Elise in Marrupa!

Okay, maybe just one more post...(read post below first).

In case some of you are confused as to why I (Elise) am parting ways with Mindy to go up to Northern Mozambique, I will fill you in.

I will be staying with a missionary family, the Talbots, (friends of my aunt and uncle) in a little town called Marrupa - central northern Mozambique. I've been invited to stay for the entire month - Thank you, God - participating in their ministry in a few small ways. My main task will be to homeschool the MC children, along with teaching english to locals interested in learning the language, and helping lead bible studies and other outreaches. It looks as though I'll also get the chance to go camping on Lake Malawi for one week with the family, so I think that checks off everything I could have hoped for for this trip. I can't believe how blessed I am to get to experience all this - it really seems like a dream.

I'll be arriving in Lichinga tomorrow morning, where I will stay one night before heading east (halfway across the country) to arrive in Marrupa! I can't wait. I don't know quite what to expect, but from what I've heard it sounds like exactly what I hoped to do/experience in Mozambique.

Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and love. I likely won't get much computer access (as I'm told the area is very rural, and computers are unreliable), but know that I'm thinking of you, and that I'm safe!

Love you all! God Bless, and enjoy the rest of your summers!

Goodbye, Mindy! I love you; Mozambique won't be the same without you.

Elise

Cape Town, Durban, Swaziland

Hi all you faithful visitors!

As we intimated in our last post, Cape town was a definite highlight. We realize now why we liked it so much: it's very much like Vacouver. It's mountainous, trendy, and it sits on a beautiful harbour. We're ashamed to admit that we only alotted two days for this amazing city; however, they were well filled, eventful days.

We visited most of the sights in those two days, including:

-Table mountain: The flat-topped mountain that looms over the city
-Slave Lodge: used since the 17th century as a prison for slaves (now clearly just a
museum)
-District Six Museum: district in which only whites were permitted to live in the days of
appartheid
-Robben Island: The holding place of political prisoners (including Nelson Mandela)
during Appartheid. Interestingly, the guides of Robben Island were former
inmates of the prison.

Next stop: Durban! That is, after a gruelling 28 hour bus ride. Though Durban didn't have as pleasant and carefree an atmosphere as Cape Town, it proved to have its own charms. As you walk though the bustling downtown area, with all its noise, smells, and scores upon scores of people, you almost get the feeling you're stepping into India itself (or at least as we picture India in our minds).

While in Durban we had our own private tour guide - PAT! (the mother of a friend of Elise's dad). It was so liberating to be driven around in a car. We weren't confined to the city, rather, Pat took us out into the Valley of a Thousand Hills, where we were exposed to traditional Zulu culture.

The kingdom of SWAZILAND! After staying almost exclusively in the big cities of SA, we were relieved to find ourselves in the picturesque Ezulwini Valley, also home to the King of Swaziland, King Mswati III. We only had one full day to acquaint ourselves with this beautiful country. We went hiking in a nature reserve, where we came face to face with a family of vervet monkeys, saw a breathtaking waterfall, and saw traditional Swazi dancing (we found that Swazi culture was very similar to Zulu in many ways). Needless to say, we wish we could have spent more time here.

And now we find ourselves back in Maputo -- which in many ways has become our "home" in Africa (it is our fourth time staying in this city!). We've become very attached to it, and look sadly to Thursday when Mindy will fly to Europe and Elise to Lichinga in Northern Mozambique.

This is more than likely going to be the last Mindy and Elise Blog post. We know...sad. Thank you so much for your interest and your prayers. This has been the trip of a lifetime. Cliche, but true. All the best,

Mindy and Elise

The Kruger and Jozi

Hello everyone!

Well, after tearing ourselves away from our beloved Mozambique we moved on to South Africa. Almost as soon as we set foot in the country, we sensed a very different atmosphere than in Mozambique. It was less easy-going, less light-hearted, somehow. There are still bits of resentment lingering in the aftermath of forty years of apartheid. It's hard to pinpoint--more of a general atmosphere really. But don't get us wrong, we don't want to put South Africa in a bad light. We really like it here, and have come across both beautiful scenery and friendly people.



