The introduction to Mozambique on the route list when I was signing up for the July 2011 route said something along the lines of “You may find one of your most interesting travel days here.” And so far this has come to be true. We leave Johannesburg, South Africa around 4:30pm in these super small vans with our bags in a trailer behind us. This bus ride takes us 18 hours. Even through Swaziland which we will be returning to next month. We had to rush and get through the border at Swaziland before the border closed at 10pm. That was fun. Then at 1:30am we arrive at the Mozambique border. This process takes what it feels like FOREVER! We are there until 5:30am. And then back into the bus to the capital city of Maputo.
Once there we hang out at another team’s ministry site while we wait for our bus. At 1pm we are on our new van (seats 22 people) and we have 24 people and all our big bags. Let’s say it was a tight squeeze. At 8:30pm we stop for restroom and find out that a toll gate closes at 9:00pm and we are still 300km away. Options: 1. Stay in this sketchy hotel. 2. Sleep in the van. We choose option 2. So we drive to the toll gate to camp out. At 2:30am we are at the toll gate, I have been zonked out since 11pm and was a little unsure as to what was going on so I just stayed asleep, but about half the people slept outside on the ground for awhile. At 5:30am (I think) the gate opened up and we were on our way again. We arrive in Chamba, Mozambique around 12pm. That bus ride= 23 hours.
But finally we have arrived at our ministry site. We are camping in our tents this month (mainly due to the heat). There has been a drought. Rainy season usually starts in October. The latest it has rained before is December 22. So with a drought means limited water. For drinking only. No showering. The orphanage houses 26 boys and more come to hang out during the day. I have already played a couple games of volleyball, a game of disc golf, a game of baseball and jumped in a muddy watering hole. There is always something to do here. It is going to be a great month! It truly feels as if we are in Africa. Finally!
Our tent city for the month. Praise God they are under the shade of the mango trees
The volleyball court. My favorite place to hang out with the boys.
The 'lake' as they call it. A dirty mud pit. Swam in there once. Probably not gonna happen again.
Keep rain in your prayers! I know we are! Not only for us to shower, but for all the crops that are dying!
