strength and diligence

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.