We crossed the border and went first to Nelspruit. From there we went on a one day safari into Kruger National Park, the most visited game reserve in the world--and with good reason. It was amazing. We ended up seeing three of "The Big Five: elephants, lions and rhinos (we missed out on leopards and water buffalo).

We also saw zebra, giraffes, alligators, monkeys, baboons and loads of antelope. Not to mention the breath-taking African landscape against which we witnessed this mishmash of wildlife.

From Nelspruit, we moved on to Johannesburg, where Judy and David, friends from Zimpeto, were awaiting us. Though it had only been a week and a half since we'd seen them, it felt like ages and it was wonderful to see them. With the reputation Johannesburg has, it was really nice to have a friend (slash protector) in the city. It was strange to see walled houses, barred windows and barbed wire around every corner, but Joburg was definitely worth a visit. We went to the Apartheid museum and out to a nice area called Melville.

[ We took Judy's dogs for a walk to the park with David, only to find the park scorched--the ground
exhaling bits of ash and billows of smoke. Apparently the authorities burn it annually to ensure
the vegetation grows back nicely the following year.]

[In anticipation for a night out, Judy rushed into the walk-in closet only to collide headfirst
into a nasty door that had the audacity to be open.]

[David, Elise, Judy and Mindy, ready to go out]

We've just arrived in Capetown. The rumors are true; it's beautiful. It also promises to be a worth-while visit. Next, we move onto to Durban and Swaziland and finally back to Maputo.

God bless,

- Mindy and Elise

Hi Everyone!

Well, here we find ourselves again in Maputo city after our three weeks at Zimpeto and Machava orphanages. We're starting to identify Maputo with the internet, I think, as it's the only real time that we have access - and that's a bad association.

We have been grieving for the past two days over the fact that our time is up at orphanages. We had an absolutely wonderful time; the orphanages were definitely the highlight of our trip so far, and we predict that it won't be easily topped. We've really discovered that it's the relationships you form in a place that makes your stay meaningful. We met so many people - kids, visitors, missionaries - who are so amazing, and right now it's hard to imagine being seperated from them.

Our stay at Zimpeto differed quite a lot from our stay at Machava.

Zimpeto is BIG, loud, and busy. There is always something going on. Not only are there close to 500 kids to spend time with, but there are also outreaches almost every day that visitors can partake in.

Some include: - Hospital Ministry,
- Street Ministry
- Prison Ministry
- the Bocaria (this is the city garbage dump. A massive pile of stench and smoke
and flies. It's high and wide -- probably the breadth of four soccer
fields put together. People live there, and spend most of their days
collecting food, cans, clothes - anything We were shocked the
number of people wading through rubbish).
- Som do Ceo (Youth group in Maputo)
- Overnight outreaches in "the Bush" -- that is rural Mozambique.

There are so many chances to get out and experience the work Iris ministries is doing. We were lucky enough to partake in all of them at least once over the 2 1/2 weeks that we were there.

I think one of our favorite experiences was going on a two night outreach to Pastor Fernando's hut in the bush - the closest town was Manhica (which isn't even on a map). It was just the two of us with Pastor Fernando and a 16 year old boy from the orphanage, who was our friend and translator. We finally felt like we were really in Africa. We finally saw how most people live. We slept in a tent on the hard cold sand just outside Fernando's straw, tin and mud hut. Life was very simple and pleasant. Fernando told us his family's difficult first months here. They arrived three years ago to start a church and were not not welcomed in the least. Their doors were beaten in the night, with people yelling threats on their lives. They stayed anyway. The children made up most of their congregation in the beginning. When the got home from church, their parents would beat them; they still came. The church is a lot better received now, thank God. We were warmly welcomed by the whole village.

Lots more to say about Zimpeto, but we'll save that for in person. All the relationship stuff...



