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

Two worlds, one family

 Today has been one of those days where nothing makes sense to me and culture shock hits hard. I found myself in a shop in Victoria station - nothing strange about that except I could have been standing in a smaller version of Shoprite in Maputo. This shop had all the brands, cereal, drinks I have been using in Mozambique. Obviously Shoprite brings all their good in from SA which this shop was - catering to all the homesick SA's here in London. 

At first I smiled as I looked at the Koo cans of marmalade and my tastebuds started to run as I ventured further into the shop - Simba crisps, Tempo Choloclate bars,Eat Sum Mor and Tennis biscuits, Ouma rusk,  Lemon Twist cans and PINEAPPLE Fanta! Heaven - for a brief moment. £1.15 for a can of Lemon twist - £2.30 for a small packet of Eat Sum Mor biscuits and a pack of Simba crisps not even going to share the price. I was in shock at the price people were going to pay for a taste of home. 

Being in Moz I could buy these things weekly if I wanted but most of these are a luxury most of the Mozambicans I worked with couldn't afford and I was very aware of that on days when I came back with my shopping. Seeing what are normal staples in a shop in Moz sitting on shelves in a shop in Victoria broke my heart. The price was a big factor but I think for me harder thing was knowing that last week many of the Mozambicans who I have rubbed shoulder with in down town Maputo or ministered too on the dump had to take the the streets last week to riot because the cost of living had gone up so much. Bread has gone up 25%. 

Most wouldn't consider shopping in Shoprite as it's too expensive and the goods I was looking at today would very rarely be in their homes. We stop at nothing to have the norms and the brands we know in life and I am guilty of this with each parcel which arrived out last year from home had many treats from here. 

Today standing in this shop I though - 10 people died last week in Maputo because they needed their voice to be heard about the increase in the price of bread, rice, water and electricity,  Today someone will buy something from this shop to have a taste of home and normality in their life. I miss Moz, I miss the Mozambicans I worked with and most of all wish the cost of living didn't hit one of the poorest nations so hard and their only voice is to start riots on the streets. 

Fix you

Some times sharing in a blog is about about the happy times and sometimes its about the utter heartbreak of life.... sadly this is one of the heartbreaks.

Sometimes you know that when you move on from a place or move away there are people that in this life you will never see again and that's ok to a degree - then there are those who you never image you will not see in this life again. I never thought this would happened when I left Moz in Dec and yet on the 12th Jan '10 it did. 

Coldplay song Fix you has the line " And the tears come streaming down your face, when you loose something you can't replace" This was certainly the case for me when the news that "Mr Dino" as he was know to all round lost his battle for life.

I had previously written about the first time I met Dino. Please see http://chrisinmoz.blogspot.com/2008/09/tues-19th-feb-malnutrition-answered.html for this. 

Going back in these last few weeks made his death much more real and having to come to terms with him not being there was probably one of the hardest and painful parts of returning. 

He had been a little sick before I left but not sick enough to think I will never see you again in this life. The shock of his death was hard and knowing that if he has been in a western hospital it probably would not have happened just raises more questions in my mind. 

Dino died on the 12th Jan '10, the day before my nursing interview. I was sure I wanted to become a children's nurse but knowing that really Dino died in vain made me more determined that I wanted to return to Africa as a trained paediatric nurse. 

The following DVD is my tribute to Dino, one child who made a massive difference in my life and who is sorely missed.   I know he is dancing and happy now but doesn't make it right.  

You might have to click the top right are which say something about HQ/Standard Video

Feels like the Summer of '69

As I lay in the 30 degrees we are having in London my thoughts are drifting back to days like this in Moz. Of course a day like today is more like "winter" in Moz. 

I am back in the UK now almost 5 months. Did I intend to stay this long - well not quite. God seemed to have other plans in store. 

So what am I doing now? 

When I was "at home" I had an interview for City University to study children's nursing. Never really thinking anything would come of this I went and was expecting it to be a closed door. Somehow, there were other plans for the next season in my life. I have the interview on the 13th Jan and was offered the place the next day. Not starting in Sept like most courses but starting 15th Feb. Crunch time and decision time had to be made. Well the fact I am still here may give you some clues as to how the decision went. This was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, but there was clear guidance in it and so 15th Feb I started to train to become a children's nurse, my heart is to go back to a developing nation and serve there... watch this space.  So exams are just round the corner hence the joy of being able to enjoy the sun here in London. 

Leaving as quickly as I did was not ideal, my stuff was still in Moz and there were many people I had not said goodbye too. So in the last 2 weeks I had the opportunity to go back and for want of a better term find closure on my time in Moz. I will blog later about going back and seeing my friends and the kids again but it feels wrong to talk about that before I share with you about Dino. So please see my next instalment all about him. 

