Posted in Mozambique by Catherine Zelvis on 7/2/2009
Worship under the blanket of countless, brilliant stars in Mozambique is awesome. There are multiple shooting stars any time you turn your face toward the sky. It's in these evenings where I get caught up in just how big God is. The lyrics of songs such as "How Great is Our God" really come alive when surrounded by the sights and sounds of God's creation. David said it better in Psalm 8:
"When I consider your heavens, the work if your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?"
God loves us immeasurably. When I gaze into the African night sky, free of pollution and bright city lights, I can't help but feel loved by my Creator who designed something so magnificent for us.
Thank you, Lord, for your awesome handiwork all around. Help me not to take this beauty for granted...
Posted in Mozambique by Catherine Zelvis on 7/2/2009
The required packing list for camping in the bush of Mozambique, Africa:
1. Tent complete with matching rain jacket because although it may not be raining, you're sure to be drenched by the heavy dew every morning.
World Racer neighborhood.
2. Sleeping bag because although it may be 80-degrees F with bright sunshine, the temperature dramatically drops with the setting sun
3. Toilet paper because I haven't found any "bathrooms" in the bush accessorized with this important wiping essential
The exterior and interior of what's fondly referred to as the "squattie" (bathroom) in the Mozambican bush.
4. Sunscreen because the lobster look isn't in style in any country
5. Headlamp / flashlight because electricity should never be counted on
6. Matches / lighter because, again, there isn't any electricity and you need to heat up your food somehow. Of course, if you're a well-trained boy scout, the matches won't be necessary.
7. Pair of quality ear plugs because although you may have plans of sleeping in until 8AM, the locals begin their day at 5 or 6AM to compete with the roosters to determine who can really be the loudest.
8. I would recommend an eating utensil, bowl, and cup, but the people here are most friendly and will probably allow you to borrow theirs.
9. All of your knowledge of the stars and constellations because the night sky is breathtaking in the bush
10. A friendly smile to greet the many friendly faces and children that come to see what you're all about. The people of Mozambique have big, sincere, toothy (if they even have teeth) smiles, so bring your very best.
The kids of the Mozambican village of Chinuque were always smiling.
A couple of items that you might want to consider leaving at home: 1. Wrist watch because you'll drive yourself mad waiting for events to start and end on time.
2. Mirror because after a long day of running around in the dirt and being exposed to wind and sun, well, your reflection is more than likely left unknown.
Posted in Mozambique by Catherine Zelvis on 7/2/2009
One morning in the Chinuque Village in the bush of Mozambique, I found a place to hide from the heat of the sun's rays, wanting to read my Bible and spend some time journaling. As I was writing, however, I soon found myself encircled by eight or so young boys. They all wanted to see what I was up to. I gave them all a chance to see my chicken-scratch penmanship on the notebook paper and then proceeded to write. With each movement of the pen, they continued to watch with such fascination. I knew they couldn't understand my writing, but it didn't seem to matter to these boys. Realizing that alone time wasn't going to happen, I tried to think of a way to communicate with them even though I didn't know a single word of their tribal language.
Since they were so interested in what I was doing in my notebook and we didn't speak each other's language, I thought why not learn from each other? So I turned to a fresh sheet of paper and began sketching out simple objects. With each picture, the group would all tell me at once what the picture was in their native tongue. It was hard in the beginning to understand what they were saying because they all shouted it out at the same time. Eventually, one of the boys sitting next to me caught my attention by breaking the word down into distinct syllables. It would sometimes take me several attempts before I came close to saying it correctly, which would make the kids laugh. It made me laugh too. I, in turn, would give them the English translation and they would also try their best to repeat. They taught me how to say "sun", "flower", "cat", "pray", and many others. Interestingly, I learned that the word for "smile" and "laugh" are the same, or at least they sound the same. It's pronounced "sa-kah". Some young girls and even some women came over and joined in, sometimes debating on the right word for the image I had drawn. Thinking back now, though, I'm not sure if they were debating on the right word or on deciding what it was that I tried to sketch. Regardless, it was a great 45 minutes or so learning from each other and being silly all the while. I loved being surrounded by all the sa-kah's and having a sa-kah of my own. Just one of those moments that I'll never forget. Thank you, Lord.
Posted in Mozambique by Catherine Zelvis on 6/8/2009
Alright, so there was a slight delay in entering the country of Mozambique. We meant to cross over last Thursday, but you wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find transportation for 50-some people in Africa! So, as the doors for our planned departure were being closed, we enjoyed a few days spent in a house for missionaries. These past few days, I believe, were ordained by God as a time for our squad to grow closer together...
