Here
I sit, done with Mozambique, or “Mozie” if your keen for
shortening wor. So I should reflect right? (The previous inquiry was
redundant). I also like using words most people, myself included,
typically wouldn’t, anyway… I’ll matriculate onward with this blog.
Unveiled Pursuit (that’s my team, for those of you who don’t follow with regularity) and Team Genuine bunked down with Angie Wheeler last month in Machava, in the Maputo district of Mozie, at her ministry, “Beacon of Hope” (BOH). Angie has been in Mozambique nearly 11 years and has a God-given vision that’s awfully encouraging.
Originally, as a part of Iris ministries, Angie developed a deeper heart for the young people, and today it shows more than ever. Aside from the children she’s adopted, every year she starts with 10 young men, enrolling them in the 3 year program. Not everyone stays. But that’s their choice. You can’t “make” people succeed. You can only offer them the opportunity, which includes learning responsibility and honoring authority and that’s what Angie does.
Angie accepts participants from various communities. Her first priority is orphans, then those with single parents, and on to children from poorer families with both parents. They are provided with valuable education, training in various professions of interest, and other useful talents. She also has a tremendous staff, led by her son Popo, that disciples these men into a realization of being sons of God and leaders in their families, districts, nation, and potentially beyond. If ya wanna know more about Beacon of Hope be sure to check out http://www.beaconofhope-africa.org/.
Ok cool, but what did I do there? Well, I’m glad I asked myself on your behalf. I did “Insanity” in themorning with the men of BOH. So I’m pretty “ripped” now. We also taught English and other subjects, but mainly I tiled. I did a little tile work. Oh yeah, and I tiled some. I basically lived in the kitchen at the ministry, which isn’t entirely new, but just in a different way than normal. I was tiling in there. I’m don’t know if I mentioned that.
“Matt, why did you tile?” Those words from a hypothetically interested person ring in my ears even now. Well… ya see… sometimes… I joke. We’d just arrived and Angie mentions she needs tile work, several girls jump to mention, “Oh Ben tiles,” but not in a casual sort of way. Then Brett says, “Yeah, I’ve done tile work too.” Then, “contrary to form,” I look at Brett and somewhat mockingly, and unbeknownst to the rest of the room, mouth the words, “I’ve done tile work too.” Well, ya see Brett didn’t know I was joking… He mentions it to Angie as he’s leaving and a month is formed.
But, despite being trapped by the perfectionistic tile work ethic that I stole from my dad for the month, I did get to enjoy the pleasure of meeting such wonderful young men, that I expect to be the next leaders of Mozambique. These guys are so respectful and so honoring, oh and they are very talented. I’m honestly not sure if I’ve met boys their age that are so respectful, nor am I sure that I’ve met such a respectful staff. Especially given the way Africa normally runs, and that Angie is a woman, to see them esteem her so much speaks highly of them and of her.
Honestly, I don’t feel like this blog even remotely does the guys or Angie service, and I don’t normally like just “telling” things without much of a twist or deeper tie in, but sometimes things just need to be told so the word can get out. So… there it is.
Unveiled Pursuit (that’s my team, for those of you who don’t follow with regularity) and Team Genuine bunked down with Angie Wheeler last month in Machava, in the Maputo district of Mozie, at her ministry, “Beacon of Hope” (BOH). Angie has been in Mozambique nearly 11 years and has a God-given vision that’s awfully encouraging.
Originally, as a part of Iris ministries, Angie developed a deeper heart for the young people, and today it shows more than ever. Aside from the children she’s adopted, every year she starts with 10 young men, enrolling them in the 3 year program. Not everyone stays. But that’s their choice. You can’t “make” people succeed. You can only offer them the opportunity, which includes learning responsibility and honoring authority and that’s what Angie does.
Angie accepts participants from various communities. Her first priority is orphans, then those with single parents, and on to children from poorer families with both parents. They are provided with valuable education, training in various professions of interest, and other useful talents. She also has a tremendous staff, led by her son Popo, that disciples these men into a realization of being sons of God and leaders in their families, districts, nation, and potentially beyond. If ya wanna know more about Beacon of Hope be sure to check out http://www.beaconofhope-africa.org/.
Ok cool, but what did I do there? Well, I’m glad I asked myself on your behalf. I did “Insanity” in themorning with the men of BOH. So I’m pretty “ripped” now. We also taught English and other subjects, but mainly I tiled. I did a little tile work. Oh yeah, and I tiled some. I basically lived in the kitchen at the ministry, which isn’t entirely new, but just in a different way than normal. I was tiling in there. I’m don’t know if I mentioned that.
“Matt, why did you tile?” Those words from a hypothetically interested person ring in my ears even now. Well… ya see… sometimes… I joke. We’d just arrived and Angie mentions she needs tile work, several girls jump to mention, “Oh Ben tiles,” but not in a casual sort of way. Then Brett says, “Yeah, I’ve done tile work too.” Then, “contrary to form,” I look at Brett and somewhat mockingly, and unbeknownst to the rest of the room, mouth the words, “I’ve done tile work too.” Well, ya see Brett didn’t know I was joking… He mentions it to Angie as he’s leaving and a month is formed.
But, despite being trapped by the perfectionistic tile work ethic that I stole from my dad for the month, I did get to enjoy the pleasure of meeting such wonderful young men, that I expect to be the next leaders of Mozambique. These guys are so respectful and so honoring, oh and they are very talented. I’m honestly not sure if I’ve met boys their age that are so respectful, nor am I sure that I’ve met such a respectful staff. Especially given the way Africa normally runs, and that Angie is a woman, to see them esteem her so much speaks highly of them and of her.
Honestly, I don’t feel like this blog even remotely does the guys or Angie service, and I don’t normally like just “telling” things without much of a twist or deeper tie in, but sometimes things just need to be told so the word can get out. So… there it is.
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