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Thursday, February 27, 2020
Cape Town pics
Bo Kapp (Old Town)
Two Ocean Aquarium
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Update 34
A few days ago we hopped on a Springbok place & landed in Cape Town...so we made it to the bottom of Africa! This part of SA is very different than what we've seen so far. It's sleek, modern, neat & there's tons of things to do. Going to the Cape of Good Hope was exciting...and the ferocious winds nearly blew me off the top of the light tower! I had to hug the building & held my camera with two hands & close. We did learn that the Cape of Good Hope is NOT where the two oceans meet...that's at Cape Aquinas which is just a bit more south. Another surprise—there's penguins here! We got lots of laughs watching the African Penguins dig their nest and carry twigs to it, defend their nest & eggs by braying loudly. They sounded just like a donkey which is why their nickname is Jackass Penguins. We were tickled to see one of the babies peaked out from under it's mom. We also saw ostriches, more baboons—these eat shellfish and rock hyrax—looked a lot like woodchuck but they are the closest relative to elephants!!
Cape Town is a gigantic city where cultures mix more easily and tourist abound. We've been busy checking out lots of sights: Two Ocean Aquarium, District 6 Museum (area where blacks where expelled in 60's), Bo Kapp (Old Town), cruised the canal (where lots of seals waved at us), Kierstenbosch Gardens (so many flowers!), Scarborough Fair (think 60's & hippies) and literally top attraction: Table Mountain riding a turning 360 degree cable car. Didn't know that Table Mountain is 6x older than the Himalayas!
It's been scorching hot — 95 F —so we were glad to get to the beach too. The Atlantic Ocean here was so cold that the breeze off the water felt like an air conditioner. When the wave covered our feet...they seemed to instantly freeze!
While here, we've been staying in an Airbnb a few miles out of town. Our host, Genie & Greg invited us to dinner. He was a French Chef ...dinner scrumptious! They both love traveling so we had lots to talk about. We all agreed traveling was a great way to expand our lives & meet wonderful people! As usually happen, they bring up politics. They too saw SA as going downhill due to corruption and crime. They have chooses not to live behind a security fence & fear...but do have a security guard service & our part of a neighborhood watch. They also see China taking over much of their country. Their 20 something daughter joined us but she left right after dinner because she wanted to get up at 3 a.m. to watch the USA Democrats debate. For real! When we asked her why, she said the upcoming election was vital to what would happen in the world...she said she sure hoped Bernie Sanders would win.
Spending evenings with our hosts is truly the icing on the cake!
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Cape Town is a gigantic city where cultures mix more easily and tourist abound. We've been busy checking out lots of sights: Two Ocean Aquarium, District 6 Museum (area where blacks where expelled in 60's), Bo Kapp (Old Town), cruised the canal (where lots of seals waved at us), Kierstenbosch Gardens (so many flowers!), Scarborough Fair (think 60's & hippies) and literally top attraction: Table Mountain riding a turning 360 degree cable car. Didn't know that Table Mountain is 6x older than the Himalayas!
It's been scorching hot — 95 F —so we were glad to get to the beach too. The Atlantic Ocean here was so cold that the breeze off the water felt like an air conditioner. When the wave covered our feet...they seemed to instantly freeze!
While here, we've been staying in an Airbnb a few miles out of town. Our host, Genie & Greg invited us to dinner. He was a French Chef ...dinner scrumptious! They both love traveling so we had lots to talk about. We all agreed traveling was a great way to expand our lives & meet wonderful people! As usually happen, they bring up politics. They too saw SA as going downhill due to corruption and crime. They have chooses not to live behind a security fence & fear...but do have a security guard service & our part of a neighborhood watch. They also see China taking over much of their country. Their 20 something daughter joined us but she left right after dinner because she wanted to get up at 3 a.m. to watch the USA Democrats debate. For real! When we asked her why, she said the upcoming election was vital to what would happen in the world...she said she sure hoped Bernie Sanders would win.
Spending evenings with our hosts is truly the icing on the cake!
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Friday, February 21, 2020
Update 33
Now we're on the South African side of the Drakenburg Mtns and in Royal Natal National Park with breathtaking views all around us. We Hike along a river full of cascading waterfalls. A brilliantly covered quail strutted down the path in front of us while singing birds hid in the bushes and a tiny red deer rested quietly in the shade. After our picnic lunch, we drove up a rocky road often escorted by baboons.
Once we left the park, we again saw lots of cows, sheep, goats, healthy crops and small villages lined with vendor shacks full of traditional rondavels (traditional round homes built with clay/mud & grass roofs).
A couple easy driving days led us to Ballito & the long sandy beaches on the Indian Ocean.
Along the way, we've been staying at Airbnb's...each unique, comfortable & with friendly hosts. In Harrismith, we stayed in a family home filled with splendid antiques & family pictures. The owners had moved into the cottage in the back after their children left. It was a good thing we arrived early as the breakfast spread that was already in our gorgeous room was enough for supper & breakfast! Another night we stayed in Mooi River with Tamra & Angus on their 1200 acre farm where they raise Angus (really) cattle, horses, pigs & sheep. In their old farm house, we sat around their massive kitchen table discussing how milking has changed & crops. We learned we were seeing sugar beans not soy beans. Also heard more about the electricity issues...they call load sharing. Angus said all the coal is being shipped out to China and for some unknown reason, the govt is making it almost impossible to put up solar panels. Imagine in this country where they sun shines most the time! Angus & Tamra have traveled lots & we all agreed traveling was a mind-stretching experience. Tamra got excited when we asked for SA trace tips! In the a.m, she handed Rog a little notebook & the two of them spent probably 2 hours making plans. After corn mush, rusk & yogurt, Tamra located us on Facebook & we said our good byes. The airbnb we're in now is in Ballito & has 10 bedrooms. It's classy & drop dead fabulous villa with a long veranda over looking the ocean. Our host & hostess, Dominque & Luther are quite amazing treating us like family from the get-go. Pouring us drinks, offering food & telling us stories & jokes as we sit in lounge chaired on the veranda. The' s invited us to a braid tonight...how can we say no?? They are the South African version of Brian & Peggy Boyce!! He keeps everyone's glass full & she prepares scrumptious food & laughs at his jokes! We spent the a.m. on the beach & the p.m. by the pool that has umbrellas built right in on both ends. Life is good!!
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Once we left the park, we again saw lots of cows, sheep, goats, healthy crops and small villages lined with vendor shacks full of traditional rondavels (traditional round homes built with clay/mud & grass roofs).
A couple easy driving days led us to Ballito & the long sandy beaches on the Indian Ocean.
