Last day: TODAY we are leaving :(
I really do hope to come back here some day. I don’t know in what capacity, I’m not even saying for long, but it’s hard to leave. I also do really hope that my baby boy gets to continue in our footsteps and gets involved with mission. Those people need it, and other people too. It doesn’t have to be mission per say, but God’s work, helping people, loving people, ... I say that with a torn “mommy’s heart”. Off course I selfishly want to keep my baby boy at home with me (not that he’ll always remain a baby!), safe in Canada. But at the same time he ain’t mine to keep. He is God’s and whatever His plan is, I know it will be great. I also know that I don’t want to stand in the way, and I want to be Raph’s biggest cheerleader in whatever he does. Bringing him here was a huge act of “letting go” for me, but Raph has never “belonged” to me and it is with that attitude that we came here to Africa. He’s always been God's and I prefer Him to be in control anyway. Whether we’re in Africa or Canada, things could happen. Harmful things, things that I cannot control. But I do not want to live my life in fear, I do not want Raph to live his life in fear. I want him to live to the fullest, to live for God in the craziest way he is called to and I don’t want him to hold back. And I want to set an example for him, even if it’s tough at times, like this trip was (I’m sure you can imagine). I really hope I can do all that! God have mercy on me!
Off to go on 4 flights. Talk to you later :)
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
May 29th - Saturday
Today is our last official day here in Mozambique, tomorrow we leave... It’s very sad to think about leaving these beautiful people behind, not knowing if we’ll ever see them again. Our hearts are heavy and we’re definitely NOT ready to leave. Both Mike and I agree that we would love to stay another month right now! Not that it’s possible, but it’s good that we don’t feel like: “Enough, get me out of here”. Even with the malaria! Not bad right?
Rick brought Mike, Raph and I to see some parts of the farm we actually had not seen yet. He brought us to the river and it’s absolutely gorgeous. I really wish we had brought the camera along for that, but we did not! Rats.
I spent a good part of the day packing and organizing our stuff. We are leaving many things behind, but we have to divide them in where they are supposed to go. Our clothes to the mission, but I gave the baby clothes to a lady who I’ve gotten to know during our stay here who has a baby girl about Raph’s age... so 2 piles for those... one with the ones that still need to be washed... Oh and I left my coffee press with coffee-lover-Keren. I couldn’t just leave it with anyone! I WILL tho have to RUN into a store when we get home and buy a new one. Yes, I know, it’s terrible after all I’ve experienced here, you would think one could do without coffee... But I’m still a mother of a baby who doesn’t sleep much and if you think it’s a good idea for me not to drink any coffee right now, I’m open to alternatives like you take my baby for one night, ... :) That said, I think you get the point!! So once we had made all sort of piles (by we, I mean mostly me... Raph just spread them all over the place and Mike well who knows what Mike was doing...), it was time to make a delicious “left over soup”. I love soups that are full of flavors and this one was a success! I even had enough for Rick and Heather!
Packing is a bit tricky though as I’m trying to bring back some clay pots!!! We will see if one makes it home (one out of five, that’s all I’m hoping for!). We came here with 5 suitcases, 2 for Rick and Heather, and are trying to go back with 3. The only problem is that they have to be stacked into each other, increasing weight and decreasing space! I do hope that it adds protection (double suitcase) to my clay pots :) I made it all fit in the 3 suitcases tho and I am very proud of myself! And that is with one suitcase full of souvenirs!!! That’s the way to do it right?
This afternoon, there was also a soccer game at the village where we are staying. The white people (“mouzongou”) against the black people. That’s how they told us it was gonna be. But thankfully a few of the locals joined with us uncoordinated white un-athletic human beings. Ok so some of “us” were actually athletic. Just not nearly as good at soccer as these guys. They were INSANE. In a good way! They won. But Mike scored a goal. Our only goal actually! Assisted by Rick :) Oh and I “played” too. Thought I’d let you know... But I did not really make a big difference, so don’t get too excited and think I have hidden talents. I don’t! he he. After the game the guys were quite excited to get a group picture with all the cute nursing students. Awkward. We handled the situation as best as we could, but I tell you, the guys really thought those girls were something else. I don’t blame them. :) We bought cokes for all the players and it was a party!
This evening I baked a cake for Rick’s birthday. Ain’t it nice that we got to be here to celebrate his birthday? I thought so!!!! Rick and Heather invited all the students and staff to have a little “party” at their house, playing cards and wii. It was a nice way to spend our last evening in Mozambique! I’m really going to miss the new people I have met, both locals and staff. And the nursing students. So many fantastic people. I feel so blessed to have known them. I feel richer somehow. They have taught me so much.
Rick brought Mike, Raph and I to see some parts of the farm we actually had not seen yet. He brought us to the river and it’s absolutely gorgeous. I really wish we had brought the camera along for that, but we did not! Rats.
I spent a good part of the day packing and organizing our stuff. We are leaving many things behind, but we have to divide them in where they are supposed to go. Our clothes to the mission, but I gave the baby clothes to a lady who I’ve gotten to know during our stay here who has a baby girl about Raph’s age... so 2 piles for those... one with the ones that still need to be washed... Oh and I left my coffee press with coffee-lover-Keren. I couldn’t just leave it with anyone! I WILL tho have to RUN into a store when we get home and buy a new one. Yes, I know, it’s terrible after all I’ve experienced here, you would think one could do without coffee... But I’m still a mother of a baby who doesn’t sleep much and if you think it’s a good idea for me not to drink any coffee right now, I’m open to alternatives like you take my baby for one night, ... :) That said, I think you get the point!! So once we had made all sort of piles (by we, I mean mostly me... Raph just spread them all over the place and Mike well who knows what Mike was doing...), it was time to make a delicious “left over soup”. I love soups that are full of flavors and this one was a success! I even had enough for Rick and Heather!
Packing is a bit tricky though as I’m trying to bring back some clay pots!!! We will see if one makes it home (one out of five, that’s all I’m hoping for!). We came here with 5 suitcases, 2 for Rick and Heather, and are trying to go back with 3. The only problem is that they have to be stacked into each other, increasing weight and decreasing space! I do hope that it adds protection (double suitcase) to my clay pots :) I made it all fit in the 3 suitcases tho and I am very proud of myself! And that is with one suitcase full of souvenirs!!! That’s the way to do it right?
This afternoon, there was also a soccer game at the village where we are staying. The white people (“mouzongou”) against the black people. That’s how they told us it was gonna be. But thankfully a few of the locals joined with us uncoordinated white un-athletic human beings. Ok so some of “us” were actually athletic. Just not nearly as good at soccer as these guys. They were INSANE. In a good way! They won. But Mike scored a goal. Our only goal actually! Assisted by Rick :) Oh and I “played” too. Thought I’d let you know... But I did not really make a big difference, so don’t get too excited and think I have hidden talents. I don’t! he he. After the game the guys were quite excited to get a group picture with all the cute nursing students. Awkward. We handled the situation as best as we could, but I tell you, the guys really thought those girls were something else. I don’t blame them. :) We bought cokes for all the players and it was a party!
This evening I baked a cake for Rick’s birthday. Ain’t it nice that we got to be here to celebrate his birthday? I thought so!!!! Rick and Heather invited all the students and staff to have a little “party” at their house, playing cards and wii. It was a nice way to spend our last evening in Mozambique! I’m really going to miss the new people I have met, both locals and staff. And the nursing students. So many fantastic people. I feel so blessed to have known them. I feel richer somehow. They have taught me so much.
May 28th - Friday
This morning Mike did the devotional at the worker’s meeting (every morning between 7:00 and 7:30, they meet together!!). They gathered around our little family at the end to pray for us. It was so touching to have all the “mozambican” men (and one woman) gathered around us, along with the team of nurses. We have been blessed beyond words by the workers here and we will miss them greatly!!!
And then we began today the best I could have imagined.... By going to see the little boy from yesterday again (please read yesterday if you have not). My heart had been so broken and I really wanted to bring him clothes. Rick agreed to drive Mike and I there early this morning and I could not have been happier. We greeted his father and explained to him that we wanted to bless his family, that his son had touched my mother’s heart and that I wanted to share some of Raph’s clothes with him. We wanted to be so careful not to offend them. It doesn’t matter how poor you are, no one wants to feel like they can’t provide for their family! But he was very happy to have us bless them in this way. All his wives wre there and his children. way This morning we went to give clothes to that little boy who “broke my heart".
Then we went to the preschool, taught them more games and did some crafts.
This afternoon we ran the orphan program again. We played some freesbee, I taught the story of Noah, and we made some paper boats.
And then we began today the best I could have imagined.... By going to see the little boy from yesterday again (please read yesterday if you have not). My heart had been so broken and I really wanted to bring him clothes. Rick agreed to drive Mike and I there early this morning and I could not have been happier. We greeted his father and explained to him that we wanted to bless his family, that his son had touched my mother’s heart and that I wanted to share some of Raph’s clothes with him. We wanted to be so careful not to offend them. It doesn’t matter how poor you are, no one wants to feel like they can’t provide for their family! But he was very happy to have us bless them in this way. All his wives wre there and his children. way This morning we went to give clothes to that little boy who “broke my heart".
Then we went to the preschool, taught them more games and did some crafts.
This afternoon we ran the orphan program again. We played some freesbee, I taught the story of Noah, and we made some paper boats.
Friday, May 28, 2010
May 27th - Thursday
This morning we went to visit some school kids in their community. Mike and the translator (Simon) played soccer with the boys and Heather and I painted the girls nails. They loved having their nails painted! Because the kids here don’t wear shoes (can’t afford them), the girls had next to no nails on their feet, except for the big toe. It was strange just painting their skin with the polish... A lot of the girls also had very dark nails due to mal nutrition. It’s hard to see.
I also got to pound maize. Well I didn’t really pound much! It is so difficult! The stick is so heavy and the women here pound hour after hour! And sometimes with babies strapped unto their backs! And it’s so very hot... They definitely earned my admiration. We have it so easy in Canada with our instant food and microwaves. It’s ridiculous the amount of work that those women do every day, on top of caring for the children, and their husband!
Mike shared the story of Esther with the school kids, and it’s hard to know how much they understand. We find it very hard to talk through translators as it’s always difficult to know what is being communicated!!! While he was sharing this story, this little boy came up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. Most kids here are, at least at first, very cautious around us white people! I think they find us scary, especially since many of them are told that white people eat children!!! Sort of like the “boogie man”...
Anyway, this little boy comes up to me and looks into my eyes (I’m sitting) and he broke my heart... His face was full of boogers, he had flies crawling all over it (like in all those world vision clips) and had the dirtiest clothes I have seen on a person to this day. His shorts were in such bad shape that they were completely open at the bottom and left everything (and I mean everything) hanging in the open. He dragged his bum around in the ground, and when he came back to see me again, I realized that his clothes were also soiled from his “emptying himself” and I’m putting it nicely. He tore my heart open, literally! I wrapped my arms around him and had to fight the urge to pick him up, fetch some water and give him a good scrub. That would be the least someone could do for this dear child. I wanted to take him home and love him like my own. My heart could not bear this. I have seen much poverty, much sickness since coming here. But for some reason this little boy just took everything in my heart and spilled it out in the open. When we came back home (to the farm), I wept, and wept, and wept. I wept for all the poor children of this world, I wept for my baby boy who has so much and doesn’t even know it, I wept for me, who has more than enough and still wants more. I wept for all the people who die without knowing Christ and wept some more, for this little boy... and I don’t even know his name. He changed me. He broke me. Broke me in the same way God breaks for people. I cannot go back home and be the same. And I have to do something for this child. (stay tuned for the rest of the story tomorrow).
After this, we went to help out serve lunch at the school. I love this ministry, it makes me happy! The children are so thankful to be getting food. I scrapped the bowl of “sudsa” until there was no more, I scrapped it with my bare hands and gave all that I could to those children. I had to after the morning I'd had! They were so thankful. We have so much to learn from them!
This afternoon we went to visit some of the orphan kids we had done crafts with a different day (those flower pen). I love this community, the granny there is so awesome!!! We bought all of the pottery that she makes and I really hope that at least one of them makes it home un-shattered! They are beautiful work of art :)
I also got to pound maize. Well I didn’t really pound much! It is so difficult! The stick is so heavy and the women here pound hour after hour! And sometimes with babies strapped unto their backs! And it’s so very hot... They definitely earned my admiration. We have it so easy in Canada with our instant food and microwaves. It’s ridiculous the amount of work that those women do every day, on top of caring for the children, and their husband!
Mike shared the story of Esther with the school kids, and it’s hard to know how much they understand. We find it very hard to talk through translators as it’s always difficult to know what is being communicated!!! While he was sharing this story, this little boy came up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. Most kids here are, at least at first, very cautious around us white people! I think they find us scary, especially since many of them are told that white people eat children!!! Sort of like the “boogie man”...
Anyway, this little boy comes up to me and looks into my eyes (I’m sitting) and he broke my heart... His face was full of boogers, he had flies crawling all over it (like in all those world vision clips) and had the dirtiest clothes I have seen on a person to this day. His shorts were in such bad shape that they were completely open at the bottom and left everything (and I mean everything) hanging in the open. He dragged his bum around in the ground, and when he came back to see me again, I realized that his clothes were also soiled from his “emptying himself” and I’m putting it nicely. He tore my heart open, literally! I wrapped my arms around him and had to fight the urge to pick him up, fetch some water and give him a good scrub. That would be the least someone could do for this dear child. I wanted to take him home and love him like my own. My heart could not bear this. I have seen much poverty, much sickness since coming here. But for some reason this little boy just took everything in my heart and spilled it out in the open. When we came back home (to the farm), I wept, and wept, and wept. I wept for all the poor children of this world, I wept for my baby boy who has so much and doesn’t even know it, I wept for me, who has more than enough and still wants more. I wept for all the people who die without knowing Christ and wept some more, for this little boy... and I don’t even know his name. He changed me. He broke me. Broke me in the same way God breaks for people. I cannot go back home and be the same. And I have to do something for this child. (stay tuned for the rest of the story tomorrow).
