I love you

So today I said my good byes or Ate logo's. I can only be thankful it wasn't as emotional as I had feared. Today again I have had the socks blessed off me - of course that would be so true if I was wearing any. 

There is one question on the Mozambican's lips which I don't have an answer to - When are you returning? It's hard to explain to them that I don't know when, it hard not having email contact with them. Today I went in to say goodbye to them and they blessed me with a capalana. In Moz culture a Capalana is a long piece of cloth that is used for many things and also given as a gift. So today I received two which they proceeded to "dress" me in. HILARIOUS - So one was wrapped round as a skirt and the other was put on my head - I really wasn't very sure how to react to this - they did think it was amusing and there are photos to follow. I know that these gifts will remain with me and I also know the cost of giving me one of these. 

Saying bye to the kids was nice - what was even funnier there was the response I got from Dionisio. I had picked each of the kids up and in  English said I love you to which they replied "I love you" - also in English. Remember they are between 2-4 yrs - cute. I picked Dio up and when through this and he said back to me "I love you, mais ou menos". Mais ou Menos in Portuguese means more or less! He had me giggling hard. Me: I love you. Dio: I love you more or less! 

Flying out over the Bocaria again meant I got another photo or two and so onto Addis where I am now. My flight to the UK is at 1.25am so I have a few hours to put in here. Thankfully it is colder here so the warmer clothes have come in handy. 

There will be many photos to trawl through when I am home and more stories to be told. 

42 degrees

I have to remember that tomorrow I leave here and head back to London
where it is anything but 42 degrees.

Today has been amazing. 42 degrees, fully dunked in the Indian ocean,
a bus full of 38 hot sweaty babies and heading to the beach. I have to
thank an amazing family in the Uk for giving me a very generous
donation which made this trip possible. There were scream of delight
and fear as the waves crashed on the shore. The Tias playing in the
water was a sight in itself. It's very seldom you get to see these
woman really let their hair down but today they really did and the
laughter was amazing.

This morning I visited a centre just down the road. It has had quite a
history but is now a centre for Children with Disabilities. However,
visiting this centre was still am emotional challenge for so many
reasons. One of the kids who lived on the centre here now lives there
- it was great to see him again, he has grown a lot.

So as the sunsets on my last night in Moz for a while, I look back at
on a great visit here, I am leaving with more bites that I came with
but definitely more blessed that when I arrived. When I lived here
time flew by, but always as a visitor time stands still and it's an
amazing feeling to be able to have that here.

As I write this the girls area have started their home group for Wed
night and the sound of African voices singing is ringing all around,
it's moments like this I really miss in London.

My last full day in Moz

So where have the last 2 weeks gone - it's a very good question.

Traveling into the city you are always guarenteed to find something which you look and have to ask your self - what is that about? Last night it was the sight of an old chappa (bus) being used as a play ground by loads of boys, or a market built on the top of a landslide knowing eaching time it rains more market will disappear and with it someones income for a number of days.  

 

Today I hope to take most of the Baby House to the beach. This WILL be an adventure. It may be the first time for a number of them and today is stinking hot already. No doubt there will be stories to follow.

Being here has made me realise how many firends I have here and I will miss them, being here has also opening a ton of questions about the future, missions and life as a nurse. I spent time yesterday chatting with a friend about the kids we have known here who have died. It made me think how good we can be at stopping for the one infront of us here on base but how we rarely get to stop for the one who just died becuase there are 50 other children standing infront of us when one has just died.

 

I hope there will be much laughter today and the "ate logo" (see you later) tomorrow will not be too bad.

 

 

Red Swirl in the Morning

The sky this am at some unearthly hour was amazing. Today I have had the blessing of sorting out a friends stuff which was left behind which I will take back home for her. She kept ribbing me that I was a horder in the last days I can now say that this title has moved onto her - Erin you have been a real blessing today!.

 

Last night I had the spend time with Valentio one of the young men who I built a friendship with on the base. He is just a young man trying to work out life and what he wants from it but the one thing he loves to do its laugh and chat. It's moments like the hour or so we spend together that make me so glad I can come back and visit.

It's church time.

Firstly, I have been told that there is a smurf like thing appearing with is quite distasteful - all I can say is I am sorry for this and have no way of removing it while I am here. Sorry.

 

The first Sunday of the month here is always quite special. Many different people come from many places to celebrate church together. Today was the day to catch up with many friends I have made while I am here, esp those from the Garbage dump. It's great to see some of the kids from there and catch up with those living there. Sadly I don't think I will be able to visit there on this trip. These people are very close to my heart.

Also today I was able to meet the mother of one of the boys who I looked after while I was here. It was great to see him with his mother. Time will tell if one day he can go and live with her. There are many different problems to consider before this could happen.

Of course as this is my last sunday here - you can't visit here without the kids praying for you and each pushing their little dirty sweaty hands hard on your head till you think your neck will break. Today was very special.