Along the way, we've been staying at Airbnb's...each unique, comfortable & with friendly hosts. In Harrismith, we stayed in a family home filled with splendid antiques & family pictures. The owners had moved into the cottage in the back after their children left. It was a good thing we arrived early as the breakfast spread that was already in our gorgeous room was enough for supper & breakfast! Another night we stayed in Mooi River with Tamra & Angus on their 1200 acre farm where they raise Angus (really) cattle, horses, pigs & sheep. In their old farm house, we sat around their massive kitchen table discussing how milking has changed & crops. We learned we were seeing sugar beans not soy beans. Also heard more about the electricity issues...they call load sharing. Angus said all the coal is being shipped out to China and for some unknown reason, the govt is making it almost impossible to put up solar panels. Imagine in this country where they sun shines most the time! Angus & Tamra have traveled lots & we all agreed traveling was a mind-stretching experience. Tamra got excited when we asked for SA trace tips! In the a.m, she handed Rog a little notebook & the two of them spent probably 2 hours making plans. After corn mush, rusk & yogurt, Tamra located us on Facebook & we said our good byes. The airbnb we're in now is in Ballito & has 10 bedrooms. It's classy & drop dead fabulous villa with a long veranda over looking the ocean. Our host & hostess, Dominque & Luther are quite amazing treating us like family from the get-go. Pouring us drinks, offering food & telling us stories & jokes as we sit in lounge chaired on the veranda. The' s invited us to a braid tonight...how can we say no?? They are the South African version of Brian & Peggy Boyce!! He keeps everyone's glass full & she prepares scrumptious food & laughs at his jokes! We spent the a.m. on the beach & the p.m. by the pool that has umbrellas built right in on both ends. Life is good!!
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Monday, February 17, 2020
Update 32
A few odd & ends:
-Most people in SA speak English with an accent that sounds like UK but Afrikaans is the most common language heard. It's described as a kitchen language that developed many years ago when the Dutch hired the locals. It's been fun being able to talk to the store keepers, waiters & others we meet.
-So many have told us about areas we should avoid. Robbery is SA is escalating rapidly. We listen carefully & heed their advice.
-In Mozambique one day, we saw many young boys sprinting all in the same direction. Our driver started laughing & said the army must be coming to pluck up the young unemployed boys. After a short training, they will be sent north where there was an unrest.
-Here's some things that made us laugh: Exit Funeral Home, Empathy Funeral Home & HippoTrans (fuel truck).
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-Most people in SA speak English with an accent that sounds like UK but Afrikaans is the most common language heard. It's described as a kitchen language that developed many years ago when the Dutch hired the locals. It's been fun being able to talk to the store keepers, waiters & others we meet.
-So many have told us about areas we should avoid. Robbery is SA is escalating rapidly. We listen carefully & heed their advice.
-In Mozambique one day, we saw many young boys sprinting all in the same direction. Our driver started laughing & said the army must be coming to pluck up the young unemployed boys. After a short training, they will be sent north where there was an unrest.
-Here's some things that made us laugh: Exit Funeral Home, Empathy Funeral Home & HippoTrans (fuel truck).
Sent from my iPhone
Update 31
Lesotho...a landlocked kingdom ruled by a king & parliament surrounded by South Africa. That's about all I knew before we passed through immigration to enter Lesotho. We saw gorgeous scenery and we saw a tiny country in limbo...trying to modernize with cement homes...most not finished...a new & modern university & many people talking on cell phones. But mostly what we saw was poor crumbling housing of mud/rock, some newer corrugated homes...most with outhouses. Tiny farms mostly worked by oxen with failing crops...small herds of cow/sheep/goats under the watch of shepherds who wore heavy blankets & traditional straw hats or ski mask...in spite of the 80 degree temp. We drove roads slowed by speed bumps, potholes, erosion, heavy pedestrian traffic, and uneven & rugged edges.
Our destination was the Basotho Cultural Center. It was a pleasant surprise! It was very well done and interesting. Our guide walked us through a replicated village giving us lots of details. The original chief settled here in early 1800's & managed to get the 16 local tribes to band together...mostly by marrying lots of their women...140 wives in all. He encouraged other tribes to take women from his tribes too. He even put girl's huts on the edge of his village so they were easy to steal away and be married.
He eventually found it safest to move his village to the top of a butte...much like Manchu Picchu. After he died, his son took over & to this day, the kingdom is ruled by his descendants.
Fascinating info on a plaque in the museum said many of the Basotho tribes trace their ancestors to Egypt and Ham, the son of Noah. Roger asked if the missionaries told them that and our guide assured us that it was part of their story looong before any missionaries came.
After a night at an old farm...sleeping in an out building with marginal updates....we took the road that skirted the western boundary seeing more of the gorgeous natural mountians and more of the same struggling kingdom.
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Our destination was the Basotho Cultural Center. It was a pleasant surprise! It was very well done and interesting. Our guide walked us through a replicated village giving us lots of details. The original chief settled here in early 1800's & managed to get the 16 local tribes to band together...mostly by marrying lots of their women...140 wives in all. He encouraged other tribes to take women from his tribes too. He even put girl's huts on the edge of his village so they were easy to steal away and be married.
He eventually found it safest to move his village to the top of a butte...much like Manchu Picchu. After he died, his son took over & to this day, the kingdom is ruled by his descendants.
Fascinating info on a plaque in the museum said many of the Basotho tribes trace their ancestors to Egypt and Ham, the son of Noah. Roger asked if the missionaries told them that and our guide assured us that it was part of their story looong before any missionaries came.
After a night at an old farm...sleeping in an out building with marginal updates....we took the road that skirted the western boundary seeing more of the gorgeous natural mountians and more of the same struggling kingdom.
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Update 30
On the road again....drove all day arriving at Bethlehem...not THE little town of Bethlehem...a large town in Orange Free State, SA. Quickly we found our Airbnb & then went to find a good place to eat our Valentine dinner. We did too! Had grilled shrimp & a luscious chocolate volcano cake with ice cream.
Avoiding most the pot holes on our way, we passed miles of corn & soybeans that Farmer Roger said had great color & very consistent. He was very impressed... especially because it was Dekalb seed. Herds of cows & flocks of sheep and goats grazed in the lush grass fields. There were acres of banana & other covered fruit trees. No doubt SA can grow food! Though obviously productive farms, we saw many deserted & destroyed farmsteads. We'd heard about this from one of our hostess who had herself deserted her farm after one of her farm hands had been killed by a robber. She had slept with her shotgun for years & finally gave up.
We also passed 4 power plants with humongous cooling towers spewing out steam. We followed an low & straight elevator for about 10 miles that ended going up into a silo near one of the plants. Probably carried coal there. Yet for some reason...SA regularly have their power shut off. Usually they get a notice of when..but not always. We experienced an unannounced one last night.
