In the far north of Scotland there is a town named Forres, where Hands at Work partner, Turning Point Church, is located.
Turning Point Church became a partner in 2021, supporting children in the community of Matsinho B in Mozambique.
This year, three members of the Turning Point congregation travelled to Mozambique to visit the children, families, Care Workers, Primary Caregivers and Hands at Work teams who they pray for and had heard so much about.
Judith shares:
“In many ways, it is hard to put into words all that we experienced and felt as we prepared for and then went on our trip to Mozambique. Every morning, we loved meeting with the Service Centre team in Chimoio and following the rhythm of Hands at Work devotions. We spent most of our time with our partner community at Matsinho B, which we reached after a bumpy 40-minute journey across the red African soil! We prayed, worshipped, danced and cried with the Care Workers, we went on Holy Home Visits into the community, and we also got to play games and do craft activities with the children.
I have so many highlights – too many to share, but let me tell you a couple:
· On a Holy Home Visit I got to meet three girls and their father who I had been praying for over several years – and the fact that God in His kindness orchestrated that just blew me away. As I learnt their story it touched my heart even more. They had been living in a house where leeches would come up from the ground and eat them as they slept… but thanks to Hands at Work they now have a new brick home with a concrete floor and a mattress, so that they can sleep without harm.
· We were humbled by the Care Workers’ hunger for and need of God, their immediate response to fall on their knees and ask for prayer, their joy in worship of Him despite their own challenges, and their endurance to keep on giving and do their best to care for the children of their community.
We were told on many occasions what an encouragement our visit was to them but they will never know the impact they have had on our lives, how they have taught us about loving and caring and doing what we can for those around us; their hunger to see God work and move in their circumstances and community; and their smiles – they communicated so much, without words! Before we went we prayed that God would build bonds of love between us, despite the language barrier, and He answered that prayer!”
Karen shares:
“I had no idea that my first day visiting the Care Point at Matsinho B in Mozambique would change my life forever. I’ve been back home in Scotland now for several weeks but part of my heart is still there. I almost daily look back at the photographs of the children, the Care Workers, Caregivers and local church pastors, and it fills my heart with such love and joy. I saw firsthand the poverty and the vulnerability of the children but also experienced how Hands at Work makes such a positive difference in their lives through the work of the Care Point and Holy Home Visits. My experiences there have impacted my life in such a way that I feel more humbled and more appreciative of all that I have. I always advocate for the children whenever I have an opportunity to share with friends, family and work colleagues about my trip. My heart’s desire is to go back someday.”
Jane shares:
“My grandchildren, at 5 and 7 years old, always comment on how I have a song for everything. I remember finding myself singing (in my head) Rhianna’s song, ‘We found love in a hopeless place’. But I was struck by the fact that, in many people’s eyes, the communities that Hands at Work serves are counter-cultural. We found love, overwhelming love, but we also found hope, reflected in the whole Hands at Work community. It was wonderful to arrive at any of the Care Points and hear the passion of their worship. What a welcome, along with those smiling faces that ran out to meet us. Quite clearly ‘Hope has a name, His name is Jesus’ (River Valley Worship).
Rhythm is another key word from the trip. The rhythm of Hands at Work’s week and the rhythm of the people. It was a privilege to be a part of and to be able to continue to join with them in spirit, living out Ephesians 4v15-6: as each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing full of love. Holy Home Visits spoke volumes, as the families were shown that they were loved. What radiant smiles, what transformation.”