Mozambique: Update

I am living here in Chokwe, Mozambique! We are living with our host Sybil at her house. In the house is my team (Britt, Kirsty, Naomi, Mariah, And Lauren), Sybil, Annake, Martinia, Vevecca, Tom, Zepha, Abigail, and anyone else that might be visiting or in need of a place to stay. Sybil has an open door policy at her house. People stop by anytime just to have a little chat. I love it. 

My ministry this month is working at Sybil’s school. We are working on painting the new preschool building! It has been quite the task because of all the rain and flooding we have been getting. One day we went to the school and it was completely dry and when we left 6 hours later the grounds of the school were flooded with at least two feet of rain water. We had to carry the preschoolers from their building to the busses! House were flooded and it took days for it to all dry up. We even had to cancel school for a few days. Since then we just get small rain storms but it has still hindered our work. I pray that we will be able to finish in time. 

Other than painting we have also been making classroom decorations. Such as, weather charts, Portuguese ABC charts, and birthday charts! I have enjoyed the combination of arts and crafts mixed with the hard labor of painting. 

Living in Sybil’s house has been so luxurious compared to other WorldRace accommodations. I share a room with two other team mates,  I have my own twin size bed that sits on the floor with a misquote net, a fan in our room, a shower, a toilet, clean water, a lady named Palmera that cleans the house and does our laundry, and the ladies even cook for all the meals we eat! I am constantly surrounded by loving people and a giving host. I have been so blessed by these people. I love it here and I’m going to be so sad to leave.

A typical day of food here is a baguette or oatmeal for breakfast (I put peanut butter on or in both of those things) with a mug of hot herbal tea. Lunch is usually a combination of white rice with beans/ potatoes/ small amount of meat/ or a thick sauce. Dinner is the main event here. They make either white rice or shimma (which is like grits but without moisture so it sticks together a lot more) with maybe a meat, chips (wide cut fries), a salad or purred veggie, and possibly a baguette. It was hard getting used to not eating as many fruits and veggies at first but my body is adjusting.

I’m still trying to stay active. Especially with my new eating habits. My team has been very supportive and actually joins in! We usually run about 2 miles and do a little Bootcamp to follow! It has been great working out in a community like I did at home. Running isn’t something that people do in Chokwe so when 6 white girls run past your house you stop and stare. I feel like I’m in a parade a lot of the time. It’s quite amusing. The streets are very bumpy and made of dirt so I’m getting a lot of trail running experience! It’s been nice on my knees to take a break from running on the hard asphalt and concrete back home. I do miss my running and Bootcamp family though! 

The dress for women in Mozambique have to wear dresses, skirts or pants that cover your legs to your knees. This was an adjustment at first but now when We see a girl with short shorts on we all say “oooooo she gunna get in trouuuuubllllle”. It’s funny how quickly your mind is changed by the culture around you.

The currency here is called Meticals and 70 Meticals equal one American dollar. 

I have been perfectly healthy other than some weird heat rashes I have gotten but they are finally going away.

We have 2 more days here in Mozambique. Please pray for comfort in this time of transition and safe travels back to South Africa and from south Africa to Swaziland.

Also, pray for my teams health. 

Thanks for reading this blog that was jammed full of slot of thoughts. Expect another blog soon! Make sure you subscribe to get updates.

I am still not fully funded for my trip. I have exactly $3000 to raise! If you feel lead to help me on this journey please donate at the top of this page. 

Talk to you all soon! 

Caio,

Emily