mozzie on my mind

despedidas

2010-07-05T13:49:00.009+02:00

****again, this is long overdue****

My last week in Mozambique was filled with despedidas, which is a type of going away party. It was such a sweet time to bring closure and get to say good bye to people I lived among. We had one on Thursday at the prayer meeting in my house. Then on Sunday, during church I was wrapped in capulanas and given enough hugs for a lifetime. They were a gift that the congregation came together to give me as a parting gift. The hearts of these people are so huge.

This is Mama Lydia, one of the few people in the church over the age of thirty. She was a friend to me since my first few months. She is full of wisdom and has an extremely gentle spirit. She "presented" me in capulanas my last sunday, even though they look much better on Mozambicans than us malungo, white folk.

After church each sunday we have a large meal with the Schmidts, Blanks and all 11 of the interns. As I've said before it was a highlight of each week for me. We would not only eat together, but also shared lots of laughter. The guys got together and had a little gift for me. I then thanked them and said a mini speech, which is only culturally appropriate, all in Portuguese. A first for me. As tears came I was grateful for laughter, cause it was the only way I could keep talking. These people became my family that I love and cherish deeply!

reverse culture shock

2010-07-02T22:59:00.001+02:00

**Warning** This is long overdue. Sorry for neglecting my blog. ****

When I left Mozambique I had to say good bye to many things. Culture, languages, dancing (in church), chappas, mosquito nets, dirty feet, a school, students, friends and family. Each of these are very special things to me that I learned to love. It wasn't easy. My time in Africa was precious. I watched God move in ways that I never experienced before. I caught new glimpses of His faithfulness and grace day after day.

According to wikipedia culture shock is "the anxiety and feelings felt when people have to operate within a different and unknown culture such as one may encounter in a foreign country." We have all heard of culture shock. On the opposite end of that is reverse culture shock. Entering into ones own culture after living in and adapting to a host culture.

I would self-diagnose myself to be in a stage of reverse culture shock now that I am adjusting and learning new things about America each day. I have been back for almost an entire month now, but I'm still discovering new things, what feels like every day.

I'd like to share with you some of my initial thoughts as I landed in the US:

In the airport:

Wow! These chairs are bigger and roomier than I remember.
I can actually understand (and overhear) every conversation going on around me.

The first night stateside:

Why are we eating dinner while it's still so bright outside? (coming from winter where the sun sets at five to summer where it sets after 9)
Remember, in America we drive on the "right" side of the road.

The first week:

Americans like to have options: crackers, shampoo, bbq sauces, tv, drinks, restaurants, etc.
Why aren't there people walking around everywhere I go?
perfectly cut lawns and side walks = no sand

While there are many things (and people) that I am missing from Mozambique, I am also learning how to appreciate and be grateful for America. To be surrounded by family and friends after such a long time apart, conveniences of dinner not having to take an hour to make, and the ability to go ultimately anywhere at anytime. I must say it's an interesting thing to be in a place so familiar, yet so strange.

eu estou passar por todos os dias

2010-06-05T18:30:00.001+02:00

In portuguese one of my favorite words is passar, in shangana it is famba. Translated literally it means to pass or walk by, but here it has a whole different cultural context to fit into. People will spend the day "passing by" which means they just walk around the community or down the street talking with people, visiting people, or making new friends. It is not a set agenda, but very much about building relationships, whether new or already well established.

Every day (or at least most days) when the afternoon comes I walk down to the Schmidt's house. It's a nice walk, usually rather relaxing. It is also when my feet become notoriously dirty, as they usually are. As you can probably guess I have made a few friends from my afternoon journeys. Today I said my final farewell to them since I leave in a day and a half and it's likely I won't see them again.

This is Dinho. I buy cell phone credit from him. He is in the same place all day every day, except sundays. Here cell phones are very similar to pre-paid in the states. If you need air time or text messages you just buy some credit, anywhere from $.60 to $3 worth and put the numbers in your phone and you can call. I've enjoyed getting to talk to him each day as he asks me the same question of where I am going, and that I can always depend on him being present to buy credit from.

This is Hulene with her daughter and niece. I met her only about two months ago as I started seeing her day after day. I started talking with her, then the conversations kept on growing. She's been so sweet to me and even calls me her friend I will miss seeing her each day as she is sitting outside of the stand "peixe da mama".

last day of school

2010-06-04T16:21:00.000+02:00

Well, we finally finished the school year. The last day was a major clean up day. It was fun, but also a little heart wrenching to say good bye to these amazing kids. Half of the sixth graders won't be returning next year. One is going to the states, one to boarding school in Kenya, and another to boarding school in Swaziland. Please pray for them and a smooth transition into their new schools.

My sixth graders after cleaning our room together.

cleaning in the computer lab with some of the highschoolers.

Bruno's Warning of the Rat

2010-05-25T18:03:00.001+02:00

This is one of the neighbor kids, Bruno, telling me the story of a rat that crawled under my gate one night. Sorry if you can't understand the portuguese, but hopefully you can enjoy his enthusiasm. He even told me the exact day and time the rat came for a visit.

mozambican sunrise

2010-05-21T21:03:00.000+02:00

Sunrise one morning on the way to school.

When Honey just wasn't enough....

2010-05-19T14:29:00.000+02:00

So my entire life I've gotten a lot of grief for my name. It started as far back as I can remember when I had brothers who constantly chimed in with "honey bunny." I hated it! In elementary school I remember a specific teacher who teased me with the same joke every single week, probably for about three years straight. "Honey, I'm home!" Then I got to jr. high. I was super self-conscious, as most junior high girls are, and didn't like my name one bit. I even considered trying to change it, or go by my middle name instead. In high school I got over it and Honey was fine, I started to like the fact that my name was unique and that I never had to worry about being confused with someone else. I was used to the jokes and actually liked it when I heard a new, original nickname or joke that was actually funny.

When I got to college I started to observe people's responses to my name more closely. When meeting someone I would wait for a response after I told them my name. If there was absolutely no response I would know they didn't really listen and most likely weren't going to remember my name. It was just a question asked out of courtesy. If they were actually engaged in the conversation I could tell because there would be the split second of what? is that really your name? So then it was an automatic conversation starter and made making friends easier. People always seemed to learn my name before I learned theirs. Thus I have learned to intentionally learn and remember peoples names.

Why am I telling you this? Because my entire life my name has been one of the things about me that make me stand out, it makes me different. If I am remembered for anything it is usually my name, at least at the beginning. Here in Mozambique I've even been able to cross the language barrier (even if only slightly) by saying that in Portuguese my name is Mel. I still get strange looks from that, since it doesn't exactly translate as a term of endearment, let alone a name.

I want to tell you of a new name that I've recently been given by the son of another missionary family here. One day he started calling me Mamona. I asked him where he got it and he said a girl in his class. Nothing special. Just a name he's heard and decided to give me. So he started calling me "Mamona" and it quickly spread to his siblings. It started out as a little joke, no big deal.

To get to most places around my house I walk. So I walk down the street most afternoons and have gotten to know many individuals in the area, at least surface level how are you types of communication. I see them often. Sometimes there will be people out and about who I haven't seen and I am made aware of it by hearing "Malungo, Malungo!" from across the street. (which is shangana for white person). I've gotten quite used to this by now and have even caught myself amazed when I see another white person, saying to myself, "Hmm...I wonder what that Malungo is doing here." It isn't a negative term, just a matter-of-fact. But we really do stand out.

Eventually it spread to the kids in the neighborhood and they really thought it was my name. So much as the other night I was walking home and all the sudden I hear a small child's voice call out, "Mamona, tudobem!" I turned around to look for the source. It was different than the typical "malungo" that I hear. Sure enough it was a little boy who lives close by and his face was just glowing. So I stopped and chatted with him for a bit, then he walked with me down the street. It was sweet to me that he had picked up on my "mozambican" name and was actually using it. Much better than just being called whitey.

It's interesting how much a name gives us an identity sometimes. How it helps us relate to people. If you know someone's name you've already made a connection with that person, even if it seems minuscule. But isn't that how every single relationship we have starts? What is your name?

