Mozambique Musings

This past weekend I went out to the orphanage! They are on 'holiday' right now for 3 months! Their summer is now so they don't have June/July/August off like we do in the states. They get Nov/Dec/Jan off, or something like that. Friday evening I just hung out with some of the kids and then had dinner with Brooke (IRIS missionary close to my age; from New Zealand). We had a great time talking and hanging out. Her Sunday school teacher was visiting so she talked with us too. They have been working on developing the children's Sunday school classes & training the teachers.

Saturday I went with Brooke & other visitors to the Saturday market & went out to lunch. I met a girl from the states who is studying abroad in Cape Town, South Africa. She is just doing a semester, and is going home at Christmas. It is always fun to meet the visitors at IRIS because they come from all over. There actually were not many there, 5 of them were from New Zealand (not all traveling together). One young couple has been in Africa for 2 1/2 months and have 2 weeks left. They have just been traveling all over staying in hostiles. How cool is that!? They decided to go to Cape Town b/c they met the girl studying abroad and they are going to hang out with her for a week. I think that would be so fun to travel around with no real agenda and stay wherever!

Saturday was HOT and by the time we got back to the orphanage I was tired so I tried to nap, but it's hard when you are sweating...so I sat outside under a tree...it felt cooler. I met some of the boys for an afternoon snack-coke & biscuits (cookies). We had a good time just sitting outside and talking. They have a little concession stand at the front entrance where you can buy snacks for the kids. Someone had a bike out there so we all took turns riding the bike. I tried to get a picture but they video recorded me instead! The bike-driver was very drunk & the boys were trying to get him to leave the bike over night & to take a bus home. He would not do it, so after much discussing he finally rode off...he did make it home safe b/c I saw him at church on Sunday. After that drama, the boys moved to the next issue-the band & dinner. They are so funny... they were telling me about their "Band". Telling me who was the President, VP, Treasurer or 'bank', secretary, cook, and clean-up captain. The band is not just about making music, but also about making dinner once a week. Saturday night happened to be the night for a special dinner, not just the normal rice & topping. They pull their resources together & decide on a meal. Spaghetti was the vote. So, the 'cook' went & bought tomatoes & onions. Then they were arguing over how many packages of noodles to get. When I finally figured out what they were arguing about ....i tried to help. They EACH wanted ONE PACKAGE of noodles. I told them that was way TOO MUCH for six guys so they bought 4 packages. Brooke let them use her kitchen to make the meal. Only 2 of them cooked, so I helped. It was a fun time & we got to talk while we cooked. The 2 boys know english pretty well so it is easy to communicate with them. I ended up leaving before the finished product, but I think they were happy with their meal.

Sunday I went to church & sat with the little boys (Esteavo). Pastor Jose introduced the Sunday school teachers & we prayed for them. I went to sunday school class with Esteavo....I have acutally never gone before b/c I always stay to hear the sermon (it is translated into engish). But since it was a special day for the children I wanted to see how they did things. It was quite hectic with all the kids but I think it went well. Brooke and Sue worked really hard to train the teachers and get a program set up. Kids from the Bocaria (dump) were brought in by a flatbed truck so there were kids from the center, city, and dump. Lots of kids!! It was kind of overwhelming to see since I am a teacher & to see so much chaos...but I think that the program will be a great help to the young teachers. I commend these young people for taking the responsibility to teach on a volunteer basis! They are great role models to their peers.

Sunday afternoon I took 5 little boys to the pool. It was another hot day so they were happy to go! I did not get any pics-sorry! I tried to order the kids some fries (batatas) but after an hour of waiting & then needing to get back I had to get my money back-which was a miracle. Oh the joy of african time....

Overall, it was a GOOD weekend. I had a room to myself which was nice! I got to see the kids and hang out! I met some new people. It's always an adventure! I am going back in a couple of weeks before I leave @ Christmas. I can't believe it's almost here!!! Today the temp. outside felt like 109!!! It does not 'feel' like Christmas here...





new logo on front wall & dove mosaic on playground



don't drink & ride a bike!

the 'band'

John-Jacob & Me cutting veggies

yes that's me in the kitchen! haha...

Pai the chef! Helping w/ dinner

sitting in sunday school

praying for sunday school teachers/leaders














these girls caught my eye b/c of their dresses. They have these frilly dresses on, but they are so old and dirty. It breaks my heart. They are not girls from the center-I think they are from the bocaria.