A Blog.

I write to you today with no stories of my life.

There will be no photos in this blog.

I write today only to tell you that for the last 2 plus weeks (maybe even the last month) the workers have been "finishing the building." I've lost track of how many times the head builder has told us he was days from "finishing the building." If you've built before, you might be shaking your head along with what I'm saying. But unless you have built in a 3rd world country, I don't know that you could even start to understand the obstacles we've been facing.

One day I hope to share some or all of the story but not today, because the thought of reliving some stories is to much to think about right now.

Today just like so many others I process. I stand my ground, not expecting perfection but just that things get done and I try to keep myself together.

I just keep reminding myself that more than likely these guys live in houses that are nothing like the one they are building. So we have different expectation.

I think they are now really with in days of finishing, and while I would love to say each day gets easier... it does not.

Like so many things in life... giving up would be the easy thing to do. But this is about so much more than a new home for Nunu and I. When we move, it frees up space for an new office and other new spaces. So I do my best and I rely on the Lord to get me through each day, each hour and sometimes each minute. I know He is using this time to teach both Nunu and me.

I'm curious to see down the road how this experience will be used. Like so many hard moments in my life, I look back and see how it prepared me for something else. Something so much bigger than the hard moment.

Above all, my prayer is that each day I'm more like Jesus. And not just when everything is going my way but in the hard moments too.

Thanks for listening and reading.
Amanda

Prayer Requests:
- I ask that you be praying for Nunu and me, as everyday is stressful for both of us in different ways.
- Also for our workers that they would finish well and do the best they can.
- For my health. I've had a head cold for about a week. It seems to be in my lungs now, as when laying down it makes me want to cough.

Thumbs Up!

A year ago when I came to Pemba, I saw this child for the first time and was totally drawn in. I actually thought he was a girl at first, some of you may remember me talking about Alfie (ow-fee). The only problem was that when Alfie would see me, he would cry. This happened a few times. But gradually he stopped crying. He still wouldn’t come anywhere near me, or look at me. Alfie always wanted to make sure there where other kids around and that I kept my distance. I would hide to take pictures of him. That sounds horrible, but others saw me... like hiding in the open.

I would try to openly get closer, first 15 feet, then 10 feet, then 5 feet. Over time I think he just decided that I wasn’t going away, I wouldn’t say he got used to me, he just figured out how to deal with me. Even after being here for four months, I could tell he just wasn’t to sure about me.

In Pemba, when you see someone, you don’t wave or smile to acknowledge them, you give them a thumbs up. The other day I was driving the truck and as I turned the corner to our road, there was Alfie and another little girl. I gave them a thumbs up and for the first time Alfie acknowledged me in a positive way! He gave me a thumbs up back and even a smile!

Later in the day when the kids were outside playing I joined them (it’s the day we played with the red ball). Alfie eventually came over to play and he was in the spunkiest mood I have ever seen. He was running around giggling, it was like the joy had been locked up inside of him and today it was bursting from every seam.

Each time I looked at him and gave him a thumbs up he giggled at me. He would come close and he would look me in the eye. He would run behind the house and so I decided to go to the other side and see what he would do. When he came back around the corner, I peaked out at him and he laughed so hard. Every moment I could I would hide and peak out at him (I’m not sure our relationship is to jumping out yet, so I just peak). He even started doing it to me. It was so fun.

Some of the older kids caught on to what we were doing and they naturally took it to far. I was sitting on our porch and someone picked him up to put him on my lap. He was screaming but it was a happy scream, but I put him down as soon as he got on my lap. I think lap sitting is just a bit to advanced for our relationship. I’d be happy if he sat down next to me.

I’m trying to go slow. Not to scare him. So I inch forward. I take pictures. I give thumbs up. I smile. It’s not much, but it’s where we are and I’m happy to be here.

For more pictures of Alfie and the kids playing, check out this link to Facebook pictures.

Prayer Request:
- We are currently working on half a building. I will blog soon about it, but in the mean time we need your prayers. The building is over budget and the builder is asking for more money than what was agreed upon. Adriano is going to call the builder today to see if he can work things out. Prayers for a good conversation full of grace, love and resolution.
- School starts next week!

Another Man's Treasure...

I’m not sure if I’ve said it or not yet, but it’s so great being back! I’m seeing little changes in myself and some of the kids. The first morning I stepped out of our room, I was greeted with a sea of “Good Morning, Mana Amanda” or “Bom dia, Mana Amanda!” Most of the greetings came from the neighborhood kids many of whom had never really acknowledged me and now they were shouting greetings at me with big smiles on their faces (remember people don’t emote here as much as in the States). Every time I came out of the room, someone greeted me. I said something to Nunu and he told me that he was trying to teach them manors, that it is polite to greet people. Wow! That is awesome!

