I’m not entirely sure how to sum up this past month. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Once we finally got settled it was great. That travel time to get all the way from Malawi (on the way from Tanzania) to the slums of Maputo was incredibly difficult.
We spent time living in bamboo huts and doing bible studies at St. Arbucks. Yes, St. Arbucks really does exist. I danced along the paths of scorpions and watched as the guys went out hunting for creepy crawlies. I drank water out of the tap because we lost our water purifiers. I got to see the Southern Cross in the sky. I spoke at a church where locals screamed out Amen. I stood on the platform of a Crusade and got to share the Good News in my own personal testimony. I watched as 20 or so people came to Christ in the most remote village I have ever been to. It was a month of firsts.
Our team grew. We are a cohesive unit, something I don’t think I would have thought possible 3 months ago in Bucharest, Romania when it was announced. I jumped profusely on a trampoline with a 3 year old laughing hysterically trying not to pee my pants as I did the “popcorn” move.
This is my life. This is my life. This is my life. I keep having to remind myself of that. And this life is here for me forever if I decide to keep on going with it once this crazy whirl wind journey is over. The truth is, I find it hard to believe that this is my life because I’m so in love with it. I am head over heels in love with my life. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, I get frustrated. Yes, I have more moments where I’m like “what the heck just happened” than I do “WAHOOOOOO” moments but I’m still in love. It’s choosing joy when that’s the only option. But I love it. I get to wake up every day with 6 other crazies and run around waving the proverbial good news Jesus flag all day every day. And it’s INCREDIBLE!
Who knew that 78 hours south of Malawi is a slum off the capital, just a tad near the Indian Ocean where Africa is being lit on fire.
Sure, someday I’m going to go back to my comfy bed and hot showers but what about everything and all these people I’m leaving behind? Spiritually I’m wrestling if that’s okay to do. To leave it all behind. I don’t want this to just be a “trip”. It’s not, I will refuse it to let it be. Walmart freaks me out. Wanna know why? Because we happened upon a Spar store yesterday which is a British super store similar to Walmart. I had a full blown anxiety attack in that thing because there were 20 kinds of facial wipes and too many kinds of journals to pick from. I left that insanity with only a chocolate bar and a Schweps tonic water (in honor of my Dad) because I had no clue how to handle all the choices. Truth is I miss our little slum stores made out of sticks, dirt, and straw. Who the heck needs 30 kinds of chocolate? I sure don’t. The point is…. I’m not going back to that American lifestyle. It’s too dang complicated.
So, Mozambique…. I’m not sure what I learned here… but I sure did become more of a Jesus freak out here. I sure did learn that I love my life way more than I thought I did, so I guess… maybe… Mozambique you kinda stole my heart… just a little.
What’s the plan for next month??
Leaving for Nepal on January 3rd!! We’ll be living in Katmandu doing something or other. Living with 2 other teams and praise the Good Lord because the high is only 60 degrees and the low will be 35 degrees. Buh-Bye 109 degree weather! In between time, we’ll be heading to the rape capital of the world which is JoBerg, South Africa. We’ll have debrief which will include, but not limited to, real showers, real food, fast wifi, great worship, entire squad time, sleeping in, not sweating, skype, more processing, taking a deworming pill to get rid of the worms we probably all have.
Also, I got Malaria. I was inches away from coming home because it took them 3 days to confirm it. I was in a private hospital that was really amazing but it really took a toll out of my personal account. No more crazy outtings for me on the Race. But, God healed me in time to enjoy debrief! As I sit here in South Africa it is hard to believe I'm in Africa because it is so Westernized here. This mall is nicer than any mall I have ever been to, and their fruit smoothies are the best I have ever tasted. Cheers to no more malaria!
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
WE'RE LEAVING AFRICA!!!!!!!!
The Beach in Maputo (capital of Mozambique)
Family Photo
Team Awaken Depth on Christmas Eve
We all hope you had a very Merry CHRISTmas!