The Airbnb we're in over looks an old quarry with a great view. Linda, our hostess, is a direct descendent of the first man from Netherlands to settle in this area. She said their records showed very few black people were in the area. She had strong opinions about what was happening in SA & didn't hesitate to tell us...without us even asking:
"Right now SA is 7% white. In 10 years it will be 1% because whites are leaving...it's a total brain drain. Blacks just keep breeding & breeding & breeding! It must be the only thing that brings them pleasure. They are dumb & I recently read that their IQ is about 70. They can't learn. They don't want to work or become educated. All they know how to do is open their hands & ask. We give & give & give and they just destroy and ask for more. Millions of illegals from all over Africa are coming in looking for a hand out too. Trump is smart to keep immigrants out and to think only of improving his own country & it's economy. SA's black leaders are horrible. Africa is a big hole you can dump $$ into but will never get better! The Dei Groot Trek group from the Netherlands settled here before blacks & so it is their home!"
As you can tell, she didn't sugarcoat her feelings. Imagine what more she'd told us if we'd asked?!
Linda did give us some good suggestions the next morning for our day in this area. We drove through Golden Gate Highland Nat'l Park where we spotted a wild dog, zebras, emu or ostrich?, and antelope all while admiring the phenomenal views. Picture the grand cliffs of Utah with a velvet covering and surrounded by rich corn & soybean fields...monument Valley surrounded by fields!
We strolled through the town of Clarens, an artsy & quaint little town and had a delicious steak & quiche dinner. Back at our Airbnb we called the kids via Messenger...until the power shut down. Love that we can visit them from anywhere in the world!! I'm writing this by solar light & Rog has crashed. I better too cause we'll be off early tomorrow headed for the independent Kingdom of Lesotho.
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Avoiding most the pot holes on our way, we passed miles of corn & soybeans that Farmer Roger said had great color & very consistent. He was very impressed... especially because it was Dekalb seed. Herds of cows & flocks of sheep and goats grazed in the lush grass fields. There were acres of banana & other covered fruit trees. No doubt SA can grow food! Though obviously productive farms, we saw many deserted & destroyed farmsteads. We'd heard about this from one of our hostess who had herself deserted her farm after one of her farm hands had been killed by a robber. She had slept with her shotgun for years & finally gave up.
We also passed 4 power plants with humongous cooling towers spewing out steam. We followed an low & straight elevator for about 10 miles that ended going up into a silo near one of the plants. Probably carried coal there. Yet for some reason...SA regularly have their power shut off. Usually they get a notice of when..but not always. We experienced an unannounced one last night.
The Airbnb we're in over looks an old quarry with a great view. Linda, our hostess, is a direct descendent of the first man from Netherlands to settle in this area. She said their records showed very few black people were in the area. She had strong opinions about what was happening in SA & didn't hesitate to tell us...without us even asking:
"Right now SA is 7% white. In 10 years it will be 1% because whites are leaving...it's a total brain drain. Blacks just keep breeding & breeding & breeding! It must be the only thing that brings them pleasure. They are dumb & I recently read that their IQ is about 70. They can't learn. They don't want to work or become educated. All they know how to do is open their hands & ask. We give & give & give and they just destroy and ask for more. Millions of illegals from all over Africa are coming in looking for a hand out too. Trump is smart to keep immigrants out and to think only of improving his own country & it's economy. SA's black leaders are horrible. Africa is a big hole you can dump $$ into but will never get better! The Dei Groot Trek group from the Netherlands settled here before blacks & so it is their home!"
As you can tell, she didn't sugarcoat her feelings. Imagine what more she'd told us if we'd asked?!
Linda did give us some good suggestions the next morning for our day in this area. We drove through Golden Gate Highland Nat'l Park where we spotted a wild dog, zebras, emu or ostrich?, and antelope all while admiring the phenomenal views. Picture the grand cliffs of Utah with a velvet covering and surrounded by rich corn & soybean fields...monument Valley surrounded by fields!
We strolled through the town of Clarens, an artsy & quaint little town and had a delicious steak & quiche dinner. Back at our Airbnb we called the kids via Messenger...until the power shut down. Love that we can visit them from anywhere in the world!! I'm writing this by solar light & Rog has crashed. I better too cause we'll be off early tomorrow headed for the independent Kingdom of Lesotho.
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Friday, February 14, 2020
Update 29
We headed for White River today where we'd booked another fabulous Airbnb up on a mountain over looking a lush valley. On our way, we passed miles of farms growing sugarcane, banana & other fruit trees and macadamia nut trees...and very little litter. Homes are mostly cement block with metal roofs and though some are a bit rough, most look pretty good. Some really nice. Vastly different than Mozambique!
Amanda & Paddy, our host are from UK but have built a impressive hotel/home & we're in a cottage beside them. It's cleverly decorated with many modern features.
We were surprised when Amanda said power grid is often turned off & she'd let us know when she got noticed. We commented how nice SA was...She smiled and said, "SA is is really a 3rd world country with a 1st world veneer." Guess we're in the veneer right now!
Today we drove the Panoramic Drive. The name describes it well. Incredible views overlooking valleys filled with thousands of acres of planted trees...some 50' tall & straight as a metal pole. The lower branches were torched so the bare trunk remained. Some field had been harvested and just charred stumps remained.
As we climbed, the rounded mountains looked like they were covered with velvet. Next rugged mountains came into view. They'd been sliced down the middle by mountain streams which were flowing fast due to recent rains...and after a 3 year drought. When the streams came to the mountain cliffs, tremendous waterfalls rushed over them. Some causing perfectly formed pot holes to form. With the sun shining, rainbows formed in the mist. Such great timing for us...recent rain & sun!
We stopped for lunch at a famous pancake house. A couple hours later we came to the Bobotie Restaurant.
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Amanda & Paddy, our host are from UK but have built a impressive hotel/home & we're in a cottage beside them. It's cleverly decorated with many modern features.
We were surprised when Amanda said power grid is often turned off & she'd let us know when she got noticed. We commented how nice SA was...She smiled and said, "SA is is really a 3rd world country with a 1st world veneer." Guess we're in the veneer right now!
Today we drove the Panoramic Drive. The name describes it well. Incredible views overlooking valleys filled with thousands of acres of planted trees...some 50' tall & straight as a metal pole. The lower branches were torched so the bare trunk remained. Some field had been harvested and just charred stumps remained.
As we climbed, the rounded mountains looked like they were covered with velvet. Next rugged mountains came into view. They'd been sliced down the middle by mountain streams which were flowing fast due to recent rains...and after a 3 year drought. When the streams came to the mountain cliffs, tremendous waterfalls rushed over them. Some causing perfectly formed pot holes to form. With the sun shining, rainbows formed in the mist. Such great timing for us...recent rain & sun!
