The Gates of Masana

Most 10 or 11 year olds are like little Selso in this picture above.  Happy.  Carefree.  Full of joy.  Loving life and the opportunity to just be a kid.  This was Selso while he was living at the children's center where I worked in 2008.  Shortly after this photo was taken, he gave into the temptation to return to his old life on the streets of Maputo.  He gave up his opportunity to "just be a kid" and instead returned to his old life of begging on the streets for money, digging through trash dumpsters for scraps of food, scrounging up old clothes or blankets to stay warm at night, seeking for a safe place to where he is hidden from thieves and those who would harm him.

But grown-up Selso (on the right in the photo below) is still happy.  Still carefree.  Still full of joy.  Still loving life. . . for at least 7 hours a day while he is at Masana.  At Masana, we often pray that as boys walk into our gates each morning, that the stresses and problems of life on the streets will be left outside.  For a few hours each day, we try to create an environment where boys like Selso can be happy.  Where they can be carefree as they don't have to worry about where breakfast and lunch will come from that day.  A place where they can be full of joy as the have the chance to let down their guards and "just be a kid."  At Masana, our hope is to see a love for life re-instilled in these precious boys as they learn about the heart of their Father and the plans and purposes He has for their lives.

At Masana, we are grateful for these few hours each day to provide this environment for the boys.  But ultimately, we want Selso and all of the street boys, to leave the streets and return to their families.  We know that that is the best place for them to live the life God has designed for each of them . . .a life that brings joy and happiness for more than just a few hours a day.

Please join us in this daily prayer as the boys enter into the gates of our project.  Pray that Masana would be a place filled with God's peace and joy.  Pray that all of us who work with these boys would be filled with the Father's love to pour out on these boys each day.

And pray for Selso.  Pray for God to move in his heart and place within him a longing for home.  He's been on the streets for more than 5 years.  It's time for him to return home.

Change to Our Support

Back in 2011, Masana began a partnership with Abba's Ambassadors, an organization based out of South Carolina.  Abba's has turned out to be a huge blessing to Masana on the part of overseeing all of our finances.  They handle all of the project finances as well as the personal support of the other long term missionaries and visitors that pass through on a short-term basis.  In recent talks, Abba's has expressed their heart to make sure that none of us are being under-supported.  They have asked that Roberto and I consider moving our personal support to their organization so that they can have a true idea of all of the center costs, ministry needs, and missionary support so that they can better help out when there is a lack.  Roberto and I have prayed about it and feel that this is a move that we should make.

What does this mean for you?  If you are one of the amazing people that support our ministry with the street boys here in Mozambique, we'll just need you to change the information on the checks you send.  Abba's Ambassadors is a 501c3 and all gifts will continue to be tax deductible.  In fact, they are super organized and send out email receipts with each gift received as well as a year end receipt.  If you'd like to check out Abba's website, the address is www.abbasambassadors.org

For those of you who would like to set up an automatic debit each month, here is the information that you will need to give your bank:

1. The bank should make out the check to Abba's Ambassadors Inc.
2. Have their bank write "Roberto and Sarah" on the memo line. 

3. The bank will then send a check to:
Abba's Ambassadors Inc.
PO Box 523
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597

For those of you who send checks once a month, annually or every-now-and-then, those can be made payable to Abba's Ambassadors with "Roberto and Sarah" on the memo line and sent to:

Abba's Ambassadors Inc.

PO Box 523
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597

There is also a paypal option on the Abba's website www.abbasambassadors.org/donate

Roberto and I (and baby Mondlane) are so blessed by our faithful family and friends back in the States and around the world.  Our ministry with these precious street boys would not be possible without y'all.  Thank you for all that you give and may you and your families receive the richest blessings of our God!!