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.
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