We stopped for lunch at a famous pancake house. A couple hours later we came to the Bobotie Restaurant.
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Update 29
We headed for White River today where we'd booked another fabulous Airbnb up on a mountain over looking a lush valley. On our way, we passed miles of farms growing sugarcane, banana & other fruit trees and macadamia nut trees...and very little litter. Homes are mostly cement block with metal roofs and though some are a bit rough, most look pretty good. Some really nice. Vastly different than Mozambique!
Amanda & Paddy, our host are from UK but have built a impressive hotel/home & we're in a cottage beside them. It's cleverly decorated with many modern features.
We were surprised when Amanda said power grid is often turned off & she'd let us know when she got notice. We commented how nice SA was...She smiled and said, "SA is is really a 3rd world country with a 1st world veneer." Guess we're in the veneer right now!
Today we drove the Panoramic Drive. The name describes it well. Incredible views overlooking valleys filled with thousands of acres of planted trees...some 50' tall & straight as a metal pole. The lower branches were torched so the bare trunk remained. Some field had been harvested and just charred stumps remained.
As we climbed, the rounded mountains looked like they were covered with velvet. Next rugged mountains came into view. They'd been sliced down the middle by mountain streams which were flowing fast due to recent rains...and after a 3 year drought. When the streams came to the mountain cliffs, tremendous waterfalls rushed over them. Some causing perfectly formed pot holes to form. With the sun shining, rainbows formed in the mist. Such great timing for us...recent rain & sun!
We stopped for lunch at a famous pancake house with a chocolate store next to it. Mmmm. A couple hours later we came to Potluck Boskombuis....a restaurant serving authentic African food. The bridge there was closed so we had to scramble over rocks next to a fast running river until we got there. The restaurant was situated under a rock ledge. Food was cooked over an open fire in a half barrel. We weren't hungry, so we sat by the river drinking beer & Coke and ordered the special, bobotie to go.
Our last stop on the Panoramic Drive was called God's Window...breathtaking!
Just before getting back to our Airbnb, we passed a McD...yup I couldn't resist. The Coke Light & hamburger were almost like home & the fries were spot on!! Rog of course, ate a burger too...just because he could. Then when we got back, Rog heated up his bobotie liking that too. He said it tasted like beef hash.
We sure saw some gorgeous parts of SA today!!
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Amanda & Paddy, our host are from UK but have built a impressive hotel/home & we're in a cottage beside them. It's cleverly decorated with many modern features.
We were surprised when Amanda said power grid is often turned off & she'd let us know when she got notice. We commented how nice SA was...She smiled and said, "SA is is really a 3rd world country with a 1st world veneer." Guess we're in the veneer right now!
Today we drove the Panoramic Drive. The name describes it well. Incredible views overlooking valleys filled with thousands of acres of planted trees...some 50' tall & straight as a metal pole. The lower branches were torched so the bare trunk remained. Some field had been harvested and just charred stumps remained.
As we climbed, the rounded mountains looked like they were covered with velvet. Next rugged mountains came into view. They'd been sliced down the middle by mountain streams which were flowing fast due to recent rains...and after a 3 year drought. When the streams came to the mountain cliffs, tremendous waterfalls rushed over them. Some causing perfectly formed pot holes to form. With the sun shining, rainbows formed in the mist. Such great timing for us...recent rain & sun!
We stopped for lunch at a famous pancake house with a chocolate store next to it. Mmmm. A couple hours later we came to Potluck Boskombuis....a restaurant serving authentic African food. The bridge there was closed so we had to scramble over rocks next to a fast running river until we got there. The restaurant was situated under a rock ledge. Food was cooked over an open fire in a half barrel. We weren't hungry, so we sat by the river drinking beer & Coke and ordered the special, bobotie to go.
Our last stop on the Panoramic Drive was called God's Window...breathtaking!
Just before getting back to our Airbnb, we passed a McD...yup I couldn't resist. The Coke Light & hamburger were almost like home & the fries were spot on!! Rog of course, ate a burger too...just because he could. Then when we got back, Rog heated up his bobotie liking that too. He said it tasted like beef hash.
We sure saw some gorgeous parts of SA today!!
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Change in Weather / Low Rumblings /Strong Beliefs. By Roger
Change in Weather
Since a few days before leaving Mozambique we have enjoyed much more comfortable weather. While at Zimpeto the skies clouded over giving us some relief while visiting the hospital, the streets of Maputo, and the dump. Was that good timing!
Then on the day we left for South Africa it had rained all night, flooding streets and cooling things further.
The weather has been exceptionally nice here in S.A. (Around 75 to 90 degrees). We have even need blankets several times. Heading South tomorrow so expect more great weather.
Low Rumblings
As I sat on the porch of our Air BnB in the early morning my eyes were busy scanning
the dense surrounding area for animals. Sounds of strange birds and animals were like a music that I had never experienced. Was that a monkey chattering, or some bird? What caused that crunching sound? ...maybe tree bark being torn apart?
We are at Marloth Park which adjoins Kruger National Park and many animals from Kruger may be seen grazing here.
We saw and heard some Hippos when we came to Kruger with Ben and Jen so now I scan with anticipation after hearing a low rumble nearby.
Two impala graze peacefully just 30 feet from where I sit on the porch. More strange unidentifiable sounds then, once again, the low rumble. Closer this time. Could it be a Rhino? How exciting would that be!
My eyes squint as they penetrate the undergrowth to notice any movement or unusual color. Another rumble...and another. Regular now, I recognize it as a sound I have heard before.
Jane, still in bed, has been unintentionally tricking me!
Strong Beliefs
Reflecting back on our experiences at Zimpeto...
We have met many people here with strong beliefs. That shouldn't be too surprising since many of them are true missionaries,sent on their mission by their Creator.
He can be heard when the noise of the busy world subsides.
They regularly talk to God and look to Him for direction in their lives. Then they act on what he tells them.
Some have given up personal control of their lives so that they can do what they hear God telling them to do. Giving up many personal possessions, hobbies, toys, homes, and time with family, frees them to do what they are compelled to do. Serve others for God.
Their faith leaves me in awe.
By Roger
Since a few days before leaving Mozambique we have enjoyed much more comfortable weather. While at Zimpeto the skies clouded over giving us some relief while visiting the hospital, the streets of Maputo, and the dump. Was that good timing!
Then on the day we left for South Africa it had rained all night, flooding streets and cooling things further.
The weather has been exceptionally nice here in S.A. (Around 75 to 90 degrees). We have even need blankets several times. Heading South tomorrow so expect more great weather.
