Mozambique
.
3 weeks.
Here’s a sampling.
The road to Morrumbala, Mozambique.
From Dondo, it was 10-12 hour ride in a flatbed truck to the Iris Ministries base in Morrumbala.
We made this drive both during the daytime and the nighttime.
Both were absolutely gorgeous – the lush landscape during the day and the southern hemisphere’s stars at night!
Our homey little flatbed truck!
22 people (plus all our packs).
We’ve actually coined another catch phrase for the World Race in respect to community and personal space (or lack thereof) – “The World Race … where shifting is a group effort.”
Ah!
What have I gotten myself into?
During our stay in Morrumbala, we had the opportunity to participate in food distributions through our contact Iris Ministries.
While we didn’t actually work directly in the flood zone, we were able to visit many of the refugee camps where the Mozambique residents relocated after they lost their homes.
This is one such camp.
Simply parcels of land granted by the government, the people build grass huts and squat on the land until they relocate again or find new arrangements.
The boys preparing for our 1st outreach.
In total, we had nearly 350 of these very
big bags of food to distribute during our time in Mozambique.
It is estimated that we were able to literally feed thousands of people for approximately a 3 week span with each food drop.
At each outreach, we would begin by setting up the sound system and getting the music rolling.
We would generally have a team of locals, pastors and translators that would go with us and while the food was being unloaded, they would start up the singing and dancing.
I said at our first outreach that I will appreciate ANY country with ACTUAL rhythm (that was
somewhat lacking in Central and South America!) – so I think I will actually enjoy my time here in Africa!
Ha.
J
After the worship/dancing finished, someone would speak a short message and there would be a time of response and an opportunity for prayer.
And I have to say … I’ve never prayed for as many mothers and their babies before in my entire life!
It was amazing to see the people so eager for a touch from the Lord.
And the Lord truly showed up during these times as well!
A lesson that we all learned from our experiences is that “Hunger is Fed.”
When you show up expectantly, waiting and eager for a blessing from the Lord, and desiring to experience Him … he will not disappoint!
Ahhh.
The orphanage.
What I have literally waited for for 5 months.
I couldn’t have asked for anything more than to just hang out there and love on them!
And that’s what we did!
Oh the fun – tons of songs, those little hand clappy games, the boys wrestling and generally just being little boys, Frisbee, Shaya (a game somewhat like dodgeball), and LOTS of hair braiding!
Love it!
(Oh …. And P.S. you can TOTALLY see how long my hair is getting in this picture!
Crazy!)
This is probably one of my favorite babies at the orphanage.
Actually, he wasn’t even an orphan, but one of the local kids that would end up hanging out with us.
His name is Bolsi, is about 2-3 years old, and I taught him English!
He would pretty much mimic everything I would say, so I taught him such phrases as: My name is Bolsi, I know English, and I love you.
So cute!
Unfortunately, however, for the majority of my time in Morrumbala I actually thought that HE was a SHE.
She was the cutest … pink and purple shirt with hearts, pretty eye lashes and the cutest little voice in the world.
Well, as it turns out, clothing is
not an indicator in the middle of Africa when the children put on pretty much any piece of clothing that they can find …. and on about the 3rd to last day at the orphanage, I accidentally found out the truth about Bolsi.
I think I was heartbroken for a little bit.
But he was still super cute and the whole situation ended up being pretty funny.
Only me.
The short hair throws you for a loop too – there were actually SEVERAL kids who remained “genderless” for a portion of our time there.
How terrible.
J
I thought I would go ahead and share a picture of the meat of choice for our month in Mozambique – GOAT!
Nothing like a nice bowl of spaghetti with goat meat.
J
Some of the World Racers donated a goat to the orphanage and we were able to view the slaughter and preparation of their dinner.
I will spare you the more gruesome details … but basically they slit the goat’s throat, drained the blood, skinned it, cleaned out the insides (which they actually ALSO eat), and then cut it all up to cook.
Lucky for you, you got a picture of the skinning process!
Yippee!
Our last day at the orphanage.
Although it was a hard day with lots of goodbyes, I am so thankful for the
whole experience.
I was truly blessed to be surrounded by the love and joy that the orphans constantly radiated.
I can only pray that they felt as much love from us and the Father as we did from them.
Jesus, take these children in your hand.
Bless them and protect them Lord.
May they know the full extent of your love Father.
Amen.
As of now …. we are in Swaziland for probably another week until we hit the road again. Send me love! Internet is SLOOOOOWWWW here, but I’d love to hear from each of you! Blessings and I hope you are all having a wonderful summer! Blessings! Michelle