 

Last night I had the chance of sharing dinner with some of the missionaries here and catching up. It's great to have a fellow Irish person now as a Long Termer here. Last nights conversation also revealed new ways of composing things here in Moz - which if you knew how you would thank me for not sharing.

 

There is much change around Mozambique but somethings like the Sunsets stay the same and are simply just amazing.

 

 

Amazing Women

This morning I spent time with the lovely women who look after the children in the nursery. These ladies have become friends over the time I worked here. It saddened me that this morning one of them was very sad because someone robbed her house last night and took all her furniture and things, everything is gone. She has choosen to stay here and work but this is a common thing here in Moz and it saddens me that it happens. Not know the best way to help is also a frustration, but these woman have added so much to my life and I love spending time with them - I only wish it was longer. The Mozambicans think it is also funny how white I am and spent time this morning just touching my pale pasty Irish skin. I would also like to add that they think it's even funner because my two are are different colours. One is very white and the other is very red- this would be thanks to sitting in the car with my arm out the window.

Last night was the first night I seem to have shared my bed with a Mosquito and I think she I think own.

The Big 5 and more

Well I have safely crossed back into Moz - my days in SA were amazing. Firstly I have forgotten how much I love Mercy Air, secondly I had forgotten how much I LOVE Kruger. So today started at 4.45am in order to see the Big 5 or should that be the Big 15 as there were 11 Lions! What a sucessful day in Kruger. Today is well over 40 degrees.

Coming back to Moz always takes me time to get used to the stark constrast in my life and the lives of many here. I have loved the days away but I have also loved coming back here.

 

Oh did I mention the fact that last night I slept with a Hyena about 5 metres away from my bed! Good times- and then today the Baboon that stole food from the shop. There are a few of the high lights of the last few days.

 

The one thing I massively miss are the African Sunsets. So from a very hot Africa - good night.

 

 

Old Friends

I am loving being in Moz - time is standing still. I can't believe I
am only here less than a week.
Being back here does feel like being home for a short while. Today has
been spent catching up with the lovely Jimmy and Linda and Larry. What
a hoot. Conversations today with the mozambican boys are great and
bring a smile to my face and deepen friendships more.
There have been very funny moments as you consider being hit up for
money, as you remember the shagan words for MANY things!
There are of course the moments when I remember the friends I used to
have here who have either moved back home or sadly died. I still find
it weird being here without them.

Not so hot

Hello world - today is not so hot. Went into the community behind the centre today and helped with kids work and outreach it was so nice to be involved with that.

Have had the chance to hang out with the kids today and give lots of cuddles and catch up with friends. There are many who remember me which is nice also seeing the shock on some faces as they realise I am back for a while.

 

 

It's Sunday

Firstly the keyboard I a writing fro has soe keys whih don't work! You an proably guess whih aren't working   

 

Today was hurh and what a hot day again it was You hae to reeber that hurh here inoles lots of daning and hildren juping around you

So today was no different. The worship team was good today.

Then we got to celebrate the October birthdays in the baby house - there will be photos to follow but what a laugh that was.

This afternoon I was able to help take a number of children out for icecream. Thank you to those who gave money towards this.

The journey home was spent singing christmas carols which also ammused the local drivers.

 

So the week ahead has a few early starts out to SA and a day trip in Kruger. Oh and todays blessing was being vomited on by one of the kids who is a little unwell! Oh the joy of working with kids!

I have bags!

Well they are here today which is excellent. Not only for my stuff which is a small collection compared to the amount of stuff I had for the kids. The customs man was very taken with the 5 shrink wrapped dolls I had packed in my case and asked to see them - so opening then package all the air comes back in and obviously they fill out. When I showed him the dolls he was very ammused by then and counldn't stop laughing! He was even more impressed with the 18 pairs of sunglasses and kept saying how he has 2 small children, so now I am on base with 16 pairs of sunglasses - a small price to pay for not having to open my other suitcase. T.I.M

 

It is very humid at the moment and apparently there was a massive thunder storm last night on top of the all night prayer vigil - both much to the ammusement of the people here I managed to sleep through. Proves that ear plugs work.

 

 

 

What a difference a day makes!

Well I have arrived "home". The bags, however, are still (i hope) in Ethopia! This is all down to the plane not taking off on time! Grrrrr

It was great to be greeeted at the airport by Tracey, Lucia and Sina. Let me tell you it's HOT here - not only that but it's humid. SO I being the wise one that I am forgot to pack spare undies. The first time and sods law kicks in!

 

It has been SO nice being back here. I am staying in a missionary friends room and she has an industrial sized fan. The joy of arriving this evening also means I get to enjoy an all night prayer vigil in the church. For those who have lived here know how much a blessing I am finding that tonight.

 

The kids are all just amazing and of course growning as you would expect. It's lovely to be catching up with friends here.

 

That's it form me for now - NO clean clothes and praying that the bags arrive in tact tomorrow..... .Will let you know. .

 

Cx