Low Rumblings
As I sat on the porch of our Air BnB in the early morning my eyes were busy scanning
the dense surrounding area for animals. Sounds of strange birds and animals were like a music that I had never experienced. Was that a monkey chattering, or some bird? What caused that crunching sound? ...maybe tree bark being torn apart?
We are at Marloth Park which adjoins Kruger National Park and many animals from Kruger may be seen grazing here.
We saw and heard some Hippos when we came to Kruger with Ben and Jen so now I scan with anticipation after hearing a low rumble nearby.
Two impala graze peacefully just 30 feet from where I sit on the porch. More strange unidentifiable sounds then, once again, the low rumble. Closer this time. Could it be a Rhino? How exciting would that be!
My eyes squint as they penetrate the undergrowth to notice any movement or unusual color. Another rumble...and another. Regular now, I recognize it as a sound I have heard before.
Jane, still in bed, has been unintentionally tricking me!
Strong Beliefs
Reflecting back on our experiences at Zimpeto...
We have met many people here with strong beliefs. That shouldn't be too surprising since many of them are true missionaries,sent on their mission by their Creator.
He can be heard when the noise of the busy world subsides.
They regularly talk to God and look to Him for direction in their lives. Then they act on what he tells them.
Some have given up personal control of their lives so that they can do what they hear God telling them to do. Giving up many personal possessions, hobbies, toys, homes, and time with family, frees them to do what they are compelled to do. Serve others for God.
Their faith leaves me in awe.
By Roger
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Update 28
In true Mozambique style, our driver showed up late & we missed our prepaid bus...but no worries...he took us to another bus stop & for some reason, they let us get on! We headed to South Africa where we'd lined up a rental car and had asked the bus driver to drop us there as we were going right by...well, he forgot & apolitically dropped us about 1 km past the car rental. So with our backpacks on & pulling our luggage in a light rain...with cars & trucks whizzing past us spraying water on us...we headed back to the car rental spot. When we finally got there & were waiting to talk to the clerk, I opened the daily message I get from a bible app...it read "Stop Complaining to Each Other." Seriously Jesus has a sense of humor!! The car we'd lined up wasn't there...so they gave us one with barely any gas. The clerk told us to follow him to the gas station, he filled it up & told us to come back in two hours & our car would be ready. It was. Amen. Finally, we took off headed to the Airbnb in the bush spotting lots of animals on our way. It was a lovely setting & gorgeous accommodations.
After a bountiful breakfast prepared by our hostess, we headed to Kruger Park in our rental. There we hit the jackpot: a monstrous Daddy Rhino protecting his baby & the mom who were wallowing in a mud puddle just off the road. When Big Daddy got in the road & headed toward us in our tiny Hyundai...Rog...trembling slammed it into reverse & slowly back away. We then played chicken with Big Daddy for the next 20 minutes going back & forth until finally he & his family lumbered off into the thick bush & we sneaked by. Talk about an adrenaline high!!! We also spotted 9 giraffes in one spot, two hyenas ran right in front of us, a slew of baboons played & wrestled in the road, saw zebras, kudu, warthogs, wildebeest, monkeys, a crocodile & elephants...the youngest one danced, flapped his ears & tooted for us! We were pretty pleased with our successful we'd been as our own guides! Treated ourselves to a nice dinner overlooking Crocodile River...where we spotted another crocodile!!
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After a bountiful breakfast prepared by our hostess, we headed to Kruger Park in our rental. There we hit the jackpot: a monstrous Daddy Rhino protecting his baby & the mom who were wallowing in a mud puddle just off the road. When Big Daddy got in the road & headed toward us in our tiny Hyundai...Rog...trembling slammed it into reverse & slowly back away. We then played chicken with Big Daddy for the next 20 minutes going back & forth until finally he & his family lumbered off into the thick bush & we sneaked by. Talk about an adrenaline high!!! We also spotted 9 giraffes in one spot, two hyenas ran right in front of us, a slew of baboons played & wrestled in the road, saw zebras, kudu, warthogs, wildebeest, monkeys, a crocodile & elephants...the youngest one danced, flapped his ears & tooted for us! We were pretty pleased with our successful we'd been as our own guides! Treated ourselves to a nice dinner overlooking Crocodile River...where we spotted another crocodile!!
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Update 27
Our past two days at Iris were Saturday & Sunday which was great because the kids weren't in school and we could play most the day...plus the weather has cooled to 85-90 degrees with a sprinkle in the air so we weren't so lethargic! I even got the caregivers (tias) to play Memory game with me. The laughed & played for almost an hour. The playground which is entirely sand & now a bit moist made a great place to make sand houses, garages, roads, etc. and flip flops are perfect trucks. Kinda like a beach but without the lake! There's a toy cupboard in the visitors hall so each time we'd go out, we took something new to do: puzzles, play dough, books, crayons, various games & the boys' favorite, frisbee. We also blew up the rest of the balloons we'd brought. Hopscotch, jumprope, 4 square & tag also was happening. Busy playground! The disabled kids came out to hang out in the covered pavilion & it was heartwarming to see the other kids toss balloons to them.
In the babies' dorm, riding toys were out and they were crashing & hilariously laughing. The tiny ones crawled to my lap safe from the crazy drivers. Later, they went out in their own sandbox & tossed sand all over each other. Soon my lap too was covered with sand.
Sunday at church, we were asked to come up front to speak. We thank them for opening their hearts to us & giving us so many experiences. Then they wrapped us in capulanas and prayed over us. I felt very blessed.
As evening drew near, we had to start saying good bye to the missionaries, tias & kids. I choked up many times...especially when on particular girl who'd seemed to seek me out all the time, hugged me & said "I Love You." As tears rolled down my cheek, another girl w/ special needs said, "Why you cry?" All I could say was "Because I care."
One of the missionaries, Jez came to say goodbye to us. She told Roger she'd seen him playing with kids that she'd never seen spend time with a white visitor. She was touched by how Roger so easily drew them in to play with him.
So we leave Mozambique. A country with so many needs and now so many people we have come to care about.
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In the babies' dorm, riding toys were out and they were crashing & hilariously laughing. The tiny ones crawled to my lap safe from the crazy drivers. Later, they went out in their own sandbox & tossed sand all over each other. Soon my lap too was covered with sand.
Sunday at church, we were asked to come up front to speak. We thank them for opening their hearts to us & giving us so many experiences. Then they wrapped us in capulanas and prayed over us. I felt very blessed.
As evening drew near, we had to start saying good bye to the missionaries, tias & kids. I choked up many times...especially when on particular girl who'd seemed to seek me out all the time, hugged me & said "I Love You." As tears rolled down my cheek, another girl w/ special needs said, "Why you cry?" All I could say was "Because I care."
