Sam tracks the key steps in her journey from WA to Mozambique.

One

In 2008 I met my husband Ben while on a short-term mission trip to Mozambique and Malawi. During my time there I felt God calling me to join the team in Mozambique to work among the Yawo. I didn’t understand how or why, and I had no professional skills to offer, but I could see the need and I was prepared to offer what I did have.

Two

After that trip I attended every Baptist Mission Australia event hosted in WA and Ben and I talked and imagined what our future might look like serving interculturally.

Three

Ben and I were accepted by Baptist Mission Australia to join the Mozambique team in March 2010. This was a huge confirmation for us. We had believed this was where God was leading and we were encouraged to hear others also believed God was leading us there.

Four

In January 2011 we moved to a small country town and Ben began to pastor a local church. We loved our time there and it would have been so easy to stay. We learnt a lot about community and some of the challenges that are faced in ministry. During this time we had to remind ourselves that this placement was only for a season, and not our future.

Five

As April 2013 approached, we were sure we would be heading to Mozambique, however, problems there with visas meant we had to wait. The team were fighting for their ability to stay in the country, and didn’t think they would be able to get us in.

Six

In October 2013 we finally flew into Malawi, prepared to drive into Mozambique, only to get to the border and have our entry denied. We were forced to turn around and come back into Malawi. We struggled to understand what God was doing and how this was a part of the plan.

Seven

We waited in Malawi for 14 months, learning language and culture, but never certain what God was doing or if he was closing the door to Mozambique.

Eight

In December 2014 we drove into Mozambique with much celebration as the waiting was done! (So much has happened since then, but that’s another story… )

*Baptist Mission Australia was formerly known as Global Interaction