Honey I'm Home

I have arrived back in the UK with a mix of feelings and emotions on it. Having said that I am so cold that to have a sense of any feeling would be nice. 

Having not been on a plane for over a year I had forgotten how much I hate landings and with nobody to hold my hand I had to be a big girl about it all. 

I almost didn't make it out of Moz as apparently there is a limit on how much cash you can take out of the country - who knew, and why didn't they tell me! I of course had all my notes in my pockets which i had to empty to go through the redicilious x - ray machine. So, both security guards were focused on me and the money issue rather than the screen and watching what others had in their carry on. T.I.M.

So off to J'bourg - now life has a funny way of repeating itself!. When I flew out to Moz over a year ago I got very distracted at the x ray machine in Heathrow and managed to leave my passport, boarding card and wallet at the security desk. It wasn't until I was standing at the gate about to board I realised what I had done!. Clearly I did not learn my lesson the first time round becuase I didn the exact same thing at Jo'bourg. In my defence I was having one of those moment where I realise how much I LOVE Africa and certain thing happen here and no where else in the world. I am refereing to the fact that as I was passing through security all the guys were singing and harmonising together and there was Joy in them,  it was was an awesome sound and like I said, you would not get that anywhere else in the world. 

I strike up a conversation with the guy who started it all off and we kept chatting about his church and how he sings there and so I say bye and walk off - My passport, boarding card and phone are still sitting in a little black container at the end of the belt. FAIL!

It wasn't until I went to txt someone that I realised what I had done and for the second time in my life. When will I learn. 

The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. I arrived back here to the cold and and still trying to thaw out. NOT fun, missing Moz a bit. 

The Famous Four have multiplied

A while ago I wrote about the Famous Four in the nursery. Since then there have been a few changes. Dionisio has now moved to the Baby House which is fantastic for him, this is a day we sometimes thought would never come. He has settled in well after taking a few weeks to adjust. 

The nursery now has 6 in it. Again we are equally matched at 3 boys 3 girls again. Please keep praying for those most in need to find their way to us. Enjoy the pictures. 

From Nursery Kids

Heartbreak Hotel

I have spent today thinking a lot about the prayer that I feel many Christians glibly pray - " break my heart with what breaks yours".I am sure I have pondered this before on blogs but I too on numerous occasions have prayed it. This week I have found myself with it answered and as a result I have seen and felt the true reality of the heartbreak of this world. 

Today I find every bone in my body fighting anger, albeit a lot of it righteous and justifiable in my mind. I have become involved in a situation at the Bocaira which from whatever side you look at it. If accusations are true then it leaves me wanting to be sick and go out looking for revenge, If accusations are false - they are horrible accusations and my mind wonders how anyone can move on from such things. For my in the middle of this I am finding a new level of strength I never knew I had, and also am in a very freeing place of leaving the situation with God because he is the only one who can bring truth to the many people involved. It doesn't mean I have not shed many tears and stuggled and felt the pain of many of those involved but I think I am finally learning I do have a soft part of my heart that I can't protect all the time and I have to give it over to God. 

This week has also been interesting as we have had our water pump stolen, along side this our wells are nearly empty so for a lot of the week our water supply has been very sporadic ironically this week has been the worst week of rain in over a year! 

My friend Jenny came for 2 weeks it was so nice having someone here as I passed the year mark of being here, and I got to see my Leopard at Kruger. 

Another hi - light was taking a new child into the nursery. His name is Francisco, he is 7 months and the cutest kid I have seen in a while, I think he beats Augustinho who IS also very cute. 

So 36 days till I fly home, tonight we have a bar b que, my first all summer. It felt really nice to see around chatting with the girls, like for a few moments I was sitting back in London just enjoying a summers night.  

Elections

So far today has gone really well. We have had no workers so for any area with small children and babies it has been a challenge to say the least. 

Have a look at this link to see photos from today. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8330191.stm

Life is a Rollercoaster

As most of the western world who follow pop culture are in shock at the sudden death of Stephen Gately, we in Zimpeto are in shock at the sudden death of one of our own. 

Paulo went to bed last night and never woke up this morning. He was one of the kids on the centre every missionary knew and most visitors would remember. He was always happy to talk to you and at times could be a little moody but still had an infectious laugh and loved to be hugged. He would always be hanging around with Inacio who stood up in church this morning and gave a testimony to Paulo. These two were inseparable. The photo below is the two of them with my friend Isaac when he was here in Feb. Paulo on the right, Inacio on the left. 

Please pray for the boys in the dorm and the educators who work with them. This is a massive shock for the whole centre and prayers to ease the pain and understand the needless loss much appreciated.  

From Isy and Jac in Moz