After this, we went to help out serve lunch at the school. I love this ministry, it makes me happy! The children are so thankful to be getting food. I scrapped the bowl of “sudsa” until there was no more, I scrapped it with my bare hands and gave all that I could to those children. I had to after the morning I'd had! They were so thankful. We have so much to learn from them!
This afternoon we went to visit some of the orphan kids we had done crafts with a different day (those flower pen). I love this community, the granny there is so awesome!!! We bought all of the pottery that she makes and I really hope that at least one of them makes it home un-shattered! They are beautiful work of art :)
May 26th - Wednesday
Today Mike was asked to do some physical labor :) He had to bring big wooden posts to the edge of the farm’s property. This was only 2 and 1/2 miles away, but driving there and back took 1 hour! It was all in first gear, driving through a river, through a valley, ... you get the idea! All in Rick’s truck, so good fun times for Mike. I think the most difficult part was going with a crew that didn’t speak English and Mike trying to give directives. It can get pretty frustrating when you can’t communicate what you want done! I do think he’s learning Portuguese without realizing it tho! he he.
I stayed behind (didn’t think I could be much help lugging those big posts around) and prepared for the orphan program Mike and I are doing on Friday. We will do the story of Noah. I also did coloring for the nurses (again) and spent time with our beautiful baby boy! I took him and Tendai (Rick and Heather’s daughter) for a walk in a wagon, they loved it! I did laundry and cooked some meals ahead of time as the next 2 days will be very busy! I’m learning that sometimes mission just means staying at home and doing the same “mundane” things that we do in Canada! In previous mission’s trips that Mike and I have been on, they were much shorter and we never spent time preparing meals and (as those were always provided), but this is more every day mission life and we love it. We really wanted to experience how it would feel like to be long term missionaries and we’re surely getting a good idea.
Tonight we had supper with Rick and Heather and played some games. It was nice to have some “down time” with them as we have been so busy and haven’t really “hung out” since coming back from our hectic trip up North. It’s amazing all that has happened since coming here. wow.
I stayed behind (didn’t think I could be much help lugging those big posts around) and prepared for the orphan program Mike and I are doing on Friday. We will do the story of Noah. I also did coloring for the nurses (again) and spent time with our beautiful baby boy! I took him and Tendai (Rick and Heather’s daughter) for a walk in a wagon, they loved it! I did laundry and cooked some meals ahead of time as the next 2 days will be very busy! I’m learning that sometimes mission just means staying at home and doing the same “mundane” things that we do in Canada! In previous mission’s trips that Mike and I have been on, they were much shorter and we never spent time preparing meals and (as those were always provided), but this is more every day mission life and we love it. We really wanted to experience how it would feel like to be long term missionaries and we’re surely getting a good idea.
Tonight we had supper with Rick and Heather and played some games. It was nice to have some “down time” with them as we have been so busy and haven’t really “hung out” since coming back from our hectic trip up North. It’s amazing all that has happened since coming here. wow.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
May 25th - Tuesday
Today we went to visit some orphans that are sponsored by the ministry here (and people back home in Canada). You would not believe the difference in these kids. They look much healthier than the other kids who do not receive help. It’s amazing to SEE it so evident. We did crafts with them for their sponsors back home and they colored a picture. They worked so hard at it! We also met the “granny” who runs the home where those kids live. She was so sweet!!! I helped her with some of the meal preparation and she really wanted us to stay for food. We politely declined (would feel awful to take the little food they do have). But again it’s so refreshing to see the generosity of those who have so little.
The centipedes bite here. They look funny too.
This is not really related to something I experienced today, but I read this as part of my devotions and got thinking, so you are welcome to read my thoughts :)
2 Corinthians 12: 9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
While I was at my sickest point with malaria during our time here in Africa, I felt very weak. I was so weak I could not walk more than 4 steps before seeing black and nearly passing out. I felt so alone and selfishly begged God to take the illness away. The argument: “but I’m here to do your work Lord, don’t you want me to?” was never far from my mind. I know it’s useless to argue with God, but who doesn’t? The truth is, He does indeed know best, and it still would have been that way had I died (if He had seen that as being the best).
I know that God can indeed bring glory to himself in all situation. But power being made perfect (as in this verse)? Sufficient grace? Am I alone thinking I’d also like a comfy bed when I’m not This is not really related to today, but I read this as part of my devotions and got thinking. feeling well? Is He is sufficient when I don’t feel good? Yet His word is clear: “My grace is sufficient for you”. Furthermore, the reason for our weakness is so that His power would be made perfect. That’s my part to play, the weak part that is! Not fun, but God’s power gets to be displayed!!! I’m in!!! Isn’t that why I came here? To show God, to display His power? AMEN. Thank you for my weakness Lord. May His power be EVIDENT through me, praise God I’m so weak! I’m so weak in more ways than I wish to discuss in this blog! As Paul says it: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Amen? (the people here say Amen all the time). I get to be canvas for God’s glory to be displayed on. The weaker I am, the better His glory can be displayed!!! Amen? (are you repeating Amen after me? he he).
This afternoon we went to visit more orphans kids and made more flower pen with them. It’s interesting how much they love this simple craft, even the boys!!! I love it. I also went for a walk around the farm with Raph, the weather just being gorgeous today! Tonight I invited the nursing students to come and play some card games. Should be fun. I will attempt to make some orange chocolate chips muffins for the occasion, thanks to the Internet and it’s millions of recipes!!!
The centipedes bite here. They look funny too.
This is not really related to something I experienced today, but I read this as part of my devotions and got thinking, so you are welcome to read my thoughts :)
2 Corinthians 12: 9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
While I was at my sickest point with malaria during our time here in Africa, I felt very weak. I was so weak I could not walk more than 4 steps before seeing black and nearly passing out. I felt so alone and selfishly begged God to take the illness away. The argument: “but I’m here to do your work Lord, don’t you want me to?” was never far from my mind. I know it’s useless to argue with God, but who doesn’t? The truth is, He does indeed know best, and it still would have been that way had I died (if He had seen that as being the best).
I know that God can indeed bring glory to himself in all situation. But power being made perfect (as in this verse)? Sufficient grace? Am I alone thinking I’d also like a comfy bed when I’m not This is not really related to today, but I read this as part of my devotions and got thinking. feeling well? Is He is sufficient when I don’t feel good? Yet His word is clear: “My grace is sufficient for you”. Furthermore, the reason for our weakness is so that His power would be made perfect. That’s my part to play, the weak part that is! Not fun, but God’s power gets to be displayed!!! I’m in!!! Isn’t that why I came here? To show God, to display His power? AMEN. Thank you for my weakness Lord. May His power be EVIDENT through me, praise God I’m so weak! I’m so weak in more ways than I wish to discuss in this blog! As Paul says it: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Amen? (the people here say Amen all the time). I get to be canvas for God’s glory to be displayed on. The weaker I am, the better His glory can be displayed!!! Amen? (are you repeating Amen after me? he he).
This afternoon we went to visit more orphans kids and made more flower pen with them. It’s interesting how much they love this simple craft, even the boys!!! I love it. I also went for a walk around the farm with Raph, the weather just being gorgeous today! Tonight I invited the nursing students to come and play some card games. Should be fun. I will attempt to make some orange chocolate chips muffins for the occasion, thanks to the Internet and it’s millions of recipes!!!
Monday, May 24, 2010
May 24th - Monday
This morning Mike went with the mercy air guests to the school where they taught with soccer balls (big deal with the world cup coming up) about Jesus. I wasn’t there so I can’t tell you much about it. What I do know is that I made over 50 muffins and they are good. I also did some coloring for Keren (a nurse here) she is doing a nutrition program and needed some veggies colored. I know, it’s tough work!
This afternoon Mike, Raph, Francois, Matthew and I went to deliver food @ the school for the feeding program. We had good discussions in the truck with Francois (who is from South Africa and now missionary here), I am learning so much about the people. I can’t believe we have less than a week here, there is so much I still want to learn!!!
I did my devotions in the sun, I love the sun. You have to wait until a bit later in the day if you don’t want to burn, but it’s worth the wait :) I read in Philippians today and was “hit” by a new revelation. Since coming here, I realized how much I have felt entitled (in the past and still now, old habits don’t die fast) to my stuff. I feel like I deserve it somehow. I feel like I’m Canadian, I’m privilege because I’m white and I deserve to have all the comforts I have. You do it too (sorry to say), without noticing, so please stay with me on this train of thought. Coming here feels like “lowering your standard of life” from what we are used to, even though the people have so little food, never minds comforts! And thn it hit me: You think that’s bad Marie-Eve? You think the difference between you and these people is bad? Well think “JESUS”. That’s right. He was in heaven. Talk about a nice place. And He came on earth! Ok not so nice in comparison. He didn’t come to North America in year 2010. He went to Jerusalem a long time ago and lived a hard life. He traveled lot’s, ate simple meals of fish and bread and died a terrible death. If there is someone who knows about “lowering their standard of life” it’s Jesus. If someone was indeed entitled to comfort it is God (makes sense right?). So I just can’t tell God that I’m unwilling to do anything for Him because I’m somehow entitled to some comfort, to my stuff, ... Can I? Tricky right?
What He did for me is so BIG. He became in very nature man. He was (is) God. That’s not something to overlook. And then what happened? God gave him back the glory, God made it so that every knee would bow to Him (some day). So if there is someone who knows about hard life it’s Jesus. PRAISE BE TO HIM for his sacrifice, for me and for the people here. May we be found willing to sacrifice it all for Him as well. Oh I haven’t attained more holiness than you since this revelation, neithe do I think I will. I’m still on this road, but I press on. Press on with me, that we may gain the only thing that is worth attaining: the saving power of His resurrection. May His sacrifice not be in vain. Praise be to God.
This afternoon Mike, Raph, Francois, Matthew and I went to deliver food @ the school for the feeding program. We had good discussions in the truck with Francois (who is from South Africa and now missionary here), I am learning so much about the people. I can’t believe we have less than a week here, there is so much I still want to learn!!!
I did my devotions in the sun, I love the sun. You have to wait until a bit later in the day if you don’t want to burn, but it’s worth the wait :) I read in Philippians today and was “hit” by a new revelation. Since coming here, I realized how much I have felt entitled (in the past and still now, old habits don’t die fast) to my stuff. I feel like I deserve it somehow. I feel like I’m Canadian, I’m privilege because I’m white and I deserve to have all the comforts I have. You do it too (sorry to say), without noticing, so please stay with me on this train of thought. Coming here feels like “lowering your standard of life” from what we are used to, even though the people have so little food, never minds comforts! And thn it hit me: You think that’s bad Marie-Eve? You think the difference between you and these people is bad? Well think “JESUS”. That’s right. He was in heaven. Talk about a nice place. And He came on earth! Ok not so nice in comparison. He didn’t come to North America in year 2010. He went to Jerusalem a long time ago and lived a hard life. He traveled lot’s, ate simple meals of fish and bread and died a terrible death. If there is someone who knows about “lowering their standard of life” it’s Jesus. If someone was indeed entitled to comfort it is God (makes sense right?). So I just can’t tell God that I’m unwilling to do anything for Him because I’m somehow entitled to some comfort, to my stuff, ... Can I? Tricky right?
What He did for me is so BIG. He became in very nature man. He was (is) God. That’s not something to overlook. And then what happened? God gave him back the glory, God made it so that every knee would bow to Him (some day). So if there is someone who knows about hard life it’s Jesus. PRAISE BE TO HIM for his sacrifice, for me and for the people here. May we be found willing to sacrifice it all for Him as well. Oh I haven’t attained more holiness than you since this revelation, neithe do I think I will. I’m still on this road, but I press on. Press on with me, that we may gain the only thing that is worth attaining: the saving power of His resurrection. May His sacrifice not be in vain. Praise be to God.
May 23rd - Sunday
This morning Mike preached. Well after the pastor preached. And then they wanted me to preach too. And Rick. We both declined, the service has to end somewhere. Yes, church services are much different!!! I love the signing tho, it’s so alive and passionate. I enjoy the dancing, they have such good rhythm!!! The main thing that caught my attention today in church was the “watch tower magazine” right beside the Bible. This is a Christian church. The pastors (and people) have had so little teaching that they can be easily confused with all kinds of religions and sects. I learned that the Jehovah Witnesses have a printed press close by (apparently in most countries), which would explain how this got there. But it broke my heart to see these people with so little knowledge of the Bible and of their God that anything goes. Education is so needed in these parts of Africa, in the “bush" as the local missionaries refer to it. The other thing that struck me was the fact that the man said how many wives they had when they introduced themselves... You just wouldn’t run into that at home (at least not common).
This afternoon Mike and I made monster cookies. YUM.
This evening we went to a BBQ (called a “bry” around here) to visit with a team from South Africa who came to see the ministry here. They flew with Mercy Air to here and we had a time of sharing about who does what ministry here. It was very informative for us to attend and helpful in getting a big picture of the SAM ministry.
This afternoon Mike and I made monster cookies. YUM.
This evening we went to a BBQ (called a “bry” around here) to visit with a team from South Africa who came to see the ministry here. They flew with Mercy Air to here and we had a time of sharing about who does what ministry here. It was very informative for us to attend and helpful in getting a big picture of the SAM ministry.
May 22nd Saturday
This morning we went to the market and bought “capalanas”. They are basically just a piece of fabric, worn by the women here, 100 different ways!!! We went with the team of nursing students and bought like 95 of them. I think that the sale’s guy must have been quite happy!!!! Later we went to lady to make skirts, dresses, ... out of the fabric so I got her make me a skirt. It was interesting to me that she charges $350 mets (the local currency) to sow a skirt (which is about $10), and the workers here @ the farm (who get paid minimum wage) get $60 mets a day. I’m not saying we’re over paying her, please don’t understand me wrong, as by our North American standard this is really cheap!!! I just find the difference in wages between people here more frustrating than at home because here it’s the difference between starving or not starving. At $60 mets a day, it’s hardly enough to have food for your family, never mind nutritious food. At $60 mets a day, you can not have savings or hope for a better life some day... Yet if they were to raise the salary of the workers here at the farm, the local price of the maize (and other foods) would also go up since they would now being “able to afford” more expensive food. In the end it doesn’t help. I find the whole situation so frustrating and I don’t understand why anyone should be hungry in this world of plenty. Life is so unfair.