David and Goliath

2010-04-28T14:22:00.003+02:00

I thought I'd take a quick minute to share with you some of the small things we do in my classroom day in and day out. In Bible we started the year out in Genesis going from Adam and Eve to Abraham to Joseph to Moses to Joshua through Judges and we are now in 1 Samuel. Today we learned about David and Goliath. A story that is so well-known that I feel like it often looses its weight. SO in an attempt to show my kids how HUGE Goliath really was we measured how tall he was (around 9 feet) and made our own Goliath. You can see it's pretty overwhelming when you give it a new perspective. I think it does a good job of showing that God really did use a young shepherd to defeat and kill, a massive giant who had been mocking His glorious name for forty days straight!

music from the heart

2010-04-21T10:25:00.002+02:00

During my time in Beira I was told that Beira is the heart of Mozambique, it's right in the middle, the major city for all of central Mozambique. The culture, languages, landscapes and architecture are all very different. Living in Maputo I've grown to love this city and the culture I live amongst day in and day out. It was interesting to observe and learn from a different culture within the same national bounds. People jokingly told me that I was from the feet of the country, and needed to instead venture to the heart. Allow me to share with you some music from the heart of this beautiful country!

I was able to go to an ACAC (Associação Cristão de Artistas Criativos) meeting. These guys are able to be part of a community that helps them have the ability to write their own music in their native languages (which are different than what is spoken in Maputo). This is so important! Lately ACAC has also been able to get their hands on a small recording studio so the music can be preserved and spread to others. Opportunities like this are easy to find and obtain in America, but here it is very difficult and usually expensive. So this opportunity is wonderful and encouraging for these guys. I find something special about being with people as they are able to worship in their first language. Words cannot explain it. I thought I'd share some of what I was able to experience with you and let you see their talent for yourself. Be encouraged as they are singing for the Glory of our Great God!

day at the clinic

2010-04-19T04:43:00.000+02:00

When I was in Beira I was able to go with Brian Meyers (a fellow WorldVenture missionary) to the hospital. He teaches medical students most mornings then spends time in the afternoons at the clinic. When we first arrived he showed me around the hospital. We then made our way to the classroom that he was going to lecture in for the morning. It was as I expected. A modest room with desk and a white board. It even had an air conditioner! We hooked up Brian's computer and projector and students started to come in. It was interesting how much I was able to understand, since in the world of medicine most portuguese words are very similar in English.

After the lecture we walked a ways to go to the clinic. Once we arrived Brian introduced me to several of the people that work there. Something that I wasn't expecting was for the clinic to be so nice. I was informed that it is because Americans fund and run this particular clinic. Local Mozambicans are able to come to this place for medical attention at a very cheap price of 1 met, which is less than 5 cents.

We saw several different patients throughout the time. Most were women with their sick babies. Some people had strange symptoms and had to take a malaria test. Most of the children had some sort of anemia. I was grateful that I didn't have to witness any graphic procedures or situations. I was even able to take the vitals and check blood pressure. I am grateful that a place like this is available in a place where health is sometimes hard to come by and sicknesses are even harder to treat.

Living here has made me more aware of the effects of diseases and lack of treatment. AIDS is a simple fact of life for most people, if not directly then through a close relationship. It's a different reality than in America. This hospital is the central hospital and serves all the people in central Mozambique. There are only two other hospitals of this type in the whole country, which is four times the size of California! Patients who make it to the central hospital almost always have a serious problem and have most likely already been referred from the local, to the regional, and finally to Beira. Chances are they will have to go through some intense treatment or may not live much longer. It is a rough life, something I have a hard time imagining even though I see it before my eyes.

Getting ready for a professional day in the white coat at the central hospital.

Patients waiting to be seen at the clinic.

travel time

2010-04-17T19:38:00.001+02:00

I was lucky enough to travel during our ten day spring break. We started out leaving early on the first for our WorldVenture Mozambique team retreat. The drive was about 12 hours and consisted of roads that wouldn't be considered actual roads in many parts of the world.

We had a couple of days of meetings, including a good time of worship and sharing our hearts and how God brought us each individually to living, loving and serving here in Mozambique. This did so much for my heart and was a HUGE encouragement to me. Easter we were able to have a service together, in English, and spent the day at the beach. We attempted to build a large sand castle but the high tide was coming in faster than we had expected.

After the retreat I went with the Meyers, north to central Mozambique to the city of Beira where they live. Brian does teaches at a medical students at a hospital and works at a clinic. His wife, Megan, works with an organization that started about three years ago called Christian Association of Creative Artists. They meet to help Mozambicans write and produce their own worship music that is Mozambican instead of translated western music. I stayed with them for about five days and was able to check out what they do. It was a great opportunity to see the lives of other missionaries in this country. And Beira is right on the ocean, which was an extra treat!

Un-American History

2010-04-07T14:08:00.003+02:00

Here's my high school US history class of juniors and seniors. You can see all their bright and beautiful faces (except for one that was ducking to hide from the camera). But they are often the joy of my day and keep me on my toes. It adds an interesting twist teaching American history to a classroom of kids who (all except two) aren't American and haven't ever really lived in America. It is a challenge for sure!

There are eight nationalities just among these kids: Nigeria, Rwanda, Mozambique, Kenya, India, Brazil, United States and South Africa. One thing I'm grateful for is the difference in perspective. How do things like WWI relate to us living in Mozambique? How did the slave trade impact people living in Africa instead of only how it impacted people living in North America? What can we learn from the Reconstruction Era as we are living in a country that is in the process of recovering and rebuilding from a Civil War that just ended a short 14 years ago? How about capitalism and how America has been built on that, amidst living in a Socialist country recovering from communism?

Often it is hard to find relative connections to what we are studying and the world that we live in here. But we still find ways to bring things back to our everyday lives, even if we do tend to stretch it a little bit. I'm thankful for the opportunity I've had to not only teach these kids, but also build relationships with them, that most days include a lot of laughing.

In August, when I first walked into CAM, the week before school started, I was caught off-guard when I was eagerly asked to teach high school US history. I am not certified to teach history or high school. And I haven't even taken a history class since my first semester of college. But God's grace is sufficient and I actually ended up being the most qualified person for the job, simply by the fact that I am American and most recently studied history. Who would've thought. So I trusted the Lord for His wisdom and strength in an area I didn't feel so competent in and it has turned out to be a huge blessing. I'm so grateful to not only have relationships with each of these students, but also the ability to be able to teach them, laugh with them and see them learn new things. Teaching isn't always about the curriculum or the concepts being presented, but more often than not about the overall impact that can be passed down and values that can be shared.

Yesu wa Kanaka!

2010-03-25T21:43:00.001+02:00

A couple weeks ago I was able to go with a new friend, Sarah, to see where her family works and lives. They are Brazilian and lived here for 12 years. Her parents run an orphanage that is a branch of Iris Ministries, in an area called Machava. This is the same Iris Ministries, but a different branch, that I was able to visit back in September. But instead this one is located on the opposite side of Maputo from where I live.

The compound consists of a couple missionary houses, guest housing, four dorm buildings (which all together house about 70 children), a church, several school buildings, a cafeteria and a playground. It was much larger than one would expect and was very nice. They even have a pet monkey that lives in their back yard. While I was there a team of Indian people were visiting from South Africa. On Friday night we walked for about thirty minutes deep into the bush to a gathering that her family was helping lead. It was an outreach to the people that live in the area. We sang, danced and watched a film on a projector and screen. I must say it was very strange to be in the middle of nowhere and have access to modern technology!

On Saturday we woke up early to go to the city and wait in line to get on a ferry to an island across the bay called Catembe. On the ferry we brought the guitars out and started singing songs together. We even got other people involved and dancing. It was fun! When we made it to the island we drove back into what seemed like the middle of nowhere once again. Once we got to the community building, where local meetings are held, we started rallying the kids together saying, “Yesu wa kanaka! Yesu wa kanaka!” Which is shangaan for “Jesus is good! Jesus is good!” The kids started running toward us with huge smiles on their faces!

Once we had all the kids together we started by singing songs. This was probably one of my favorite things. We sang some in Portuguese, but mostly in Shangaan. Then the team from South Africa went to the front and started teaching them some songs in English and their Indian language. The kids even started teaching me a couple of their dances, which was fun. Later someone shared a story with the kids. And it ended with a couple more songs, then giving each of the kids a little snack cake as they left the building.

It was a huge encouragement to see other ministries that exist and are thriving in and around Maputo. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in what we do day to day that we forget there are other things going on. I’m glad these kids are being taken care of and have the opportunity to hear truth and live in a place where they know they are loved.

Another thing I was reminded of, and am constantly being reminded of, is the hugeness of the this Earth and how many countries, languages and people there are. It is normal for me to hear a variety of languages being spoken, and it has become normal to not understand most of them. People have been created by an all-knowing and creative God. And with people come cultures. They all have their outstanding qualities as well as their flaws. They are each beautiful for different reasons, once you get past the initial shock value of everything changing. I'm so grateful for cultures, for differences, and the ability to unite with people who I am so different than.

eu vivo em bagamoyo

2010-03-16T09:06:00.000+02:00

The area that I live in is called Bagamoyo. If someone asked where I live I would say, "Eu vivo em bagamoyo." I wanted to take an opportunity to share a couple pictures of my neighbors in Bagamoyo. The people that I live around day in and day out. The people I am able to visit with in the evenings or weekends and just talk. I am so grateful for each of them for different reasons.

