breaking for mozambique..

Hello from Africa!

I'm sitting in the Restrick's living room, with a belly fully of our nightly tea, and the movie, "The Gods Must be Crazy 2" projected on the wall. A few minutes ago, Rhoda walked into the living room telling Dave that there was a lizard in their bathroom that wanted to go outside. She thought it would be nice if he would carry him out, so he did. Life is so different here, but we are getting used to things. I wish I would have journaled my very first thoughts more than I did, but hopefully I will be able to recall some of our culture differences and the way I first perceived them. Last night we walked into the kitchen to see Rhoda apologizing to the ants she was smashing. Saying, "sorry guys, but you picked the wrong kitchen today. I don't have enough time to take you all outside, I must cook dinner." I don't even need to tell you that she would never hurt a soul... or even the creatures without them.

(In the 'downtown' city)

I have gotten fairly used to the driving experiences here, as today our car stalled as Tomas was attempting to fly across traffic. Thankfully they all stopped for us, after much honking and many dirty looks. Along the roads there are countless children with barefeet, almost every woman has a baby in her sling and an oversized container of some sort balancing on her head. Dirt covers everything and makes up the "roads" here. There are always goats along the roads and many dogs too. There are numerous pick up trucks, which have probably around 25 people loaded in the backs of them- There are no laws about driving here. No lines in the road to separate lanes, and no laws against passing into oncoming traffic. I pray so much when we are riding along... Thankfully he always keeps us safe. There is a continuous smell of burning trash and body odor that fills the air. Mail boxes and mail delivery do not exist, so we don't receive mail. Being in the capital city of Mozambique, there is not as much greenery as I would have expected, I have been told that you have to drive a little further North to see all the farming. But here, there are many slabs of cement with thin metal roofs and clothes hanging to dry off of every possible corner. It is so overpopulated. Last week, it almost made me sick to watch out the window at some of the sights we would see, but I know that I prayed to break for this country, and that I am. It is so refreshing to see people that are so proud of where they are though. Nobody is ashamed of what they have, or what they don't, but they only want to share with you.

(Kaylee, Kristin, Rhoda, and I in the living room. "Make the face of your puppet")

My journey thus far has been a lot tougher than I would have expected it to be. I am struggling most with not being able to talk to Zach, Mom, and Dad over the phone. To hear their voices would make a world of difference.. Thankfully we have the internet. Another difficulty for us is that women really don't have a voice here. Jerry serves as our spokesperson for the most part. It's not that women can't have a say in things here, but they don't really look to women for answers and males are definitely more appreciated. It's an adjustment, one thing that I have taken for granted as an American. Continue to pray, as I know you all are :) Thank you so much for all you have been doing. I have really found so much encouragement through your prayers and support. We're really learning what it is like to live the African life, and it's definitely not easy. There is so much need! But we serve an able God. I'll write again soon.

(Me and Merrelli playing with bubbles. I think I MIGHT have found myself a favorite!)


Love Always, Allyson