A Layne Post

I shut my eyes and remember the day like yesterday. A week prior Emilia had taken her last breath in my arms, following a long three days of intense suffering. And my life, well, it had been forever changed.

Now here Jon and I were, car loaded to the brim, headed to pick up our Angolan visas and trek across the continent. We took advantage of all this time in the car and processed the couple of months prior. We had had our first experiences with visiting in Oncology, and now recalled each face, laughing and crying about our dear friends, many we would probably never see again.

Together we decided, after all this reminiscing, this was an area of ministry we did not want to see let go. For some strange reason, a God-reason no doubt, it fit us. And as we continued down the road, I began to dream of Casa Ahavá, not knowing then of the name. I saw in my head, this peaceful blue room with scripture on the walls. A place of comfort, privacy, and peace, so contrasting to the hospital. Jon jumped in. Ideas abounded. And so we let our minds go a little wild and stored up some dreams and visions, and we went to Angola.

Three months later, car loaded to the brim, we were headed back to Maputo, to our Oncology ward, to our friends… at least the ones who had survived three more months. It was settled in our hearts, confirmed with such peace from the Holy Spirit, this is where we were to serve. With claps and shouts and lumps in our throats, choking back the tears which might have seemed strange, we were joyously welcomed back.

Jon and I shared some of our vision with our partners Jorge and Alice and together they helped us draft a project proposal to present to the chief of Oncology and scheduled a meeting. That was 3 years ago.

During the next 3 years we moved houses, renovated two rooms, bought beds, sheets, dishes, stove top, microwave, chairs, etc. The chief of Oncology changed three times. We changed our approach a couple of times. We had 2.75 kiddos. We continued visiting and loving some of the dearest Mozambicans. Casa Ahavá sat ready. We had an inspection. And we waited, frequently needing to remind ourselves of the Lord’s control and His perfect timing.

And while there are a lot of details, almost exactly 3 years after writing the  proposal, Jon received a phone call with news on Monday – our project Casa Ahavá has been fully authorized. Isn’t it funny how after waiting so long for something, it can seem so sudden?

Rejoice with us. Give praise to God with us. And pray with us – now is not the time to stop!

Our lives are about to dramatically change. Jon has been in some meetings working out details, but we have hope of having patients in our rooms as soon as next week. We are cleaning floors, washing  linens, buying last minute items, writing house rules, and praying lots. There will be adjustments for all involved, and no doubt a bit of a learning curve. We need God’s grace, patience, insight, and supernatural selflessness of which I am sure I am incapable of on my own.

Thank you dear friend, supporter. You have dreamed with us, prayed with us, longed with us, funded us, and now rejoice with us. His dream is being realized.

To God be the glory.