Over the past two days, there has been extensive rioting in Maputo (the capital of Mozambique) as a result of an uprising of concern over rising food and fuel prices.  Three days ago, two people were killed by police; two days ago, four people were killed; and yesterday eight were killed.  The rioting has now come into Chimoio.

After our morning devotion, we could all sense that something did not feel right so we did not see patients.  Misheck, Willard and I get together every Friday at my house to discuss our progress and the following weeks’ activity.  It was a dramatic trip home as people were running in fear.  Virtually all shops are closed. Cabs stopped running so we had to walk home.  We saw people lighting tires on fire and people shooting guns.  We truly ran for cover.

Very real stuff that you normally see only in movies.

While Misheck and I were in my yard having a private conversation outside, multiple gun shots were fired less than two blocks from my house.  The shots came from the grocery store called Shop-Rite.  People are throwing bricks at cars, and the city is virtually shut down.  Banks and all stores are locked up and police are out in force.  Riot police are in full gear and I have shut down the house for the day (e.g., curtains closed, gates locked, lights off, etc.

Just be glad you came when you did, because today is not a day to be out, or to be here.  Two people were killed in the market you visited about two weeks ago and people are acting with no regard to law and order.  We are now huddled in my house until the storm calms.

So, welcome to my world.  Stay tuned, but today is not pretty!

Sometimes I wonder how people can live in their own little world without caring for others.  Then I hear about a ten year old girl by the name of “Katie” who lives to help others.  Katie and her family are aware of what we are trying to do here in Chimoio with people afflicted with Aids, Cholera, Malaria and Tuberculosis.  She learned how important it is for them to take certain medicines at a specific time of day two or three times a day.

Katie is mature beyond her years and was so touched by the suffering here, she took it upon herself to raise money to buy a certain type of watch that has four alarms and speaks the hour every hour on the hour.

Misheck and I distributed the watches last week and set the time according to each activist and patient’s wishes.

Without question, I can tell you this for certain:  Katie has helped to change lives.  A ten-year old child, who has the desire to help others, allows our patients to take the medicine when they are supposed to.  We have prayed for Katie on several occasions, and in almost every circumstance, there is not a dry eye in the room.  The love, compassion, and genuine warmth of a child is actually helping to save lives.

Katie has a web-site.  It is katiekares.org

Katie, and behalf of everyone at Vida Humana (HUMAN LIFE) THANK YOU!!!  Who knows, maybe next year you can come see the difference you are making in the lives of others.

There is still so much to do, and if you want to give in the same manner as Katie, I can assure you every penny you give will go to the good of saving others.

Peace and blessings, James.

Two years ago when I was in Mozambique I prayed “God, break my heart with what breaks your heart.” Some of you remember that God answered that prayer with a whisper, “I will not break your heart with what breaks my heart. First I will show you what gives my heart joy.” And from that moment on every child and adult was transformed from being my project to someone who gives God joy.

That was two years ago. On Monday as we prepared to walk the wards of a local hospital I heard God whisper, “Now I will answer your prayer. I will show you what breaks my heart.”

No words can describe what I saw. No words can describe what I felt.

A mother asked me to pray for her four year old daughter who was suffering from Malaria and diagnosed with HIV. I started to chicken out and say I would pray “in silence.” This would have given me the chance to silently yell and inquire of God “Why!?” But seeing the look of disappointment I tried to find words that just were not there. I started to lose my composure. I knew I needed to take a deep breath but would not allow myself to fill my lungs. I was scared what foreign body I would breathe in. Just no words to describe what I saw and what I felt.

I saw a hospital room where the only one wearing a mask was the painter to protect him from the harmful toxic oil paint fumes. Oh yeah, and the room was filled with about 25 people and patients. Just no words.

Two babies to every incubator. Yes, we were allowed into the neo natal room with no masks, no precautionary gowns or hand washing. I saw post surgical patients crowded into a room lying on mattresses on a floor.  A child with a disfigured face. Pills on the floor. The sights … the smells. Just no words.

And then I found just one word … a word that is both question and condemnation … “why?”

Grace and Peace

Pastor Mark