On Friday, we had a time of quiet throughout the house, where we spent time reading the Word and talking to God. Also on Friday, we were assigned a person on the squad in which we were to fast one meal and pray for that individual, asking the Lord to give us words to share with that person. Listening to other people on the squad, I think the time of quiet and stillness and praying on another's behalf was indeed time well spent. Through these exercises, our squad is becoming more like a single entity. It is incredible and I pray that it continues for the remainder of the Race.
And so, today we have transportation reserved to pick us up this afternoon and take us to our different destinations in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Team Indelible will still be serving in Mozambique. There is one team that will remain in Nelspruit, South Africa to work with Heidi and Roland Baker's Iris Ministries this month. Please pray for our safety as most of us have a 20+ hour bus ride ahead of us. Please also pray for protection over the entire squad as we serve in different areas and countries.
More than likely, we will not have access to the internet over the next few weeks. I will be sure to have much to share with you when we come back for our monthly debrief.
Thanks to everyone that reads the blogs and/or sends encouragement. I may not be able to respond every time, but please know that I do read your words and Scriptures and that they mean a great deal! Please don't stop! Thank you also to those that are praying not only for me, but for everyone on my team and in the squad. We may never know what we were spared from because of your prayers. We may also never know the blessings that we would have missed out on if not for your prayers. So, please don't stop those either! May God bless you because of your part in this ministry!!
Posted in Mozambique by Catherine Zelvis on 6/4/2009
Thanks for your continued faithfulness in coming on this 11-month journey around the world with me.
Our squad is officially in Africa. Currently, we're just outside the Mozambique - South Africa border. For the month of June (our sixth month of this adventure), our squad will be serving in different ministry opportunities in Mozambique. For my team, we have not been given specific details of what we will be doing. Although, there was hinting that we could be tenting in the bush somewhere along the coast. I'll be sure to send out more information as soon as I can!
Posted in Thailand by Catherine Zelvis on 5/31/2009
We have spent the last few days in Bangkok, Thailand for our final debrief in Asia. Here are some of the highlights...
Here is the Thailand flag with a view of Bangkok in the background.
In each of the Asian countries that we've visited, Buddhism is the predominate religion / culture.
One of the quickest modes of transportation in Bangkok is the Skytrain.
Even Ronald McDonald gets into the Thai culture with the formal greeting with hands pressed together just below the chin.
Some members of my team strategizing for our Race Day through the city of Bangkok.
Many people stop into the various temples to worship one of the countless Buddha statues.
For our last night in Bangkok, our squad went to a Mexican restaurant (you can't eat pad thai and chicken fried rice all the time).
You never know what you'll find here.
Throughout Bangkok and even Thailand, nearly every block in the city has a 7-ELeven. From a quick dinner to just taking a breather in the air condition, 7-Eleven's are a blessing.
A picture blog is coming your way of where our team has been this month. Enjoy! (Remember that this is a closed country and I'm unable to spell out the country's name here.)
This building represents of some of the architecture you'll find in the capital city of this closed country.
The tuk-tuk (pronounced took-took) is a common form of transportation here much like in cambodia and Thailand.
Spent a little time doing some sight-seeing in the capitol city where we've been staying.
Indelible girls posing in front of a monument.
Everyday we would pass by a group of ladies that would be hanging out at this particular tree, just chatting it up and having a good time. After a few days of seeing them, I dubbed them the "Tree Women".
A couple of local women taking a break from the day.
We eat at this little restaurant nearly everyday, enjoying their tasty and cheap sandwiches and fruit smoothies. The family that owns the shop has our food orders memorized... "Seven chicken sandwiches, two without mayo."
With each country, our team has come to adopt favorite condiments. For this month, this bottle of chili sauce has been ranked #1.
And finally, here, you'll find the world's biggest aspirin, or at least the biggest pill I've ever seen!
Five months have almost come and gone. I know. I can't believe it either. Our squad is leaving Asia on June 1st for Africa. At this time, I'm not sure what country we will be ministering in when we arrive. Could you please pray for safe travels for our journey and that things like border crossing will go smoothly for all 52 of us. Thanks!
One other item in need of prayer is finances. There are a handful of peope on our squad that are still working to be fully-funded for the World Race. Noah and I fall in that category. Noah and I came on the race with about 50% of the funds that are necessary for this trip. We are both so grateful for the giving of so many, some of whom we have never met. Since the start of the Race, we've received some generous gifts and are now at 60% of being fully funded. To remain on the Race, we need to raise approximately $10,000. Before the end of May, we need to raise $2,000. We both believe that God will provide if this is within His will for us. We also know that there's power in prayer, and in the prayers of many united together. Would you please pray with Noah and me, that God would do an amazing work in this area for not only us but for everyone else still in need of funding? That God would move according to His timing and His purposes?