This is Castelo and his family. We have become good friends over the past several months since he wants to learn more English, and is going to school to become a teacher. He is already very good at speaking English and sometimes talks a little too much. He often has questions about sayings and pronunciation differences between American English and South African or British English. One day he schooled me in Scrabble and we were playing in English. I must say that was a little embarrassing! I've also been grateful to be able to practice Portuguese with him and his mom, Laura. They have even spent some time teaching me shangaan! He attends church with us and the comes to the prayer meeting that usually meets at my house as well. I'm grateful for the ability to learn more language with all of them, to visit and laugh with them.

This family lives on the other side of me. Mary, Felix, Angel and Angelo. They moved to Mozambique from Swaziland and are fluent in at least four or five languages, maybe even more. Mary is a librarian at CAM, so we work together, and Felix works for MozOvos. So our lives are very intertwined. Though they are African, they are not Mozambican. They learn new things about culture here every day as well. I'm so grateful for them as I've been able to spend many evenings visiting and just talking about life here. I've even been able to practice Portuguese with them and could still ask several questions, since they speak English as well.

Living somewhere away from family, friends, and everything familiar can be a little difficult after a while. Those days or nights where I can become so homesick I am reminded of God's provision in relationships. He knows what His kids need. He has provided these people in my life during my time here and I have been so greatly blessed by them.

eggs have feelings too....

2010-03-01T13:09:00.002+02:00

I got my eggs this weekend from MozOvos, along with a few insightful thoughts of what these eggs might be feeling, thanks to the creativeness of one of the American interns.....

you will know them by their fruits

2010-02-24T14:15:00.001+02:00

Something that is very different and cool to me about Mozambique is that there is always a fruit that is in season. There is no such thing as harvest season because something is always ready to be harvested. There are still distinct seasons, now we are currently on the tail end of the rainy/hot season, but they aren't necessarily as drastic as in North America.

I have a couple fruit trees in my yard. A mango tree and a lemon tree. Mango season ended a couple weeks ago and the lemons will soon be ripe. There is always a new fruit and taste to look forward to. With that said there are also several fruits here that I have never heard of and still can't pronounce the names of correctly. Most of them I have never tried before, some I don't necessarily care to try any time in the future.

One day as I was walking down my street I came across my neighbor, Castelo. He was energetic as usual. He had something in his hand, so I curiously asked what it was. He said it was "uma laranja" (an orange). This didn't seem right to me as the fruit he was holding was obviously very green. So I told him, "Isso fruta esta verde, nao laranja." (This fruit is green, not orange.) He assured me that it was an orange even though it is green. I trusted him and later tried one for myself. Sure enough he was right and this "green" orange was actually pretty tasty, but more like a hybrid between a lemon and an orange.

One other thing different here is that trees are identified by the fruit they bear. I know that may seem like common sense at first, but almost all of the trees here produce fruit and that is how they are identified. There are mango trees, orange trees, lemon trees, mafura trees, guava trees, pomegranate trees, and coconut trees.

This reminds me of an illustration I often used when spending friday nights evangelizing in downtown oklahoma city. We would talk about the signs of a true believer, what a Christian's life will look like. In matthew 7 Jesus talks about true believers being recognized by their fruits. An apple tree is going to grow apples, end of story. Same thing with an orange tree, it is growing to grow oranges. Now there are different varieties of apples, as well as oranges (whether green or orange), but the same truth remains. No matter how badly an apple tree wants to produce oranges it is still going to grow apples. That's its identity, what it is capable of. When our hearts are changed as Christians, we are given that new identity and have no other destiny but to produce the fruits of a Christian.

As I've been living here and seen trees be recognized by their fruits, this part of scripture has added a new dimension to my life. These trees around me are given a name, that name is given based on what is produced and growing from them. The same is true of me. Have I really been producing fruit that I want to be known by and for my life to be identified by?

strength and diligence

2010-02-20T18:23:00.000+02:00

Mozambican women are people of massive strength. In several ways, but I will share with you one scenario. This week I ran out of propane in my house. It just so happened that it was the same night I was without electricity, which was a little ironic. When I ran out of propane, I asked my neighbor's empregada (house helper), Lucia, to help me get a new one. She is one of these extremely strong woman I am referring to. She came to my house picked up the propane tank and put it on her head without much effort. We then walked down to get a new one together. Then she not only lifted the new and very FULL and heavy tank up, but put it on her head and it remained there our entire walk back. It didn't even phase her, we kept talking and laughing, and she never budged like anything was different. This amazes me.

Typically if I need something I just walk down the street to the vendors and buy it for myself. But I don't have the strength to carry a propane tank 1/3 of a mile and back by myself. Empty I could probably handle it, but not when I have to bring back a full one. It usually takes two men to carry one together, so it's not just due to a lack of physical strength.

I can barely carry a book on my head without dropping it, let alone a full propane tank (and not a small one like you use on your grill on the fourth of july). These woman I just watch the work they do and can do nothing but watch in awe. I guess it would be a little easier if you've been doing it since a young age, but still takes strength. This makes me also realize the work ethic of the people I am surrounded by.

I have a favorite banana guy that I see most days. He has this little banana push cart with a "Bananalandia" sign welded to the front right in between two welded on headlights. I see him every morning, across the street from my house, as I leave for school waiting to pick up his bananas to sell for the day. Then on the way home from school I will often see him about a mile or two up the road pushing his cart around selling them. He is faithful to selling those bananas. I see him almost everyday and from morning until evening most of the time. I'm encouraged every time I see him working hard and diligent.

Mozambique has a 98% unemployment rate, but it is not a place of lazy people who are unwilling to work. In my experience it has actually proven to be a place where the people work harder than anywhere else I've ever been. The unemployment rate refers to people working professionally and being paid by a "boss" or working for an "organization" or "business." Most of the people here work day to day selling what they can for the sake of survival. They don't have the luxury of benefits or health coverage or a special retirement package. They live day by day, making enough for today to have dinner tonight.

I've learned some valuable lessons about having a strong work ethic from these people. I greatly admire this work ethic and the commitment to work hard day after day.

This reminds me of a parable Jesus told about the dishonest manager and being faithful with what we've been given regardless of its worth. We are still told to be faithful. I truly believe this carries over into our lives in so many contexts. But also to be faithful in the work set before us, regardless of what it looks like or how "insignificant" it may seem.

"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." Luke 16.10

A woman not carrying a propane tank, but a huge barrel of pineapples, without even flinching.

trip to kruger

2010-02-07T17:12:00.000+02:00

Wednesday was Mozambican Heroes Day so once again we were able to enjoy a holiday and a break from school. We went to kruger and were able to marvel at God's beautiful creation and creativity in his animals. I hope you're able to enjoy the pictures, even though they don't do much justice in comparison to the majesty of these animals.

bat momma and baby

chameleon

giraffe

momma elephant and her baby

herd of impala running from us

(if you look closely see if you can tell how they got the nickname of being fast food, think of the golden arches)

crocodile trying to talk to us

monkey

rhinos going into the sunset

water monitor

turtle, turtle

zebra

walking elephant

pumba

simplicity

2010-01-13T16:15:00.006+02:00

As an American I have this tendency to try and be busy no matter what. Our culture tends to stimulate our senses however possible and as much as possible. I'd argue that it is pretty successful most of the time. In America busy-ness is easy to encounter in a world of friends, family, work, play, study, movies, cell phones, computers, games, sports, TiVo, music, concerts, shopping, eating, driving, and living. When I first moved to Mozambique I was struck with the reality of life slowing down in major ways. I no longer had the ability to get in my car and drive over to a friend’s house. No longer the same forms of entertainment whether seeing a movie or going to a concert. Life came down to a simpler level, one of slowing down and sometimes sitting and just enjoying doing nothing.

Something that I have learned about myself is that even if I’m doing nothing I still tend to try to “do” something whether it is to play guitar, read a book, listen to a podcast, or work on lesson plans for school. There is ALWAYS something waiting to be done. Just because I’ve relocated to half a world away hasn’t changed my internal desire to want to be productive and achieve something. American culture is one of doing while African culture is one of being. This was made very real to me this past week as things slowed down and I suddenly had no list of things to do, but had time to spend being. Things felt very simple, extremely simple, for probably one of the first times in my life.

simplicity

the quality or condition of being easy to understand or do
the quality or condition of being plain or natural

This past week I had the lovely opportunity to be able to spend a week with a family in the bush. At first I was slightly nervous since I had absolutely no idea what to expect. The house was in the bush and quite a ways outside of the city. (Much like what we refer to as the sticks or boonies in Oklahoma) Not too far away from the main road, but down some bumpy, rutted and almost non-existent dirt roads. Their house is in the process of being completed. Gabriel started building it in 2003. Currently they have two bedrooms and the kitchen finished, which they use as a kitchen and living room combined.