Machava:

Small, quiet, and peaceful. Out in the country. Unlike at Zimpeto, kids wouldn't swarm us, nor would they be offended if we didn't remember their names. We found the kids, on the whole, more simple (we mean that in the best way possible). Most atMachava don't speak english, and they're not used to scores of visitors coming and going all the time. As a result, they haven't learned how to take advantage of people like us: visitors.

We had a lot of free time, as there not as many outreaches as at Zimpeto. It was a nice break from the chaos of Zimpeto.

Again, lots more to say, but we will spare you. For now...

Our journey continues into South Africa on the morrow. First stop: Kruger National Park.

If you'd like to see photos from Zimpeto, take a look at these websites:

http://sfu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13641&l=4d61e&id=513045324

http://sfu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13644&l=c9b52&id=513045324

Hope all is well!

Love,

Mindy and Elise

For the past few days we've been travelling up the coast. First to Inhambane, a charming town dating back to colonial times. It has a much more homey feel compared to the immense Maputo. But even the little towns of Mozambique are just swarming with people. I don't think anyone ever stays at home during the day. They're all out and about. Filling the towns with life.



From Inhambane we went up to Tofo. A beach paradise. We hardly realized what we were in for when we went, it was just breath-taking. Silk velvety sand. Thundering waves. Hammocks. We almost felt guilty for being there, when our main purpose for being in Mozambique is to help! We traded with a few vendor children for shell necklaces. It was lots of fun.



Then we headed further north to Vilanculos, which again was very nice and a lot more tourist-oriented than we expected in Mozambique. We boated out to the beauitufl archipelago and went snorkelling. We just loved our hostel -- Zombie-Cucumber-- and the owners. Not to mention the amazing food. We stayed an extra day there almost excusively for the Sticky Toffee Pudding that was on the menu for the next day.



And now we're back in Maputo, geared to head the Zimpeto orphanage tomorrow. We're so excited! Now that we've got a feel for Mozambique and its people, we're just aching to help out in some way.



Sorry, we have some pictures, but they're not properly uploading to this website for some reason.



If you'd like to look at some pictures you should be able to see them at:

http://sfu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10880&l=fc250&id=513045324
and
http://sfu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10884&l=f4cc5&id=513045324
and
http://sfu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10881&l=8a32d&id=513045324

Thank you!!!

HI everyone!

This is just a quick post to express our gratitude to all of you who are checking and posting (we realize there are some of you who read and don't post and that's okay too). It really means a lot to us to hear from people we love, although it makes us miss you way too much!

Love you all, Mindy and Elise

Our First Few Days: Maputo and Inhambane

HELLO EVERYONE!
Here we are in Mozambique! It's been absolutely amazing and there's so much to tell after only 5 days, but we'll try our best to be brief.

Our first day here, we set out on the streets on Maputo, after dropping off our stuff at our guest house. Within an hour, we had acquired 5 little followers. They started by asking for money, but within half an hour we were all just laughing together and they were showing us around the city. One of them spoke English. They were our translators, tour guide, and friends. As we came up from the beach, heading towards the information centre, they stopped at a booth and bought us candy. They wouldn't even let us pay for it! They went from asking for money from us to refusing to let us pay for a little bit of candy. They were so sweet. And strangely enough, we felt safer walking through the streets with our little entourage.
All the pictures here are from the first day. Unfortunately we were unable to upload later photos. Our second day, we met up with the same boys and spent most of the day at the beach. They just stripped down and went swimming. It was so fun. Making sand castles with them and playing soccer with this makeshift ball made out of a bag of styrofoam. They even shooed away the vendors that continually accosted us (it is quite evident that we're not from around here. In Maputo especially, which isn't too touristic, we certainly invite a lot of stares). But in general, people have been so friendly and helpful. We feel very safe. And the people of Mozambique have made such a good impression on us.

The next day, we met up with a friend of a friend who lives here, Ana. She and her husband took us on a day trip to an all boy's orphanage, Casa de Gayato. It was so amazing. It is such a functional orphanage. It's on a farm. We had an amazing meal of rice, chicken, cheese, bread and soup and everything we ate was produced there. They make all their furniture. They sell soy milk. And they equip the boys with practical skills that they can use later in life. It was soooo neat! We're planning on heading back there to work for a week in July.

