Greetings and love from Pemba!

I can't believe that I haven't yet shared in the blog the very exciting news. After so many days of pressing in, waiting and believing.  It is really happening. The Lord opened a door and
 provided all our needs as He always does :). Andrew and I are
 heading to America this week. We are both so overwhelmed
 by God 's goodness and love for us. We are so so excited to enter this
 beautiful season and journey with each other and the Lord. It was a
 huge surprise also for us that we are going in November, because we
were hoping to go in December. But this is surely His timing.


My time in Pemba has been really good. Loving to be here and falling
 more and more in love with this nation.

Days here can be full and 
challenging. But I am learning so much, I love it more than words can
express. The Lord really gives us strength, peace and grace to do what
 we need to do.


Part of me wished that my season in Pemba this time will be longer. I
 am seeing so much that I want to do here with the Mama's and there is
so much that I long to see to happen. But I fully know that my short
 season here is perfect and is it Papa's perfect plan. I will protect
 what the Lord has released and done. I am looking forward to
 be back here again and to see the visions becoming reality.


In this journey, the Lord is teaching Andrew and I so much. He is
 pushing us to be more and more dependant in Him. His ways are so 
wonderful, we are undone by God's provision and faithfulness. There is
no better place to be, than to be in a place where we are completely 
needy of Him.



About three weeks ago I went to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique to 
get my visa for America. It was amazing to see in so many ways, the
way that God was taking care of everything. I know that lots of you
 prayed for me, so I thought to share a little about it. Your prayers 
are powerful. Thank you so much!

I went to Maputo by bus. It was almost a two day non stop 
bus journey. It was physically challenging. 

But it was filled with 
blessing… Mamas shared their chicken meal, fruits, drink and
blankets    with me. One Mama gave me her seat so I can
lay down when I wasn't feeling well. People lended me
their phone when my phone died. I love Mozambicans.

I felt that I learnt so much about Mozambican culture during this trip.



When I arrived in Maputo, it was raining really heavy. I had to get a
 taxi, it was really dark there and by then I was completely soaking 
wet. There weren't many people, I could only see a few
 men, which I found out later that there were trying to steal 
my stuff. But then a beautiful young girl named Angelica came out of
nowhere and helped me. She had so much peace, she was holding an
umbrella and her feet was completely dry and clean. She told me that
 where I was waiting wasn't safe and that the guys 
were trying to take my stuff. She took me to a safer
 place and got me a taxi. I think she was an angle sent by my Father
:)



Oh and the American embassy gave me a five year visa when I only asked
 for a six month visa :D.


I also got to share the gospel in the bus, one man gave his life to
Jesus. This man was quite rude at first but he completely changed. I
was so beautiful. Later he told me that when he arrived home, he
shared about Jesus to his whole family. It makes me so so happy!

God 
is good!

 Jehovah Jireh! We have such a good God. He really really provided all
our needs. We do not deserve it and we did not earn it.
It is simply, purely a love gift from our Father. He really does love  his sons and daughters.



With Lots and lots of love


Dira

Gently He Whispered to My Heart 'I Got It My Daughter'

Wow, I have been here for almost a month now. The time is moving so fast but at the same time I feel like so many things has happened and feel like I have never felt this land. Everyday is a new and different day. The Lord is teaching me so much in how to treasure every single day.

The first day of work with Mercy (Woman / Mama's ministry) was so amazing!  It feels so perfect and right. There is no place in my heart and spirit that doesn't speak out that this is what I am called to do. I am where I should be :). It feels so wonderful and perfect to be back in Pemba.  I have learnt so much… and am still learning so much...  I cannot help but to fall more and more in love with this nation.

On my first day, I also got to go to the village to visit two of our Mama's house :)… and the Lord blessed me with a chance to share His love and Word. Two man received Jesus there, it was just so beautiful. I love it! Thank you Jesus!

