We are going to miss our African home!

Family and Friends,

We are coming to the end. We are really sad to leave this beautiful place. The Macua people, the children, the land and the Locke’s are going to make it really hard to go. We really feel at home here in so many ways. It’s amazing what 3 months of your life can do, especially with a call in your life and when God is in the center of the whole thing, perfectly orchestrating it at His timing. Living here has really taught us to live Jesus out. This is truly a place where simply speaking about Jesus and throwing a bible at someone isn’t what it takes. It requires you to be in the dirt as they are in the dirt; to eat with your fingers when they eat with their fingers and to live in complete community with them; to be all things to all people so that we might win some for Jesus.
Josh and I have truly learned that the comforts of home are way overrated. Yes, they can be and are very nice but we have learned to live without and to have such Joy without! It has been so beautiful and so humbling. We live in a room that is 5 ft by 10 ft, and we sometimes have electricity and a well where we can get water at any time. We are richer than over 90% of Mozambique! We both have about 5 outfits each and a pair of shoes. Over 90% of people don’t even have shoes here. What I am saying in all of this is that Jesus has really taught us to live without the “American Norm” and we are loving it!!! It is so so freeing!
Josh and I are really praying for our school loans to be paid some how. We have an amazing vision of what God has put on our hearts. We will have to tell all of you later  In person at least. God has put missions in our hearts and has really given us a Kingdom focus, in America, South America, Kenya and England! We have met some really amazing people here that we will be able to net work with for the rest of our lives. God has brought such rich relationships to us that will definitely be life long. God is really showing us that He is adventurous and so FUN!! GOD IS FUN… He is the creator of Fun! He loves to lavish His love on us and He loves to answer the prayers of His children, just ask Him and rest in the confidence assurance that we have in Him. God is truly blowing our minds away at how much He loves His children. He will give you the desires of your heart if you have a pure heart and faith in the power of our KING! Don’t even doubt for a second! There’s no need to, He is all knowing and has the perfect timing. If God has put something on your heart or a certain passion for something it is for a reason, pursue it in prayer. I say this as a reminder to me and for Jesus to truly tell you His heart! I love all of you and I want you all to experience the power of the one we love and worship. He is not a boring King with all of these religious rules ready to condemn you when you slip up. If any of you are struggling with this just ask Jesus to CHANGE YOUR WAY OF THINKING- that is true REPENTANCE in the Greek and Hebrew translation. Repentance is to change the way we think. Pray it- you will be amazed at what God does.
Jesus, we love you so much and are so honored that You chose us to represent You! You chose us to love your people with the love of the Kingdom, through Kingdom eyes. Teach us how to receive Your love so that it enables us to be free in our callings. To be free in the person you have made us, so free that we no longer have to be self conscious about anything. You haven’t called us to live with a spirit of timidity but of boldness and power. Thank you for all you have given to your children!

We love you and can’t wait to see you all and serve with you. Blessings!!!
~Jess and Josh~