The next day we sat in a crowded bus for 7 hours careening through the countryside up to Inhambane, where we are now. The rural areas are filled with mud and straw structures, as well as makeshift houses made out of advertising billboards. You can see women carrying big loads on their heads and kids running around everywhere.
Inhambane is very beautiful. The beach is gorgeous. At nighttime, along the shore, you can see sparkly blue phosphoresence in the ebbing water. It's so magical. This is a popular tourist spot for South Africans, so we don't quite attract as much attention here as in Maputo.

So in short, we're having a wonderful time. We love it here and so far everything has gone very smoothly.
Thank you for your prayers,
Love, Mindy and Elise

Photos from Worthing and Brighton!

Just a few photos for you! Don't worry,folks, Africa is coming! We leave tomorrow! EEEEEEE! 1st malaria pill today!

Wonderful Worthing!

Hey Everyone!

Here we are in Worthing, having successfully met up with each other! We leave for Africa in six days and are eagerly and anxiously awaiting our adventure.

Murray and Carol Moerman's place here is lovely, almost right on the water! It's a gorgeous little city and we feel so at home. What a perfect way to relax and get ready for the more exciting and uncertain experiences that await us in Mozambique.

I (mindy) have just spent 2 1/2 weeks travelling in France as a chaperone on a high school trip and then 1 1/2 weeks travelling in England with a friend. It's been truly amazing. The architecture especially in Europe is just breath-taking. As well as the landscape! It was amazing to just look out the train window and watch the rolling brilliant green hills pass by. France was spectacular as well. We got the chance to stay with many different people and actually talk with and get to know the people of France! They were all just ridiculously hospitable and kind to complete strangers! I just fell in love with some of the little villages we stayed in and was sad to leave. But now that I have left, certainly am glad to be here as well!

I (Elise) have been enjoying Worthing for a week and a half now and am afraid that I've become known as "the wandering girl" because I spend most of my day (and night) familiarizing myself with the streets and boardwalks of Worthing. I'm glad that some companions, Mindy and our friend Ellen, have joined me to convince others that I'm not a ghost come to haunt the town. I have, however, done a few things besides wandering... I bike a lot, I've visited most of the tourist attractions on Worthing (Art and History Museum, churches, Pier activities, markets, etc), although most of mine time has been taken up by reading on the beach and enjoying the view (my dad would be jealous).

Spending time with Murray and Carol was great in my first few days here. It was awesome having people I consider as family to help me through the transition of being away from my own family. I also had the priviledge of meeting a wonderful woman, Sunhee, through OC (another guest of the Moerman's!), whom I will miss very much!!

Cheers!

- Mindy and Elise

Trip Summary

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for checking out our blog. Here is a summary of our plans.

I (Mindy) will be leaving on April 26 for France. I'm helping out with a school trip and we'll be travelling around France presenting a French play to different highschools for two weeks. After that, my group will head back to Vancouver, and I'll be heading up to the UK for another two weeks where I'll be travelling with my friend, Ellen. Elise will be leaving May 15 for London. She'll be staying in the Moerman's home in Worthing until I join her on the 26. We'll enjoy a few days of prayer and peace in Worthing before heading down to Maputo, Mozambique on May 31 (Thank you to the Moerman's for letting us stay in their home!)


After arriving in Maputo, we plan to travel up the coast to Beira, where we will be staying with Ben Moerman's friend, Jeronimo. Then we'll be heading back down to Maputo, where we will work in Iris Ministries' orphanage, Zimpeto, for two weeks, starting June 14. After that we will be working in Machava for another one to two weeks (which is just outside of Maputo). We will then be travelling in South Africa, down to Durban and probably Capetown. Then on July 26, Mindy will be flying out of Maputo to London and on the 31, back home to Vancouver.

Elise will be spending another month in the area, returning on the 26 of August.

Thank you for your interest and your Prayers!

Love,

Mindy and Elise