When one first sees or even hears of a house like this one described you would automatically think it is simple. There is furniture, but not an excessive amount. There is a toilet, but no running water. There is a stove, but no microwave. A mosquito net, but with huge holes in it. These are all very different than the typical standards in America. If we consider the second definition of simplicity it describes something that is plain or natural. Now this house was definitely easy to see and know what it contained, thus being very plain and natural. But life in this house was actually very difficult for me to understand. It is a sort of contradiction. Why is it that sometimes the simplest of things can end up being the most complex?

So I ask that we further consider the first definition of simplicity, as something being easy to understand or do. Living with this family for a week was by no means easy to understand or do. I had to learn how to take a bucket bath and actually wash the shampoo out of my hair. I also learned how to prepare foods like matapa from scratch. And the hardest thing I learned was how to BE instead of DO. Life was no longer on a time sensitive schedule, but instead completely caught up in the people present in the now and here. Not about what is happening later. As an American this was a struggle at first. But I was soon able to relax, chill out, and able to simply enjoy the presence of others and being together.

I think I was able to walk away from this time with a few useful insights and lessons learned. The first being how to correctly take a bucket bath and actually be clean. Next that it is ok to just be sometimes, and probably more healthy when used wisely. Also how to just sit and wait. Africa is a place where waiting takes up a lot of time and patience is absolutely necessary in order to keep your sanity.

Wait for the LORD;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the LORD!

Psalm 27.14

The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3.25-26

"Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"

Psalm 46.10

The family I stayed with was Gabriel, Nildes (who is seven months pregnant), and their 3 ½ year old son Reuben. Gabriel is an accountant for a couple different companies and Nildes is a student at a local university about to begin her final year. Reuben is full of energy and loves to dance. Their nieces, Ana and Nildes, have been spending the past month with them while they’ve been on holiday from school. They were extremely hospitable and helpful. They are both in high school and live in central Mozambique. The last two nights of my stay we had another visitor, Nildes’ madrinha (or god-mother), Maria and her 1 ½ year old daughter Abi. They have been staying around Maputo visiting various family members and friends and live in Beira (a city several hours north of Maputo).

I'm so thankful for the opportunity I had. These things can not be taught in a classroom. They cannot be simply understood. They must be experienced and lived through. I was able to spend time with and get to know a family with huge hearts. I also was able to learn from them things that would be impossible otherwise. And I'm grateful for their patience with me as I learn portuguese and slowly start to speak. I did make a very large improvement in my portuguese abilities. We had a lot of laughs at my attempts.

reflections on 2009

2010-01-02T16:34:00.008+02:00

Things that have happened over the past year...

started and completed student teaching
graduated from college
made friends with people in similar situations as myself serving in every continent (except Antarctica)
raised enough support to move to Africa for a year
moved halfway across the world alone (knowing less than a handful of people here)
attempted to begin learning a new language
moved into a house with my very first own kitchen
learned how to cook and bake several things from scratch (including popping popcorn on the stove)
became a real teacher with my very own classroom
rode a chappa
cracked open a coconut
tried a variety of new things including mango, goat, lichee, mozambican sweet potatoes, shema, and cow liver
successfully survived my first parent/teacher conferences
took my first bucket bath
travelled alone between countries and across borders

As I think of these things I'm reminded of how far I've come in just the past year. The places and things, people and experiences God's given to me. All of these things new. All of these things exciting. All opportunities I'm so grateful I've had. A year ago I had the goal of living in Africa anxiously in my mind, but the reality of it was still hard to grasp. Now I am sitting here, in Mozambique, on a Saturday afternoon writing about it. I'm excited for what is to come. What will happen in 2010 and what is God waiting to teach me? Where will He take me? How can He use this small life for His sake? I think I'm ready for that journey to continue!

un-christmas

2010-01-01T08:48:00.008+02:00

This Christmas was different for me than it has ever been before. I know that may seem apparent on the surface, but I say that for several reasons. The obvious ones being that the seasons are opposite here (it is summer right now in the southern hemisphere), it's my first one away from family and friends, and in a new culture.

candy canes

snow

christmas trees

scarves

hot cocoa

carols

christmas lights

presents

A Christmas Movie

shopping

ornaments

ham

snowmen

stockings

nativity scenes

gingerbread

fireplaces

tinsel

sledding

parades

Very few of these things are actually present here.

Somehow over the years these things have become what defines or at least make Christmas feel like Christmas for me. It's the warm, fuzzy feeling of walking/driving through Christmas lights, the rush of finishing up your last minute shopping before it's too late, those smells that are only smelled once a year and bring you back to when you were a young child, the excitement of getting a gift for someone that you know they are really going to enjoy, the fun of building gingerbread houses together, and the numbness of your hands as you pack together snow for a jolly snowman.

Every year I say and think the same thing, that I really want to get to the root of the true meaning of Christmas. Isn't that a typical characteristic of American culture, to want to celebrate the real meaning and not to get caught up in everything else? Yet it is so difficult to do in the hustle and bustle of the season. I feel as if I was forced into the depths of that this year. Honestly, it hasn't been easy being far away from loved ones during the holiday season.

As things got difficult over the past couple of weeks, I was able to spend time thinking on the purpose of it all and the cross. Why did Jesus come? He came to die. The only reason we celebrate His birth is because His death gave us life. That is what the real celebration is about. His death, the fact that He was born to die. And that in His death we can have life. Apart from Him we are left to our sin and the destruction that it brings. But because of His great love He came to this earth, miraculously born of a virgin, to make a way for His people. This is the gospel. What our lives are to be centered on. What my life is to be centered on!

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10.31

I then got to thinking this is the reason for everything in my life and why I do what I do, think what I think, work where I work, eat what I eat, and live where I live. This is the reason I am here, in Mozambique. To bring the good news of salvation and hope to those without it. I've been called and sent here with a purpose. That purpose being to bring glory to God and spread the gospel. Christmas is about the gospel, our lives are a portrait of the gospel, and I am here with only one goal in mind. To know Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings,becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3.8-11

So even though I wasn't able to celebrate Christmas in the comfortable way that I might have liked, I was sweetly reminded of the meaning of Christmas, which overflows into the purpose of living here and my life. In our field only four out of eleven of us were actually healthy on Christmas day. So we postponed our festivities and spent a couple hours in the hospital, finishing the day off by eating Indian food at a muslim-owned restaurant. It was just a normal day. No different than any other. Throughout the day I was sent little reminders on the true meaning of Christmas and what that looks like in my life. Needless to say I often find myself falling short of the calling I've been given. But God is gracious and faithful to continue the work He has started in those He has called. So this Christmas I'm grateful to have been reminded of the purpose of it all.

"All of life comes down to just one thing, that's to know you, O Jesus, and to make you known."

--One Thing by Charlie Hall

One thing have I asked of the LORD,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to meditate in his temple.

Psalm 27.4

a new normal

2009-12-19T17:16:00.004+02:00

Approaching the halfway mark of my time here in mozambique life has been a continual adjustment into a new normal. Things that are now normal didn't become that way overnight, but it has instead been a process and constant transition period. A list of common things that are now normal:

having dirty feet
coming home to having no electricity, water or combination both
traffic that turns a two lane road into a six lane road out of nowhere
sticking out due to a lack of melanin
seeing people urinate on the side of the road
seeing at least a dozen goats on the way to or from school each day
overcrowded chappas with body parts hanging out the windows
ducks walking around the neighbors yard
driving down the left side of the road
a huge lack of trash cans
cooking everything from scratch
sleeping under a mosquito net
seeing a whole cow head being cooked over coals
the sun coming up at 4:30 a.m.
men carrying huge AK-47s around
being able to pick fresh mangoes whenever I'd like
seeing women carry a variety of things on their heads including tables, propane tanks, and sacks of potatoes

Despite all of these things I sometimes have the tendency to forget that I am actually living in Africa. That my life looks different now than it ever did before. Yet it is a variety of these new things and experiences that I have come to accept and love about living here. There are very few dull moments. I have a new normalcy in my life and most of these things rarely cause me to even turn my head for another glance anymore.

street serenade

2009-12-19T13:33:00.000+02:00

A couple days ago I was visiting with the Blanks (fellow WorldVenture missionaries) at their house and these guys walked up wanting to play a song for Rob. I thought I'd share their talent, or lack thereof, with you. They said they would return when they master another song.

the "Golden" wedding

2009-12-18T16:45:00.006+02:00

Mr. Golden is one of my colleagues at CAM. He teaches third grade. On December 4th he got married and had the spectacular "golden wedding." Golden because of many reasons his first name is Golden, his suit was gold, his bride's dress was gold, and the teachers at CAM even got together to give him the "golden" tree. The weddings here typically last two days. We were fortunate enough to make it for the reception (and the delicious food).

