despedidas

****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!