Beacon of Hope, Maputo, Mozambique
1. What were your living arrangements like?
We lived in the founder of the ministry’s home and the girls shared a room sleeping on the floor. Before we arrived they had been out of running water for two months and we didn’t get running water until our last couple of days. Our guys and Antoninio hauled water from down the street to fill up our tubs for showers/toilet/dishes.
Cooking American dessert for our hosts
2. What was the food like? What was the best and worst things you ate?
The food was traditional Mozambican; rice, beans, vegetables. Our contacts are American though so they made sure to spoil us with American desserts every week!
3. What is the culture like? How is it different from ours?
Mozambique was colonized by Portugal so it has a very different culture than the rest of Africa. There are still a lot of African traditions present such as carrying heavy things on the head and tying your baby to your back but everyone speaks Portuguese and the buildings/cities are very European influenced. Mozambique has a lot of apparent need but not a lot of ways to get supplies. We needed to paint on our property but went multiple days without being able to get paint or paint brushes.
4. What did you learn about yourself?
I learned that I like to be busy. We had a lot of down time this month and it was hard for me mentally. God teaches us to be still so that we can rely more on him sometimes.
5. What did you learn about how the culture effects the way the people understand the gospel and live as Christians?
Mozambique as a country is affected by witch doctors and other footholds by satan. There is a very real battle going on in the country and even affected the property we lived on. But the Christians there are faithful and their prayers are strong. It is obvious they know who wins the war.
Our white elephant gifts
6. What was your most memorable moment from this month?
Playing “White Elephant” with our Mozam family. It was a wonderful surprise and the boys weren’t afraid to steal our presents!
7. What was the hardest thing about your month?
Too much down time
The new painted wall I designed
8. What was the biggest lesson you learned?
God can use you even when you don’t feel like it. I met my friend Cathy working at Beacon of Hope this month. She was a past racer who decided to come back and help Angie (the founder). She told us that even if we didn’t think we were here for any reason we were a really big support to her. Those words changed my month. Love you Cathy!
9. What did you see God doing among the people of Mozambique?
He is bringing them so much joy! There were smiles everywhere, clapping, and dancing. They are happy people!
10. What did you learn about the community and the people you served?
Africans are extremely good at living in the hope of Christ. The people working at Beacon of Hope Africa are some of the most obedient, reliant Christians I have ever seen. They wait years, decades, praying for God to bless them legally, financially, and with security. They have been defeated multiple times and continue to desire to give their lives to the Lord.
The campfire
11. What FUN activities did you get to do?
We ended the month with a bonfire and the boys’ enjoyed their first s’mores! They also took the time to give us each an African name. Mine was Wamitro, which means I love to work hard.
12. What one thing surprised you the most?
We didn’t have running water for the first 3 weeks we were there and the permanent staff hadn’t had it for 3 MONTHS before we arrived. The water company had everything turned off as a way to try and bribe the community into paying them extra money to turn it back on. Corruption is everywhere!
13. Explain your “typical day” this month.
Because there was so much down time we took turns going through a typical day. When it was my turn I would teach the boys a class called God’s World where we would go over cultural and religious information for different countries. I showed them pictures of places I had been and introduced them to unique/interesting cultural norms. We ended each class by praying for that country. Afternoons (when filled) involved painting! When I wasn’t serving the ministry I was soaking up sunshine (coming from the colder Swazi) and listening to podcasts.
The boys and their world maps
14. What different projects or work did you do this month?
Taught God’s World, painted some class rooms, and I had the opportunity to design a new mural for a wall on the property!
15. Name one main difference between this month and previous months?
There were a lot more of us living in pretty small quarters! (And we had a TV).
16. How was it being close to the ocean again?
It was weird because the city was right on the coast. We only got to go to the beach a couple of times and the ocean was freezing but it looked pretty!
17. Anything else you want to add? Fun story?
This is Antoninio. Beacon of Hope has been out of running water for the past 3 months so he spends his days bringing 45 lbs jugs to our home so we can have water. He’s a saint and a servant and I am inspired daily by his dedication and joy.
Do you have any other questions for me?
-C
