Friday Friends #1

Someone told me the best mission blogs highlight people and I agree.  So today we commence Friday Friends where I'll highlight some of the people in Beira, Mozambique.  Since I haven't gotten pictures of many of the folks I work with at the clinica, I'm going to begin by introducing Lisa Brown who started an awesome project called Building Lives for Christ.


She is a Canadian who worked for 15 years as a dental hygienist before going on a mission trip to Gambia which started a spark in her for the people of Africa.  She then spent some time in Mozambique before feeling called to move here and work full-time.  Working at an orphanage in Beira or hereabouts, she saw orphaned and displaced children that were being institutionalized.  Feeling a calling by God to do more, she began a program (switching careers entirely to go into construction) that builds houses large enough to accomadate Mozambiquan families of 2 parents and 4-5 children.  She has already built one house in which a native couple has adopted 4 orphans and live as a family.  She was able to procure a larger piece of land that can fit up to 5 more homes.  Construction is under way for a second home.  Lisa has so much energy and charisma, such a passion for her work it's extremely inspiring.  For those of you who haven't worked in Africa, it takes a lot of time just finding trained, hard-working employees.  Lisa has done much of the work on her own and her bronze and darkened skin reflect daily excellence in working alongside her employees outside in the heat of the day.

Last night as she took time from a very stressful and hard day to have dinner with the newcomer to the area (me!), she talked about her work.  She's begun the building of the second house with only enough funding to pay for half of it praying that God will provide what is necessary to continue.  As she said, "It's not difficult finding children to fill these homes, though finding good couples to match is.... but I know God has me here.  When you ask me how long I'll stay, I don't know.  There's work here and I'm called to do it."

Awesome.  People working in much "nicer" working conditions often work half-as heartedly and have no zest for life.  She's working as unto her God and her passion is changing lives pouco a pouco (little by little).  Steady, hard-working, and faithful to her calling - what an inspiration!  Read more by clicking on her name or program above, or here: Building Homes

Watching the sunset at dinner with Lisa

Winding down after the first work week :)