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

The Lucia "Anointing"

When kids are sick I do have a lot of sympathy and patience for them,some more than others it's true, but none the less when they are young,sick and it's a horrible hot day I do like to make sure they know someone cares.

Today Lucia has kept us on our toes. For most of the day her temp has been around 103F and she has just been having a bad day.

So being the caring soul that I am went tonight at dinner time to spend sometime with her. The Tias were busy with the other kids so I thought it would be a great idea while she was quietly sitting on my knee to give her the medication she needs.

Things were going very well and I was almost done. I was chatting to my friend Meghann who was also there saying how good it was that she was not vomiting on me and was taking the meds very well! But of course - I spoke too soon.

There was a massive projectile from the little person on my knee - I was covered while everyone else in the room looked on and reacted like you would in a slow motion movie.

We all recovered from the shock and amusement at my complacency. I then went to put her down so I could start to clean up. There was so much mess on the floor as I held her, she couldn't find her footing at all and was sliding around like a person on a frosty morning - forgive me but it really was the funniest sight. I passed her over to Meghann who also then tried to put her back down but the same thing kept happening Meghann held her while Lucias feet just kept slip sliding in sick. I could do nothing but laugh at this poor wee soul so sick but yet so comic. My compassion went right out the window as the giggles took over. Me covered all over, Lucia not able to stand and the Tias in shock at a white person covered in sick. It really was something from a comedy movie. I truly received an amazing anointing.

I still don't quite understand why no one would hug me tonight!

The Famous Four

There are some days in my life I wish all my friends could be a part of and get to see the kids here and the fun I have with them. The nursery at the moment is such a fun place to be.

As the weeks go by its amazing to watch their different personalities come through

Dionisio

When he is not licking everything in his sight, he is pulling is funny smile face or demanding Agua. Yesterday was one of his funniest moments. One of the tia's is quite short and she was standing at the changing table working with another kid. D walked her to her and blew a big raspberry on her bum. Well I creased up, as did the tia. When he realised how funny he was he too started in to laugh. He was so proud of himself. A major achievement this week is that he can now stand up on his own. This is a major thing for him. When he is not doing any of the above a new found love of D's is to scream at the top of his lungs. He also have a fear of the weirdest things; a cake tin, bubbles, drums and birthday hats.

From Jo In Moz

From Nursery Kids

From Jo In Moz

Chelsea

I walk into the nursery and immediately there is a little body which crab walks towards me. Arms in the air for balance and a big smile and a new squeal which she has learnt from D (thanks mate!). Chelsea has a laugh that sounds like a cat but loves to be cuddled and also loves to eat everything in sight, including her crib.

She is into everything and misses nothing, and a great game for her is pulling her sock and shoes off. Of course bottle time is her favourite time of all, she quietly sits in the chair and bothers no one.

From Nursery Kids

From Nursery Kids

From Chris's Jo in Moz

Cleita

Being the youngest of them all you have to be quite a tough kid and she is. Cleita loves to be kissed by Lucia and laughs so much when Lucia does it. She also gets comforted a lot when she cries by Lucia which she loves too. Also when she is winded does very satisfying burps!

At 4 months old she is not smiling and pulling funny faces oh and has also discovered her voice so chatters away to herself.

From Jo In Moz

From Jo In Moz

From Jo In Moz

Lucia

I could write pages about Lucia but today she was quite the circus master. Just before bed time she was walking around getting everyone in the room to clap their hands while she danced and shuffled round the room. She is such a mother to Cleita, when her dummy falls out Lucia walks over to the cot and puts it back in and gently pats her calm her down. She smothers Cleita with kisses and loves to be the centre of my attention. I normally walk into the nursery to be met with a round of applause from Lucia. She is learning to talk and now say "Ola" and we are working hard on Sapatos (shoes). One day she will be an excellent drummer or dancer.

From Jo In Moz

From Chris's Jo in Moz

From Jo In Moz

All four can be a handful but also bring me so much laughter as the older 3 fight to get into the nappy cupboard or escape from the nursery door. Even stealing toys from each other can be a fun game (sometimes). But I also love them when they are all sleeping!

From Jo In Moz

From Jo In Moz

Joy

All the children I work with are walking miracles in one way or another and its a privilege to be part of their lives.

Angelo is one of these kids. I think he is 1.5 or 2 years old and he lives at the Bocaria. When he is not at the preschool attached to the church he is being looked after by his older brother who is 11. His mother leaves the house at 6 am and is often not back until 8pm at night. This is quite normal here. I have been to the house they live in and its a nice house, the mother clearly loves her children but has to work to provide for them.

Angelo is there most weeks on a Wednesday and loves to run over to us when we arrive. I have often given bible lessons with him in my arms as he seems to cry when he is with the Mozambicans.