One common Mozambican tradition is for the bride to look as sad as possible. I have heard this is because she is to be mourning the fact that she is leaving her family. I find this something almost foreign to me, since American culture is very emotional and excited during a wedding! Also when the bride and groom arrive they have to do a sort of dance together.

After the meal, everyone is to present their gifts to the bride and groom. The twist is that every person, or group of people, must do a song and dance as the gift is brought forward. Being a table of foreigners, mostly American mixed with Zimbabwean, Swazi, Indian, Dutch and Russian, we had a difficult time trying to come up with a song and dance to go along with it. So we improvised with a song in Shangaan that about half of us knew.

Who said money doesn't grow on trees?

swaziland

2009-12-05T15:34:00.010+02:00

The day after Thanksgiving I was able to go to go to Swaziland with my neighbor, Mary, and her two children, Angel and Angelo. Friday morning we caught a chappa into Maputo and got off close to the bus station. We went into the bus station and found the sign for the one going to Swazi. We got in handed over our passports and waited. Little did I know that the buses aren't on a schedule like they are in America, but just wait until the bus is full to depart. We actually ended up waiting for about 2 and 1/2 hours just to leave the bus station. The trip to Swazi wasn't too bad. I was grateful that they only allow the bus to be filled with one person in each seat, as opposed to as many as physically possible like they do in Maputo. We crossed the border, unloaded the mini-bus, then caught a chappa to the town that Mary's parents live in. When we made it to their house I was shocked at how nice the house is. It had carpet, which reminded me very much of American houses (in Maputo I don't think I've seen any houses with wall-to-wall carpeting. We then sat down to a lovely meal in the formal dining room and I was able to meet the different members of her family. There was a great-grandma, two grandmothers, an uncle, mom and dad, two sisters, three more adopted sisters that were orphans, a younger brother, another adopted brother, and even a friendly dog. They were very hospitable and glad to finally meet me after hearing about me from Mary.

The view from the front yard of their house in Swaziland.

The next day we were getting ready to go a birthday party for a family friend. Much to my surprise it was another 2 hours away. (After a quick run to the mall in Mbabane, which was more like an outdoor plaza, but very clean and highly populated with security guards.) We started on our beautiful and scenic drive through the hills of Swazi to the birthday party. It was at this man's house on a compound in the bush, actually very close to the Mozambican border. By the time we arrived most of the people were already there. We soon started feasting. There was so much food. I was surprised at first by the amount of food that was prepared, but then I was shocked by the fact that it actually fed all of the people there. I'm guessing it was easily close to 100 people. The food was delicious and some of it very foreign, yet new, to me!

My plate of food including salad, chicken, rice, cabbage, beets, potatoes, beef and goat.

I soon asked Mary's mom about how they knew this man as she was telling me that she is close to all of the people. At one point they all lived in Rwanda together, but when the war broke out they were forced out of the country just for the sake of remaining alive. Many people went to many different countries as displaced people. This was the community that went to Swaziland. Over the years they have kept their community strong and helped each other remember their identity as wandis, as well as swatis, living in a new land that is not their home. This was amazing to me as I was seeing how these people were still a sort of family after so many years, and hearing stories of how they depended on and learned from each other as they were in a new place with nothing but what they could manage to flee with. The resilience was astounding! But they still remember, they can't forget, and they still have hope. Many of the people present were educated even having a masters or phD. They have made their new land their own, but they still speak of Rwanda as home. They only gather like this on very special occasions, this day being a 50th birthday.

I was able to take part of and see some of the differences in Rwandan culture, specifically within a community that is located in another country. Africa is Africa, but there are definite differences among Africans from different countries, tribes and regions. Even the Mozambican and Rwandan greetings are different. In Mozambique you give a kiss on each cheek, I've gotten quite accustomed to this now and do it without even thinking about it. In Rwanda they give a hug, and not on both sides, so I had to quickly re-adjust what I've gotten used to.

When the time for cake came everyone sang and clapped for the birthday boy (man), Nsanze. He then had to say a speech. Like most good Africans, it was a little lengthy. He talked about when they came from Rwanda and talked about each of their kids and his wife and how they were the ones who helped him keep going when he was at some of the lowest points. He then talked about different people who were present who also helped him start from nothing and support him and his family during rough times.

Cutting the birthday cake.

macaco, macaco!

2009-11-19T09:04:00.006+02:00

"macaco, macaco!" (Portuguese for monkey) was the phrase I heard repeated over and over on Tuesday afternoon. On the way home from school we drove down a different road. In the community there was a monkey hanging out in someone's yard. I didn't believe it at first. Mary, my neighbor, kept trying to show me where it was. So we got out to look. Instantly there was a group of kids that crowded around us as we were trying to look at the monkey. A girl then told us to come into the yard to get a closer look. So we followed her, hesitantly, into the yard to get a closer look. He was jumping around, and luckily tied to a rope, from limb to limb. Mary then told me that she had a banana in the car. So we hurried to go get it. One of the boys that walked us into the yard then tossed it up to the monkey and he caught it, quickly peeled it, and started eating it. I managed to take a few pictures to share with you.

brief video update

2009-11-04T19:58:00.000+02:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBNVKw7Yffc

cultures and the nations

2009-10-31T18:12:00.007+02:00

International Potluck happened last night. It was a night set apart at CAM to celebrate the many cultures represented at the school. This year there are 19 countries represented among students and teachers. This is impressive considering there are only around 60 students that attend CAM.

The night consisted of outfits, foods, trivia, and even dances done from different countries. The costumes were very diverse and representative of the different countries ranging from India to the Philippines to Nigeria to Brazil to Russia to Canada to Holland. There were even tables with foods from each country represented. That was probably my favorite part. Overall the turnout was great! In honor of Halloween I even shared some treats and candy corn with my students!

I'm so grateful to be able to be living and teaching in Mozambique. Something that I love about my job is getting to be in a setting that does have so many cultures present. One of the challenges has been trying to teach my high school US history class. In the class there are only two Americans, neither of which have spent very many years actually living in the U.S. I must say that I have had to think of creative ways and gain new perspectives on the United States while teaching it here. The amount of languages that the students are able to speak amazes me. It has been wonderful to be able to be in such a culturally rich environment.

Learning about culture is a huge part of moving halfway across the world. Often times I wonder about why things are done a certain way, then I think why does that seem so strange to me? Then I think why do I do certain things the way that I do? It has really changed my perspective on culture in general. Things that I never even realized are such a part of American culture that it is hard to even identify unless it is confronted.

I am grateful for the gospel. The fact that it transcends culture. The fact that regardless of how we "do" things or what we are normally "comfortable" with we are all still people that left to ourselves are caught up in our sin. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Regardless of our culture, or even preferences, we are still dead in our sin and the only hope is Christ. And regardless of the culture or language, because of His great love, in His mercy he came so we could have life and come back into community with the Father. That's beautiful, and it's a beautiful thing to see a variety of cultures gathered together in unity because we've been washed by the blood.

Oh sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done marvelous things!

His right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

The LORD has made known his salvation;

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

psalm 98.1-2

feliz anniversario

2009-10-21T14:25:00.002+02:00

On Tuesday we celebrated a birthday in my class. Dinah turned 11. At CAM when it is a student's birthday they have the privilege of not having to wear a uniform. She brought cake as we all sang to her and celebrated!

Chicken Little

2009-10-20T18:19:00.004+02:00

On Saturday morning I woke up to a new friend who made his way into my yard. At first I was very confused. Where did he come from? How did he get over my wall that I can't even see over? And how in the world was I going to get rid of him (since I have a huge fear of birds)? But he hung out for a couple days, not really doing much, except walking around, nibbling on some grass, and sleeping under a short tree.

My new friend on Saturday morning.

The chicken sleeping in his new bed.

