The following is written on 16 January 2013
Tuesday (Yesterday)
Around 5:30 am I heard the roosters. A sound I actually quite enjoy waking up to; but it wasnt just one rooster, but a chain-reaction chior of roosters. The sound was acompanied by the voices of kids young and old beginning their day.
Immediately I realized that i was covered head to to in sweat. Sarah, from California, and I are sharing Justino's room happily. We realized however, the room turns more into a baking sauna in the day. We rose to a nicely made pot of porriage. I actually thoroughly enjoyed it. It was like a mix between cream of wheat and grits with a taste of oatmeal once sugar was added. We ate up knowing we would get 3 meals. No more, no less.
After breakfast, Jason gave us a bit of a brief rundown in the morning. We had a great prayertime for Abby who at this point still hasnt joined us to to malaria and other things. Then came the prayer walk. I went out with Sam, the Indonesian on our team. On our walk we found a giant snail and a graveyward. We were able to see a bit more of the village. At one point, we stopped at a house and several kids gathered arround. We tried to communicate as best we could, and eventually gave up.
Prayer. Prayer changes things and moves the spititual realm. And at a place like this, that is very important. The atmosphere here is one of an oppressivespirit. Inhassunge is the "university of witchcraft." That's why we must wage war on behalf of the name of Jesus.
On our prayer walk, Sam and I did just that. We prayed over the kids we played with and just enjoyed them. Such a blessing
When we retuned home from the walk, tehre were some local guys out chasing a pic that had just been dropped at the house. Once caught, it was put in the pantry....alive. Dinner. Yes, this pig would be killed to be both our lunch and dinner.
For lunch, coconut lentils and rice. We eat a lot of rice. But this gave perfect energy for our afternoon of soccer. On the way there, we had a few kids follow us. Ozema held my hand and we walked to the shade and sat as spectators for the game. With all my skill, I didnt want to put others to shame, so I sat this one out....more like lack of skill.
Soon there was about 100 people joining in to watch and play; women and children with me. They got a kick out of the fact that I was not playing. I smiled and laughed along. Sometimes I'm thankful that I can't understand what they are saying. This was one of those times.
The sun began to set, and the team sat outside in the cool of the night chatting about the day and oher things... then it was off to bed we were.
I am so thankful for this island and God has really been giving me a heart for these people, this nation, this continent, and this world I'm living in.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
It's time for Africa
The following was written on 15 January 2013:
We made it. We finally made it to the island. After putting off a week, we are here. And oh, was it worht it. Yes, it was a short treck, but i'd do it again 100 times over.
We started out the day walking from the house to the dock. So many people everywhere. The boat we got on was basically a piece of floating concrete. The water, very grey and mucky. Seeing Quilemane from the outside as a bit hard to take in. There is a dark, dirty feel to it, but bright with potential and determination.
On the otherside of a 10 minute boat ride was a whole new world. I'm not sure how to accurately describe it. Africa. It's Africa. A 20 minute bus ride through fields of somesord helped the reality set in. Then, being dropped off on the side of the road by a school helped too. Of course, a few began to do what they do best - draw a croud with a soccer ball.
When Jason, my leader who had stayed with our guide Justino arrived, we bagan the walk into the village. And so it began....
Little faces crowded with things such as ringworm, flies, snot, scrapes, and scars began to follow us. They were so happy and totally carefree. As soon as they saw the first one of us, they joined the treck. Every time I looked back they were waving, smiling, and often laughing.
We made camp at Justino's place. A lovely mud hut with a tin room. His room has a nice double bed and nothing more. A room that is used as a dining area and sitting area is next. There's a nice big fridge in the corner. However, it does not work. If didn't mention before, there is no elecetricity. Also, no running water. No drinking water. I guess you could say - life is simple. The people here seem to work to live. Between drawing water, preparing the food, taking care of the kids, and harvesting crops, the day is full. It's hard to fathom that people whave lived this way...have ALWAYS lived this way.