This afternoon we went grocery shopping and I find the cashiers hummm, let’s say “interesting". No one is in a rush here you see. Everything is so slow. At home we try to hurry. Here, no big deal. And they sit at the till. So different... It can take 30 minutes just to get your few groceries scanned and pay for them. It’s ridiculous (to me), but it’s the norm here. Weird.
We went out for lunch at a local restaurant and had delicious chicken!! Good way to end the day, since by the time we got our food and ate (our lunch) it was 4:00 p.m. See what I’m saying about how no one is in a rush? he he.
This afternoon we went grocery shopping and I find the cashiers hummm, let’s say “interesting". No one is in a rush here you see. Everything is so slow. At home we try to hurry. Here, no big deal. And they sit at the till. So different... It can take 30 minutes just to get your few groceries scanned and pay for them. It’s ridiculous (to me), but it’s the norm here. Weird.
We went out for lunch at a local restaurant and had delicious chicken!! Good way to end the day, since by the time we got our food and ate (our lunch) it was 4:00 p.m. See what I’m saying about how no one is in a rush? he he.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
May 21st - Friday
This morning we went to the pre-school. Raphael was pretty much a “rock star”. I think he really likes the attention. He will wonder why people are not as excited about him when we get home I think! Heather read the kids a story, and then we did some game with them where they had to find the person who had the same animal card as them. It took them a really long time to catch on, but they had a good time anyway! I think their favorite part was when Mike and I imitated all the animal sounds. What does a giraffe make for sound? Ask Mike when you see him :) Oh and the ostrich? Yeah, we had to improvise ;) We finished our time there with some coloring lesson, trying to teach them the number 10. I don’t think we were very successful. he he.
We also lead the orphan program. About 14 kids came and we had a blast. We played soccer with them, which is always a hit!!! I broke my big toe nail, but that’s not too surprising, that ball was VERY hard. Mike and I did a lesson on Daniel and the lion’s den, including the kids in the drama and I think they really liked it! I had a little princess crown for the king (so funny), but those kids don’t really have the same concept of “girly” and “boyish” like we do at home so I don’t know what they thought of it. The boys here like to wear pink because it looks good on them :) And they also wanted their nails painted. Really, why not? Who says that’s a girl thing? I LOVE IT!!! They have not being corrupted by our over sexualized culture and it’s so refreshing. I can nurse in front of teenage boys and it’s not an issue. How freeing is that? I’d say pretty freeing (and all the nursing mothers say “amen”).
They also did really well with the memory verse. At first they were trying to repeat it in English, but we got through to them that they had to repeat after the translator. We tried to join in with their language and that made them laugh quite a bit. Hope we didn’t say anything bad!!!
We also did a lion’s mask craft with them and they just loved it!!! Picture this: a 16 years old boy coloring a lion’s face picture, putting strings through it, and putting on his face as a mask. He PROUDLY left with it on after the program. I was a bit shocked by his enthusiasm, but again, how refreshing is that? This boy doesn’t have the pressure of trying to act cool the way we have in North America. He has so little “stuff” in his life, and this lion mask was “the bomb”. I wish I had a picture of him to show you!!! We have so much “stuff” at home it’s ridiculous. It takes so little to entertain those kids, it is shocking. Oh and get this, most of those kids had never used scissors so we had to do the cutting for them. Things we take for granted right?
Our shower had some issues today, the peas from the kitchen sink ended up there. It was kindda gross, but we got it all cleaned up (you could have had a pea-bath in there). But then the shower head started leaking everywhere. I guess around here either you don’t have plumbing, or you do and it doesn’t really work how it’s supposed to!! he he. Anyway, to get hot water, you have to build a fire (outside off course), underneath the water tank. We love our hot water and feel so blessed to have such luxury here. Today we decided to use the fire to also make some burgers. Why not? There is nothing better than something cooked on fire. I’m thinking of building an outside kitchen when we get home... I guess it would not be very practical in Manitoba! Good night folks.
We also lead the orphan program. About 14 kids came and we had a blast. We played soccer with them, which is always a hit!!! I broke my big toe nail, but that’s not too surprising, that ball was VERY hard. Mike and I did a lesson on Daniel and the lion’s den, including the kids in the drama and I think they really liked it! I had a little princess crown for the king (so funny), but those kids don’t really have the same concept of “girly” and “boyish” like we do at home so I don’t know what they thought of it. The boys here like to wear pink because it looks good on them :) And they also wanted their nails painted. Really, why not? Who says that’s a girl thing? I LOVE IT!!! They have not being corrupted by our over sexualized culture and it’s so refreshing. I can nurse in front of teenage boys and it’s not an issue. How freeing is that? I’d say pretty freeing (and all the nursing mothers say “amen”).
They also did really well with the memory verse. At first they were trying to repeat it in English, but we got through to them that they had to repeat after the translator. We tried to join in with their language and that made them laugh quite a bit. Hope we didn’t say anything bad!!!
We also did a lion’s mask craft with them and they just loved it!!! Picture this: a 16 years old boy coloring a lion’s face picture, putting strings through it, and putting on his face as a mask. He PROUDLY left with it on after the program. I was a bit shocked by his enthusiasm, but again, how refreshing is that? This boy doesn’t have the pressure of trying to act cool the way we have in North America. He has so little “stuff” in his life, and this lion mask was “the bomb”. I wish I had a picture of him to show you!!! We have so much “stuff” at home it’s ridiculous. It takes so little to entertain those kids, it is shocking. Oh and get this, most of those kids had never used scissors so we had to do the cutting for them. Things we take for granted right?
Our shower had some issues today, the peas from the kitchen sink ended up there. It was kindda gross, but we got it all cleaned up (you could have had a pea-bath in there). But then the shower head started leaking everywhere. I guess around here either you don’t have plumbing, or you do and it doesn’t really work how it’s supposed to!! he he. Anyway, to get hot water, you have to build a fire (outside off course), underneath the water tank. We love our hot water and feel so blessed to have such luxury here. Today we decided to use the fire to also make some burgers. Why not? There is nothing better than something cooked on fire. I’m thinking of building an outside kitchen when we get home... I guess it would not be very practical in Manitoba! Good night folks.
Friday, May 21, 2010
May 20th - Thursday
Life out here as a missionary is definitely hard. Off course some missionaries elsewhere probably have it harder. This is probably easy comparing to how the local people live. As I was doing my devotions this morning I had a realization that my heart had harden, either as an act of survival or unwillingness to completely surrender to God, in case He might ask something I did not want to do (in this case, coming here full-time). This is a bit difficult to explain, but lately my prayer has been that of Paul: to KNOW Christ, to know Him fully: to know His resurrection, and therefore His suffering. Not because I feel like inflicting pain unto myself (I’m not into that), but I’ve had the realization that in order for me to draw closer to God, it was going to hurt. I was going to have to drink from the same cup as my Lord.
Today God and I had a chat. I told him that I gave up closing my heart in fear that He will call me to serve amongst the people here. I know it sounds terrible, maybe it doesn’t, I don’t know. But being called here full time would be scary. When I was really sick I told God NO. I was kindda half joking but I was hoping he’d take me seriously, at least feel sorry for me in my sickness! he he.
I’ve learned with my years of experience (this is a joke, I'm not that old) that it’s not worth it to say no to God. It takes too much energy to fight Him. So this morning I said yes. I said that if He called me here, I’d leave it all behind. Now don’t get any ideas you people. He didn’t call me here (that I know of yet), but letting it go felt good. Telling Him that I would leave my family, my belongings behind, leave it all. Jesus told people in the Bible (Jesus was so ridiculously radical) not to bury their parents “for crying out loud” to follow him. That’s pretty radical no? So what do I have to loose that I cannot gain in Him? What if I gain the whole world but loose my soul? What is SO important that I own on this earth that I wouldn’t give up to do His will? What could be better than this: having nothing for the sake of Christ, my Lord, my redeemer and to KNOW Him --> to know His suffering! To know Christ is everything. All off a sudden the possibility of the sacrifice seemed alluring instead of heavy. I love Jesus. I love him more than anything. I really do hope that I can be a sweet offering every day unto him, but sometimes it’s so hard. Like today I got angry at Raph. He’s a baby for St. Peter’s sake! But he was bugging me. So I got angry. I’m so full of sin and need His redeeming grace so much. And then I was sweet and made muffins for people. I’m so full of contradicting powers and they’re all at work in me, it’s exhausting! Yet I press on because the goal is worth it. The goal is Jesus, the goal is bringing his kingdom on earth and it’s so worth it. It’s worth the malaria. It’s worth the lack of sleep. It’s worth the bad IV. It’s worth the bumpy roads. I tell you, Jesus is pretty sweet, you just have got to meet him.
This is my prayer for you today: “May you bathe in His love. May you find His grace refreshing. May you rest in His presence. May He fill your soul.” AMEN.
Today Mike is gone to help Ron and Barb build their new house so I’m mostly looking after Raph and making muffins. Mission sometimes is right @ home with your family :)
We also got news that Rick and Heather have become officially parents to Tendai. We are so happy for them! I’m sure Heather will post a blog with all the details, but tonight we had a little celebration with the people here, it was good times! Good night.
Today God and I had a chat. I told him that I gave up closing my heart in fear that He will call me to serve amongst the people here. I know it sounds terrible, maybe it doesn’t, I don’t know. But being called here full time would be scary. When I was really sick I told God NO. I was kindda half joking but I was hoping he’d take me seriously, at least feel sorry for me in my sickness! he he.
I’ve learned with my years of experience (this is a joke, I'm not that old) that it’s not worth it to say no to God. It takes too much energy to fight Him. So this morning I said yes. I said that if He called me here, I’d leave it all behind. Now don’t get any ideas you people. He didn’t call me here (that I know of yet), but letting it go felt good. Telling Him that I would leave my family, my belongings behind, leave it all. Jesus told people in the Bible (Jesus was so ridiculously radical) not to bury their parents “for crying out loud” to follow him. That’s pretty radical no? So what do I have to loose that I cannot gain in Him? What if I gain the whole world but loose my soul? What is SO important that I own on this earth that I wouldn’t give up to do His will? What could be better than this: having nothing for the sake of Christ, my Lord, my redeemer and to KNOW Him --> to know His suffering! To know Christ is everything. All off a sudden the possibility of the sacrifice seemed alluring instead of heavy. I love Jesus. I love him more than anything. I really do hope that I can be a sweet offering every day unto him, but sometimes it’s so hard. Like today I got angry at Raph. He’s a baby for St. Peter’s sake! But he was bugging me. So I got angry. I’m so full of sin and need His redeeming grace so much. And then I was sweet and made muffins for people. I’m so full of contradicting powers and they’re all at work in me, it’s exhausting! Yet I press on because the goal is worth it. The goal is Jesus, the goal is bringing his kingdom on earth and it’s so worth it. It’s worth the malaria. It’s worth the lack of sleep. It’s worth the bad IV. It’s worth the bumpy roads. I tell you, Jesus is pretty sweet, you just have got to meet him.
This is my prayer for you today: “May you bathe in His love. May you find His grace refreshing. May you rest in His presence. May He fill your soul.” AMEN.
Today Mike is gone to help Ron and Barb build their new house so I’m mostly looking after Raph and making muffins. Mission sometimes is right @ home with your family :)
We also got news that Rick and Heather have become officially parents to Tendai. We are so happy for them! I’m sure Heather will post a blog with all the details, but tonight we had a little celebration with the people here, it was good times! Good night.
May 19th - Wednesday
This morning we went to the school at the town close to the farm to help with serve lunch to the kids there. The lunch is financed through sponsors and it was really neat to see this and being part of it. I have a bit more energy today so I could ACTUALLY do something and it was awesome! I’m realizing more and more that I love ministries that include food, feeding people, ... I guess I have the gift of hospitality!
We first visited the school, it’s a building with a roof and half walls, which is great with the heat!!! There are 6 classes from pre-school to grade 5. The classrooms are quite basics, but they make do with what they have.
The lunch consisted of “sudza” (don’t know how to spell it) and beans. It smelled good and tasted good too, but it’s really not that great in nutritive value. They roll this couscous looking white food into the juice of the beans and eat it (with their fingers off course). The kids ate big plates of it and all came for seconds. They ate until we were completely out of food! You can see the pictures on facebook under Heather’s album: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1193788503624#!/album.php?aid=432189&id=680190439&ref=mf
This afternoon Mike tried to fix the office’s computer, but it’s really hard when no one knows where any of the CD’s are!!! I helped out a lady there name Eunice with the women’s ministry. We rolled some thread for cross stitching, as they are teaching them that skill. They really work in empowering the people so they can teach their own, and also to teach them skills that they can use to make money.
We first visited the school, it’s a building with a roof and half walls, which is great with the heat!!! There are 6 classes from pre-school to grade 5. The classrooms are quite basics, but they make do with what they have.
The lunch consisted of “sudza” (don’t know how to spell it) and beans. It smelled good and tasted good too, but it’s really not that great in nutritive value. They roll this couscous looking white food into the juice of the beans and eat it (with their fingers off course). The kids ate big plates of it and all came for seconds. They ate until we were completely out of food! You can see the pictures on facebook under Heather’s album: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1193788503624#!/album.php?aid=432189&id=680190439&ref=mf
This afternoon Mike tried to fix the office’s computer, but it’s really hard when no one knows where any of the CD’s are!!! I helped out a lady there name Eunice with the women’s ministry. We rolled some thread for cross stitching, as they are teaching them that skill. They really work in empowering the people so they can teach their own, and also to teach them skills that they can use to make money.
