Xai Xai

When you think of Africa, what do you typically think of? I think we all tend to picture little grass huts and huge, dry savannas full of lions, elephants, and giraffes. I guess it never really dawned on me that many of the countries in Africa have a coastline - and Mozambique is one of those countries. I was blessed with the opportunity to travel about 4 hours north this weekend to stay with a couple who lives in Xai Xai. Xai Xai right on the coast, and it is beautiful! Their house was right by the beach. When I say right by the beach, I mean when you step out their front door you see the palm trees and the ocean! It was so great! We spent the whole weekend there, visiting, relaxing, and walking on the beach. We even got to go see a small farm that they started to help raise money for the Bible school there. I felt like I was in the garden of Eden! All the trees and the huge garden...it was all so pretty. It was such a great, refreshing weekend.

Last Friday night we had the school potluck. It was fun - parents come and the kids participate different ways. Some sing songs, do skits, play instruments, etc. K-2 sang Everlasting God - they did a good job!

This week is a short week - we have Friday off for holiday and tomorrow we get out of school early! Next week is my last week here. Two months has gone by incredibly fast, yet at the same time it seems like I've been here a long time...if that makes any sense...

I'm excited for this weekend! A friend from school and I are planning to try to go visit Iris Ministries on Friday, I'm going to the market in town on Saturday, and Sunday I am going out to a church with Aimee. It should be fun! I've had some stomach pains the past few days, so I'm hoping those are gone soon and don't get worse...I want to really enjoy the last days here! Well, until next time....

Your Face a Memory

I was sitting in prayer meeting yesterday afternoon telling my stomach to stop growling. It had been 6 hours since I ate my early lunch, which felt like a lot longer to me, and I was excited to go out for dinner. I made it through the next hour or so, and then we headed out. We went to a nice Portuguese place and I got crab curry. It was delicious! Just what my stomach needed to shut itself up. I had ordered the big portion, and there was plenty left over for lunch the next day, which I was already looking forward to as we headed out of the restaurant. I was feeling full and content as I walked across the dirt and rock parking lot towards the car, when suddenly there was a man next to me saying something in Portuguese. I'm sure I had a blank look on my face since I didn't know what he was saying, but when he began gesturing toward my doggy bag I began to get an idea. I gave it to him, and the whole exchange really hit me deep. There I was, thinking how long 6 hours without eating was, yet knowing I would be eating a great meal shortly. I wonder about this man's story. I have never had to ask someone for food before, and I couldn't help thinking what a humbling experience to wait outside of a restaurant, hoping for the left overs of someones meal to fill your stomach for the day. As we drove back home, we passed the lady who lives on the sidewalk across from CAM. It was dark and she was curled up on the ground covered with and clutching her few belongings. Again, what is her story? Everyone has one, and the contrast of all of our stories was really striking me. I am so used to having all that I need, when I need it, yet there are so many people out there who don't know when they're going to get a meal, whose only place to call home is the sidewalk. I am thankful for the life that God has blessed me with, though it is difficult to be comfortable with it when I hear and see stories like this. These are pictures that will never leave my mind, I'm sure, and as we drove home I remembered a song my best friend showed me. It was written by Sara Groves after she returned from a trip to Rwanda. It is a different country, but the same continent and similar stories....so here it is:

"I saw what I saw and I can't forget it

I heard what I heard and I can't go back

I know what I know and I can't deny it

Something on the road, cut me to the soul

Your pain has changed me

your dream inspires

your face a memory

your hope a fire

your courage asks me what I'm afraid of

(what I am made of)

and what I know of love

We've done what we've done and we can't erase it

We are what we are and it's more than enough

We have what we have but it's no substitution
Something on the road, touched my very soul

I say what I say with no hesitation

I have what I have and I'm givin it up

I do what I do with deep conviction

Something on the road, changed my world"

<3

Man Arms

Today I was told by two of my first graders that I have man arms. Or monkey arms. Or maybe even man monkey arms. Why, you ask? Is it because of my flexible, finely toned, incredibly strong arms? Of course not! It is because my arms are "so warm". Let me put it another way. "Only boys have that much hair on their arms! Oh! It's like a monkey!" Ahhh...you can imagine that as I sat there with these two kids petting my arm my confidence just shot through the roof... :)

