April 2014 Linda Currie Update
As I have been thinking about what to share with all of you, I am reminded of how Africa is a land of many contrasts and surprises. Sometimes they are good and are obvious moves of God, and at other times they can be so sad and devastating. These past months we have seen this in Pemba. I have been here 7 going on 8 years, and usually the weather is very warm and tropical, turquoise blue Indian Ocean breezes, Palm trees and the beautiful Mozambican people who always seem to cope with a smile despite the poverty. But I have seen a different side these past months, with devastating floods from tropical rain storms that would not stop, threats of cyclones, rivers overflowing their banks, roads washed away, and bamboo houses flattened while the people were sleeping n them. My Mozambican friends and families have been devastated and in shock in the wake of the storms. This type of flooding does not usually happen in the North and I am reminded of the contrasts, and how we really must put all of our trust and faith in the Father in order to come through and move on to better days.
Contrasts within my own Mozambican family: Nasimo (who will be 20 in July) is now working in the day and going to university at night. He is excited and full of promise and expectation. There is John who is 21 and works for one of the oil companies and is making a very good salary. He is married and building a house for his wife and himself. Both Nasimo and John have been with me for 7 years and I have had the privilege of being a part of their lives.
Then there is Sabina (13), who has chosen to go back to live in the village where she perceives there is more freedom than with the restrictions of living at Iris. So sad! So much hope of a better future put on hold. I have known her for 7 years. Please keep her in your prayers.
The school feeding and discipleship program has been such a blessing during the floods. When the rains stopped, children continued to go to school because they knew they could eat there. There was no food at home and parents were spending what money they had to rebuild their houses so they would have a place to sleep. Praise God for putting this program in place where it could touch so many!
Casa de Gloria, a village youth program, came through the storm with no damage to the outdoor structure! It has grown, with over 80 youth coming each night to learn more about Jesus and evangelism. What a surprise and a good example to the youth of how God can turn what the enemy meant for evil, into good for those that love Him!
Through what has been a difficult time for all of us, people have asked me why God allows these things to happen to good people. I tell them that I really do not know the answer to that question, but that there are three things that I do know for certain. God is always good, I can trust Him in every situation and circumstance (even if I don’t understand it), and He loves me and always has my best interest at heart. I want to encourage those today that may be reading this update, that through your difficult times in life, though they will be different from mine, you can always count on God! He is always good, you can trust Him in every situation and circumstance, and He always has your best interest at heart.
Many Blessings to all of you.
Until next time,
Linda