Monday morning I went to look for him again, but didn't see him anywhere. When I got back after school I opened the gate and saw him scurrying away quickly to hide. Mary's children, Angel and Angelo, who are my neighbors decided they would help me get rid of him. They started chasing him around. He got scared and started running. He went to my porch, which cornered him in. The stress even caused him to relieve himself there. He tried to fly, but ended up crashing into my front door, which was quite a scene. Then minutes later I hear Angel saying, "Honey, we caught him! We caught him!" She had him by the wings!! He didn't look too thrilled to be caught. They then took him to our other neighbor, who may have been the owner.

Angel holding the chicken.

Happy that we caught him!

I must say I was very impressed by their bravery and ability to chase the chicken then hold him by the wings like it was no big deal. But also it isn't a big deal, considering it is a common sight to see people walking down the road holding the chicken by the wings. I'm just curious if he has become anyone's dinner yet.

holidays....

2009-10-13T14:02:00.004+02:00

About a week ago I was able to go on a home visit with some of the interns, Mary (my neighbor), and Martinha, a girl who we go to church with. We had to ride a choppa to make the long journey out to Machava, where Victoria, a woman from church, lives. It was my first true experience in a choppa and wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. It was definitely very hot and crowded though to say the least. After we got off the choppa we then waited for Victoria to meet us out on the main road to walk with us back to her house. She had her young baby with her, who just loves to smile. His name was Manuel. She had two other sons that were home with her as well. We got there and sang a couple songs in Portuguese and Shangaan. Then Adeirto, one of the interns read and talked about Psalm 27. We then prayed together and sang another song, called Obrigado Senhor, which has a verse in Portuguese, Shangaan, and English.

In Mozambique there have been several holidays recently. Last Monday, was Peace Day, which is why we were able to visit Victoria, due to school being out. We have been very spoiled lately with all the holidays and being out of school. It seems like every other week we've gotten a day off for some Mozambican holiday. It is a law here that all schools must take off for national holidays or else they will get fined.

Yesterday was Teacher Day. We weren't out of school, because we have been out so much lately and it isn't mandatory that we get out for Teacher Day, since it's not technically a national holiday, but we were still able to celebrate by having KFC for lunch. Even halfway across the world it still tastes like good ol' American fast food.

young generation

2009-09-29T20:18:00.007+02:00

This weekend was filled with young people as I went to an orphanage and to a youth gathering.

On Friday we were out of school for yet another Mozambican holiday. This time Heroes Day. In the morning I went with some other teachers from CAM to visit an orphanage. It is at a place called Iris Ministries. It has been running since 1998 and houses over 300 orphans. I was impressed at how nice the place was for an orphanage. One requirement for the kids to be able to stay at the orphanage is that they must attend school each day during the week from 8-12. One other surprising thing was how much freedom the kids have to come and go as they like. This is something that is very much in line with Mozambican culture as kids are independent at a young age. The kids are taken care of by Mozambican women called tias, they are able to discipline under their own culture, which is much better than someone from a completely different culture trying to come in and discipline in a foreign way. After we were given a tour we were able to play with some of the younger kids. They were precious. Once a few of them realized that when I was holding them they could reach some leaves on a tree a line formed to be lifted a get some leaves.

Some of the kids at the orphanage.

On Saturday I went with two of the interns, Reggie and Emilio, to a youth meeting at a local church. When I came to Mozambique two years ago we went to a youth meeting at the same church. I actually recognized the place. The people were extremely friendly and there were people representing youth groups from seven different churches. The church that it was at was actually Emilio's church. We sang some songs, some of which I recognized from church on Sundays. Then there were a few skits about evangelizing to people. And we watched a video and closed by singing and dancing to a couple more songs. As it started Reggie was trying to help me out and explain what was going on without really being able to communicate very well, but definitely trying. A man then came and sat by me asking if I spoke English. He then interpreted what was happening for me. I was so grateful and encouraged by being able to finally understand what was being said besides a few words here and there.

Picture taken after the youth meeting on Saturday evening.

My dusty feet after walking to and from the youth meeting.

allow me to introduce you to my furry friends....

2009-09-22T21:42:00.005+02:00

So lately we have been having a slight rat issue. The little fellows started coming around about two weeks ago. It started during the week at night they would come out when things started to get quiet. They would usually be spotted scrambling across the room to a dark corner to hide. So we soon put some poison out. After a couple of days it started to disappear. We then put out some of the most massive mouse traps I have ever seen in my life. They were seriously as big as my shoe. The picture doesn't do it any justice.

Then early one morning one of the rats was spotted in the toilet. It was pretty creepy. We tried to flush him down, but he wasn't going anywhere, and his beady little eyes just kept staring up. So we closed the lid and put something on top of it until it could be taken care of later. A little while later the house help was cleaning and spotted the rat before being warned. It gave her quite a shock, but she got someone to help her get rid of him.

The next day another critter was just walking around the bathroom in broad daylight, he had no shame by now. The poison must've started to kick in and impaired his reasoning abilities. He soon started to slow down and eventually just started to wither away in the open area. We took him outside so he could pass away peacefully.

Then on Saturday we spotted one under the bookshelf as dead as could be. One of the interns came and took him outside. It was great to see that the poison was finally working and starting to kill them off. After that we figured that the rats must've all gone away or died and we once again felt safe.

Then on Sunday night we were sitting in the living room and heard a loud noise and some scurrying in the kitchen. Another rat then came rushing into the dining room. In the kitchen another one hurried to hide behind the stove. They had been fighting over something. We couldn't believe it. More rats! So that night we decided to close off the kitchen after chasing the run away back in there. We set out some more poison and a few days later we smelled a dead one under the refrigerator.

Well we thought it was finally over, until last night I spotted one more. I couldn't believe it. The little guys just walked around like he was at home. They are ruthless! So this morning he got locked in the pantry and the guard got on a ladder and found him in a box which was then taken outside so he could be set free.

We need a break around here from furry friends. The count is officially up to 11.....

weekend in South Africa

2009-09-09T16:03:00.002+02:00

We went to South Africa this weekend for an extended weekend. Monday was a national holiday in Mozambique, and CAM by law has to take off from having school on all Mozambican holidays. So we used the long weekend to our advantage to get some visa issues under control, so a little shopping, and just get away for a couple days.

I was having problems getting the correct visa needed to stay here. But luckily it got taken care of, surprisingly enough in an easier way than we thought. It was a direct answer to prayer and God showed Himself faithful once again. I'm relieved to not have to leave the country every thirty days now, which could get a little annoying and become pricy.

While on our way we went through the border. It was quite a pain and very crowded and hot. It wasn't a necessarily pleasant experience, but it was an experience to say the least. Once we got through it was about another hour drive to Nelspruit. The highway is close to Kruger Park so it was exciting when we even spotted some baboons on the side of the road.

In Nelspruit we went to the mall, which was very western, it felt like it could be found in the states, except for that fact that I didn't recognize any of the stores. We had a slight complication when we went to exchange money and they were no longer accepting meticais. Meticais is the money used in Mozambique, and rand is what is used in South Africa. All we had were meticais, except for about ten American dollars, and all of the stores only accept rand. We worked through it even though it did slightly complicate things.

One other great adventure in Nelspruit was going to McDonalds. It opened there in the past month. Everytime we drove by the drive through was completely packed and the lines were forever long. A fellow missionary from Maputo, told us that they went down last weekend and waited in a line that was all the way out the door just for a McDonalds hamburger. The surprising thing was how similar the food tasted to McDonalds in the states. The only major difference was that it was a lot less greasy. And the only thing that could've improved the meal would have been an ice cold Dr. Pepper, since that is a rarity in these parts of the world.

singing at MozOvos last weekend

2009-08-29T17:16:00.004+02:00

singing at church last weekend

go to this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdeWo4esIKM

birthday fun

2009-08-23T20:16:00.010+02:00

Once every couple of months the group that meets outside the Schmidt's house goes out to MozOvos to have a special sunday together. That day was today. Some girls came over yesterday and we spent the entire day baking cookies. There were tons of cookies and lots of singing and laughter. It was enjoyable and great to see so many people coming together to worship our great God.

A brief snapshot of the some the cookies waiting to be baked.

This is an appliance that is plugged in and can bake things like cookies and cakes, I've never seen anything like it. It's used often instead of an actual oven.

The chickens at MozOvos

I was also wished several feliz aniversario (happy birthdays). It was great. Afterwards the interns, and Mary and Felix's family (my neighbors) came over for lunch, just like every Sunday afternoon. I was then sung to and had a lovely birthday cake. It was a great day.

my birthday

In the afternoon I was headed home and Mary and I decided to check out the wedding that was happening at our landlady's house for her son. We went and met people and were able to enjoy some time there. It was definitely a full dose of Mozambican culture, as I was strongly urged to stay and take a seat and mingle with people.