It has been pointed out to me that I should update my blog more (thanks Janita :) so I apologize for slacking off. I will do my best to recap the past week or so...Last Friday we left school early and Larry, Susan, Aimee, and I headed off for South Africa. I had such a great weekend! We stayed with a South African missionary couple, which was really neat. Their house was awesome - it was up on a mountain overlooking more mountains and a lake...the view was beautiful! And they had the cutest dog, Josie. She had a brother, but he died recently...he was bitten by a mamba. Comforting thing to hear within the first ten minutes of arriving, eh?

Saturday, we drove around to a lot of different places. We went to this one place up on a mountain called God's Window. The view was AMAZING. All throughout the day it just kept hitting me...I'm in Africa. AFRICA. On top of a mountain, gazing at the vast expanse of AFRICA. wow. Anyways, we went to see a few other places as well, including a short hike up to the Bridal Veil - a really pretty waterfall. I found a fun tree on the way up that was full of crazy vines, that of course I had to climb up and sit on...I was a little nervous of the drop back down the hill on the other side of the tree, but I made it...maybe the monkey arms somehow helped. It was really a great day of exploring and experiencing God's beautiful creation. The day only got better when we got back to the house and had pizza braai. I've never had pizza made on a BBQ grill before. They were the biggest pizzas ever! I was in heaven...sitting outside eating monster pieces of pizza while looking out at the beautiful landscape of AFRICA. What a day.

Sunday, we went to church, which was great. Then we went out for lunch with the family we were staying with. After lunch, we went to the mall for a little while, then drove to Marloth Park which is right next to Kruger. We stayed at Marloth overnight - it's really cool, there are animals in the park that just wander around freely...impala, warthog, zebra...fortunately they moved all of the lions across the fence to Kruger. As I walked around I was trying not to think of the possibility that they may have perhaps missed one... We got up and left by 5:15 to get to Kruger when it opened at 6am. We spent the whole day there, which was so fun! We saw tons of animals, and 4 of the Big 5! Elephant, rhino, buffalo, and lion! We were just missing leopard. But it was such a great day. I made friends with a funny little squirrel. He must have been used to people feeding him, because he climbed up my leg and even ate some muffin off of my hat! I semi-freaked out when a funky looking hornbill came flying at my face. He must have gotten a whiff of the muffin. Last time I feed wild animals on an African safari.

We headed back Monday evening. I had to apply for another visa at the border, which was nuts! There was a huge mass of people pushing and shoving and waving their passports and money at the guy working behind the counter. Of course there was only one guy who tended to disappear for extended amounts of time. And it's kind of weird because I applied for, and PAID for, a double entry visa, and the paperwork I got with it said double entry...but they actually sent me a single entry. So I had to buy another one. Oh well, gotta do what ya gotta do. We got back around 8, and I had a killer headache so I just settled in and went to bed. I was up during the night cause my head hurt so bad, and ended up staying home from school Tuesday and sleeping a lot. It is finally mostly gone today...

I would just like to say that I never thought I'd be freezing in Africa. Monday was SO hot - about 100. Today feels like winter. I'm wearing sweats, socks, and a hoodie and I still feel like curling up under all the blankets on my bed. crazy...

This week has gone pretty well. I know I keep saying it, but I can't believe how fast this is going! This is the end of week 5! Only 3 left. It's really an awesome experience and I'm so thankful to have this opportunity. If you feel like it, I would love some prayer about guidance for the future. I have been praying about it a lot lately, wondering what God has next for me, after I graduate. It is hard to explain but recently I have had this building anticipation inside of me, like I know I'm going to find out soon what He wants me to do. I totally am trusting Him - whatever He tells me to do will be great. Sometimes it's just nerve wracking not knowing. But He has been clearly telling me "wait". I have been asking for Him to show me what He wants me to do, and He keeps saying "wait". I am thankful to hear Him, but if you would like to, you could pray that I would have patience and would really be listening for when it is no longer time to wait.