But joy. There's so much joy. Justino's house immediately became a fathering area for many kids. They got a kick out of us scrambling to pick as many guavas, limes, bananas, and mangos growing outside the house. They lauged and smilied and eventually warmed up to us enough to play duck-duck-goose. Here they play duck-duck-DUCK, just repeating the word quite loudly. Even some of the moms joined in.
The afternoon was filled with long walks almost getting lost, meeting the town drunk, learning names, and learning more names.
The sun setss early here, and the stars come out. There is so much beauty in this land. Betwenn the lush green land, the colorful birds, the people, and the way of living, there is so much that points to how creative my maker is.
Around 8:00 PM, which felt like midnight, we had our dinner. Lunch and dinner were both graciously made for us. Coconut is a staple here, and it makes everything taste so grand. We sat around and enjoyed the meal, and the company of eachother.
I am so blessed to be in this beautiful country, and that's all I could think of as I dozed off under my mosquito net. What a wonderful God I serve.
Although originally I would be starting at Berklee today, I wouldnt want to be anywhere but here doing anything but this.
We made it. We finally made it to the island. After putting off a week, we are here. And oh, was it worht it. Yes, it was a short treck, but i'd do it again 100 times over.
We started out the day walking from the house to the dock. So many people everywhere. The boat we got on was basically a piece of floating concrete. The water, very grey and mucky. Seeing Quilemane from the outside as a bit hard to take in. There is a dark, dirty feel to it, but bright with potential and determination.
On the otherside of a 10 minute boat ride was a whole new world. I'm not sure how to accurately describe it. Africa. It's Africa. A 20 minute bus ride through fields of somesord helped the reality set in. Then, being dropped off on the side of the road by a school helped too. Of course, a few began to do what they do best - draw a croud with a soccer ball.
When Jason, my leader who had stayed with our guide Justino arrived, we bagan the walk into the village. And so it began....
Little faces crowded with things such as ringworm, flies, snot, scrapes, and scars began to follow us. They were so happy and totally carefree. As soon as they saw the first one of us, they joined the treck. Every time I looked back they were waving, smiling, and often laughing.
We made camp at Justino's place. A lovely mud hut with a tin room. His room has a nice double bed and nothing more. A room that is used as a dining area and sitting area is next. There's a nice big fridge in the corner. However, it does not work. If didn't mention before, there is no elecetricity. Also, no running water. No drinking water. I guess you could say - life is simple. The people here seem to work to live. Between drawing water, preparing the food, taking care of the kids, and harvesting crops, the day is full. It's hard to fathom that people whave lived this way...have ALWAYS lived this way.
But joy. There's so much joy. Justino's house immediately became a fathering area for many kids. They got a kick out of us scrambling to pick as many guavas, limes, bananas, and mangos growing outside the house. They lauged and smilied and eventually warmed up to us enough to play duck-duck-goose. Here they play duck-duck-DUCK, just repeating the word quite loudly. Even some of the moms joined in.
The afternoon was filled with long walks almost getting lost, meeting the town drunk, learning names, and learning more names.
The sun setss early here, and the stars come out. There is so much beauty in this land. Betwenn the lush green land, the colorful birds, the people, and the way of living, there is so much that points to how creative my maker is.
Around 8:00 PM, which felt like midnight, we had our dinner. Lunch and dinner were both graciously made for us. Coconut is a staple here, and it makes everything taste so grand. We sat around and enjoyed the meal, and the company of eachother.
I am so blessed to be in this beautiful country, and that's all I could think of as I dozed off under my mosquito net. What a wonderful God I serve.
Although originally I would be starting at Berklee today, I wouldnt want to be anywhere but here doing anything but this.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
To the ends of the earth...
Its time for Africa.
First, pardon me for any gramatical/punctuation erros. The keyboard here in Mozambique has strange set up for letterings.
Its hard to get my thoughts together right now. I have 11 minutes left here in the internet cafe to try to put my thoughts into words. So I will just try to hit some key points about what I have seen and learned here in my 10 days in Africa and what is next.