Food being cooked for the wedding, notice that the chicken is being grilled over a wheelbarrow.

two boys at the wedding who kept wanting their pictures taken

I was far from America, but it was definitely a birthday to remember!

my class of sixth graders

2009-08-21T12:52:00.003+02:00

Here are a couple pictures of me with my lovely class of 6th graders!!

making pizza and learning portuguese

2009-08-16T16:25:00.009+02:00

There are some girls from church that come over on Saturdays. They wanted to learn how to make pizza, so Lynne taught them. While we were cooking everything had to be said in English, while we ate only Portuguese was spoken. It was fun to be able to bond and pick up on some more Portuguese. The girls were scared at first when they knew we could only speak English while cooking. They picked up real quick though and did great!

Getting ready to make pizza!

laying out some flour to roll the dough

measuring oil for the dough

shredding cheese!

before entering the oven

explaining how to cut pizza

the finished product

After making pizza and eating it, we walked down the street to watch a soccer game that the interns were playing.

school days

2009-08-08T19:33:00.004+02:00

I was able to spend the past week at the school that I will be teaching at, Christian Academy in Mozambique. This year a record has been made as there are over 60 students enrolled, which is the most there have ever been. I've been able to meet and get to know the other teachers during three days of orientation, and also was given a couple of days to set up my very own classroom. I am teaching 6th grade and will have a whole five students! I'm excited for the opportunity that I will have to get to know them all pretty well.

When I first arrived at the school another curve ball was thrown at me. I was asked if I was interested at all in teaching US history to juniors and seniors. After a couple days of considering, I accepted the challenge. School for the high schoolers actually started on Thursday. So I've had two days of being an "official" teacher. The class is great so far. There are 8 students, with five countries being represented. It is definitely going to be interesting teaching US history to such a culturally diverse class in Africa. But it will be good! I like history quite a bit and have since high school, I'll just have to brush up on some of the material.

I'm excited as well as anxious for Monday to come. To meet my students and establish myself as a professional. Luckily since I am teaching one class for the high school kids, I don't have to teach grammar and spelling to my sixth graders. I'm grateful for that.

One of the hardest things about leaving the US to come to Africa was the fact that there is natural distance that will grow between myself and people at home. Honestly I was never looking forward to that aspect of all of this, but communication is easier now than it ever has been. And I've been able to be a witness of God's provision in this area on both ends. I am looking forward to seeing these relationships grow even more over the next year. Something that I have recently and once again been reminded of is God's faithfulness in providing for our needs. Not in the same sense that I learned and realized this while raising support, which was definitely awe-inspiring, but my eyes have been opened to how our God provides friendships and relationships when and how we need them most. In those new relationships He's definitely also provided encouragement. I'm extremely grateful for this.

Pictures of the school and my classroom are soon to come!!

moving and mice, rain and birthday cake

2009-08-02T15:05:00.007+02:00

On Friday morning we went to clean and prepare my house to be moved in to. We hung up the curtains and got the mosquito net up on the bars, but then the string snapped. After that we were going through the cabinets to make sure there weren't any places that need to be dusted. When we checked out the kitchen cabinets we discovered that some small critter, most likely a mouse, had been chewing through the tupperware. There were also some droppings left behind, and traces of other small bugs living in the area. So we have to call a fumigator and that postpones me from being able to move into my house for a couple more days.

Yesterday we had English class with three girls that meet with Lynne regularly on Saturdays to learn English. They were very shy and Lynne said this was the most they had spoken since she'd begun meeting with them. It was fun to be able to participate and even learn a few Portuguese words and phrases myself. Later in the afternoon Lynne and I walked down the street to buy a few vegetables and other small items. The market area is close and only a short walking distance away, which is good.

This morning we had church, which was started completely by the interns, here at the house. Next to the house is an outside covered awning type area where the services are held, and also where the English class was held on Saturday. The service was great, although I didn't really understand too much of what was being said. It started raining halfway through and got really loud, which made it even harder to listen for words that I might recognize from Spanish. The worship was great as well. The service is done completely in Portuguese and translated into Changana (Tsonga) for an older woman who doesn't know Portuguese. The sermon was about James 2 and having works that go with your faith. But that you can't have faith without works, and that works without faith are useless, because even the Devil believes, and shudders.

As the service ended the rain started pouring harder. The back part of the awning had a lot of rain in it, and the weight of it cracked the wood planks that were holding up the plastic covering. Luckily it was in the back and noone was around it to get plunged under.

After the service I got to talk to my soon to be neighbor Mary, who is from Rwanda, which means she speaks English. Mary works at, CAM, the same school that I'll be teaching at and has two adorable children Angel and Angelo. It was helpful to have someone that I could communicate with, then we talked to a few of the interns who also know some English. I'm still working on trying to learn their names. I then played some guitar from following what they were playing. That was entertaining for a bit. They wanted me to play a song and sing, but I couldn't really think of anything easy enough to join in on.

It is a Schmidt tradition to have a big Sunday lunch in the afternoon each week for the nine interns, Mary and Felix's family, and their family. Today was special as one of the intern's birthday was this past week. His family made him a cake, which he brought for everyone to share in celebration of his birthday. There is an enormous sense of community in this place.

I am both excited and anxious for Monday morning, when I report to school for my first day. It's going to be a good feeling to have my own classroom. There is a chance that I may be trading one subject out to teach high school US History, which could be interesting. One other thing that I'm looking forward to, that I didn't know about is that I get to teach Bible. I'm really excited for that. This week should be a great time of preparation before students arrive for the first day of class next Monday.

first days in maputo

2009-07-30T19:56:00.002+02:00

I made it to Maputo yesterday morning. So glad to make it after the two and a half day journey. My flight was delayed by 24 hours which was a little annoying, but once I got on the first plane my excitement level rose quite a bit. It was a 17 hour flight from Washington DC to Johannesburg. Once I got to Johannesburg I was able to stay the night in a lovely guest house. I was quickly reminded that it is wintertime here right now and South Africa was very frigid. I had to pull out the hoodie. The next morning I had a short and sweet flight to Maputo where I was greeted by Lynne, Andrew, Stephen, and lovely 70 degree weather. It sure does beat Oklahoma winter and ice storms!

In the afternoon I was able to see the house that I'll be living in. It is definitely very nice and also close (only about a 2 minute drive) from the Schmidt's which is nice. I'll post pictures once I get settled in. After visiting the house I was able to meet some of the interns that live behind the Schmidts which was good. Some of them even know English, which will definitely come in handy in learning Portuguese.

Today was restful as I finally got a full nights rest. Trying to get through jet-lag can sure be a beast, but I think I am getting there. Today we went and checked out CAM (the school I'm teaching at). There is a rottweiler named Molly who serves as the school watchdog! I also was able to see my classroom and meet Susan Weill, the director of CAM. Currently I will have five students. It was great to be able to finally see my classroom, meet Susan, and get a feel or at least a look at what life will be like teaching at CAM.

Later in the afternoon we went shopping at the local grocery store. I was impressed to know that there is an actual supermarket in Maputo. It was nice as well because there are signs and names for all the food, which is helpful in trying to learn Portuguese words for things. It is taking some adjustment to think of things in terms of mets instead of dollars. When I read the price tag for something that says 100 mt, I have to remember that it really only costs about $4.

I'm excited for the weekend. For moving into my house soon, for getting settled, and learning more about the culture and what things will be like to actually live here. Also for church on Sunday and meeting more people in the community. I report to school on Monday and will get the full rundown on things. It will be great to finally have my own classroom!!

ending times

2009-07-22T17:52:00.003+02:00

There have been a flood of emotions going on lately as things are wrapping up. It is so hard to say goodbye to the people I care so much about here, while it is just as exciting to finally partake in a new adventure to Mozambique, that I've been spending the past couple years waiting and preparing for. All the while, I'm trying to not get too overwhelmed by the to-do list that tends to keep on growing. There has been a constant battle between finding the balance of visiting people one last time, and spending time packing. Throughout this time God has been continuing to show Himself faithful and I've been reminded of how blessed I have been with my family, friends, and church. I can't even put into words how grateful I am for so many of the individuals in my life. I'm thankful for the encouragement that has been found in them during this time of chaos as everything I know is changing.

Prayer Requests

for my visa to come in, I'm still waiting!
for healthy good-byes and closure
for energy to remain as I enter a new culture and language
to continue looking to the Lord for strength

rich young ruler

2009-07-10T07:56:00.007+02:00

So I was lucky enough to be able to spend two weeks at Houghton College in Buffalo, NY. It was an amazing two weeks of preparation for teaching in Mozambique. I was extremely encouraged and taught how to teach more effectively at an International Christian school. It was great to be with other people who are preparing to do similar things all over the world. It was also refreshing to take time away from everyday life and the natural stresses of preparing to move halfway across the world, in order to have time to focus on what I've been called to in Mozambique. We got to go to Niagara Falls and walk across the bridge to Canada, eh. I even experienced world famous buffalo wings in none other than Buffalo, NY.