Well, the kids were really funny throughout today, so I thought I'd close with something Gabriel said...We were talking about getting angry when someone does the wrong thing and Patricia said something about your mother not being happy when you do the wrong thing. Gabriel goes, "She'll smack you with a slipper! You have to be careful with your father and mother...BE CAREFUL!" Haha, this of course launched the class into a very animated discussion of the various instruments mothers use to smack you with when you are doing the wrong thing. Needless to say, it was extremely entertaining. What a week. <3

Somber Brides and 'KFV'

"If anyone feels this couple should not be uinted in Holy Matrimony...you can just leave". When I heard this through translation at a Mozambican wedding on Saturday, I couldn't help but be thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a neat cultural experience. There were many aspects of this wedding that were quite a contrast from the Western weddings that I am accustomed to. For instance, the bride is not supposed to smile at all! I sat there for the first ten minutes or so feeling sorry for the poor girl, wondering who was putting her up to this wedding and wishing she would just leave herself if it was such a painful thing! Luckily, it was explained to me that Mozambican weddings are supposed to be somber occasions for the bride because she is leaving her family. I can't imaging having to maintain that look throughout the wedding with my family and friends all smiling and dancing! Another difference was that the bride and groom sit facing the crowd, and even do their vows and everything facing the crowd. I thought that was really neat, because then we all get to see the couple, not just their backs. There was also a fairly long sermon preached before the couple took their vows, which was interesting - the men speaking seemed pretty fired up! We arrived late, so we missed the part of the wedding where they all dance up the aisle to the front of the church...Also, the wedding also goes on for the whole weekend, which is neat. Getting to the wedding was interesting, too. The roads were sand/dirt and only as wide as the car! It was like driving through a maze. Overall, it was a really cool event to be a part of and I was glad for the opportunity.

Sunday, I was blessed to go with a few people to a church a little ways out of the main city. It was really a great experience. This is a picture of me, Aimee, and one of the pastors standing outside of the church. Aimee and I sang a song at the end of the service, which went ok considering I can't sing, haha, but it was fine! It is always exciting to woship with believers from another culture. We sang songs in Shangaan, and they were beautiful. Ireally enjoyed the church and the people.

This week is my fourth week of teaching! It is going SO fast. This week has gone well, although a lot of people at school have been sick. I think there have been at least two people out from my class every day so far. And almost half of those who are in class are coughing and sniffling and falling asleep on their desks. It is so sad. The art teacher was out this week, so I got to do art with the kids, which was a lot of fun. It's also really funny, one of the teachers once mentioned that there was some 'KFV' upstairs for us (Kentucky fried vegetables). Patricia and I laughed about it, and somehow the expression stuck, so every day when it's time to go grab something to eat Patricia or I will go, "Time for KFV!" and then she laughs so hard. It has transferred to other foods as well - today, Patricia had KFB (bread) and I had KFA (an apple). Anyways, the kids are all so cute! They continue to say the funniest things...here are a few examples....

There is only one boy in the class who, from my American point of view, has no accent. But somehow he has taken on an accent when in class! It's hilarious, especially because sometimes he says things in his accent, trying to sound like everyone else, and they will all correct him on how he's saying it! For example: the other day he was saying something was "in his deeesk". Two other kids yell out, "It's not 'deeesk', its DESK!" haha.

Ariel continues to say such funny things. This week, he has taken to answering every instruction or request with "Yes Maaann". And the other day, while everyone was eating quietly, he yells out "I also like beans! They're my FRAVRITE!" And when talking about Mr. Golden he goes, "Draw Mr. Golden with an elephant...(thoughtful pause)...I like elephants...(another thoughtful pause)...I want to EAT elephants!" Haha, I have no idea where these things come from!

Today, I was talking to one little girl who is so little and cute, and very smart. She had a sweatshirt with a dog on it. This is how the conversation went:
me: Alisha! I love your sweatshirt! Do you like dogs?
Alisha: shakes her head no
me: No?! Well, how about cats?
Alisha: (pause)...I like butterflies. And stars and diamonds becasue these are good.

And then of course there is little Monique who is only 4. The other day she blurts out: "I have a BIG dog! It's GIANT! But it's just a little bit small."