Day's in Pemba can be challenging and heavy sometimes.  With Mamas, disables, refugees knocking in the door with different needs. But there is fresh grace for me everyday and Joy of the Lord is always present, giving me strength to carry on. But I have to say it can be overwhelming sometimes... I long to stop for everyone, but I can't! Good thing is that I found out that we are not called to stop for everyone but only the ones that He hand picked for each of us to stop.

One morning when I arrived at the office I saw my dear friend Filomena waiting, I have known her for about two years. She is very precious and dear to me. She loves to dance ^^, teach me Makua, she would repeat the word for me a thousand time until I get it.  She always carries the Joy of the Lord. That morning she looked really sad, then I found out that her sister died that morning and her sister has three children. She is already taking care of five children, and is already struggling to feed them, she can't imagine taking care of another three children but it is not a question for her.

She told me that she will travel to her sister's village and take them home with her. It really broke my heart. I couldn't do much, I couldn't do as much as my hearts desires. I want to help her take care of the children, go to the village, mourn with her and be with them. I sat there, hug her tight, prayed and cried with her. I cried 'Lord contort her heart'. There the Lord gently said to my heart 'I got it Dira. I am taking care of her, I will not let her be alone'.

Then right there I felt the heaviness lifted. The Lord is good and He is enough! More than enough! Enough for every Mama, enough for Mozambique; and enough for every face on earth. He got it :). This is just one of the mama's story, there is so much more. The Lord has blessed me with the gift of meeting beautiful mama's everyday, letting me love them together with Him and seeing Him move powerfully.

There is HOPE. Hope is at hand as the Kingdom of God is at hand.

Being here and doing what the Lord blessed me with is increasing my trust and confidence in Him. Confident that there is always enough and a revelation that I do not have to do anything with my own strength. He got it, has it and know it. Our part is to be obedient, hold His hands and do what he called us to do with Him :). What a beautiful calling we have :).

I work with an amazing team here. Our ministry is called Mercy Ministry. We are focusing our ministry mainly with the woman in the area. But we also serve some their families, disables and the elderlies. We have discipleship groups :D, teach them different skills and help them with practical needs :). Love them, be there for them when they are in need and be family with them. :) I truly love what I get to do.

The Lord is giving us so much strategies and revelations. We are so excited! I can see in my spirit, the Mamas becoming so confident, secure and strong in Christ. Be pure and holy ambassador of Christ. I see these Mama's dreaming and seeing their dreams becoming reality. This is just the beginning, I cannot wait to see these visions with my physical eyes. It is happening :D! Hope is here!

... I only have a little to give, but I will pour it all out Lord as You always pour your pure love to my soul. I am a blessed daughter, for my cup will never be empty for You are always pouring your Love to my soul. :) We are blessed!

I have few prayer request. In about two weeks I am planning to go to Maputo to get Visa for America :). Pray for favor from the embassy. The time is really moving fast, Andrew and I are planning to go to America in less than two months … please pray for provision and wisdom.

Thank you so so much for your love, prayers and support.

May Papa bless you all abundantly with sweet and heavenly things.

With lots of love

Dira

Love Gift from Jesus

It's raining outside. If feels so warm and cozy here… not long before I land to Pemba where is always sunny and warm. I leave to Pemba on Wednesday afternoon.

I will be joining the amazing Mercy Ministries team. I will be working with the ladies there, mostly widows and abandon laddies. I will be doing some admin, discipleship and helping with practical things too. After I settle in with mercy, I am hoping to do some street ministry.

I will be in Mozambique for about two and half months. In mid December, Andrew and I plan to go to  America, Knoxville for Christmas and also to get ready for the wedding. We are aiming the wedding to be on the 2nd of February... After the honey moon, we are planing to spend few months in  the states before we head back to Mozambique to serve there :D. So many excited things are happening … We both don't really have any money for the flight tickets and the wedding yet, but God will provide all our needs as He does. We are so excited to see How the Lord will make impossible possible. Can't wait to post a blog post about that when it happens.

