Our three months in Africa have come to an end, and we are currently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I want to catch you up to speed on what has happened between now and then!
We spent our last couple weeks in Africa by going back to Mozambique. This time, we were in Beira, Mozambique – along the coast of the Indian Ocean. We stayed with an amazing woman, Mama Rita, and her TWENTY FIVE children. She has seven of her own, and 18 she and her husband had adopted throughout the years. She told me she has always been unable to turn away a child in need. Her husband was murdered two years ago because of his Christian beliefs. Such a sad story. My heart broke for this woman.
When we arrived (after a vigorous travel day) we met the children and were introduced to our living conditions. We would be sleeping on concrete floors, and we quickly learned that we would be joined by flies, mosquitoes, heat, and RATS GALORE. Complaints were abundant, shamefully, until we realized that we were only getting a small dose of how these 25 people live their entire lives.
We put a new roof on the on the orphanage and worked to patch holes in the walls to prevent future rodent intruders. We also spent a lot of time playing with the BEAUTIFUL children and getting to know the people of the area. When the roof was finished, the children yelled, “CIAO, RATOS!”
From Mozambique, we traveled back down to Nelspruit, South Africa. We spent a week there debriefing as a squad. That’s when I heard the words I had always dreaded: “We are getting new teams.” I love my Bamboo family.
We have a variety of tasks for this month. I got to spend some time teaching English to Afghani refugees here in the city last week. This week we are living with 8 girls who are going through leadership/discipleship training while they are in college. Next week we are going to the jungle to help with medical and hygienic needs in the area. And, our final week here we will be teaching some more English!
Please keep us in thought and prayer as the I-Squad is in month NINE. It seems crazy, but going home is just around the corner. We are starting to plan for going home and getting our futures straight and whatnot. I have made some decisions for my post-race life! After spending some time with my friends and family (and cat) at home, I will be returning to Camp Pecometh to work on the Challenge Course for my fourth summer – potentially along with some current racers! I will also be going to Mexico for my brother’s wedding! And, I am in the process of applying to school districts around Maryland for a teaching job in the fall. (I am starting to look into ESL as a potential, as well!) Prayer is much needed!
Thanks so much for reading! All my love back home J
