Now that I am finally getting caught up with my blogs, I can tell you about the start to last month in Mozambique!
We arrived in Vilanculos, Mozambique after days of travel, so we were blessed by our host family
by
giving
us 4 days of rest on their lake front property (lake front property may mean one thing to us on the race and another to you, but either way… it was heavenly!).
by
giving
us 4 days of rest on their lake front property (lake front property may mean one thing to us on the race and another to you, but either way… it was heavenly!).
We slept in our tents under the stars each night and came together each day to swim in the lake or play card games on the deck. But, nothing happened unless we were either sweating or swatting flies away. The two in combination is quite possibly my least favorite state of being EVER!
My favorite would have to be when we would all come together for dinner, sharing delectable meals made by squad mates, all for under $1.18 per person!! If I’ve learned anything on this race, it’s how to make good, cheap meals.
Our host family in Vilanculos was amazing – Jaco and Maria Rudolph, and their two kids, Rudo (9) and Maggie (10). We all grew to love this family as we spent every waking hour with them for days. Their hospitality was overwhelming when they allowed us to take over every plot of grass they owned to pitch our tents. We all shared two showers, three toilets, one kitchen and one very popular 24″ tv (with satellite channels).
The Rudolphs moved from South Africa over 6 years ago when they were called to begin a ministry in Mozambique. They left on faith with nothing but themselves and a caravan that held everything they owned. Six years later, they are continuing to follow the Lord’s call on their lives, to lay them down and completely rely on the faithfulness of the Lord to provide all that is needed to carry out His will.
Two years ago, Jaco answered His call to create an orphanage, shortly after a devastating cyclone hit that area. Since then, he has raised up 24 children through the care of Eric, a native to the area and fellow believer. Eric found many of the children himself and has continued to care for these children, as if they were his very own. Despite desperate living conditions, the family and the orphanage laugh, sing and play together on a daily basis.
The children of the orphanage in Temane, Mozambique
More on the Rudolph family and Temane orphanage in blogs to come. Thanks for reading!