One of the missionaries, Jez came to say goodbye to us. She told Roger she'd seen him playing with kids that she'd never seen spend time with a white visitor. She was touched by how Roger so easily drew them in to play with him.
So we leave Mozambique. A country with so many needs and now so many people we have come to care about.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, February 10, 2020
Update 26
The Iris Ministry influence runs deep & far here. Even into the massive Maputo dump known as Helene where last year after a hard rain storm, one side collapsed & slide down covering the shacks where many lived. They can only estimate the deaths to be around 40. We went there today to take bread, prayers & encouragement to the people who dig through the garbage. A young Iris graduate has started a business there to give them a paying job. Using scrap metal & parts, he's designed & built a machine that bales the cardboard they find. My Dad could have been such a help to them!! He then can sell the bales...sometimes. Unfortunately his machine is broken & he has no $$ to buy parts and the recent rains have made it hard to sell the wet baled cardboard. His workers have made enormous piles of sorted colored glass but there is no Mozambican plant to recycle them. He is working on getting a license to export them but no luck yet. His workers were still shifting through the newest garbage stacking card board & he was still determined. This is faith I can't imagine.
As we walked among the piles of burning rubbish smoldering & smoking, a tiny girl...maybe 3...walked by me holding a couple green oranges. I turned to see who was watching her but only saw several older ladies sifting through garbage bags & pulling out thrown out food. One lady caught my eye & so I walked over & hugged her. If I'd had a $100...a $1000 dollar bill in my pocket, I would have given it to her.
We did get in a circle & pray together and then gave each two loaves of bread.
We got back in the van & drove just a little ways to where most of the "dump dwellers" live. Many people...especially kids ran out to meet us & again we passed out bread, breaking them in half for the youngest kids.
Two little boys about 4-5 ran off hysterically laughing & kicking up their heels. That's an imagine that will stay with me!
As we drove home, our driver, John (also an Iris grad) said he knew where he could buy lots of rice for a good price & after he dropped us off, that's what he was going to do. Imagine John who probably earned so little was so willing to give some away.
We'd again found a place to leave a donation. How could we not???
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As we walked among the piles of burning rubbish smoldering & smoking, a tiny girl...maybe 3...walked by me holding a couple green oranges. I turned to see who was watching her but only saw several older ladies sifting through garbage bags & pulling out thrown out food. One lady caught my eye & so I walked over & hugged her. If I'd had a $100...a $1000 dollar bill in my pocket, I would have given it to her.
We did get in a circle & pray together and then gave each two loaves of bread.
We got back in the van & drove just a little ways to where most of the "dump dwellers" live. Many people...especially kids ran out to meet us & again we passed out bread, breaking them in half for the youngest kids.
Two little boys about 4-5 ran off hysterically laughing & kicking up their heels. That's an imagine that will stay with me!
As we drove home, our driver, John (also an Iris grad) said he knew where he could buy lots of rice for a good price & after he dropped us off, that's what he was going to do. Imagine John who probably earned so little was so willing to give some away.
We'd again found a place to leave a donation. How could we not???
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, February 9, 2020
Update 25
The hair!! I did not know those darling little braids & artistically arranged ladies' braid we have seen so many Mozambicans wearing are mostly fake!! They buy extensions which are black as coal & perfectly matches their hair. Their own hair is usually very short & they braid the extension right onto their hair. It can take hours to do a whole head of those tiny, tiny braids. There are so many styles and so many tiny beads added in many ways.
It's a real time consumer for them. Every day I see girls with their head in someone's lap who is braiding or unbraiding their hair. I even worked on unbraiding today. I could hang pretty darn hard while holding the part closet to the head & the girl didn't flinch...I was pulling the fake part. After about 30 minutes, I'd taken out may 7 or 8 of the 100 or more she had.
Imagine about 60 girls needing this done about once a week!! Lots of girls pitch in...you'll see a 6 -7 year old doing a 4 -5 year old or a 12-13 yr old doing one of the caregivers. You even see the girls braiding extensions into their Barbie dolls' hair. Yup...white Barbies with blonde & black braids. They tried to do mine but the extensions slipped right out of my fine hair.
The things I never knew or thought about while admiring the Mozambicans' hair styles!
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It's a real time consumer for them. Every day I see girls with their head in someone's lap who is braiding or unbraiding their hair. I even worked on unbraiding today. I could hang pretty darn hard while holding the part closet to the head & the girl didn't flinch...I was pulling the fake part. After about 30 minutes, I'd taken out may 7 or 8 of the 100 or more she had.
Imagine about 60 girls needing this done about once a week!! Lots of girls pitch in...you'll see a 6 -7 year old doing a 4 -5 year old or a 12-13 yr old doing one of the caregivers. You even see the girls braiding extensions into their Barbie dolls' hair. Yup...white Barbies with blonde & black braids. They tried to do mine but the extensions slipped right out of my fine hair.
The things I never knew or thought about while admiring the Mozambicans' hair styles!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 24
Iris has provided us with a variety of opportunities. One afternoon we again headed to Maputo along with another young minister to pray over patients who requested it. As we went from bed to bed, I tried hard to focus only on the patients & their visitor...but my eyes wandered to the torn mattresses, peeling paint, broken tables, holes in screens and general dismal & disrepair of the room.
Visitors are there as patients must have someone come to bring them food, feed them, bathe them & wash their clothes & bedding.
Almost everyone asked for prayers and few spoke any English so I could pretty much just say my thoughts. I could hear Roger telling them to remember to lean on God cause He is with them. The minister spoke with a voice full of compassion...much louder & longer.
One patient did speak English and her name was Jane! We chatted for quite a while & I was delighted to see her smile as she took my hand & squeezed it. I'd like to say I made each patient feel cared for...but I know Jane did!
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Visitors are there as patients must have someone come to bring them food, feed them, bathe them & wash their clothes & bedding.
Almost everyone asked for prayers and few spoke any English so I could pretty much just say my thoughts. I could hear Roger telling them to remember to lean on God cause He is with them. The minister spoke with a voice full of compassion...much louder & longer.
One patient did speak English and her name was Jane! We chatted for quite a while & I was delighted to see her smile as she took my hand & squeezed it. I'd like to say I made each patient feel cared for...but I know Jane did!
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Update 23
I've got an issue with Mozambican dress code for women! In almost 100 degree weather with high humidity...when turning on a fan feels like a furnace blast...women are expected to keep their knees & shoulders completely cover at all times. And for church, long skirts are required...and men must wear pants. Most local woman wear a long gorgeous cloth wrapped around their waist (called a capulanas) and under that they wear pants that cover their knees. It looks good but really??