May 18th - Tuesday
Today Rick and Heather dropped up Tendai @ 6:00 a.m. as they are going to Beira (4 hours from here) to pick up the nursing students from Prairie. We were all up early and Raph was quite cranky about the whole thing, but he pulled through. Having a playmate helps I’m sure!!! Him and Tendai have a bit of a love hate relationship. She really likes hugging and Raph hates being hugged... So it’s funny watching her chasing him around to hug him and she always ends up tackling him to the ground. He needs to get tougher I tell you, getting man-handled by a girl like that! It’s embarrassing ;)
In the afternoon we gave them a bath in a small bucket and it worked out better than expected. Raph sat on Tendai mostly the whole time and she was happy about it because then she could hug him and rub his back! Raph wouldn’t not have been happy had the roles being reversed... he he. Those 2 crack me up.
We went for a bit of a walk to get even more lemons for the lemonade. It takes a lot of lemons to make 4.5 liters of lemonade! By the time I was done my hands were quite sore... I really need a juice squeezer thing :) Anyone has a lemon cookie recipe they’d like to share with me? That’s my next project. Or anything SIMPLE with lemons? Remember that my supplies are limited!!! The grocery store is 1 hour away... and doesn’t have ANYTHING that looks familiar. It’s quite strange to have everything look so different. Who knew KD was such a “North American” thing?
We made grilled cheese for lunch as Tendai is crazy about cheese. She opened the sandwich and first ate the cheese. Then she ate the bread. She’s so cute I tell you! Not having a toaster, microwave, ... really makes you get creative and I realized that bread tastes much better when “toasted” in a frying pan with “butter” (or whatever we’re using, but it’s orange). It’s not even close in taste.
The students arrived around 5:00 p.m., which is a bit too bad because they had to set up in the dark... and they are all girls!!!! We heard a lot of screaming and laughed at the (or with them?). I was terrified our first night in the tent, so I can definitely relate. It’s scarry when the bugs are ACTUALLY dangerous... and you don’t know which ones. he he. Anyway, we had supper @ Ron and Barb, they are working with “Mercy Air” along side of the ministry here. They are such nice people. Barb made delicious spaghetti for all of us and it was my first REAL meal, besides soup. I’m both excited and terrified, but it tastes wonderful so I’ll go with that!! Being with a bigger group of English speaking people was nice too, we don’t have many chances to “socialize” with peers, so it was refreshing! The students are so nice, I’m sure they’ll have a good time here. Can’t wait to see what God will do with and through them. They already found a tarantula and a lizard in their tent. he he. Hope they sleep tight, but I don’t think that’s very likely.......... ;)
In the afternoon we gave them a bath in a small bucket and it worked out better than expected. Raph sat on Tendai mostly the whole time and she was happy about it because then she could hug him and rub his back! Raph wouldn’t not have been happy had the roles being reversed... he he. Those 2 crack me up.
We went for a bit of a walk to get even more lemons for the lemonade. It takes a lot of lemons to make 4.5 liters of lemonade! By the time I was done my hands were quite sore... I really need a juice squeezer thing :) Anyone has a lemon cookie recipe they’d like to share with me? That’s my next project. Or anything SIMPLE with lemons? Remember that my supplies are limited!!! The grocery store is 1 hour away... and doesn’t have ANYTHING that looks familiar. It’s quite strange to have everything look so different. Who knew KD was such a “North American” thing?
We made grilled cheese for lunch as Tendai is crazy about cheese. She opened the sandwich and first ate the cheese. Then she ate the bread. She’s so cute I tell you! Not having a toaster, microwave, ... really makes you get creative and I realized that bread tastes much better when “toasted” in a frying pan with “butter” (or whatever we’re using, but it’s orange). It’s not even close in taste.
The students arrived around 5:00 p.m., which is a bit too bad because they had to set up in the dark... and they are all girls!!!! We heard a lot of screaming and laughed at the (or with them?). I was terrified our first night in the tent, so I can definitely relate. It’s scarry when the bugs are ACTUALLY dangerous... and you don’t know which ones. he he. Anyway, we had supper @ Ron and Barb, they are working with “Mercy Air” along side of the ministry here. They are such nice people. Barb made delicious spaghetti for all of us and it was my first REAL meal, besides soup. I’m both excited and terrified, but it tastes wonderful so I’ll go with that!! Being with a bigger group of English speaking people was nice too, we don’t have many chances to “socialize” with peers, so it was refreshing! The students are so nice, I’m sure they’ll have a good time here. Can’t wait to see what God will do with and through them. They already found a tarantula and a lizard in their tent. he he. Hope they sleep tight, but I don’t think that’s very likely.......... ;)
May 17th - Monday
Today Mike went to Chimoio with Rick, Heather and Karen and I stayed behind with Raph as I still need much rest. Karen needed to go to immigration and the list is long for what Rick and Heather had to do. Mike just wanted to get us some food for the rest of our stay here, but somehow that ended up being a whole day trip! Sure glad I didn’t go along!!!
Raph and I played outside in the grass and I tried my best to not let him eat dirt. I think he’ll still need to be de-warmed once we get home, he’s a sneaky little guy I tell you! The farm here is beautiful. They grow pineapples, it’s so cute how they grow. They have a lot of lemons too, so I’ve been drinking lot’s of lemonade, gotta love the fresh stuff!!!! I picked some up to make lemonade for the students arriving from Prairie Bible College (nursing students) tomorrow. Hope they like it.
I had time to catch up on lot’s of blogging today and hope that made you all happy! I don’t know how some of you are keeping up with all the reading, but thank you! It means a lot to us. LOVE YA ALL.
Raph and I played outside in the grass and I tried my best to not let him eat dirt. I think he’ll still need to be de-warmed once we get home, he’s a sneaky little guy I tell you! The farm here is beautiful. They grow pineapples, it’s so cute how they grow. They have a lot of lemons too, so I’ve been drinking lot’s of lemonade, gotta love the fresh stuff!!!! I picked some up to make lemonade for the students arriving from Prairie Bible College (nursing students) tomorrow. Hope they like it.
I had time to catch up on lot’s of blogging today and hope that made you all happy! I don’t know how some of you are keeping up with all the reading, but thank you! It means a lot to us. LOVE YA ALL.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
May 16th - SUNDAY
Today is Sunday and we’re taking this day to REST. We didn’t go to church either (we’re so bad, I know) because I’m still not feeling well, but we did spend some time in the Word, soaking up His message on our pretty huge porch. God is good, we are so blessed to have this little cottage.
Mike washed the floors and we gave Raph a bath outside. He loves his baths here :) Mike and Raph went for a walk while I tried (without success) to have a nap. We tried to catch up on the blog as we had much to write about our trip up North, but we are falling behind as you have noticed!!! We organized our things around the cottage, made a list of the food we will need for the rest of the time we’ll be here as Mike is going to “town” tomorrow.
I made some apple sauce and jello and we had very nice HOT showers and went to bed early! It was a pretty good Sunday. :)
Mike washed the floors and we gave Raph a bath outside. He loves his baths here :) Mike and Raph went for a walk while I tried (without success) to have a nap. We tried to catch up on the blog as we had much to write about our trip up North, but we are falling behind as you have noticed!!! We organized our things around the cottage, made a list of the food we will need for the rest of the time we’ll be here as Mike is going to “town” tomorrow.
I made some apple sauce and jello and we had very nice HOT showers and went to bed early! It was a pretty good Sunday. :)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
May 15th - Saturday
The view outside our hotel was breathtakingly beautiful. I cannot describe to you what it feels like to step outside in the morning (we had come @ night so had not yet seen this) and see the sunrise over the river, RIGHT in front of you! Oh and a cute palm tree and a beat up fisher’s boat to make the view just awesome :) Seriously awesome, I felt like this was indeed the start of getting better!!!! YEAH! Oh and breakfast was included in the hotel. Nothing like at home, but that’s kind of special out here!!! Couldn’t really eat it, but it looked good :)
We got to the clinic for my second IV treatment, and off course my PIC line (peripherally inserted central catheter, it’s a form of intravenous thingny they put in your arm) is “no good” the nurse informs me by a shake of the head (he speaks Portuguese and I don’t understand him so he now doesn’t talk much). He attempts to make it work, but makes a big mess of blood instead, VERY PLEASANT. So he tries starting another IV on my hand, even though I wanted him to try the other arm where my veins are bigger, although at this points all of them looked pretty sad. Anyway, he made a big mess of my hand and when I finally looked down (finally dared) it looked as if he had jammed something the size of an egg underneath my skin!!! I got this look of terror on my face because he started talking really fast and wiping away the blood quickly and I’m only guessing he was explaining to me that because I flinched it didn’t work. Really? Then what’s in my hand? Oh I wish I could speak Portuguese, but before I knew it he was motioning for my other arm. At that point I went into fetal position in the corner. Seriously? You want to touch me again with that thing? I hate needles and I’ve been a “good sport” until now but a third time? Really? When he saw the sheer terror in my eyes, he called in another nurse to do the procedure. I gave her my arm because I had no other choice and 2 seconds later we were in business. Seriously, where was that lady hiding while this guy was torturing me for the past 30 minutes and trying to stick things under my skin that just don’t belong there??? Shhhhhhhheeeesh the nerve of some people! he he.
The IV took forever cuz the speed was ridiculously slow, I ended up speeding it up when they weren’t watching so we got out of there eventually! I’m a terrible patient I know...
We drove back to the farm and I’m so happy to say that we’re blessed beyond blessed! They have this beautiful (I might not have thought it beautiful before living in a tent for 2 weeks in the bush) little cottage for us to live in, with running water. I am beside myself excited, it has a floor so Raph can actually crawl around which will be a huge blessing, our own kitchen, bathroom, the whole deal. I have no energy really to put anything away and it’s quite frustrating because it feels like there is so much to do, but I guess unpacking can wait. LATER.
We got to the clinic for my second IV treatment, and off course my PIC line (peripherally inserted central catheter, it’s a form of intravenous thingny they put in your arm) is “no good” the nurse informs me by a shake of the head (he speaks Portuguese and I don’t understand him so he now doesn’t talk much). He attempts to make it work, but makes a big mess of blood instead, VERY PLEASANT. So he tries starting another IV on my hand, even though I wanted him to try the other arm where my veins are bigger, although at this points all of them looked pretty sad. Anyway, he made a big mess of my hand and when I finally looked down (finally dared) it looked as if he had jammed something the size of an egg underneath my skin!!! I got this look of terror on my face because he started talking really fast and wiping away the blood quickly and I’m only guessing he was explaining to me that because I flinched it didn’t work. Really? Then what’s in my hand? Oh I wish I could speak Portuguese, but before I knew it he was motioning for my other arm. At that point I went into fetal position in the corner. Seriously? You want to touch me again with that thing? I hate needles and I’ve been a “good sport” until now but a third time? Really? When he saw the sheer terror in my eyes, he called in another nurse to do the procedure. I gave her my arm because I had no other choice and 2 seconds later we were in business. Seriously, where was that lady hiding while this guy was torturing me for the past 30 minutes and trying to stick things under my skin that just don’t belong there??? Shhhhhhhheeeesh the nerve of some people! he he.
The IV took forever cuz the speed was ridiculously slow, I ended up speeding it up when they weren’t watching so we got out of there eventually! I’m a terrible patient I know...
We drove back to the farm and I’m so happy to say that we’re blessed beyond blessed! They have this beautiful (I might not have thought it beautiful before living in a tent for 2 weeks in the bush) little cottage for us to live in, with running water. I am beside myself excited, it has a floor so Raph can actually crawl around which will be a huge blessing, our own kitchen, bathroom, the whole deal. I have no energy really to put anything away and it’s quite frustrating because it feels like there is so much to do, but I guess unpacking can wait. LATER.
May 14th - Friday
Last night was not a good night for me, the medications are not helping, my fever is still high and my symptoms just same if not worse so they have decided for me (I could never have made that hard decision) that we had to leave and seek medical attention. We are leaving Rick behind so he can teach the seminar, and I feel terrible about the whole thing. Those people were so excited to see us, I feel like I’m letting them down somehow and that it’s all my fault. But at the same time I feel thankful, I feel blessed that my friends are willing to sacrifice and leave so that I can get help. It’s going to be a long day of driving on bumpy roads in my condition and I am not looking forward to it. We (by we I mean them as all I could do is sit and watch) started packing up @ 5:00 a.m. and left around 7:00 a.m. as it takes a long time to load the truck and all.
We headed towards the river as we were hoping to take the ferry accross and avoid having to go back the long way around. We had heard that it was now going (it had stopped during the rainy season) so we were excited. Now when I say “ferry”, I picture in my mind a big boat. I grew up in a bit of a fishing community on the side of the ocean and have seen my share of boats. I have been on many of them. I have used ferries. They load many cars up and cross. Well this is Mozambique. SO don’t assume anything. We get there and I don’t see no boat... Only canoes. I’m thinking the boat is ‘away”. No... Apparently there is a platform, that I now see, on a cable, that crosses the vehicles over the crocodile infested river. I swallow. A platform. Why not call it that? It’s no ferry....
ANYWAY! We talk to the guys and learn that since it rained overnight, the “ferry” is not working, we have to go back all the way. Now we already drove 1 hour to get there, so we have to drive 1 hour back, but also this makes the trip about 5 hours longer (so then 6 hours) and it’s already a LONG trip... I want to cry. Remember that I’m VERY sick at this point, sore everywhere, especially my stomach and just want to see a doctor. Well my friend, not so soon. Remember also that we are far away from cell phones, Internet, ... SCARY to be sick. I had a melt down INSIDE, my faith shrunk. I’m ashamed to say but it did. So we went back, and Mike drove even faster, so it was even bumpier than before which made things a lot worse for me. We had to make frequent stops for me to and I’ll put it nicely “empty myself” on the side of the road. The locals must have thought I was insane, but I didn’t care.
