Local girl Carissa Hutchinson has experienced in six months what many of us search for our whole lives; love and a true sense of place in the world, during what she fondly describes as “The World Love Tour’ which took her to Mozambique, South Sudan and India.
Carissa completed her schooling at PLC Armidale and studied at Charles Sturt University. Whilst studying, Carissa discovered Iris Ministries in Mozambique, a missionary school that runs for three months – teaching the practical aspects of being a missionary. Believing it was the right time, Carissa headed off to Africa for six months in 2011.
“I had heard about Heidi and Roland Baker, who run Iris Ministries in Mozambique, through my church group,” said Carissa.
“They are amazing. They speak at churches all over the world and we are really seeing a revival in Mozambique with the church, through the love that they pour out.”
Over 300 students attended the school with classes running from Monday to Thursday and two night classes a week.
“Our base was situated on one of the most picturesque beaches I have ever seen, however was surrounded by villages living in poverty,“ said Carissa.
“There would be families of up to eight people living in little mud huts.
“The kids would come and hang out at the base and I made the most faithful little friends.
Living in Africa opened up Carissa’s eyes to so many things taken for granted in Australia, like doing without running water and power, throughout much of her time in Mozambique.
Part of her schooling included a practical mission where Carissa spent time praying for sick kids at a hospital twice a week.
“Countless times we saw people healed,” said Carissa.
There was a Muslim woman who was in so much pain; I shared the gospel with her.”
A highlight of her time in Mozambique was spending time in the community with widows where she stayed in mud huts, slept on a woven grass bed and experienced life in the village.
“I was so humbled by the hospitality and love,” said Carissa.
“Someone who has next to nothing would share absolutely everything with us.
“I was taught how to sort beans and rice, throwing out the rocks and the bad beans.”
After completing the school, Carissa went on outreach to South Sudan.
“This war-torn country is the perfect example of the upside down kingdom,” said Carissa.
“Whilst this nation was on the brink of war, and there were times we would hear gun shots or news that would confirm the current political state, I can honestly say the Iris base in South Sudan was the most peaceful place I’ve ever been.
“As we got to know the kids on the base and hear their stories, my heart would break.
“They have the most horrific past that you could ever imagine.
“My favourite little girl had been found on the garbage dump at two years of age, raped and abandoned.
“Her future is now filled with hope and love.”
After South Sudan, Carissa spent six weeks in India, divided between Kolkata, Hyderabad and a village called Rajpur at the foot of the Himalayas.
“I spent a lot of time with kids in Kolkata living in the Howrah train station, most of whom belonged to gangs, or the homeless beggars in the streets of every city I visited,” said Carissa.
Carissa also met up with friends from a tour to Hyderabad the year before, where she was part of a “World Garbage Dump Tour’, visiting garbage dumps and leper colonies.
“Lepers are still massive outcasts in India and each year we host a massive feast for them.”
Carissa believes that she doesn’t have the answer to poverty or the constant stream of beggars.
“But one thing I vowed was to never ignore someone’s existence.
“Poverty hit me square in the face, however I knew I could stop and show love.”
After India, Carissa went back to Mozambique spending time at the Iris base in Maputo. She visited the garbage dump there, spent time at the prison and spent much of her time with the street ministry team which was mostly made up of Mozambicans.
“I had to learn how to communicate; not just learning Portuguese, but all the non-verbal communications within a culture, like gesture, how to greet an elder, or the handshake between friends,” said Carissa.
“I had to learn how to eat and dress.
“It seemed that everything I had experienced up until that point was to prepare me for that month in Maputo.
“Unless you have experienced being completely immersed in a foreign culture, it’s hard to grasp the extent to which it affects you.”
Carissa’s heart has been in Africa for many years and she felt right at home there. After spending time catching up with family and friends and saving a little money, she hopes to return to either Mozambique or India.
Story: Jo Harrison
