Pedro's mom

This past weekend I was able to see Pedro's mom. I went to her area for a church dedication service. I stopped at her house on the way to the church. I asked someone if she would be going to church and they said no she won't go, without asking her. I said ask her if she is going. They translated the Portuguese into Makhuwa and asked her. She said I'll come after I finish my work here at the house. I said okay and went to church.

She did come to the church. I noticed that she stayed in the church for the part of the service which I helped with during the church dedication. Then she went outside and sat. I went outside a little later and she called me over to where she was. Let me rephrase that she motioned to me to come over to her. (We have communication issues because I don't speak Makhuwa and she doesn't speak Portuguese.)

She had brought food for me to eat while I was at church, it was chema and hard boiled eggs. I was so touched! It was so sweet and unexpected.

I would ask that you continue to pray for her. I do plan on visiting her again and I pray that God is softening her heart to Him. I would ask that you would pray for someone who would be a Makhuwa translator who would be willing to go visit her with me.

What is cool?

Have you ever wondered what the word "cool" means? I'm not thinking in terms of temperature, I'm thinking in terms of saying wow that was cool or he/she is cool. This past weekend when I was at a church dedication these guys posed for photos, I told them you're cool. So I thought I would share the pictures with you so you could see what "cool" is in Nampula area.

A few cultural things I've experienced

Today I went to the post office to pick up my package or large envelope I didn't know what it was. The lady working said my name is Carol, too. I said really? Then she said both Carols are "gorda", fat. Of course for Americans this is not a pleasant term but I knew she was coming from the African standpoint. I just laughed when she said that. I thought what do I say? I've explained to some of the guys who want to go to America to use their English, that the term fat is not a good term to use in America especially with women. I said that can get you in trouble. I remember the first time one of the nationals referred to me as fat, I had only been in the country for a few weeks but I recognized the word gorda from spanish. I thought I know he didn't just call me fat. It was still a while before i learned how that is a compliment in the African mindset.

When I was out with another missionary the other week visiting the nationals in Malawi. One of the nationals asked her if I was her daughter. That just showed us that they can't tell our ages anymore than we can tell their ages. The other missionary is actually about eight years younger than me.

Also when I was in Malawi I was carrying a small duffel bag on my back. The ladies asked the other missionary if I had my baby in it. They were afraid my baby was in there and it was hid.

The guy came to the house the other day to collect the info for the census. One of the questions was how many animals do you have in your house/yard? Of course I was expecting to answer 2 dogs. Well dogs wasn't one of the choices. The choices for animals were goats, cows, chickens, pigs, and ducks....

Rat on a stick

Where was my camera when I really needed it? I was on the one trip where I had left home without my camera and I missed a great photo opportunity. It was pictures of about 10 or so small rats on a stick. These were rats that had been cooked a little and were ready to eat, a delicacy for the nationals. However, they weren't ready to eat by me. One of the men traveling with me was so excited to take the rats home for his children, he said they would be thrilled to receive these. The nationals got a good laugh at my being disgusted at the thought of eating the rats on a stick.

Waiting...

A common question I receive is what do you do on your trips? I took this picture as I waiting on the baptism activities to begin. It was interesting to see the national's reaction to my using the timer setting to take the picture.

Bathroom line?

I have to tell on myself...Last week I was on a bush trip. It was bathroom time. I gathered my toilet paper and went to the area behind the tree that I had "claimed" as my bathroom area. Well when I got to that area there was a national who was there. So what did I do? I stood there and waited for a few minutes. Then I thought Carol this is crazy, you are in the middle of nowhere with plenty of other bushes and tree areas to choose from, why are you waiting in line in the bush?? So I moved to another area laughing at myself as I went....

Sunset at Lake Malawi

No further words are needed...Just enjoy a beautiful picture.

Malawi travels

At the end of July I traveled to Malawi for our annual meeting of the missionaries in Mozambique and Malawi. It is amazing the different terrain which is seen once you cross the border into Malawi. On our way to and from the meetings we were able to stay in the tea plantations outside of Blanytre, Malawi. This was a nice time of relaxation and enjoyment and taking time to enjoy God's creation.