Christmas in Mozambique...

Saturday I went shopping for souvenirs with my friends Heldio (pronounced w/silent h) and Katie. Heldio is Mozambican and has a car so he graciously told me he would take me around town to look for Christmas presents. I really just wanted to get out of the house and see some of the city. There are actually 2 malls here in Maputo. I had never been to them & was curious to see what they were like. They don't have very many shops as you can imagine, but they do have some. Most of the shops, however, are actually really expensive stores. I don't know who shops in them b/c they are too expensive even for me! (Not that I am a wealthy person, but compared to most here I would be considered "wealthy") We did find a little shop that sells things made by the disabled. We all bought something from them. The prices were very reasonable. We also met a refugee from Zimbabwe who was selling capalanas and lived right there on the side of the road. It was so sad. If you don't know about what is going on in Zimbabwe, I encourage you to look it up. The current president has been in power since 1980 & is ruining his country & killing his people.

Overall, our day was fun. It was good to hang out outside of school & see more of the city. We ate at a little hole in the wall chinese place. I had been there a few times with the IRIS missionaries so I knew it was good. The waitress was Mozambican and I had been told by the missionaries to give her the tip in a napkin, otherwise she would not get it. I told Heldio & Katie this and they kinda did not believe me. So, when it came time for the check Katie & I wrapped the tip in a napkin. She came to our table and took our "trash" and the check. She knew what we had done & had even signaled to Heldio about her boss watching her so we were careful. We gave a 'decoy' tip so the owner would not suspect anything but it was not that great of a tip!

Even though it is December, and I am listening to some Christmas music, and helped Marilynn put up some decorations last night, it still does not FEEL like Christmas. I think that no matter where I am, it will not feel like Christmas until I am surrounded by my family & loved ones. It's not where you are, it is WHO you are with. I cannot wait to celebrate Christmas at home!

Gift shop w/souvenirs made by the handicapped. 

african wheelchair

Katie, Heldio, Me @ the Maputo mall

Polana Shopping Center

Our Christmas tree!