Moist. Moist is the only way I know how to describe this outreach. The sun is blazing, the humidity is extreme, and there are just only so many things you can do to stay cool. Sweat is a given. I promise, I have never been so sweaty in my life. Sweating from places I didnt know possible. But at the same time, there is so much beauty.
Beauty. The people, the land, the culture.
Mozambiques history is one of strife. Thirty years ago, it got out of a civil war that lasted for 16 years which proceeded the war for independence. But there is something deep about that, there is room for restoration and healing. And that is exactly what God is doing here.
Now. On the practical side of things.
We arrived on December 30. We speat four days in Beira. A moderate sized city. We stayed in an orphanage that is run by one of three YWAM Beira staff named Alfredo. He is running the orphanage with one other guy. He started running the orphanage at the age of 18. Thats my age. Can you even imagine? I cannot. But he has 25 young boys who he is totally showing the Father heart to.
On new years eve we got to play with those boys. Shooting fireworks, dancing, singing, praising God for the year, and just loving on eachother. I got pretty attached to a couple of them.
Other than that we helped around the orphanage with some practical clean up. I got to be apart of a group that scrubbed squaty potties and basins for bucked showers.
Thats another thing I dont think ill ever get used to. The smell of waste here.
We then traveled up to Quilemane.... a ten hour bus ride. Through the wet lands and grass lands of this countries. Through mud hut villages. Again. So much beauty.
In Quilemane, we have been doing soccer evangelism while partnering with a church. Other than that it is a lot of prayer walking, and just loving on the children. We are staying in a beautiful facility and eating well! But that wont last long.
On Friday we head out to Indugo and Inhessunge. Two islands without electricity, running water or phone service. We will be doing simple health care, and soccer camps.
Please pray for us as we have one member of our team with Malaria that has post poned our next journey!
Again so sorry for the brief update! I will be out of action for the next 4 weeks and then i will post more in depth as I am keeping a journal.
First, pardon me for any gramatical/punctuation erros. The keyboard here in Mozambique has strange set up for letterings.
Its hard to get my thoughts together right now. I have 11 minutes left here in the internet cafe to try to put my thoughts into words. So I will just try to hit some key points about what I have seen and learned here in my 10 days in Africa and what is next.
Moist. Moist is the only way I know how to describe this outreach. The sun is blazing, the humidity is extreme, and there are just only so many things you can do to stay cool. Sweat is a given. I promise, I have never been so sweaty in my life. Sweating from places I didnt know possible. But at the same time, there is so much beauty.
Beauty. The people, the land, the culture.
Mozambiques history is one of strife. Thirty years ago, it got out of a civil war that lasted for 16 years which proceeded the war for independence. But there is something deep about that, there is room for restoration and healing. And that is exactly what God is doing here.
Now. On the practical side of things.
We arrived on December 30. We speat four days in Beira. A moderate sized city. We stayed in an orphanage that is run by one of three YWAM Beira staff named Alfredo. He is running the orphanage with one other guy. He started running the orphanage at the age of 18. Thats my age. Can you even imagine? I cannot. But he has 25 young boys who he is totally showing the Father heart to.
On new years eve we got to play with those boys. Shooting fireworks, dancing, singing, praising God for the year, and just loving on eachother. I got pretty attached to a couple of them.
Other than that we helped around the orphanage with some practical clean up. I got to be apart of a group that scrubbed squaty potties and basins for bucked showers.
Thats another thing I dont think ill ever get used to. The smell of waste here.
We then traveled up to Quilemane.... a ten hour bus ride. Through the wet lands and grass lands of this countries. Through mud hut villages. Again. So much beauty.
In Quilemane, we have been doing soccer evangelism while partnering with a church. Other than that it is a lot of prayer walking, and just loving on the children. We are staying in a beautiful facility and eating well! But that wont last long.
On Friday we head out to Indugo and Inhessunge. Two islands without electricity, running water or phone service. We will be doing simple health care, and soccer camps.
Please pray for us as we have one member of our team with Malaria that has post poned our next journey!
Again so sorry for the brief update! I will be out of action for the next 4 weeks and then i will post more in depth as I am keeping a journal.
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