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Dear Friends...
GOOD NEWS... is a powerful force.
It is the power unto salvation. The bad news that is all around us is powerful, too. Yes, it's a fight. We are at war in more ways than one.
The more the enemy comes against us, the more we retaliate with the good. We must stand strong and overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” We are sensing a great urgency to do all we can while we can, and we are moving on it!
BAD NEWS... Chopped to death with a machete - our Christian brother Marcelino. We received the tragic news of the death of one of our church members in Northern Mozambique. Marcelino was chopped to death with a catana (machete), Marcelino had taken over leadership of the church since the Pastor had re-located to another place. While many are being horrendously tortured, murdered and beheaded, it is always a huge shock to know it has happened to one of your own church family members. Please pray for his family.
Yet, this does not prevent the other leaders from carrying on serving, giving their best to Jesus. We were sent a home video of some of our pastors baptizing more than 20 new converts. These were refugees that had fled the carnage. Men, women and children who had experienced and witnessed unspeakable things.
To see this video and the hope on their faces, was medicine for our souls. We were not only blessed and encouraged, but activated to get up and ‘GO’ in Jesus’ name. No matter the obstacles, the call stays the same. It was an incredible journey that has strengthened our resolve to do more, give more and be more than ever before.
JOIN US ON OUR APOSTOLIC JOURNEY - NORTHERN MOZAMBIQUE
Heaven's kiss reflected on our journey into Northern Mozambique: Activated to 'Get Up and Go' ~ No matter the obstacles, the call remains the same.
An apostolic journey means leaving the comfort and security of home, in order to reach others with the Good News of Salvation, healing and deliverance in Jesus’ Name.
OUR PURPOSE: To encourage and teach new believers, strengthen the church and to partake of Holy Communion in as many places as possible.
THE TABLE OF OUR LORD, or Holy Communion, is a great passion of our ministry and personal lives. As often as we do it, we declare the Lord’s death and the great price He paid through His suffering on the Cross, raising us up saved, healed and delivered. We celebrate this meal together everywhere we go.
The way indeed opened before us. Such joy in the midst of sorrow. Such hope and courage in the midst of fear and uncertainty. The people thanked us profusely for coming and insisted we eat at every place. Though they struggle to survive, they loaded our plates with the best they had and it was very tasty.
Teachers Pedro and Agostinho came with us. We prayed out loud and declared the Word of God mile after mile. In English, Portuguese and in tongues, we prayed the way open before us, prophesying what Holy Spirit was speaking to us. We were aware that we were speaking into being the things that God wanted to do.
After four hours we arrived at our ‘hired house’. We read in Acts 28:30-31, that the Apostle Paul lived for two years in a hired house. Though he was actually a prisoner in lockdown, he was preaching the Kingdom, teaching about Jesus, and no one stopped him. We have hired a house for Pastor J. and his family. This is a relatively safe area at this time though there are frequent signs of possible attack by insurgents.
There was no singing group in front to receive us, as is customary in Africa, and no people to be seen. These are co-vid days after all. We walked into the house and found a fairly large living area totally devoid of furniture but with clean tiles on the floor. We were lead outside the back door and were surprised to see a group of people. These were refugees, mainly converted from Islam, big eyes peering over their masks. Overwhelming emotion flooded us. They sang softly so as not to attract the attention of those passing by on the road. We felt the atmosphere of the early church meeting secretly; a holy hush full of expectation.
After greetings and a short time of prayer, the 58 plus newly converted souls filed into the house, totally filling the living room. This was the ‘small group’ of ten who had come to share Holy Communion with us. We could not and would not send anyone away.
We taught them through Word and Testimony, prophesying life to them. We confirmed that they had repented of sin and believed in the power of the Blood of Jesus. Having received some teaching already through daily visits to our hired house, they understood. With great awe and wonder, they solemnly partook for the first time ever. They will never forget this encounter. Nor will we.
First time ever partaking of the Lord's Table. The God of all comfort touched the lives of these traumatised refugees. We had arranged for Pastor J. to call together small groups of ten people, the number allowed by government. We were shocked to see so many had come, but we could not turn them away!
“Breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.” ~ Acts 2:46
Our few days were packed very full, going from town to town, visiting our churches in four different locations. We loved celebrating Holy Communion in every place.
The words of Jesus burned in our hearts. "WITH FERVENT DESIRE I HAVE DESIRED TO EAT THIS PASSOVER WITH YOU BEFORE I SUFFER."
We told the people of how we have prayed for them, and longed to be with them. Now we were here, fervently desiring to eat this meal with them. “We are hungry! We are hungry to eat of this bread and cup!” they responded.
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK ~ Physically and Emotionally. One cannot begin to imagine the emotional trauma of children who have seen their parents raped and hacked to death. Families separated while running for their lives, hiding in the bushes for days and night without food and shelter, children lost, some never finding each other again. Wives who have seen husbands beheaded and dismembered... the list goes on and on. These are among those who have been baptized.
Only Jesus can reach and touch the depth of these wounds.
These refugees landed in Pemba, a city they did not know. They asked a man if he knew of someone who could pray for them as they had severe ailments. The man said….. “Go to the town of C. It is a long way from here but there is a church called Afrika Wa Yesu. Ask at the markets, in the streets and they will direct you to the house of the pastor. They will pray for you and you will be healed.”
What faith to go even further into the unknown, begging rides to get to C. God honoured their faith and when they arrived several hours later, they were directed to the house where they were received with love and kindness, given food and prayed for. This reminded us of the story in Acts 9:11,12. “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and enquire at the house of a certain man….”
MAY WE BE BAPTIZED? ….The 20 minute walk to the river was beautiful, with wild flowers growing in the grass. Almost every day of my life, Rodney picks flowers for me. Somehow he finds them, or even just one, even in the most desolate places. The week before, Ps. J. baptized a group of newly converted refugees, this day we baptized 25 more. WOW! It was a great honour to baptize these precious people. Some will stay in C. but most of them will move on to other places to find refuge. They will carry this mark of obedience wherever they go, and testify of Jesus.
As always, we were humbled by the kindness, generosity and open hearts of the Mozambican people. We are grateful beyond measure to be in this nation, partaking of their joys and sufferings, and sharing with them in the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Our last stop was the city of Pemba. Teachers Agostinho and Pedro, Pastors J. and L. loved the 7 minutes on the beach. We wished we could stay longer, but with such a full program, it was not possible.
OUR SINCERE THANKS TO YOU, OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS...
We share not only our joys with you, but also our sorrows, so you can pray. Personally we are not in danger, but in many places our people live in danger day and night. They are often without food and despair often of life.
"For we would not have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: For we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us again; You also helping together by prayer for us, that the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf." ~ 2 Cor 1:8-11
FINANCIAL GIVING ~
We are always amazed at God’s provision given through people who love us, pray for us and send support. Unfortunately REZ can no longer receive online donations on our behalf. They will however continue to receive personal or billpay checks mailed to Rez.Church. We are grateful to REZ who have been doing this for about 25 years. It involves a lot of work which is done freely without deduction of any funds at all. THANK YOU REZ!
Should you wish to partner financially with Afrika Wa Yesu, please make your check payable to:
“Resurrection Fellowship” MEMO: Afrika Wa Yesu (NOT Rod & Ellie Hein)
*If specifically designated for person or project, attach a separate note.
MAIL TO:
Afrika Wa Yesu
C/O Resurrection Fellowship
6502 East Crossroads Blvd
Loveland CO 80538
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