Haha, I can only look forward to what the next few weeks will bring! Plenty of laughs, I'm sure. I am looking forward to this weekend, it is a long weekend for a holiday Monday and we are going to South Africa! I am very excited, not only for the break but also to visit some more areas of South Africa. It should be a fun time <3

Be Careful What You Pray For...

I would like to begin this story by saying two of my greatest fears (besides my paralyzing terror of sloths) are public speaking without a translator and singing in front of people. These may not seem like a big deal to many people, but to me...they're pretty scary. Unfortunately, these two things were the farthest things from my mind when I prayed for confidence and boldness in Christ. And our God is a God who answers prayer. I should have known I wouldn't just wake up one morning and think to myself, 'Wow, I sure am feeling confident and bold today!" It should not have come as a surprise to me when, within two days, I was asked to plan to speak in chapel in a few weeks and also to lead a song with Aimee in church this weekend. I agreed to both of these things before my mind could process what I was saying yes to, and when my mind finally caught up to my mouth, my stomach joined in saying 'what were you thinking?!' (more so about chapel than the singing). This went on for a day or two, as I was desperately trying to come up with ideas...then I decided I should pray. I believe my prayer went something like this, "God, if this is something you want me to do, please tell me exactly what to speak about. If it's ok for me to back out, then please make that clear." Another day or two passed, ideas came and went, yet I still was slightly freaking out mentally. And suddenly, as I was brushing my teeth last night, I remembered my first prayer...the one that went something like, "God, please make me confident and bold in You." I literally started laughing. God definitely answers prayer, and here I was praying that He would make it ok for me to back out! haha! Once I realized that, I felt totally at peace about the whole thing. Yeah, I'll probably still be nervous about getting up there and speaking to the whole school...but I'm actually kind of excited about the opportunity now. I know God is totally, 100% in control, and since He put me in this situation, His will will be done, and I am sure that He will provide all the confidence and boldness that I need. What a comforting thought!

Well, this was my third week of school already! I added on another subject, so I'm now teaching the whole class for Bible, first grade reading groups, and first grade math. Monday I am adding on first grade language/letters and sounds. It is going pretty well! I am learning a lot, and I am happy to be working with Patricia. She is encouraging to me - after every lesson she sits down with me and her notes that she took and takes me through strenghts and suggestions. She is such a great lady. A few days this week the kids were a little...hmm...rambunctious...haha, and I got a little flustered teaching on those days - just feeling like I had no control. But it really wasn't that bad, and as the week progressed things got a little better. Today was a fun day. I just taught math today, and it was fun! The kids really listened and got involved with the manipulatives and stuff that I used. So I was definitely encouraged today.

This week went so fast, but I am glad that it is the weekend now! It should be an interesting weekend...I am going to a wedding tomorrow and to a church outside of the city on Sunday! I am looking forward to these different experiences and to more exciting answers to prayer! :)

Color Blind?

"I'm color blind." An expression I have heard many times. "Color doesn't matter to me. I don't even notice it! A person is a person, we're all human beings. When I look at you I don't see "red or yellow, black or white"...I just see another person." The first time I heard someone say this, my initial thought went something like, "Oh cool, that's great that they aren't prejudiced! What a good way to think." But then as I let what they said sink in I began to question the comment. Should we be "color blind"? Yes, God has created each and every one of us in His image and likeness, and we are all human beings, but hasn't He designed each of us individually? God has given us all unique characterisics...blonde hair, black hair, blue eyes, tall, green eyes, red hair, short, straight hair, brown eyes, curly hair.... We are not often blind to these aspects, but appreciate and compliment God's beautiful designs. Why should skin color be any different? Hasn't He given us each our skin and placed us each in a specific culture?Instead of being "color blind", shouldn't we rather celebrate God's incredible handiwork and see the beauty in every individual?

