first days in maputo

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

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

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.