At 11:00 a.m. we get a flat tire. Again my faith shrinks and I usually try not to question God, but it’s was very hard. I was half past out (I was seriously seeing black spots, shaking and not in my right mind) on the side of the road (bumpy trail), under the only bush that gave some shade (11:00 is VERY hot time here) and I sobbed. I let it all out. Heather was an angel pouring water on my head (which made me shiver, even in this heat) and rubbing my back. I pulled through, they changed the tire somehow and I’ll spare you that story. Remember that we’re traveling with 2 small children, which makes everything even more challenging!!!
At 2:00 p.m. I started being very loopy and kept Mike and Heather entertaine tfor a while. I was cracking jokes and talking about my funeral. I seriously wasn’t in my right mind, but I was trying to survive this thing.
At 4:00 p.m. we made it to the highway and I could have kissed the ground.
At 5:00 p.m. we made it to Tete which is a “city” and yet had to cross the bridge, which can take a really long time. We pulled in front of all the vehicles and asked if we could please go in front because “the white lady was very sick with malaria and needed to get to a clinic”. It worked! Those people were amazingly gracious and I will be thankful for the rest of my life. We got to the private clinic (don’t go to the hospital, unless you want a blood transfusion, as it’s what they do with malaria!!) and it was clean. I held back tears, LITERRALLY. We hadn’t seen civilization, never mind clean in so long and it was reassuring to see a clean clinic. They got me to a “bed” pretty much right away and I saw a dr. As soon as he toutch my stomach, he proclaimed my spleen to be very enlarged and confirmed the malaria. I’d lost already 8 pounds, so they started me on IV fluids, pain meds, dirrhoea meds and another treatment of malaria. 2 hours later I didn’t feel much better, but I knew I was on my way to recovery and for the first time, I felt hope.
We slept in Tete as I had to go back the next day for more IV treatment. The hot shower did as much for me as the medicines: I think!!!!
We headed towards the river as we were hoping to take the ferry accross and avoid having to go back the long way around. We had heard that it was now going (it had stopped during the rainy season) so we were excited. Now when I say “ferry”, I picture in my mind a big boat. I grew up in a bit of a fishing community on the side of the ocean and have seen my share of boats. I have been on many of them. I have used ferries. They load many cars up and cross. Well this is Mozambique. SO don’t assume anything. We get there and I don’t see no boat... Only canoes. I’m thinking the boat is ‘away”. No... Apparently there is a platform, that I now see, on a cable, that crosses the vehicles over the crocodile infested river. I swallow. A platform. Why not call it that? It’s no ferry....
ANYWAY! We talk to the guys and learn that since it rained overnight, the “ferry” is not working, we have to go back all the way. Now we already drove 1 hour to get there, so we have to drive 1 hour back, but also this makes the trip about 5 hours longer (so then 6 hours) and it’s already a LONG trip... I want to cry. Remember that I’m VERY sick at this point, sore everywhere, especially my stomach and just want to see a doctor. Well my friend, not so soon. Remember also that we are far away from cell phones, Internet, ... SCARY to be sick. I had a melt down INSIDE, my faith shrunk. I’m ashamed to say but it did. So we went back, and Mike drove even faster, so it was even bumpier than before which made things a lot worse for me. We had to make frequent stops for me to and I’ll put it nicely “empty myself” on the side of the road. The locals must have thought I was insane, but I didn’t care.
At 11:00 a.m. we get a flat tire. Again my faith shrinks and I usually try not to question God, but it’s was very hard. I was half past out (I was seriously seeing black spots, shaking and not in my right mind) on the side of the road (bumpy trail), under the only bush that gave some shade (11:00 is VERY hot time here) and I sobbed. I let it all out. Heather was an angel pouring water on my head (which made me shiver, even in this heat) and rubbing my back. I pulled through, they changed the tire somehow and I’ll spare you that story. Remember that we’re traveling with 2 small children, which makes everything even more challenging!!!
At 2:00 p.m. I started being very loopy and kept Mike and Heather entertaine tfor a while. I was cracking jokes and talking about my funeral. I seriously wasn’t in my right mind, but I was trying to survive this thing.
At 4:00 p.m. we made it to the highway and I could have kissed the ground.
At 5:00 p.m. we made it to Tete which is a “city” and yet had to cross the bridge, which can take a really long time. We pulled in front of all the vehicles and asked if we could please go in front because “the white lady was very sick with malaria and needed to get to a clinic”. It worked! Those people were amazingly gracious and I will be thankful for the rest of my life. We got to the private clinic (don’t go to the hospital, unless you want a blood transfusion, as it’s what they do with malaria!!) and it was clean. I held back tears, LITERRALLY. We hadn’t seen civilization, never mind clean in so long and it was reassuring to see a clean clinic. They got me to a “bed” pretty much right away and I saw a dr. As soon as he toutch my stomach, he proclaimed my spleen to be very enlarged and confirmed the malaria. I’d lost already 8 pounds, so they started me on IV fluids, pain meds, dirrhoea meds and another treatment of malaria. 2 hours later I didn’t feel much better, but I knew I was on my way to recovery and for the first time, I felt hope.
We slept in Tete as I had to go back the next day for more IV treatment. The hot shower did as much for me as the medicines: I think!!!!
May 13th
Today we left the town where we stayed for the last week, it was very sad to say good bye to those sweet children, knowing that we’ll probably never see them again. I looked into the eyes of some of the girls I had created bonds with, even without words and just wanted to cry... I wanted to do more for them, offer them some hope for a better future. I wanted to leave knowing that they will be fed properly, that they will be clothed, loved that they won’t be cold in the nights in winter (it DOES get cold at night), that they would get education and teach others around them, their children, ... I wanted to take them in my arms and make promises I could not keep. It broke my heart so bad that I did something that I’m realizing I do a lot. I shut down. I didn’t let it go to my heart. I looked away. I made myself think of it no further... until now because I am witting about it. I guess I don’t have any real way to deal and process that kind of poverty in my mind. I have nothing to compare it to in my own life. I don’t get it. Oh yes I’ve had very little at times. But that’s in our North American standards. Our resources run so deep that even if I was to give all that I have away, I would still be able to get health care, just because I’m Canadian. I would be able to get food at soup kitchens. I would be able to get clothes through so many organizations and same goes for shelter. I am wealthy, even if I would have nothing. I had never thought of it that way. At home, there is nothing I could do that would leave me in a situation worse than those people are. How is that fair?
We need soup kitchens here, we need clothes here, we need shelters, we need blankets HERE. These people are starving, these people are dying. And I don’t know what that means for me. I don’t know how that changes me. I don’t know if I want to let it change me. I am quite enjoying my life how it is thank you very much. I am so rooted in wants and desires and hopes and dreams... Could I let go? What if it meant that it could help them? Would I then? Yes. But the truth is I don’t know how to help them. It’s a large problem and I feel alone. I feel like it would take many “me” to make a difference. They need long term change and for that they need to be educated, but how do you teach people who don’t seam to want to learn? Yet can you just let them die because they don’t learn? It seams wrong. It’s all wrong. My heart ache. I need to pounder this more and get back to you!
The roads we traveled today are worse than the ones we traveled before and those were bad. This is truly the jungle with trees in the MIDDLE of the roads and a path just barely big enough for a bike, so that the truck is actually half in the bush. It’s ridiculous! But we laugh about it. Had it not been for how much pain I was in, I might have enjoyed it too. I am still very sick and weak. It’s getting old!
This afternoon we stopped in a small town where there are 160 orphans in the program they run there. We arrived and went to what I’m assuming is their church building and watched the children sing. It was beautiful! After they were done, we handed out small gifts to the orphans like Teddy bears, cars, bracelets, ... they were so happy, and soon created mass chaos. We had to stop the process many times and regain order! We then gave packs to 17 of the most needy orphans who have lost both parents. They were VERY excited about their gifts, I’ve never seen children smile so big in my life!!!!!!! It was very cute.
We didn’t have much time there because we had to make it to our final destination for the day and make camp where we would spend the week and and where Rick would teach the seminar again so we left.
Once we arrived to this town where we thought the seminar was supposed to be held, no one knew of this pastor we were looking for, the one in charge of the whole thing. We asked quite a few people and then finally found his son! He said he had to buy some pants and then we could follow him. I’m learning that delays are a very normal Mozambiquan thing :) So we waited and followed this guy on his bike (well us in our truck, HIM on his bike) through the narrowest road and wondered where on earth were we going. We past Portuguese house after Portuguese house that had been abandoned and not kept up. So sad.
Finally we arrive to where we are to set camp for the week-end. First thing I notice is the mosquitoes, oh my! It’s like Manitoba out here ;) Second thing I notice, is that they have built us a little area with TOILETTES (well a hole) and showers (well... walls so we could wash, showers is a bit of a broad term...)!!!!!! I was so excited in my feverish state about all those luxuries!!!! I had seriously wished we had something like this at the other camp because the “bathrooms” were so far away and when you don’t have very much energy already, this was a God-sent :)
We set up camp and let me tell you the site is beautiful, the sun is setting behind the gorgeous mountains, it’s awesome! The only problem is that I’m half passed out in a chair so I can’t really help and feel rather useless. I hate being sick.
Around 9:00 p.m. a group of children came and sang for us. I’m only assuming they were children because we could not see them. It warmed my soul :)
We need soup kitchens here, we need clothes here, we need shelters, we need blankets HERE. These people are starving, these people are dying. And I don’t know what that means for me. I don’t know how that changes me. I don’t know if I want to let it change me. I am quite enjoying my life how it is thank you very much. I am so rooted in wants and desires and hopes and dreams... Could I let go? What if it meant that it could help them? Would I then? Yes. But the truth is I don’t know how to help them. It’s a large problem and I feel alone. I feel like it would take many “me” to make a difference. They need long term change and for that they need to be educated, but how do you teach people who don’t seam to want to learn? Yet can you just let them die because they don’t learn? It seams wrong. It’s all wrong. My heart ache. I need to pounder this more and get back to you!
The roads we traveled today are worse than the ones we traveled before and those were bad. This is truly the jungle with trees in the MIDDLE of the roads and a path just barely big enough for a bike, so that the truck is actually half in the bush. It’s ridiculous! But we laugh about it. Had it not been for how much pain I was in, I might have enjoyed it too. I am still very sick and weak. It’s getting old!
This afternoon we stopped in a small town where there are 160 orphans in the program they run there. We arrived and went to what I’m assuming is their church building and watched the children sing. It was beautiful! After they were done, we handed out small gifts to the orphans like Teddy bears, cars, bracelets, ... they were so happy, and soon created mass chaos. We had to stop the process many times and regain order! We then gave packs to 17 of the most needy orphans who have lost both parents. They were VERY excited about their gifts, I’ve never seen children smile so big in my life!!!!!!! It was very cute.
We didn’t have much time there because we had to make it to our final destination for the day and make camp where we would spend the week and and where Rick would teach the seminar again so we left.
Once we arrived to this town where we thought the seminar was supposed to be held, no one knew of this pastor we were looking for, the one in charge of the whole thing. We asked quite a few people and then finally found his son! He said he had to buy some pants and then we could follow him. I’m learning that delays are a very normal Mozambiquan thing :) So we waited and followed this guy on his bike (well us in our truck, HIM on his bike) through the narrowest road and wondered where on earth were we going. We past Portuguese house after Portuguese house that had been abandoned and not kept up. So sad.
Finally we arrive to where we are to set camp for the week-end. First thing I notice is the mosquitoes, oh my! It’s like Manitoba out here ;) Second thing I notice, is that they have built us a little area with TOILETTES (well a hole) and showers (well... walls so we could wash, showers is a bit of a broad term...)!!!!!! I was so excited in my feverish state about all those luxuries!!!! I had seriously wished we had something like this at the other camp because the “bathrooms” were so far away and when you don’t have very much energy already, this was a God-sent :)
We set up camp and let me tell you the site is beautiful, the sun is setting behind the gorgeous mountains, it’s awesome! The only problem is that I’m half passed out in a chair so I can’t really help and feel rather useless. I hate being sick.
Around 9:00 p.m. a group of children came and sang for us. I’m only assuming they were children because we could not see them. It warmed my soul :)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
May 12th - Wednesday
I am not feeling much better today, and started on malaria treatment yesterday. I did not throw up last night so that is very good. Today Mike and I are going to take it easy as it's very important to rest with malaria. My stomach is very upset so it's hard to find it in me to eat but I'm trying. I’m so glad that I have a great husband who is willing to sacrifice what he feels like doing to help me, he’s being such a servant!!
Some girls came and asked me to paint their nails and I couldn’t resit!!! Really, that hardly takes any energy right??? ;) So it made me feel better, to at least give a little back to the community. That’s all for today :)
Some girls came and asked me to paint their nails and I couldn’t resit!!! Really, that hardly takes any energy right??? ;) So it made me feel better, to at least give a little back to the community. That’s all for today :)
May 11th - Tuesday (Mike & Marie-Eve)
Marie-Eve: Today I am feeling even sicker than yesterday. I have fever, chills (yes, even in this weather), back stomach cramps and spent last night throwing up and running to the “bathroom" trying not to pass out getting there. I'm so weak I could only take 5 steps and then had to put my head down so I would not pass out. My fever is high and it's hot so it's hard to sleep it off. The plan to stay hydrated does not work so well when you can’t keep anything down!!!! This is so frustrating because I wanted to go around and visit people in the town, but I just don’t have the energy. Mike went to “town” with Rick to do stuff, but I’ll let him tell you about it so LATER friends :)
Mike: Rick and I went to Singal, a town nearby to check out some land, as SAM (Strategic Africa Ministries, the organization we are with) would like to build a base somewhere out here in the very remote north. The town is slightly larger than the one we currently have camp setup at, maybe 1000 people live here in their huts. We look at a few flat areas for a potential landing strip, and than we make our way to the river to look at some old Portuguese buildings. There are 2 here, about half a mile apart, the first is extremely overgrown, and beyond repair. On the way to the 2nd, we walk past a handful of perfectly fine looking buildings that can’t be more than 10 years old, they have concrete walls, floors, doors, and a tin roof, but are empty.