Sweat dripping down my front & back is not a feeling I enjoy! On the plus side, I seldom have to use the bathroom where the mosquitoes hang out!
No wonder people often sit and just seem to be melting. Rog has been taking a shower in the middle of the day with all his clothes on so he stays cooler as the clothes dry on him.
Fortunately, we heard in South America the opposite is common. Lots of skin showing and it will be cooler. Kinda seems backwards but lots of things here do!!
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Sweat dripping down my front & back is not a feeling I enjoy! On the plus side, I seldom have to use the bathroom where the mosquitoes hang out!
No wonder people often sit and just seem to be melting. Rog has been taking a shower in the middle of the day with all his clothes on so he stays cooler as the clothes dry on him.
Fortunately, we heard in South America the opposite is common. Lots of skin showing and it will be cooler. Kinda seems backwards but lots of things here do!!
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Update 22
By Roger
To our surprise, Johnathon, told us that he thought the earth was flat. He is on the staff at Zimpeto and was driving us to a ministry outreach program.
We talked about the earth traveling around the sun and he disagreed, saying that the sun goes around the earth.
He also asked me, "What is truth?"
I said that you must be able to prove something for it to be true.
Then we got into a discussion about whether or not truth is the same for each person.
If you believe something to be true, correct or not, that belief will impact your perception of the world.
This seems to get to the issue of why people come to very different conclusions when given the same information.
The split in the US is coming from the different beliefs that individuals hold.
We need to find common truths that will bring us together.
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To our surprise, Johnathon, told us that he thought the earth was flat. He is on the staff at Zimpeto and was driving us to a ministry outreach program.
We talked about the earth traveling around the sun and he disagreed, saying that the sun goes around the earth.
He also asked me, "What is truth?"
I said that you must be able to prove something for it to be true.
Then we got into a discussion about whether or not truth is the same for each person.
If you believe something to be true, correct or not, that belief will impact your perception of the world.
This seems to get to the issue of why people come to very different conclusions when given the same information.
The split in the US is coming from the different beliefs that individuals hold.
We need to find common truths that will bring us together.
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Update 21
On one of our outings to Maputo (the capital), we drove a good 4 lane road with a sidewalk that skirted the Indian Ocean. We passed by fishing boats, flamingoes, several kite surfers, a beach volleyball game & people enjoying the huge beach. Vendor stalls & a few nice food trailers lined much of the road. Chicken was cooking over charcoal fires and tables & chairs were set up under trees. The buildings overlooking the ocean were much bigger & nicer than any we'd seen. Several were embassies based on the flag flying in front. The largest & most elegant was a Chinese hotel. As I've mentioned, the Chinese do most the construction here.
After we left the tall buildings behind, we cam to flat fields many with large & small sections walled off but nothing inside. We were told that if you buy land in Mozambique, the first thing you must do is wall it or the gov't will claim it back. The owner than may take years to build on it. Many building we saw were only partially built. Loans here are very expensive and hard to get.
Vehicles are an equal mix of newer & jalopies. No window, no door, no trunk panel...no problem. In less than an hour, I saw three cars being pushed. Buses are an equal mix of bigger & cleaner or crappy & crowded. Vans is the most common way to get around & they can squished over 20 in them. Over 20 also can ride in the back of a truck and at least there they have air flow...and if the tailgate doesn't open...they seem better off!.
The rule of the road seems to be: get there however you can. Sidewalks, wrong side of road, between parked or stopped cars...wherever. I haven't spotted a parking meter or a line down the center yet.
In spite of this, our drivers always seem calm & seldom use their horn! I have learned to avoid looking out the front window and enjoy looking out the side window.
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After we left the tall buildings behind, we cam to flat fields many with large & small sections walled off but nothing inside. We were told that if you buy land in Mozambique, the first thing you must do is wall it or the gov't will claim it back. The owner than may take years to build on it. Many building we saw were only partially built. Loans here are very expensive and hard to get.
Vehicles are an equal mix of newer & jalopies. No window, no door, no trunk panel...no problem. In less than an hour, I saw three cars being pushed. Buses are an equal mix of bigger & cleaner or crappy & crowded. Vans is the most common way to get around & they can squished over 20 in them. Over 20 also can ride in the back of a truck and at least there they have air flow...and if the tailgate doesn't open...they seem better off!.
The rule of the road seems to be: get there however you can. Sidewalks, wrong side of road, between parked or stopped cars...wherever. I haven't spotted a parking meter or a line down the center yet.
In spite of this, our drivers always seem calm & seldom use their horn! I have learned to avoid looking out the front window and enjoy looking out the side window.
Sent from my iPhone
Update 19
This morning we took off to Maraquene...about 30 minutes away...where the Iris Ministry has helped set up a small community for the Iris kids who've grown up & need to learn to live independently. Rev Pedro met us there & showed us the simple homes they built & tried to explain how difficult it is to find a job. You actually have to pay to get most jobs. (Don Larson had told us this too.). Faced with the challenges of supporting yourself, Iris kids...really most kids here...end up on the street selling odds & ends...possibly stealing...living a poor life. Here stealing is not considered as bad as we think of it because it's part of the "you do what you gotta do to eat" mindset.
Pedro took us to a small cement block factory he has built where he has 4 or 5 guys working now but is praying for more funding so he could double his production & profits. He needs $375. Now he produces 1000 blocks at 2 Met profit per block = 2000 Met ($33) a week. Pedro also has a dream of starting a job-training school for mechanics, plumbers, electricians, computers skills, etc.
Several people have told us that besides gov't corruption...lack of jobs is the biggest problem in Mozambique. We often wonder why we end up being taken to so many different places. This time we knew. We see helping train & support jobs as a solid long term investment and a good place to donate some of the $$ that DUMC & friends have sent with us. It's humbling to be the hands that actually hand over the gift!
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Pedro took us to a small cement block factory he has built where he has 4 or 5 guys working now but is praying for more funding so he could double his production & profits. He needs $375. Now he produces 1000 blocks at 2 Met profit per block = 2000 Met ($33) a week. Pedro also has a dream of starting a job-training school for mechanics, plumbers, electricians, computers skills, etc.
Several people have told us that besides gov't corruption...lack of jobs is the biggest problem in Mozambique. We often wonder why we end up being taken to so many different places. This time we knew. We see helping train & support jobs as a solid long term investment and a good place to donate some of the $$ that DUMC & friends have sent with us. It's humbling to be the hands that actually hand over the gift!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 20 cont...
Oops...sent that too soon.