I have been thinking about this issue of "color blindness" this weekend as I have been given many opportunities to interact with people of different cultures and colors over the past two weeks. God has really been showing me the beauty of His creation, and His creation is so colorful! The richness of the diversity at CAM is overwhelming. Having 11 students in my class representing 9 different countries is incredible! And the staff is just as diverse. I have become friends with Rose, a lady from Singapore, and was blessed to spend today with her, her daughter (who is Chinese I think), and her friend (who is German but lives in France). We all are fairly new to Mozambique, and today we were invited to a Zimbabwean church by a Zimbabwean lady that also works at CAM. If that is not confusing enough, there were visiting Portuguese pastors at the church, and another visiting pastor and his family from Botswana. The service was awesome - I loved it. We sang songs in Swahili, Portuguese, and English. What a beautiful compilation of people in that small building! As I sat there during the service I couldn't help thinking what a shame it would be to be "color blind". How sad to look at the beautiful people all around me and say "I don't see any difference. We're the same...people are people." Yes, people ARE people, but what a blessing to sit in a room full of so many shades, so many rich backgrounds, knowing that God designed it so that we could all be there together, learning from one another and worshipping our Master Artist.

You don't say!

Well, today marks the end of my second week of student teaching...I can't believe how fast the time goes! I love the kids in my class - they are all so wonderful individually, and it is completely hilarious to watch them interact with one another! This has been a busy week at school - I went to the OMS prayer meeting on Tuesday afternoon, which was great! Then grabbed dinner with Susan and Aimee at the "cockroach cafe" around the corner. I was told they call it this because of the roach a girl found in the middle of her cream puff...but that was years ago, so it can only have improved...right...? After dinner, we went back to school to unload, sort, stamp, and put away the massive shipment of books that just arrived. So we didn't get home until about 8:30...meaning I had been at school for almost 14 hours...a long day indeed! Then Wednesday there was a faculty meeting after school and some lesson planning, Thursday I taught my first lesson to the whole group of K and 1 (which went pretty well :) and we had a missionary couple over for dinner, and today we had Open House for the parents right after school. So it has been a full, but good, week! I really feel like I'm getting to experience the "life of a real missionary" haha! I'm ready to sleep in tomorrow!

So this is a picture of my room at the Weil's house - it is great! I really am thankful to have the opportunity to stay with Susan and Larry, and I'm glad Aimee is staying here too. It has been a lot of fun! Felix, the cat, seems to know that I am allergic to him...he always comes into my room and stares at me longingly every time I walk by him. I haven't decided if it is flattering or creepy yet...either he just really likes me, or he is planning to kill me!

And this is the CAM guard dog, Molly. She loves looking into our classroom throughout the day. Especially when the windows are open. One of these days she is going to get her head stuck between the bars - that will be quite a sight!

Well, as I said, the kids in my class can be hilarious at times. I find it hard not to laugh at things I really should not be laughing at. For instance, the other day Gabriel took his scissors and snipped off the bottom half of two of Kimberly's braids! Not funny, I know, but when the little braids just fell to the floor I didn't know what else to do besides laugh to myself! And when little Monique (the youngest girl) was out yesterday Gabriel goes, "I am glad Monique is not here, she always takes my things. I am so glad". Mrs. Patricia scolds him, saying that is not nice to say about our friends, especially when Monique prayed for Gabriel when he was out sick. Then Gabriel gets this pitiful look on his face and sighs, saying "It's hard, sometimes I forget these things." haha!

So these may be some "guess you had to be there" quotes, but I thought they were funny, so I'll share them regardless :) Many of these involve this little boy Ariel. He is from Nigeria, and he is so cute!

As we are talking about how we put our names on our papers so we don't have to guess whose they are....

Gabriel: I never guess! It's not good is it?
Mrs. P: No, because you might guess wrong.
Ariel: My brother says I have gas in my stomach.

Ariel has the funny habbit of calling Mrs. Patricia "Mr. Patricia" which has fascinated some of the other kids...
Kimberly: Why do you call her Mr. Patricia?
Ariel: I don't know. Because my brain says so!

A little later...."Mr. Patricia! Mr. Patricia!"
Gabriel: She's not a boy! Boys don't have titties!
Mrs. Patricia: (smothering a laugh) Thank you for that description.