So, this is it! The last two years I have been going in and out the country for short mission trips. But this is it. I am leaving home.  There is a part of me wants to stay here, be papa's and mama's girl, be home with my little brother and sister. Have midnight feasts and dancing parties with my little sister. Have late nights with my little brother. 

It's a lie, If I say it's all easy .. but there is a voice calling me, there is a hand pushing me gently, there are dreams I need to reach, faces I need to love, there are pictures that my heart and spirit sees, and my physical eyes hunger to see. I am going to do what my Lord fashioned me to do! Nothing can stop me from moving and reaching the visions that He placed in my heart. 

I know that it's really hard for my parents to let me go, but 'Mum and Dad, you both are fully realising me with blessing, support and love'.

So I shall leave home with joy and peace … I am going home to Pemba where my heart is and where my love is... I love you Andrew!

My heart is bursting with joy, expectations and hope. I wanted do this in Mozambique for a long time and It is truly happening :D. It feels like a dream.

Thank you all so much for your care, love, support and prayers.

I could't  have done this without you. 

With lots of Love

Dira

... just thought to share a photo of my beautiful parents ^^

I love you always Mum and Dad! 

Terima Kasih untuk segalanya!

Mozambique 2012

Hope you be enjoy it.
Love

Dira

Hello everyone!

I cannot believe how long it has been since I last posted something in the blog. I will try my best to update it more frequent. I am on holiday in the Isle of Wight with my beautiful family right now :). It is truly a love gift form the Lord that I can be here right now. Thank you Lord!

I am working one writing a new blog post right not, but before I post the next one. Here a part of the newsletter that wrote sometime after my last post, it was about the last few weeks of the school and about wonderful thinks like getting engaged ^^.  I thought it would fill the gap a bit… here it is.

Greetings and love from Mozambique. 

It's been almost a month since my last blog post. Thank you so much for continuing to pray and loving me. It means so much to me to have your support.  I'm doing really well here. The last month been amazing, filled with challenges, lessons as usual but also filled with blessings and surprises. Papa is so good. We have such a good Father. 

Last month, I got a huge privilege to help in the woman conference. Most of the ladies were church leaders or pastor's wife. The vision of the conference is to see these beautiful ladies find more of their identity in Christ and their purpose. We saw so much breakthrough, healing and revelations. It was so beautiful and spirit lifting to see these ladies encounter God in such a powerful way and to see them carry more security in who they are in Christ. I really hope that I can do more of than during my time here. 

The mission school is divided into small colour groups. Kayla, another staff and I are leading 'Wild Pink' colour group. There are about 20 students in our group, both Mozambican and International. Two weeks ago we went to a weekend outreach. This village was about 8 hours from Pemba. We had lots of people come with our group; the medical team, many visitors, Iris kids and some long-term missionaries. The Lord did so much, so many people received Jesus, we saw so many supernatural healing. 

Here I am

Here I am in Pemba, Mozambique. I cannot fully believe that I am really here. Papa God is so good. My heart is overflowing with the amazement of God’s faithfulness and love.

Thank you so much for praying for my flight. All the flight went smoothly. I felt God’s hands covering, protecting me with his loving arms. The Lord gave me so much favour in this journey. My luggage was overweight and I had an extra carry on, but I didn’t get charge. I got a economy class flight ticket and the airline upgraded my ticket to business class without my knowledge. When I arrived in Pemba I had to get a yellow fever card which I didn’t have, so I had to get a vaccine there and pay $50, which I didn’t have with me. Then out of nowhere a man asked me what was going on, I told him what’s happening, then without any pause and without saying a word and he opened his wallet and game a $50 note. The Lord is so good. He gives his children and lover so much favour. What an amazing Papa we have.

It’s strange to think that I have only been here for a three weeks, I feel like I have never left this place. The last tree weeks been so amazing, It’s been really busy, but really amazing. There are challenges everyday, but I am learning so much everyday. I am treasuring and loving every second of it.

Picture 2

Beautiful Zaina