My name is Jaynie Michael and I have the blessed opportunity to serve in Kingdom work in Mozambique, Africa.

   Shortly after arriving in Mozambique, I experienced comfort, great compassion, and God’s love and spirit pouring forth from my dear Mozambican sister in Christ, Maria.

   We had traveled two days from our home in order to bring the gospel to about 500 people. Our Landrover reached the greatly swollen banks of the Moloque River. There had been excessive late rains this year and there wasn’t any bridge. Passage would be very precarious and perhaps dangerous. We could be swept down river.

   A church leader came from the other side of the river to talk with us and devise a plan. He returned to those waiting on his side of the river to report the situation. As I waited, and stared at the rushing waters before me, I became quite anxious and was gripped by a profound, intense fear. I knew that I couldn’t possibly cross the river. While we awaited the reply from those desperately anticipating The Word of Life, my panic reached a heightened state.

   Jacob, my wonderful husband, tried to comfort me to no avail. Fear was written all over my face, silent tears trickled down my cheeks as I attempted to convince myself that I wasn’t afraid. I prayed and prayed for courage and peace, but panic still prevailed.

   The message arrived that men were coming to pull the LandRover across with a rope as others pushed it from behind. The Landrover was completely relieved of it’s burden of bibles, song books, tents, camping gear, jugs of water, extra fuel and….it’s passengers! I had to get out of the Landrover.

   I didn’t want to disappoint those who eagerly awaited our arrival, and yet, I just couldn’t bring myself to get into a hand hewn canoe that looked as sturdy as parchment paper. In solitude, I fervently prayed, but my inner turmoil hadn’t abated and it was time to cross.

   My special, intuitive sister, Maria gently nudged me over to the side and with arm around my shoulder, bowed her head and began speaking in a language that I didn’t understand, and yet knew that she had sensed my panic and was praying for me. She stayed by my side until the last canoe crossed with all our belongings and Maria didn’t cross until I was safely seated in the canoe.

   No one had spoken a word about my struggles with the river and yet God’s love, comfort, and spirit prevailed across cultural differences, language barriers, and tribal parameters, through Maria. God’s love knows no boundaries!!!

 

John 15:13  No one has greater love than this, that a man (or woman) lay down his life for his friends.