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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.
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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???
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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!
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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!
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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
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