt. One more phone call to make to one of our street girls finding out about how their first class at our English school went before I can sit down and process the day with God. As I do with a big smile on my face.

A typical day has finally come to an end. However there is the excitement of what tomorrow will bring. What is God going to do?! What can He surprise us with next, just like He surprised us with our sweet baby girl?

I have been on a much-needed break in the UK since February, resting and enjoying time with my family. I however am excited about going back as soon as I can. Getting back on the streets, doing evangelism with our local girls who sell themselves. I can’t wait to see their faces again knowing how much they have changed since finding out about our good God who loves them much! I obviously miss our babies and toddlers who I usually get to see daily, so it is slightly strange right now to not be. 

I am praying that this last month is going to be my last here in England. Test results are coming through with nothing wrong. I have been referred to the tropical doctors, so please pray along side me that the tests they would like to do will be done quickly and results are good. 
Once again if you would like me to speak at your church, home-group or at a local event please do let me know as soon as possible. 
Blessings,
Ruth 
Here are a few pictures of my time in England:






Saturday, March 30, 2013

Happy Easter

Hello all,

A little note to say Happy Easter and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. As we remember just what He has done for us. Jesus won. It is finished.

As I made the video below I remember how He has won so many battles in Pemba. As our kids come into the children's centre and their lives are totally turned around as they discover our good God. Then also on the streets as the ladies faces light up when they hear the good news of a Heavenly Father that loves them as the precious daughters that they are.

Thank you so much for all prayers for our children, ladies, workers, the ministry and myself.

You are all wonderful!
Blessings,
Ruth

January and February. from ruth Alexander on Vimeo.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

In His hope...


As most of you are from England I would guess you watched or heard of the TV show Mary and Martha by Richard Curtis. This show expressed the pain of losing a child from Malaria and how two ladies stood up for the case, changing lives in ways they could never have imagined. It is true that due to lack of education, funds, mosquito nets, medical staff and medicines too many people are dying from malaria. Most of these are from Africa.

During the show I both laughed and cried, as the emotions shown were all too real. As the character Martha is playing football with the children and adds an ‘O’ to an English word to try and make it Portuguese. Then in another scene both Mary and Martha are watching, as a child has a convulsion in his hospital bed in a crowed room with dead bodies and crying family members. As I have said, these scenes where all too real.

The big thing that struck me after watching the show was the reality of hope. With my walk with God I have learnt to have more hope in God then doubt in the world. Sometimes I try and fight a point even when it is impossible. A characteristic I have that others and myself find often laugh at in the moment. I am determined to compete for the best to the very end. In Romans 15 it says ‘May the God of hope fill you all with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’

It is this peace and joy that keeps you going as you run in His hope. You never know if a child will pull through or if one of our ladies will decide for herself to stop working on the street. All I can do is Hope in our God who is forever good. The way I see it is there is no other choice. I gave my life to Him, so now I live in His arms knowing that He is a good God and may all go according to His will.

Here is a link to the BBC show if you would like to watch. It is very much recommended. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01r1cnt/Mary_and_Martha/

Monday, February 25, 2013

In His calling...


To all who read this,

I am now back in England and enjoying the comfort of life. Foods being easily available, not sweating 24 hours a day, hot baths and the quiet. Although it is very cold! (So cold the doctor couldn’t pick up a pulse from my cold hands!).

Coming from a place where a zip or a button on your clothes shows wealth and many are getting ill from Malaria and cholera daily during the rainy season. I am taking in what England has with a totally different perspective. God is reminding me that things that perish do not matter, but that which lives for eternity is what you must hold on to. Yes I do appreciate the comforts of England. Good food, pushing one button and on comes the television or music speakers for instant entertainment. However nothing will compare to what God has called me to. God has placed that so clearly on my heart. This small city of Pemba with lost women who are being told they are worthless and little children who are being abandoned and orphaned.

The day I was leaving happened to be the day I told most of my Mozambican friends I was going back to England to get some tests done. This was due to me only deciding to come back three days before. Everyone seemed so happy for me and generally cared. They told me to send their love to my family and were anxious to find out exactly when I will be coming back. With this I couldn’t help but thank God for all He has done. I am so blessed to be doing what I am doing. Each night that I have to stay up late and talk to one of my girls who needs help as she has a new pimp that may kick her out, which will leave her with nothing. I thank God for the honour of doing this. Yes I have the normal human feelings of being overwhelmed and very tired. I have those days where I dream of working a ‘normal’ 9-5 job. Then I am once again reminded, if I didn’t do this…what would I do? I wouldn’t be happy doing anything but what He has called me to.

Right now God has called me to rest and I feel very released in that. In this time please can you pray for Him to fill me up with His presence, healing and peace? As mentioned before I don’t know how many of you in England I will be able to see face to face. However please know that I think of you all often and even if we end up just having a conversation over the phone, that would be a big blessing!

Lots of love and prayers,
Ruth



Sunday, February 10, 2013


I would like to use this month’s update to ask you all to pray for our precious little one Madelena. Madelena came to our children’s centre here in Pemba two years ago as a small, malnourished 3 year old. She looked like a small baby and was dressed in clothes to fit a three month old. After lots of care and attention she has fattened up and is thriving. She does however have some neurological developmental problems. We have never been able to have her diagnosed so we are still to this day unsure if she was born with a disability or if this came from severe starvation. 

We have just celebrated her 5th birthday and it saddens my heart to know that she will not be starting school with her fellow 5-year-old brothers and sisters at the children’s centre. We all feel a promise that she will be healed and would love for you to join in with this prayer and fasting to contend for her healing. She is a kind hearted wonderful little girl and I know God does nothing but smile down on her. During prayer for her please do ask for words for her and we can write this down in her book. May we join together to watch this promise turn into a testimony! 

A little personal update - I receive more and more of an education into this culture every day. The more I learn the more I am in love. In love with the smells, tastes and sounds. Sure there are frustrations in the learning and times where I 'just don't get it'. However the grace takes over in those needed times. Please continue to pray for street ministry. This last week we had one girl return after rejecting all help a few months ago. She has got herself in a bad way and needs lots of care. We know she could do amazing things with her life and she too is slowly seeing that as she learns who she is. 

Please do update me with how you are all doing and any prayer requests you may have!

Love and prayers,

Ruth