As I was saying, there is another saying around here that if a Mozambican throws something away, it is truly useless. They know how to make something from scraps...and sell it!! Metal is welded to together to make grills, bed, chairs, etc. Plastic containers are in demand to store water. Pop cans are used to make wheels for toys. Broken cement blocks & old tires hold down tarps covering vendor stalls. Old car parts are dislocated also on top of auto part stores. Cloth strips are used to tie together larger branches to form the vendor's stalls and cloth pieces are also used to sit on while waiting for the transport vans to arrive. The uses of scraps is endless. Don't need recycle bins here!
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As I was saying, there is another saying around here that if a Mozambican throws something away, it is truly useless. They know how to make something from scraps...and sell it!! Metal is welded to together to make grills, bed, chairs, etc. Plastic containers are in demand to store water. Pop cans are used to make wheels for toys. Broken cement blocks & old tires hold down tarps covering vendor stalls. Old car parts are dislocated also on top of auto part stores. Cloth strips are used to tie together larger branches to form the vendor's stalls and cloth pieces are also used to sit on while waiting for the transport vans to arrive. The uses of scraps is endless. Don't need recycle bins here!
Sent from my iPhone
Update 20
There's a saying here that Mozambique roads never end. We now know why they say that. Their definition of a road is very different than USA. We were on our way to visit Rev. Pedro & due to arrive at 9. We left about 9 & it should have been a 20 minute drive. After our driver, John turned off the main road, he kept running into impassable mud holes in the road...picture red clay with several inches of water all the way across both lanes. Repeat, repeat, repeat! The 20 minutes was now almost an hour which pleased John who spoke English and was happily yakking & avoiding yet another bad spot in the road. Besides mud holes, sand pits & rutted hills was like a challenge to him. When it looked like we could go no further...he'd just turn down what looked like a walking path & say "no worries, Mozambique roads never end...and the path eventually turned into a one lane road. Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive! This is definitely a off roading experience. We did arrived around 10:30 but no problem, no explanation needed. Pedro was waiting patiently.
Another saying here is if a Mozambican throws something away, it is truly useless.
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Another saying here is if a Mozambican throws something away, it is truly useless.
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Friday, February 7, 2020
Update 18
We'd never been to a street ministry...until today. Three young Iris men, Glenda (a Brazilian volunteer visiting here from another ministry) & us drove to downtown Maputo, & pulled off into an alley. Over a cement wall we could see the correlated roofs, smoke rising and hear a pig snort occasionally. Six young kids, 4 young men & one older gentleman joined us on steps that seemed to go no where. After the Iris men sang & preached a little while, Glenda, Rog & I were asked to speak. What do you say??? I prayed & then talked about how God cared for them and so did I. Rog encouraged them to remember that God is with them so look to Him for strength. After a bit more singing, we gave each kid a balloon, Glenda had suckers for them and each got two loaves of bread.
I'd noticed the youngest girl...probably 2 or 3...had an oozing scrap on her knee and flies kept landing on it. So since Glenda speaks Portuguese, I gave her a clean cloth & bandaid so she could clean & protect the scrap. Of course, many of the kids then showed their wounds. Unfortunately I only had one more band aid.
It struck me that his street ministry was like a band aid. A tiny fix for the day. Perhaps it'll help heal a wound. Guess that's what I left there hoping!
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I'd noticed the youngest girl...probably 2 or 3...had an oozing scrap on her knee and flies kept landing on it. So since Glenda speaks Portuguese, I gave her a clean cloth & bandaid so she could clean & protect the scrap. Of course, many of the kids then showed their wounds. Unfortunately I only had one more band aid.
It struck me that his street ministry was like a band aid. A tiny fix for the day. Perhaps it'll help heal a wound. Guess that's what I left there hoping!
Sent from my iPhone
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Update 17
Sunday church starts at 9 so says the schedule. The praise band starting getting warmed up a bit after 9 and at 9:45, the real deal started. Mozambique time. Many people came later...some in the back of packed trucks...or in Iris vans...also packed. About 10:15, the preacher shouted, "Let's sing and dance to the Lord!" And with much enthusiasm & rhythm ...they did!! We had been given a translator so we could understand...imagine that here?? About an hour later, a young preacher who had grown up here in Iris & had become quite wealthy building homes started preaching...in English! He was super charismatic and he was being translated by another guy who used as much expression and body language as the preacher! It was a two man show. The preacher said some people have given him a hard time about having such a big home but he told them he was blessed by God and refused to feel anything but blessed. Not guilty or ashamed. He'd prayed hard, worked hard and believed he could improve his life. He challenged the congregation...especially the local leaders...to do the same. He said, "Don't be ashamed to be a Mozambique ...be proud of what you can and will become!" A strong message to all the young Iris boys & girls sitting in the pews. He actually said a lot more...spoke for 2 hours...but that was the gist of it.
I kinda wished I'd recorded it all and given it to Jack Harnish (our former pastor) to minimize & deliver in one of his dynamic 30 minute sermons!
The rest of Sunday & Monday (a Nat'l holiday) was slow time which gave us time to play games, color and of course, hold babies.
It's was so hot that just thinking about moving is strenuous. It's almost 100 degrees at 3 and starts to cool down around 5 to about 85 degrees. That's when we feel energized & actually toss around the frisbee or football.
Tomorrow will be the first day back to school...like our fall...so uniforms were being passed out, girls were braiding hair & the boys got their heads shaved. Kids told us they were excited to go back to school and like school. The school day is 8 to noon for the younger ones and 1 to 5 for the older ones. The class size at the Iris school (which is open to all) is about 50...average in public schools is 75-80.
So Tuesday, the kids were up at 5:30 (lots of kids to share few bathrooms) and gone by 7:30 and we had the whole morning to spend time with the disabled & babies. Kids came back excited about their day and ready to play with us. Sure wish we could communicate better so we could really hear more about their day!
Sent from my iPhone
I kinda wished I'd recorded it all and given it to Jack Harnish (our former pastor) to minimize & deliver in one of his dynamic 30 minute sermons!
The rest of Sunday & Monday (a Nat'l holiday) was slow time which gave us time to play games, color and of course, hold babies.
It's was so hot that just thinking about moving is strenuous. It's almost 100 degrees at 3 and starts to cool down around 5 to about 85 degrees. That's when we feel energized & actually toss around the frisbee or football.
Tomorrow will be the first day back to school...like our fall...so uniforms were being passed out, girls were braiding hair & the boys got their heads shaved. Kids told us they were excited to go back to school and like school. The school day is 8 to noon for the younger ones and 1 to 5 for the older ones. The class size at the Iris school (which is open to all) is about 50...average in public schools is 75-80.
So Tuesday, the kids were up at 5:30 (lots of kids to share few bathrooms) and gone by 7:30 and we had the whole morning to spend time with the disabled & babies. Kids came back excited about their day and ready to play with us. Sure wish we could communicate better so we could really hear more about their day!
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, February 3, 2020
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