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.
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