Update on Oasis Mozambique
There comes a point in our life journey, where we confront our doubts. Where we say, 'I have fears, doubts and worries, but I'm going to follow you just the same.' Michelle Heffer is in the middle of a year spent with Oasis Mozambique and India. Here, she speaks about facing her questions, having faith, and the ways in which God has supported her to serve others.
When I first thought about giving a whole year to Oasis in Mozambique and India, I thought it would be hard to adjust to two very different cultures, and it involved a lot of money. But the more I prayed about it, the more I felt strongly that this is what I was called to do and that God would enable me to do it.
When I first arrived in Mozambique it was quite overwhelming - so hot, and it smelt so different! It was very hard to see so much poverty, and you start to question your own response to it. Around 75% of the population live on less than 85p a day, and 36% of the people in Beira, where the Oasis base is, are HIV positive. When you're faced with the reality of that, it's genuinely shocking.
But in trying to cope with the questions of how these things happen, and what to do about them, I learnt a lot about God and about myself - how God does provide and how we need to depend on him, even if we don't always understand the how's and why's.
Despite their poverty and social problems, I was very struck by the friendliness and hospitality of Mozambicans. I lived with a family through my time there and I feel honoured that I had the opportunity to experience the daily life of a Mozambican family. It really helped me to understand the culture and get better at Portuguese!
Being able to build relationships and get to know individuals was definitely the best thing about going abroad with Oasis. Especially with the children we worked with, it was so great to see them being able to have fun, when you know of some of the hard backgrounds they have faced.
So now it's off to India! Although I know it won't be easy to move on from Mozambique and then adjust to India, I know that God is still the same, and that I need to do everything in his strength and seeking his will.
"They had tough living conditions but have thrived on it, befriending the local kids and one night cooking dinner for 16 people on traditional charcoal fires! Many people have been challenged by the way they show so much attention to children who are normally bottom of the pile in Mozambican society."
Marina, Team Coordinator & Community Support Worker for Oasis Mozambique, speaking about Michelle and her fellow GATers.