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
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
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.
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
Sunday, July 15, 2007
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
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 groundexhaling 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 headfirstinto a nasty door that had the audacity to be open.]
[David, Elise, Judy and Mindy, ready to go out]God bless,
- Mindy and Elise
Monday, July 9, 2007
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
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
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