Later on in town, we find out the government built them here a few years back for a project, but since the project ended, the building have been empty. We find the 2nd Portuguese home, and even through their are trees growing in basically every room, Rick figures it can be reconditioned, even if we would never do that at home, but because supplies are so short here, he figures it is worth it to start with something. It is very sad to see though, that his building has sat here empty, with nice concrete floors, walls, etc. for probably about 30 years and none of the locals have moved into it. Actually many of the towns on the way here have old remains of Portuguese buildings, but sadly they are always empty, as the people still see the building as the person’s who built it, even though they left Africa decades ago (and therefore can’t move in). This base would allow Rick to come here for a month to do a ministry training seminar each weekend for a month without running out of supplies, so it is exciting to see the potential for ministry of a place like this.
When we get back to the truck and started driving through town, we meet the government district leader. He is not happy with Rick, cause he should have asked his permission to be camping in his province. So, we go buy some bolo (deep-fried bread), and coke, and go to his house to smooth things over. Everything here is about positions of power, and people are very uneasy about people not respecting their position of power. While eating together, I ask him about his dreams for his province. He tells me he wants to see more irrigation, so that the people can produce much better crops, he also wants to see more people plant sugarcane, and finally, he asks Rick if he can help out with the 70 blind people in this one neighboring community. It was soo good to hear that this guy’s dreams and see how easily the church could partner with him on some of these things. I would love to see the church be intentional about partnering up with more people like this guy.
Mike: Rick and I went to Singal, a town nearby to check out some land, as SAM (Strategic Africa Ministries, the organization we are with) would like to build a base somewhere out here in the very remote north. The town is slightly larger than the one we currently have camp setup at, maybe 1000 people live here in their huts. We look at a few flat areas for a potential landing strip, and than we make our way to the river to look at some old Portuguese buildings. There are 2 here, about half a mile apart, the first is extremely overgrown, and beyond repair. On the way to the 2nd, we walk past a handful of perfectly fine looking buildings that can’t be more than 10 years old, they have concrete walls, floors, doors, and a tin roof, but are empty.
Later on in town, we find out the government built them here a few years back for a project, but since the project ended, the building have been empty. We find the 2nd Portuguese home, and even through their are trees growing in basically every room, Rick figures it can be reconditioned, even if we would never do that at home, but because supplies are so short here, he figures it is worth it to start with something. It is very sad to see though, that his building has sat here empty, with nice concrete floors, walls, etc. for probably about 30 years and none of the locals have moved into it. Actually many of the towns on the way here have old remains of Portuguese buildings, but sadly they are always empty, as the people still see the building as the person’s who built it, even though they left Africa decades ago (and therefore can’t move in). This base would allow Rick to come here for a month to do a ministry training seminar each weekend for a month without running out of supplies, so it is exciting to see the potential for ministry of a place like this.
When we get back to the truck and started driving through town, we meet the government district leader. He is not happy with Rick, cause he should have asked his permission to be camping in his province. So, we go buy some bolo (deep-fried bread), and coke, and go to his house to smooth things over. Everything here is about positions of power, and people are very uneasy about people not respecting their position of power. While eating together, I ask him about his dreams for his province. He tells me he wants to see more irrigation, so that the people can produce much better crops, he also wants to see more people plant sugarcane, and finally, he asks Rick if he can help out with the 70 blind people in this one neighboring community. It was soo good to hear that this guy’s dreams and see how easily the church could partner with him on some of these things. I would love to see the church be intentional about partnering up with more people like this guy.
Monday, May 17, 2010
May 10th - MONDAY (Mike)
Today Marie-Eve is quite sick and did not get very much sleep last night, but she decides to come with us as for a “day trip” to another town close by to hand out Orphan packs her and Heather made on Sunday. They were made with the accumulations of gifts from people and slit into 60 packs. We also had enough to hand a few things to the kids who were not getting a pack: one tooth brush, one pencil and a balloon.
The children in this community are very difficult to look at, there are 123 orphans, they are wearing clothes worse than what we would use for rags, and so many have swollen bellies, ruptures, massive belly buttons and are clearly not only in poverty but are starving. It is so hard to see. Why did God choose to have me born in North America, where there is soooo much, and these children to be born here where there is nothing? I think at home it is so easy to think that we have earned the right to our stuff as we have worked hard to get whatever we have. But the truth is, as I watch this 16 years old girl, slaving away with an axe, these people are working very hard as well, but because of where they were born, not only do they have less than me, they are on the verge of death. It makes me so sad that we have reduced the gospel to personal salvation, instead of the primary message Jesus preached, the Kingdom of God. I just happened to read today during devotions that to those who much is given, much is expected, and to those who very much is given, very much is expected, Luke 12 or 13 I think. Anyways, we in North America, by the millions have very very much compared to millions and millions of others. How am I planning to some day stand before God saying that I spent $500 on a cell phone or a computer, or so many other things I don’t need, when so many are dying here? Somehow I am so rutted in sin, that I must believe that I am entitled to wealth, and therefore my consumption is as high as it is. But what will God ask of me in return? Do I really love him more than everything else? Would I really choose to live here if he asked me to? Rick and Heather feel similar, even though they live here, cause they still live nothing like the locals, they have a house, a truck, lots of food, a Wii, etc. Because of where we were born, it is impossible for us to truly relate to the people here, because we have resources so deep that they will never have or understand.
The kids are all freaking out as we hand out the orphan packs, they are all so pumped for what they have received. We head back, Marie-Eve is really sick with some stomach problems, I hope she is able to get better and that she doesn’t have anything serious. I’ve been trying to take care of Raph by myself, lets just say that things are not quite the same…. He needs his mom ;)
May 9th - Sunday (Mike & Marie-Eve)
Mike:
Today is Sunday and at 7:00a.m. the chilren’s church is suppose to start, but unfortunately the leaders of that part are not on time. The kids are all in the church, 160 of them (in a church adult congregation of about 25)! Rick just takes the lead and has a bunch of fun with them, teaches a lesson, Marie-Eve and Heather do face painting, and all in all a great time. It is however sad to see how lots of the good stuff we try to do leads to fighting, like today I just quit playing Frisbee with the kids, cause they were literally beating each other up to get it, and it was the same with the face painting.
The pastors pull Rick aside for “a request.” This is the 4th time in 5 days of the trip that someone has done this. Basically they write up a list of things they need, so far typical has been, I need a missionary, or I need Bibles, or I need a garden, or I need dishes for the orphan programs, or stuff like that. Rick generally responds with something like, I need you to come up with a bigger dream or plan, than present that to me, and we will look at it more seriously. Rick takes all these requests back to the rest of the team of SAM, and they evaluate on a case by case basis. They really try hard to encourage long term thinking, so they say no to most requests that are not part of a reproduceable plan.
Church starts at about 10:30 and I’m preaching this morning. The service starts similar to last weeks service. For preaching, I share about what it means to follow Jesus, to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses and follow him. When we do this, God will produce fruit in us. Because of translation, I’m very unsure how much the people are understanding, as they are often saying “amen” at the wrong time. But Rick figures they followed the main thought, and my prayer was beforehand that they would hear God’s message for them, regardless of myself or language, etc. It is not easy, but I trust that happened. It is very hot under the tin roof, so I’m very exhausted afterwards.
Marie-Eve:
Face painting was a blast, I giggled as I drew bright stick men on guy's arm and wonder what they thought I was doing... hehe. The kids have really dry skin and many of them have scars, which is very sad to see.
In the afternoon Heather and I made 60 orphans packs to take to 2 projects in the next few days. It was very hot but we did it... and maybe even had some fun? I don't know, I'll let you be the judge of that!!!
May 8th - Saturday (MIKE)
Today was the second day of the session, it is the day where they work at putting into practice all that they have learned on the first day. Rick refreshes everyone’s memory of Friday. Basically he taught them that we are to love God and love others. That is the most important commandment. Therefore, the foundation of children’s ministry is loving children through relationships. This is more important than program. When teaching children, it is important to reach them at the level that they are at. In order to do this, the lesson should involve hearing, seeing, speaking and doing. Although this all seemed very elementary to me, in a culture that does not at all have men interacting with children, to get them to intentionally care and love children is not easy, especially since many of them are older and seem to have forgotten what it means to be a child. During the first break, the pastors are split into groups to prepare a children’s lesson to lead when we gather back together. The first group presents, and I think they do pretty well, they get 2 out of the 4 parts, and it is fairly engaging. However, it was seriously down hill from there. In fact one group just went up and read their verse, they didn’t explain it, they didn’t have a game/skit/drama/memory verse or nothing (which is what Rick had JUST spent 2 days telling them to do). It is unreal how little they seem to have comprehended (our translator’s English is clearly not strong, so that doesn’t help either). The rest of the groups do poor, but Rick encourages them with what they got right, and we take lunch break to allow them to work on another children’s program.
The pastor training seminar includes lunch both days for the pastors, which consists of rice and goat which looks kinda scary. However the pastors clearly are really enjoying it. During this time on Friday, there are at least 50 children that are waiting patiently for the pastors to be served to see if there is any left over food. There is enough for each to receive about a tablespoon full of rice, it is so hard for me to watch them literally fight as if we are in a mosh pit to get that small amount of rice.
Today is also the day for the Orphan program that Rick & Heather run. This tiny village has 40 orphans with no parents, and another 17 that are considered orphans because of their difficult situation. Today all of them receive food, and again I can’t believe how many of them have swollen bellies and this meal is clearly amazing to them.
In the afternoon back at pastor training, the group slowly starts making progress, I’m very impressed with everyone by the end of the day as on the 3rd try they all put together a lesson with all 4 parts! Rick had a special treat for them that they didn’t know was coming, he has Bibles in Senna, their local language! Not even all these pastor’s have Bibles in Portueguse, which is their 2nd language that only part of their congregations speak. However, Rick tells them very clearly that these Bibles are for their children’s ministry leaders, the people who were suppose to be at this seminar (but the pastors just come instead).
I’ve started to play soccer with some of the older local boys which has been great for building some relationships, but I got a big blister on my food, and I’m not suppose to get it infected, so I will have to take a few days break from soccer (infections can be pretty serious out here).
Marie-Eve painted a few girls nails and they LOVED it.
The pastor training seminar includes lunch both days for the pastors, which consists of rice and goat which looks kinda scary. However the pastors clearly are really enjoying it. During this time on Friday, there are at least 50 children that are waiting patiently for the pastors to be served to see if there is any left over food. There is enough for each to receive about a tablespoon full of rice, it is so hard for me to watch them literally fight as if we are in a mosh pit to get that small amount of rice.
Today is also the day for the Orphan program that Rick & Heather run. This tiny village has 40 orphans with no parents, and another 17 that are considered orphans because of their difficult situation. Today all of them receive food, and again I can’t believe how many of them have swollen bellies and this meal is clearly amazing to them.
In the afternoon back at pastor training, the group slowly starts making progress, I’m very impressed with everyone by the end of the day as on the 3rd try they all put together a lesson with all 4 parts! Rick had a special treat for them that they didn’t know was coming, he has Bibles in Senna, their local language! Not even all these pastor’s have Bibles in Portueguse, which is their 2nd language that only part of their congregations speak. However, Rick tells them very clearly that these Bibles are for their children’s ministry leaders, the people who were suppose to be at this seminar (but the pastors just come instead).
I’ve started to play soccer with some of the older local boys which has been great for building some relationships, but I got a big blister on my food, and I’m not suppose to get it infected, so I will have to take a few days break from soccer (infections can be pretty serious out here).
Marie-Eve painted a few girls nails and they LOVED it.
May 7th
May 7th, 2010
Today started earlier than one would usually wish… Someone started sweeping the ground @ 4:00 a.m. (with some sort of wooden short broom stick) and then someone else did it around 5:00 a.m. also… We woke up to the sound of dirt hitting our tent And the off course the roosters were having themselves a party all of their own and I just smiled. The children were already watching us white people (still watching a whole lot of nothing) and I praised God in my heart for another day to serve Him.
After some much enjoyed oatmeal and coffee (I know, it’s tough out here in the jungle…), Rick began session number one. There are 25 leaders taking the seminar, although many more would LOVE to join. It just works better that way. They seam to be really enjoying it. There are 3 women also taking the course which I am so happy about as I believe they need the education just as much. The morning was about WHY doing ministry with the children, about loving them, building relationships with them and not just preaching. Rick is a very enthusiastic preacher (even in this heat) and I think the people are enjoying themselves. As I type this, I can see about 4 heads of reflexion on the computer screen from people peeking over the brick fence to see what I could possibly be doing. I wonder what they think of this laptop (especially since it’s a Mac you know?) and wonder about how those letters keep appearing on the screen… I so wish I could speak to the language. It’s some dialect I don’t understand at all. Oh, I had a good idea, MUSIC. So I just turned it on and they seem to be enjoying it. They really like to watch no matter what and giggle. Really weird. Anyway, I should go to the session now that baby Raph is napping. He is so warm all the time, poor kid! He really enjoys the big buckets of water we have and the long baths in them! Him and Tendai enjoy each other most of the time too, which is good. Ok, those kids are getting loud and trying to tell me something, but I have no clue what :) Have a good day, I’ll do the same!
Today started earlier than one would usually wish… Someone started sweeping the ground @ 4:00 a.m. (with some sort of wooden short broom stick) and then someone else did it around 5:00 a.m. also… We woke up to the sound of dirt hitting our tent And the off course the roosters were having themselves a party all of their own and I just smiled. The children were already watching us white people (still watching a whole lot of nothing) and I praised God in my heart for another day to serve Him.