Thanks so much! I hope to have an update on our financial status very soon to share what God has done! To God and Him alone be the glory!
It's hard to believe, but we're near the halfway point of our trip around the world. It's been an incredible journey thus far. God has brought me to meet people from different walks of life in the Caribbean and in Asia. I've met mighty men and women of God along the way that have given me encouragement in my own walk. I've also crossed paths with people that greatly need to know and believe in Christ's love. There's definitely a world of need out there. But, God is teaching me that it's not me that is going to save people from a life without hope and an eternity roasting over the devil's coals. God will reveal himself to them as He wills, perhaps through me or through another willing believer in Jesus Christ.
At the same time that God is at work in the world, and believe me, I've seen Him at work in the five countries we've visited this year, He's at work in me. God has pulled me out of the "normal life" back in the States to a year of genuine God time. Before the Race, I would read my Bible when my day would allow me the time instead of making it a priority in my day. My prayers would consist of telling God my frustrations of the day and my list of requests for myself and for others. My heart of thanksgiving was weak and I talked so much that I wouldn't give God room for a word before I closed with an 'amen'. After nearly five months, my heart seeks after the Lord and the truth found in His word. I've been taught so much from living examples on this Race, from fellow Racers, from our coaches Mike and Patti, and from books. I believe that God can communicate to us through books and people, but there's something about His written word. Power and truth exist in each and every verse. I've read the gospel of John a number of times before, but I just finished the book up again and found so much amazing stuff in it that I couldn't believe I missed them the first 10 times. This goes to show me that His word is indeed living. How awesome! God has taught me so much about myself including my selfishness and self-righteousness that battle against His will. He's also teaching me a lot about obedience and the power that the Holy Spirit can have in my lives if I just surrender my will to His. Before the Race I didn't really give God a chance to point out areas in my life that I haven't relinquished control of yet. I'm not sure what I was thinking. It is stretching and painful at times, but I know that letting the reigns go is for my best. What's more, God can now make this vessel that I am into something that He can use for whatever purposes He desires. And I want nothing more than to be used by Him.
The more that God reveals to me, the more I come to realize just how much I still don't know about God, His character, His love, His plan for this world, and His plan for me. But, I trust Him and I know that He really has everything(bold) under His control. And I really can't wait to see what He has in store for the rest of the Race and beyond.
Here's what to expect in rooming with your six other teammates for a month of ministry (not in any kind of order):
1. Remember to ask around if anyone needs to use the toilet before attempting to take a shower
2. There is no such thing as personal space because there just isn't any room
3. Be sure to take your take-out container out of the room as the smell of chicken fried rice tends to linger for some time
4. To go along with #3, be sure to eat all of what you open asap if it's not in a sealed-tight container because it won't take long before an army of uninvited roomies move in
5. Make sure there's at least enough tp for the next person in line for the bathroom
6. For a more pleasant sleep at night, always have ear plugs handy because there's sure to be a symphony of snores performing each evening. Also, an extra pillow is great to have readily available to shield you from momentary blindness when someone hits the bathroom light in the middle of the night.
7. Should nature call late in the night, make sure you're awake enough to perform acrobatic moves to avoid tripping over sleeping bodies to get to the bathroom in time
8. Casting lots to decide who will be the saints to wake up extra early the next morning to walk to the market and buy breakfast for the team. Ok, so we didn't really cast lots, but we learned about the virtue of self-sacrifice in giving up an extra hour or so of sleep so that others had something to eat.
9. If you buy Mentos, you need to share with everyone else. :-)
Although the above list is reality in rooming with 6 other people on the World Race, the biggest things that I've learned for successful community living is surrendering your rights and ridding any bit of selfishness. Never before has it been so important to put other's needs before my own. Shutting off the light at night because someone is really tired even though you are wide awake and could read for another couple hours or sleeping on the floor so that someone else can have the bed for a good night's rest become commonplace. There are tremendous benefits to living in close quarters with people that you love and consider brothers and sisters. We have an even greater opportunity to "be real" with one another, dealing with issues as they come up rather than ignoring them until they're too big to be avoided. With living in a single room, you are able to see people in the midst of their personal struggles and can then lift them up in prayer. Because of this, our prayers for each other are more frequent and more fervent because the person caught in the middle of whatever struggle is sleeping only a foot or two away. These lessons of self-sacrifice and being intentional in lifting people up in prayer that I've learned more of in boarding with 6 other people can be applied to my role in the body of Christ.
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3