Anotida came to me because her tooth was bothering her...I told her it is loose and will come out soon.
Anotida: How do I get it out?
Me: It will get very loose and then it will either fall out by itself, or you can pull it out.
Anotida: Eh?! When she moves by herself??
Me: When it moves a lot, yes, then you can pull it out.
Anotida: Ohhh! I want YOU to pull it out!
Me: oohhh...

I am still awaiting the day when I get to pull out Anotida's tooth. A few times every day she comes to ask me "is it shaking yet??" haha!

Well, on that note! It has been a great week and I am excited for this coming weekend! <3

Sights and Sounds

I am sitting in the dining room of a house located on the OMS compound outside the city of Maputo as an OMS meeting is going on in the next room, and can't help but reflect on the amazing impact that Africa has on one's senses. There is a lovely breeze coming through the open door; it is almost cold but quite refreshing. It is also causing the trees to make the most comforting rustling sound. I can hear children playing in the distance, and though they are yelling in a language that I do not understand, they sound like any other children I've ever heard. The subtle bass from someone's stereo is quite a contrast from the rooster that keeps crowing outside! When I look out the window, the peaceful glow of the setting sun is illuminating the huge tree right outside, the palm trees in the distance, as well as the loops of razor wire which loops around the fence encircling the yard. The smell of campfire coming in with the breeze is such a great smell and is starting to make me hungry! The combination of these sounds, smells, and feelings is making me feel as though I could fall asleep right here...if it weren't for the mound of sand stuck in my shoe from walking across the driveway!

My first week has been going very well. I absolutely love the kids in my class and am excited to have the next seven weeks to get to know them all. Susan and Larry are great and are a lot of fun to spend time with! We went out to Spicy Thai for dinner the other night, which was delicious, and I've been enjoying leftovers the past few days :)

Having a little time to sit back and think about the past few days since I got here has brought to mind many ways that we are all so alike, yet so different. The Mozambican people are people just like Americans. We are all basically the same. But at the same time, we are so entirely different. There are many things that are normal in this culture that just make me smile when I compare them to what is "normal" for me. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with the way things are done here, or the way things are done at home, I just find it interesting to think about. For example, driving. I don't think I will ever say that driving in NYC is crazy after what I have seen here! Yes, there are stoplights, but they do not always work...and even if they do work, hardly anyone follows them. You have to be extremely pushy with your car, or you will never get into the flow of traffic. Sometimes it is hard to tell who is going where or what side of the road they are supposed to be on. And pedestrians definitely do NOT have the right of way (unless they get hit)...so walking home from school is an adventure!

A lot of the houses and buildings where I'm staying have huge metal gates, padlocks, guards, and sometimes dogs. CAM (the school I'm teaching at) has a pitbull names Molly chained out front. It is very amusing to see her looking down at us through the window of our lower level classroom throughout the day! Speaking of school, it is beautiful! It is fairly small and many of the classrooms are separated into two to make room for K-12. Every day I laugh when one of the kids has to heat up their snack or lunch because we have to turn off the lights in our classroom in order to run the microwave! All the kids cheer when the lights come back on haha. It is also interesting to hear the Muslim prayers coming over the loudspeakers each evening....it is such a diverse place. I am excited to have more opportunities to experience the culture here - it really is a beautiful place.

Arrival

Well, I made it to Mozambique! I left Saturday evening and arrived here Monday around noon. It was a long trip, but it went smoothly and was fun! My flight from Jo-berg to Mozambique was delayed because the Mozambique airport was shut down for the president of Tanzania to fly in! It was quite an event haha - apparently there was a red carpet rolled out and cannons shot off, as well as a band and dancers! Pretty cool!

I am excited to be here, and after dropping my luggage off at the house I went straight to the school to meet my co-op teacher and my K-1 class. My co-op, Patricia, is from Zimbabwe and is a very nice, fun lady and I am excited to work with her over the next two months. There are eleven students in my class from nine different countries! I have students from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya, South Africa, the US, Brazil, Germany, and Nigeria! They are all very cute and I think it will be a lot of fun to get to know them all!

The couple I am staying with is great - they are a lot of fun and are very hospitable. There are two other young people staying here too, and it has been fun to get to know them! Well, I am being called for dessert, so until next time! <3