After some much enjoyed oatmeal and coffee (I know, it’s tough out here in the jungle…), Rick began session number one. There are 25 leaders taking the seminar, although many more would LOVE to join. It just works better that way. They seam to be really enjoying it. There are 3 women also taking the course which I am so happy about as I believe they need the education just as much. The morning was about WHY doing ministry with the children, about loving them, building relationships with them and not just preaching. Rick is a very enthusiastic preacher (even in this heat) and I think the people are enjoying themselves. As I type this, I can see about 4 heads of reflexion on the computer screen from people peeking over the brick fence to see what I could possibly be doing. I wonder what they think of this laptop (especially since it’s a Mac you know?) and wonder about how those letters keep appearing on the screen… I so wish I could speak to the language. It’s some dialect I don’t understand at all. Oh, I had a good idea, MUSIC. So I just turned it on and they seem to be enjoying it. They really like to watch no matter what and giggle. Really weird. Anyway, I should go to the session now that baby Raph is napping. He is so warm all the time, poor kid! He really enjoys the big buckets of water we have and the long baths in them! Him and Tendai enjoy each other most of the time too, which is good. Ok, those kids are getting loud and trying to tell me something, but I have no clue what :) Have a good day, I’ll do the same!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
May 6th
May 6th, 2010
So we have arrived to “the middle of the bush” today, May 6th, 2010 and even though we are tired from the long trip, we are so happy to be here! The kids are amazing in a way I cannot describe to you!!! Even if I tried, you still would think that I am exaggerating, but we are pretty much THE attraction around here. As we set up camp (put up tents, get fire going, cook lunch, wash our babies, get the stuff organized, …) there are children everywhere!!! Since Rick and Heather have experienced this before (and it can be rather overwhelming), they brought ropes so we could make ourselves a sort of “fence” to have some space/privacy and room to move (I'm not joking). So with that, the kids gathered all around the fence… Many of them!!! Like hundreds. And not just the kids, the older people too! They stayed from early afternoon, until now as I type this… It’s 8:00, it’s DARK outside, all the white people are in their tents, there is NOTHING to observe and they are still hanging outside our tents!!! It was really funny to see them react to Raph too (and his stroller), the 1st white baby to come to this town. He is a “rock star”, everyone wants to see him, including the cows, goats, chickens, … You get the idea. The crowd got a real laugh when he sneezed! I have to agree it’s quite cute! Hehe.
Today is just setting up as tomorrow Rick is doing sessions with the children’s ministry leaders, so Mike and I (mostly Mike) went to play soccer with the boys. It was terribly hot, but we had a good time and got real dirty in the African red dust! There are a lot of bugs here too, but I find great comfort in being in a tent with no wholes where I can know what comes in… Somehow after last night this is sooooo not scary!!! As I turn in for the night, the children are still watching (watching nothing really), the goats and making some funny sounds along with all the other “free run” animals (the free-run activists would love it here), and I thank God for being with me even when I lack faith. Good night.
So we have arrived to “the middle of the bush” today, May 6th, 2010 and even though we are tired from the long trip, we are so happy to be here! The kids are amazing in a way I cannot describe to you!!! Even if I tried, you still would think that I am exaggerating, but we are pretty much THE attraction around here. As we set up camp (put up tents, get fire going, cook lunch, wash our babies, get the stuff organized, …) there are children everywhere!!! Since Rick and Heather have experienced this before (and it can be rather overwhelming), they brought ropes so we could make ourselves a sort of “fence” to have some space/privacy and room to move (I'm not joking). So with that, the kids gathered all around the fence… Many of them!!! Like hundreds. And not just the kids, the older people too! They stayed from early afternoon, until now as I type this… It’s 8:00, it’s DARK outside, all the white people are in their tents, there is NOTHING to observe and they are still hanging outside our tents!!! It was really funny to see them react to Raph too (and his stroller), the 1st white baby to come to this town. He is a “rock star”, everyone wants to see him, including the cows, goats, chickens, … You get the idea. The crowd got a real laugh when he sneezed! I have to agree it’s quite cute! Hehe.
Today is just setting up as tomorrow Rick is doing sessions with the children’s ministry leaders, so Mike and I (mostly Mike) went to play soccer with the boys. It was terribly hot, but we had a good time and got real dirty in the African red dust! There are a lot of bugs here too, but I find great comfort in being in a tent with no wholes where I can know what comes in… Somehow after last night this is sooooo not scary!!! As I turn in for the night, the children are still watching (watching nothing really), the goats and making some funny sounds along with all the other “free run” animals (the free-run activists would love it here), and I thank God for being with me even when I lack faith. Good night.
May 5th
May 5th, 2010
I am not one to be scared, but I have to be honest, today I really was!! First of all we drove all day on the worse roads in the world (I am pretty sure of this) and the whole time I prayed and begged God to spare us! Some of the holes in the roads you could have lost a child in them and I am not even exaggerating (I wish I was). Not only that, but they were curvy and bumpy and we had 2 kids under the age of 2 in the vehicle, which is always a good combination right? It took us almost 12 hours to get there. We were tired and hungry when we got to the “hotel”, but still in good spirits (at least I was).
The “hotel” wasn’t really a hotel, more like a very dirty/disgusting courtyard with 5 rooms. Now please understand that I’ve tried to have a good attitude this whole trip and not to complain … But I just want to be honest about the "truth" --> from my North-American-city-girl perspective: I was appalled by the dirtiness of the place, although told that they made special effort to clean because we were there. The toilette was for all the rooms, didn’t have a working lock, or a toilette seat, or water… It smelt like urine and was very filthy. The rooms were also dirty, although I believe we received fresh linens. Our ceiling had a big whole in it, and knowing that rats are a real problem around here, that surely was not reassuring! I could just picture something jumping out of the ceiling while I slept. There were pigeons and other animals in the courtyard, many drunk men, a loud diesel generator (which turned off @ 9:00 while I was just getting ready to go to bed). Once I got into bed, it was so dark and the noises around us were terrible. Knowing that there are “only” 8 kinds of deadly snakes here just did not help. Picturing the chicken we ate for supper running around, getting plucked, the cut up and roasted… JUST was not something that helped me sleep either, but when I closed my eyes, that was what was going through my mind!! And it was hot. Like really hot, especially when you’re tired… AND smoky, without a breeze. The animals were loud, cats were fighting outside which was frightening, and the people were talking in a foreign language, not even Portuguese which I don’t know very well anyway. I was about to have a melt down, in the middle of nowhere… The scary part was that if something happened to us, who would know? The communications were down with the cell phones and Internet, and there wasn’t a clinic or hospital in hours form where we were. I knew that because we had just driven forever to get there. AND it just didn’t feel safe.
It felt so scary, so wrong… With all these malaria infested mosquitoes around our heads… And that is the only bug I could identify, but there were many… And I had brought my baby boy here? To this what felt like a “God-forsaken” place. Why? To die? I wasn’t being rational I know, but fear is not rational. I felt like I was in a very dark place all of a sudden and all I had learned in Sunday School about how God takes care of us, and even all the miracles I have seen Him accomplish didn’t matter… I felt ALONE, more alone than I’ve ever felt. And more scared too. I wondered in that moment what the apostle Paul must have felt like in his last days: abandoned in a very secluded prison in his last days. And Jesus? Surely Jesus knew what feeling alone was, never mind scared right? “Oh God please give me courage” I begged Him, begged for peace.
I can’t say that I all of a sudden became courageous or that a miracle happened. I had a miserable night and was so glad when we got out of that place! But the Lord did carry me through. He didn’t let me be consumed with fear. And He showed me His presence in the morning as I exited my room: there was a very delicate and pretty yellow flower on the ground. Surely God was here, surely God is everywhere and has not forgotten about His people, about me and I took courage. It was a very difficult place to be, but sometimes we need to go “low” so we can be dependent on HIM and so that we can SEE Him at work. I'm glad I learned something from this situation.
I am not one to be scared, but I have to be honest, today I really was!! First of all we drove all day on the worse roads in the world (I am pretty sure of this) and the whole time I prayed and begged God to spare us! Some of the holes in the roads you could have lost a child in them and I am not even exaggerating (I wish I was). Not only that, but they were curvy and bumpy and we had 2 kids under the age of 2 in the vehicle, which is always a good combination right? It took us almost 12 hours to get there. We were tired and hungry when we got to the “hotel”, but still in good spirits (at least I was).
The “hotel” wasn’t really a hotel, more like a very dirty/disgusting courtyard with 5 rooms. Now please understand that I’ve tried to have a good attitude this whole trip and not to complain … But I just want to be honest about the "truth" --> from my North-American-city-girl perspective: I was appalled by the dirtiness of the place, although told that they made special effort to clean because we were there. The toilette was for all the rooms, didn’t have a working lock, or a toilette seat, or water… It smelt like urine and was very filthy. The rooms were also dirty, although I believe we received fresh linens. Our ceiling had a big whole in it, and knowing that rats are a real problem around here, that surely was not reassuring! I could just picture something jumping out of the ceiling while I slept. There were pigeons and other animals in the courtyard, many drunk men, a loud diesel generator (which turned off @ 9:00 while I was just getting ready to go to bed). Once I got into bed, it was so dark and the noises around us were terrible. Knowing that there are “only” 8 kinds of deadly snakes here just did not help. Picturing the chicken we ate for supper running around, getting plucked, the cut up and roasted… JUST was not something that helped me sleep either, but when I closed my eyes, that was what was going through my mind!! And it was hot. Like really hot, especially when you’re tired… AND smoky, without a breeze. The animals were loud, cats were fighting outside which was frightening, and the people were talking in a foreign language, not even Portuguese which I don’t know very well anyway. I was about to have a melt down, in the middle of nowhere… The scary part was that if something happened to us, who would know? The communications were down with the cell phones and Internet, and there wasn’t a clinic or hospital in hours form where we were. I knew that because we had just driven forever to get there. AND it just didn’t feel safe.
It felt so scary, so wrong… With all these malaria infested mosquitoes around our heads… And that is the only bug I could identify, but there were many… And I had brought my baby boy here? To this what felt like a “God-forsaken” place. Why? To die? I wasn’t being rational I know, but fear is not rational. I felt like I was in a very dark place all of a sudden and all I had learned in Sunday School about how God takes care of us, and even all the miracles I have seen Him accomplish didn’t matter… I felt ALONE, more alone than I’ve ever felt. And more scared too. I wondered in that moment what the apostle Paul must have felt like in his last days: abandoned in a very secluded prison in his last days. And Jesus? Surely Jesus knew what feeling alone was, never mind scared right? “Oh God please give me courage” I begged Him, begged for peace.
I can’t say that I all of a sudden became courageous or that a miracle happened. I had a miserable night and was so glad when we got out of that place! But the Lord did carry me through. He didn’t let me be consumed with fear. And He showed me His presence in the morning as I exited my room: there was a very delicate and pretty yellow flower on the ground. Surely God was here, surely God is everywhere and has not forgotten about His people, about me and I took courage. It was a very difficult place to be, but sometimes we need to go “low” so we can be dependent on HIM and so that we can SEE Him at work. I'm glad I learned something from this situation.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
SAD Tuesday
So this is from Mike (mostly) today:
To be honest, I think I found myself learning a lot about Africa the first few days I've been here... You know how You can know a lot about God, but not know God? well, I think I had been learning a lot about Africa, but didn't truly know Africa.
The last few days I have had so many good conversations with Rick (our missionary host) about life here in Mozambique; specifically in regards to the poverty here. I have learned much about life here, like the fact that the government's minimum wage is 60 mets a day (1 dollar is worth about 33 mets) so that works out to about just under $2/day. Even though I have learned in the past that in 3rd world countries if you buy the same thing there as you would at home, it costs the same, this is still shockin! For example, I went and bought a Cadbury chocolate bar yesterday, and it was 39 mets, so about the same cost as at home. Obviously our way of life than is completely impossible at 60 mets a day. People and families stay alive because they don't buy anything that we would buy, instead they shop at places we wouldn't shop, like the market instead of the store. They don't have shoes or education or healthcare, and they have dirt floor homes... That way, at 60 mets a day they can "survive".
Now Rick has been teaching me that at the farm they run, they pay their workers a full 60 mets a day, which is the government's standard. He says that most places in Moz don't even pay at this level, and in fact at 60 mets a day it is possible to not only survive, but to slowly start saving and to be able to improve your quality of life (as impossible as that seems to me).
I have really enjoyed the last few days expanding my understanding of life here, and learning about the economics of poverty, even though it's hard at time to understand. As i am pondering on all this, I am working with Rick on packing and trying to get the nurse's motorcycle running :)
While we were doing this, a man (on of the workers) came and told Rick that he needs to go home because his son is very sick. As he talked with Rick, we decided with him to the village to see and pray for his son. We pick up the nurse on the way there, and as we get to the tiny thatch roof home, I duck under the about 3ft high door and see this little boy inside. He is maybe about 16 months old, weezing badly and can't stay awake. It is obvious that he is very sick, so our nurse listens to his lungs and takes his pulse and we pray for the little boy. I just don't understand sometimes how God has made our world: why is this boy, born into totally poverty, now stuck with a deadly illness that he might not recover from? I ask God, his creator, to heal him and in my soul I am begging him to heal him.
Our nurse, Karen, wants to quickly go back to the office and try to get the right meds to try to help him, so we agree to meet them again as soon as we can. Raph is taking a nap, and Rick asks Marie-Eve if she would like to come with, so I stay behind. I'm sitting here as suddenly the realities of Africa loose their "problem to solve" state that I tend to function in and suddenly it is a total heart thing: why are some born in Niverville, and some born here? I feel like I had learned a lot about Africa, but now I feel in my heart I am getting to know Africa a little bit...