The countdown is now in effect and I officially leave July 26th! With the departure date shortly approaching good-byes are becoming all too familiar and more common by the day. Good-byes are tough, but something that is necessary. It has been a difficult thing to learn how to let go of things that I cherish in order for God to do a greater work in me. But I cling to the fact that He is faithful and knows how to provide exactly what His daughter needs. This calms my fears. He also knows that He is the only one able and willing to satisfy all my desires and wants, even when I am so quick to forget.

As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "No one is good but One --God." You know the commandments:

Do not murder;
do not commit adultery;
do not steal;
do not bear false witness;
do not defraud;
honor your father and mother."

He said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth."
Then, looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, "You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."
But he was stunned at this demand, and he went away greiving, because he had many possessions.

Mark 10: 17-22

I pray that this story of the rich young ruler would melt my heart. That I wouldn't cling to anything so that it would prevent me from freely following Christ. I see a tendency to hold onto things that are good and that I hold dear, such as friendships. These are a gift, from the Lord, yet still something that I so easily cling to more than following Christ. My desire is that this would not be true.

remembering

2009-06-23T04:03:00.006+02:00

I was able to spend the past week in Colorado with some good friends. Two good friends in particular who met at a very special time about two years ago. It was great to spend time with Meagan and Nate before their wedding this past weekend. Something that was extremely enjoyable was that we were able to hang out, talk about and remember our time together in Mozambique. This encouraged my heart because it was a time that a lot of growth occurred. We so often forget to reflect on and remember times that the Lord taught us things and stretched us in new ways.

They met during our time in Africa, and have now gotten married two years later almost to the exact date of meeting for the first time. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and reflected Christ and His beautiful love for the church. I'm excited to see what is in store for these two dear friends of mine. God definitely works in crazy ways, and never ceases to blow me away. As we hung out before the wedding we were able to reflect on God's goodness and His faithfulness in growing His children. It was nice to be with friends who share the same experiences, passions and joy for Mozambique and the hope that is brought there by the gospel.

This has been a season of transition, for Meagan and Nate, as they begin their life together. As well as for me, as I am preparing to return to Mozambique. All that to say, I am thankful to the Lord for His unique callings to each of His children. I'm also grateful for friends and for encouragement that they bring to my life.

the crew in Mozambique Summer '07

half of us two years later

I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

thinking back

2009-06-13T09:09:00.016+02:00

As I'm preparing to move to Mozambique, several memories, stories, and events have been going through my mind. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on something that stood out to me when I was there two years ago. Our team spent a few days in a town called Manhica. We helped clear some brush and whatnot in the middle of nowhere, in the bush. We learned how to use hoes and machetes (correctly) which was definitely an adventure and learning experience! Even though most of the time we were being laughed at.

The thing about this village was that 50% of the people there were HIV positive. This wasn't something that I was able to swallow easily. As we were clearing brush it crossed my mind several times that every other person we were with was HIV positive, at least statistically. This was devastating and most likely means they wouldn't still be there in a year. Coming from America I don't understand this type of reality and devastation. My mind has a hard time even grasping the concept. Having family members or friends die often, because of this disease that seems to keep spreading and taking more victims. It is looming over these people and has become an everyday reality. Something that stuck out to me was the hope they still seemed to have.

It is crazy how amidst tragedy one can still have such a hope, that stands strong. This hope can't be found in ourselves, things, or even those closest to us. It is only found in Christ. As a Christian, Jesus is my only hope. I have nothing but Him. But how often do I forget that and instead put my hope in people or things around me?

The third day we were in Manhica we were able to take part in a baptism service. We walked a mile or so down to a river. Several people were baptized. It was a powerful time. There was a pastor who we were working with who had recently

started a church in this place. As a young church the gospel was being preached and people were saved, who then needed to be baptized. This is what it is about. Bringing the gospel, the hope only found in Christ, to the ends of the earth. And not to help just for the sake of helping or serving, but to bring glory to the Father. That is our hope.

We helped clear the land in Manhica because the land was purchased to build a chicken farm and start a garden. You see good food is not something easily found in most of Africa. And if you have AIDS it is absolutely essential that you are able to have access to good food with plenty of protein and nutrients, if you want to increase how long you will live. This garden and these chickens are ableto provide for the people food that will sustain their lives. It encourages me to know that food isn't the only thing being provided. The gospel is being preached, which is what saves and sustains souls. In Matthew, it was Jesus who said, "Man must not live on bread alone but on every word

that comes from the mouth of God." More importantly than eggs and vegetables, scripture and truth is what needs to be feasted on by all Christians. These people who have almost nothing still praise the Lord. Even more importantly they are hearing the gospel and being saved. Praise the Lord for this! My heart was encouraged more than words can say to see more believers coming into the kingdom.

God has been extremely faithful. I lack in faith so often, yet He still provides and shows Himself completely faithful with His children. It never ceases to blow me away. I am currently completely funded. I have truly been blessed beyond measure. It overwhelms me when I think about the Lord's provision.

I am heading to Mozambique the last week of July. School starts in the beginning of August. Please be praying for me as I am preparing to teach for the first time in my own classroom. I am going to a training at Houghton College in New York in about a week to learn how to adapt to a classroom of missionary kids. This training should be promising and yield much fruit as I am preparing for Mozambique. Also pray for language skills and that I would be able to easily acquire Portuguese in order to communicate with Mozambicans in Maputo.

God's Faithfulness

2009-03-17T04:22:00.000+02:00

God has been proving Himself to be beyond faithful lately. It's ridiculous. Time and time again His faithfulness is shown again. This is something that I've been trying to grasp over the past several months and something that my small mind still cannot grasp.

For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Things can easily become overwhelming as the semester is coming to a close, yet they never get full control. I'm learning more of how to trust in the Lord and His provision. For He is indeed a Father who knows how to give his children perfect gifts. He is enough.

Two things I ask of You; don't deny them to me before I die: Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need. Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, "Who is the LORD?" or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:7-9

2008-07-09T08:09:00.000+02:00

Saul answered Samuel, " I have sinned. I have transgressed the LORD's command and your words. Because I was afraid of people I obeyed them." 1 Samuel 15:24

But as for me, I will look to the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me.
Do not rejoice over me,
my enemy!
Though I have fallen,
I will stand up;
though I sit in darkness,
the LORD will be my light.
Micah 7:7-8

Samuel replied, "Don't be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don't turn away from following the LORD. Instead, worship the LORD with all your heart. Don't turn away to follow worthless things that can't profit or deliver you; they are worthless. The LORD will not abandon His people, because of His great name and because He has determined to make you His own people." 1 Samuel 12:20-22

But you are a chosen race, a royal preisthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

effects on a wounded heart

2008-07-09T08:03:00.000+02:00

Take my heart and fill it with things of you, things new
I want my delight to be in You, my king
You're glorious, victorious
and more magnificent than I can see
You loved us, so You freed us
Now we'll never be the same
I can't deny you, no it can't be done
Since you came and rescued me
Your name is on my tongue

struggles

2008-05-30T05:54:00.000+02:00

Lord,
Please challenge me and discipline and train me in such a way that I will steadfastly run after you always. Please break me and reveal my sin to me. I want to depend only on you! Regardless of my struggles or lack of boldness please teach me complete reliance on you!

If you have raced with runners and they have worn you our, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in a peaceful land, what will you do in the thickets of the Jordan? Even your brothers- your own father's household- even they were treacherous to you; even they have cried out loudly after you. Do not have confidence in them, though they speak well of you. Jeremiah 12:5-6

If we are struggling in the homeland and where it is "easy" to be a Christian and no physical persecution, how can we even think we will be able to make it in the "real" world, outside of this place where people are sent to kill Christians and persecute them? I struggle every single day. I'm not ready for the front battlelines yet, even though I can see that is where I have been called. You've called me to something more. You've called me to rise up. You've called this dead body to life and to live in harmony to you. Dancing to the glorious rhythym of your own heart. Please captivate me once again and let me come to a place where I may dwell in your presence, only to be overcome with great passion and desire for you. You satisfy my soul and fulfill my every need. You sustain me and provide everything. You saved me for your name's sake. That the world would see your goodness and that you can change hearts and restore people to what they were created for. Your goodness is my delight.

There is certainly no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20