He is a very cute child and an infectious giggle when he is tickled.

Today during worship he really caught my heart. We were there dancing away, clapping and doing all the actions. I look down and there he is dancing the best he can and keeping a really good rhythm it was the sweetest sight. He then got really into the dancing and the only way to describe what he looked like was a wind up toy kinda out of control. He really was the funniest sight and I stood for a few moments just laughing at this very precious miracle in front of me and thanking God Angelo is in my life. Today this little child, without knowing it, brought me the biggest amount of joy.

From Chris in Moz

What we all need is a break from the old routine

It's so nice having visitors. I can't believe that Jo leaves tomorrow and I am really not thinking about it. I have really enjoyed having her here and the kids have loved having someone else to play with and tackle.

One of the highlights was getting a break to Kruger where we managed to see 11 lions - not bad for one trip. Still no leopard. Kruger is such a good break for me as I enter a world of animal and not another of people, though I do think that God should have painted Impala pink rather than the same colour as a Lion - it can all get very exciting for a moment and then "oh its just another Impala". Jo was almost kissed on the nose by a Buffalo and we watched Lions stalking Zebra.

Staying one night at Mercy Air was also a real blessing. We were woken in the morning by the monkeys playing in the tree outside. Only in Africa. We also managed to find the stadium where the World cup is going to be played in Nelspruit, looks very impressive. In preparation for the football the town has got its first McDonalds, so yes I gave in and had to have a drive thru Big Mac. Its amazing that having been away 10 months, the taste has not changed and the beef still tastes like cardboard.

The kids here at the moment are all having colds and fevers. When something like that gets into the base its hard to get rid of for a while.

Photos from Kruger

Fogo

There are some phone calls in my life I will never forget. I have a few - my parents being called into school, the call to say my grandfather had died, another to say my dad had a heart attack and todays will be added to this list! "Chris, you need to get up here quickly - there is a fire at the nursery." 

There is nothing like it to make me shift my butt into gear. I ran the whole way (that in itself was a sight). One of the pastors said as I ran past him its ok you are too late you missed the drama. Seeing the drama was the last thing on my mind I just wanted to see if the kids and Tia's were OK! 

I got there to find all the kids fine and quite enjoying the attention they were getting from the on lookers.Thankfully, beside shock everyone was good. The building was dusty and smokey but nothing that didn't take too long to sort out.  

It could have been so much worse. The gas bottle caught on fire, the how and why I really won't bore you with but man what a day. 

Please pray for the tias it's been a real week for them. 

In times like these

These last few days I have found myself standing back and looking at the kids more. Life here can be so busy that it is possible to not spend any time with the kids. 

But the two who have stood out to me more over these last few days are Lucia and Latifo (no real surprise there). 

As you know Latifo moved up to the Baby House a while ago, and has been on and off with his health, we also discovered that his right shoulder was really bothering him. We think that one of the Tia's probably picked him up by one arm (a very cultural thing and awful to watch) and because he is heavier his joints probably couldn't take the strain. The last few weeks for him have not been great. 

The other evening I was briefly in the Baby House and he caught my eye. He was sitting watching TV with Adilson and just clowning around with him. These boys are almost the same age but in size they are very different but it was amazing to see who kids who have both come in very malnourished and need a lot of attention now playing together and growing and for the first time saw Latifo play like boys his age should. He still is not walking but now he is interacting really well with the other boys. 

Twice today Lucia really melted my heart. When she decides to be, she can be so compassionate. One of her favourite things at the moment is getting to give Da-ba's (kiss) to Cleita. She will land big kisses on her face, watching her often reminds me of how I was when my sister arrived. Today Cleita was in the swing chair and was starting to get quite unsettled so Lucia crawls over there and starts pushing the swing to try and settle Cleita, it was one of those moments. Later today Dionisio was bawling and so she moved over to him and started to pat his back (well more like pound) to help pacify him. Where does a child at 15 months learn this. My prayer is that she never looses it and grows into a woman of God who always has a soft heart. 

This ones for the Children

There is a lot to be said about living here - the highs and the lows but today I think goes in the Highs. I am helping look after another dorm at the moment. It has 8 children between 4-8 living in it. They really are a hoot. All with their own little personalities and life stories they make up a merry bunch to take out for an afternoon. 

We headed to a park in the city for a plate of chips and a drink oh and of course a tall climbing frame and swing. They were so happy, socks and shoes came flying off as each got more excited about the days adventure. 

What makes it more funny for me is that the site of a "Grande Barco" (large boat) cause the most screams of delight. If I had know that would be the most exciting thing for them, I would have saved the money and sat them down at the docks.