Poverty is so full of faces, families, children and innocent people who are dying out here from things that at home we don't even think about. It seems like I haven't seen a single African over the age of 60 that is healthy, everyone is missing limbs, or can't walk, or disfigured. At home, the majority of us live past 60 with strong health, in fact my dad is 55 and seems to be a long ways away from the end. What if he had been born here? This boy probably would have been just fine if given the proper meds on time, or even if his father had the education to understand that when a child is sick you have to bring him to the clinic. We have no idea the luxuries that we have, and we forget sooooo quickly the plight of the masses in suffering. We love the parts of the Bible that tells us how to get our sin forgiven so that we can go to heaven after we die, but we forget the many many words of Jesus that talks about reaching out to the poor. How can we live day after days without caring about Matt 25 in the context of places life Africa? It is so easy for me to consume my time and energy with, as Graham says, "rich people problems," and to forget about the kingdom that God asks us to pray would come to earth everyday (and for us to be bringing it here!!)
Ah this point Raph wakes up, so I sit down with him and give him some cheerios and raisins. We then go to Rick and Heather's house as I have an unusual desire to write down my thoughts. Halfway through this, Rick comes back inside, his face is heavy and he tells Heather that he is going to build a coffin for this little boy, as he passed away just minutes ago.
I was going to stop writing there, but in the last few hours since this all happened, I have been shocked to see how the missionaries here so quickly seem to move on... This was a man who they knew well, a child that they held in their arms, but as they say, this happens often and you can't get too emotionally attached or else you burn out.
We are leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for our trip up North, we have about 12 hours of driving to do on insane roads, we will not have any e-mail access during this time.
We will update again once we get back here to the mission base.
LATER. Sorry for the sad blog, I'm sure we'll have more happy stuff to say later :)
To be honest, I think I found myself learning a lot about Africa the first few days I've been here... You know how You can know a lot about God, but not know God? well, I think I had been learning a lot about Africa, but didn't truly know Africa.
The last few days I have had so many good conversations with Rick (our missionary host) about life here in Mozambique; specifically in regards to the poverty here. I have learned much about life here, like the fact that the government's minimum wage is 60 mets a day (1 dollar is worth about 33 mets) so that works out to about just under $2/day. Even though I have learned in the past that in 3rd world countries if you buy the same thing there as you would at home, it costs the same, this is still shockin! For example, I went and bought a Cadbury chocolate bar yesterday, and it was 39 mets, so about the same cost as at home. Obviously our way of life than is completely impossible at 60 mets a day. People and families stay alive because they don't buy anything that we would buy, instead they shop at places we wouldn't shop, like the market instead of the store. They don't have shoes or education or healthcare, and they have dirt floor homes... That way, at 60 mets a day they can "survive".
Now Rick has been teaching me that at the farm they run, they pay their workers a full 60 mets a day, which is the government's standard. He says that most places in Moz don't even pay at this level, and in fact at 60 mets a day it is possible to not only survive, but to slowly start saving and to be able to improve your quality of life (as impossible as that seems to me).
I have really enjoyed the last few days expanding my understanding of life here, and learning about the economics of poverty, even though it's hard at time to understand. As i am pondering on all this, I am working with Rick on packing and trying to get the nurse's motorcycle running :)
While we were doing this, a man (on of the workers) came and told Rick that he needs to go home because his son is very sick. As he talked with Rick, we decided with him to the village to see and pray for his son. We pick up the nurse on the way there, and as we get to the tiny thatch roof home, I duck under the about 3ft high door and see this little boy inside. He is maybe about 16 months old, weezing badly and can't stay awake. It is obvious that he is very sick, so our nurse listens to his lungs and takes his pulse and we pray for the little boy. I just don't understand sometimes how God has made our world: why is this boy, born into totally poverty, now stuck with a deadly illness that he might not recover from? I ask God, his creator, to heal him and in my soul I am begging him to heal him.
Our nurse, Karen, wants to quickly go back to the office and try to get the right meds to try to help him, so we agree to meet them again as soon as we can. Raph is taking a nap, and Rick asks Marie-Eve if she would like to come with, so I stay behind. I'm sitting here as suddenly the realities of Africa loose their "problem to solve" state that I tend to function in and suddenly it is a total heart thing: why are some born in Niverville, and some born here? I feel like I had learned a lot about Africa, but now I feel in my heart I am getting to know Africa a little bit...
Poverty is so full of faces, families, children and innocent people who are dying out here from things that at home we don't even think about. It seems like I haven't seen a single African over the age of 60 that is healthy, everyone is missing limbs, or can't walk, or disfigured. At home, the majority of us live past 60 with strong health, in fact my dad is 55 and seems to be a long ways away from the end. What if he had been born here? This boy probably would have been just fine if given the proper meds on time, or even if his father had the education to understand that when a child is sick you have to bring him to the clinic. We have no idea the luxuries that we have, and we forget sooooo quickly the plight of the masses in suffering. We love the parts of the Bible that tells us how to get our sin forgiven so that we can go to heaven after we die, but we forget the many many words of Jesus that talks about reaching out to the poor. How can we live day after days without caring about Matt 25 in the context of places life Africa? It is so easy for me to consume my time and energy with, as Graham says, "rich people problems," and to forget about the kingdom that God asks us to pray would come to earth everyday (and for us to be bringing it here!!)
Ah this point Raph wakes up, so I sit down with him and give him some cheerios and raisins. We then go to Rick and Heather's house as I have an unusual desire to write down my thoughts. Halfway through this, Rick comes back inside, his face is heavy and he tells Heather that he is going to build a coffin for this little boy, as he passed away just minutes ago.
I was going to stop writing there, but in the last few hours since this all happened, I have been shocked to see how the missionaries here so quickly seem to move on... This was a man who they knew well, a child that they held in their arms, but as they say, this happens often and you can't get too emotionally attached or else you burn out.
We are leaving bright and early tomorrow morning for our trip up North, we have about 12 hours of driving to do on insane roads, we will not have any e-mail access during this time.
We will update again once we get back here to the mission base.
LATER. Sorry for the sad blog, I'm sure we'll have more happy stuff to say later :)
Monday, May 03, 2010
Monday in Mozambique
For more photos: look on FACEBOOK --> Facebook | Heather Neufeld's Photos - Mike and Marie-Eve arrive!!!
Hello friends and family and whoever else is reading this :) I don't know if I should make this blog funny, serious, supper sticky (like this weather), or what.......???? Well, either way, this is my first time writing since we left Winnipeg, and I have many thoughts to share! I feel like I might have verbal diarhea on you all... haha. This whole time I keep thinking: "I got to remember to write this down, this thought is important, funny, whatever. So maybe I'll just make a list of random things that have popped through my head and or/have happened already. So: ENJOY!!!
Before leaving on Wednesday: I'm leaving from a month, I've never left my house for a month, that's craziness. I guess there is no going back now right? right?
At the airport in Chicago: Washing Raph in the sink because he was stinking, but also to entertain him... Am I a crazy mom?
At the airport in Frankfurt: I have now learnt to count bags, to triple check everything and to communicate like crazy with Mike about what is going on, where I'm going, what is where, etc... "So Mike, we have 4 carry-ons, including: blah blah blah...." and "You have the baby right?"
At the airport in Johannesburg: Raph falling asleep (more like passing out) in his stroller out of complete exhaustion right before we are to board to go to Beira (last flight), his head literally on the metal bar thinking: "this can't be comfy!"
Germany's airport has a smoking room! haha.
People in the airports in Africa really have no clue what they are taking about, they just want to get rid of you so they send you off to the next person! Good thing we had time, cuz we talked to about everyone 3 times...
Friday: I saw the land for the first time, Rick and Heather took us to a beautiful beach in Beira where we breathed in the air, ate some fish (and didn't even get sick).
Saturday: We drove to the farm and saw a lot of naked people along the highway...
Sunday: went to our first African church, danced with a bunch of very hyper women in some circle in the middle of church and gave Raph a bath in the sink at our camp. Life in the jungle is treating us well, we are getting a lot of fresh air!
Monday: It crazy, I am baking some muffins to bring to our trip up north Mozambique... I AM BAKING in AFRICA. Sorry, that's just cool.
Mike has gone to town with Rick to do some shopping for our trip up north.
At night: Getting freaked out every time I see (hear of feel too!) a new bug because I've go no clue what is dangerous and what isn't! So not like me to be scared of bugs! Or big sticks... But that's another story ;)
So yeah, I have much more to say, but would like to bake some more muffins before supper. LATER.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Giving glory to God
So on April 19th, 2010 - we were "supposed" to leave for Mozambique. I say "supposed" because that was OUR plan. One thing I have learned is that no matter what, God always has the last word. It's just better that way anyway ;)
So we were all packed, but then there was a volcano. And a whole lot more things, but I'll spare you the details. I was disappointed. I wanted to go. I begged God to give me joy in this situation. I BEGGED Him. Then I took out my Bible on the porch outside. Being outside always makes me smile, and reading Scriptures seamed more than appropriate! God gave me nice weather to make me smile again and blessed me in His Word. He covered me with hope, with joy, with peace. I have never been more sure that I was in His will about this whole Mozambique thing than now. I trust Him, rest in Him and He has given me joy. We will get there when we'll get there. Currently it looks like we'll leave tomorrow, but you won't hear me make that a for sure claim :)
And the funniest thing is how Raph is OBLIVIOUS to the whole thing. Really, he has LOVED to have all kinds of suitcases to climb on this week.
Pray also that his cold wouldn't get worse. He is currently quite congested and we hope and pray the flights and trip there won't be too hard on him.
THANKS for praying, the LORD is so good to us.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Less than 24 hours............ YET???
So to go or not to go is still the question....... The last update: April 18th, 16:45 UTC (meaning 12:45 our time) said that No Lufthansa flights worldwide until Monday, April 19th, 12:00 UTC and our flight with them leaves @ 10:00 p.m. They MAY or MAY NOT have resumed flights by then. Either way, the airports will be extremely busy, there will be awful backlog, and we may or may not miss one of our connection due to the delay. Either way, we ask you to pray that we keep our attitude positive through this all, at home, at the airport, or wherever!
ALSO, if you know anyone living in Chicago, please let us know as we MIGHT end up getting "stuck" there for a while and would appreciate knowing someone who could get us out of the airport with all our luggage!
On a "funnier" note (although he didn't think it was funny), Raph totally HIT himself in the face with one of the bathroom's drawer and now has a nice dark blue spot under his eyes... and it bled... So now we will be the family traveling with the kid who looks beaten!! Sounds promising for customs eh? haha. Following that "incident" he decided to grab his whole cereal bag and pour it all over the kitchen.... So now I have a big mess to clean, but no way I can do that until he goes to bed. So much for last minute packing :) Did I mention how much I love being a mom??!! :)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
4 days................
Here is where I'll try my first blog about Mozambique.
For more information you can always check out our friend's blog @ http://www.rickandheather.blogspot.com/
We will spend one month with this wonderful little family. Please keep us all in your prayers.
Looks like our flights are now confirmed, minus a few issues with the reservation code, but it should be good to go. Mike and I have different codes for SOME of the flights so we hope this doesn't cause any problems and looks weird/confusing at the airport. Your prayers are appreciated!
This trip will be long, especially with Raphael :) We ask that you pray for safety, easy border crossing and a happy baby. May Mike and I keep our attitude positive towards each other as that can be hard to do when traveling like this. May we be a blessing to those around us as we get to talk to people at the airport, in the plane and tell them about our trip.
We praise the Lord about the finances that came in so far, we are indeed so bless!
We ask you to pray that our health will be good, and that we will find it in us to praise the Lord in sickness too!
We ask you to pray that our Lord would see fit to use us in whatever way and that we would be found willing to be used, even when it's not comfortable!
Pray that our bodies adjust to the hot weather and that we could manage to get some sleep :D
So we leave Monday for Mozambique and I have mixed feelings about it. People are asking: Are you nervous, scarred, excited, ....... I'd say a healthy mixture of it all :D
My suitcases look like like a Ziploc promotion campaign, but that's the way I roll.
Prayers would be appreciated for patience with our beautiful son. He has a way to get "under my skin" with his perpetual stubbornness: Not sleeping through the night being the main one! Naps are a battle and that is what gets me "worried" on this trip. So please pray that if nothing else, I'll have loads of extra patience :)
Praise God for the 2 amazing friends who stopped by this morning to bring me gifts of encouragement, the Lord is sustaining me and bringing me comfort.
Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
GRAD PICTURES
BOOK you session NOW!!!!!!!
$100 gets you a full session @ the location of your choice of you casual or wearing your special grad gown/tux or whatever: Your pick!
Book now, for you grad DAY, BEFORE and even AFTER.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
FEBRUARY SALE
SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE
Book your baby photos or family session IN February FOR February for $50, and get a CD of edited pictures for only an added $25.
HURRY, book now while space available.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Prices 2010
PICTURED by Marie-Eve
Here are my prices:
Wedding & Engagement PicturesEngagement Photos:
Photo shoot $100.00
With CD $150.00 (Right to reproduction)
Professional Photo Book $100.00
4x6 Print Album (50 photos) $80.00 OR $2.00/print
Wedding Photos:
Groom & Groomsmen Getting Ready & Details $100.00
Bride & Bridesmaids Getting Ready & Details $100.00
Ceremony $200.00
Formals $400.00
Reception $100.00
Professional Photo Book (of wedding) $150.00
4x6 Print Album (100 photos) $150.00 OR $2.00/print
CD Of All Wedding Images with letter Of Permission for Prints $200.00
Family photo session:
Includes:
5-10 different poses of your family
1-2 individual pictures of each members (if desired)
2-3 poses of only the children
2 poses of only the parents
1-2 of the girls only
1-2 of the boys only
*Other poses may be discussed
Family photo session locally (within 5 minutes drive) $100
Family photo session "away" $125 + (depending on location, additional charge may apply)
CD with rights of reproduction $50 (includes 50 + edited pictures)
x3 Designed Photo cards (i.e. Christmas, birth announcement) $30
Baby Photos:
Photo shoot $100.00
With CD $130.00 (Right to reproduction)
Professional Photo Book $100.00
4x6 $2.00/print
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