Some of the greetings have faded, but every day, every afternoon and every evening I’m greeted by someone. And it’s really nice, it makes me feel more welcome.

When I walk to the shop around the corner, some of the kids yell out “Manda” where as they used to just call me “Coonya” meaning white person. One of the girls who now knows my name is the little girl who I took this picture of back in July. When she would just look at me and run away laughing. I think her name is Gefing, but I can’t remember if that is correct.

I’m working to learn more names, but it’s slow and hard. Names are so unique, I’ve never even imagined some of them and I couldn’t even begin to spell. I gave this one boy my extra rice one day and then I called him back and tried to ask him his name in Portuguese… he told me it was Gracious (like Thank You in Spanish). The look on my face must have read utter confusion, but I quickly just tried to smile. A few days later, I asked again and got the same name, so meet Gracious!

Many of the young children only speak Macua, the tribal language and they don’t learn Portuguese until they get into school. So I’m still trying to find out what his name is!

A few days ago, I was headed out of our yard. I was only going to the end of the street, which is only 30 or 40 feet away, so I was alone. As I walked out of the gate, I saw 4 small children. Their eyes lit up when they saw me. A few even jumped with joy and began giggling!

As I continue walking, I see a few more children become excited. I’m pretty sure one child even scolded another and told them not to be so obvious, stand back a little, chill out… something along those lines. But today it’s not me they are excited to see. It’s what I’m carrying.... I have 3 small plastic bags in my hands. My bags are not empty, they are not full of candy or toys… they are full of garbage.

As I throw the bags into our little garbage canyon, I can see the children trying to hold back. Excited that 2 of my bags didn’t fall very far. I can tell they are trying to wait for me to turn my back and walk home. So that is what I do, I don’t look back. I can’t. It’s just to heart breaking for me. I pretend to be oblivious.

I don’t really even know what it is they are looking for, I know they like empty bottles and rubber gloves. Some sort of never before seen treasure? I’m sure they think I throw away good food. But I don’t, at least not in this trash. I’ve had to change how I throw things out. I’ve learned what to offer up before it hits the trash… at least some things like plastic bottles. And we give all our extra food away, we even ask children if they can wash our empty peanut butter jars. Nunu put me on to this, because they LOVE peanut butter but it’s better to ask them to clean it than offer the leftovers.

I know in the States recycling is big and most people have multiple containers for trash these days But I would guess that ours differ from yours.

We have a special garbage for food (it helps prevents maggots in our trash, YUCK!). Each day that gets thrown out, it’s usually a small bag the size of a large man’s fist. It usually has bananna peals, the little black thing where you pick the tomato off the vine, onion skin, burnt pop corn, eggs shells, chicken bones and just whatever scrap of food that needs to be thrown out.

The little kids are so intrigued by all of our trash, that if we have a rotten egg or something completely bad that the kids might try to eat. I ask Nunu to go throw it away sneaky like, because they don’t watch him as close.

 I have another bin that I put all medical waste into, rubber gloves, tissues, used band-aids and Q-tips. As we have one child who is HIV positive and I never know the status of the neighborhood kids I bandage. I keep this separate and plan to burn it… I’m just not sure where yet. Burning is the only option as in the past I have thrown rubber gloves out, only to find a child later in the day with a blown up rubber glove. While I’ve never been one to burn trash, here it is a safety precaution.

I also have a small box for when I find shards of glass. One day after bandaging what felt like my millionth toe, I decided to be proactive. I look for glass in our yard and along our street and I pick it up. I’ve asked the kids to bring me all the old light bulbs. One day when I have a bunch I will smash it up and dig a hole and burry it, or put it in the foundation of a building (which is what we did last time).

Our last and main garbage is for all the boring papers, wrappers, and what not.

I think part of going through our trash is that many American’s or visitors do throw away good things. Like water bottles or old peanut butter jars. But I also think part of it is curiosity.

Seeing this combination of curiosity and need, just compels me even more. A few time I’ve just gone out and sat by the water well, where the kids often hang. I try to take pictures, which they love. I played ball with them one day… not soccer, just keep off the ground. Each time they hit they ball in the air, everyone yells “YAY!” We play till the ball pops… when a ball cost 34 cents you don’t expect it to last long =) 

Red ball cost 34 cents, but the joy is priceless!

YAY!

Stress... Party of One.

I feel like everyone wants to hear about Christmas. But it’s been stressing me out to find the words to say. In part because this is my third Christmas and the feast and explosive smiles don’t differ a lot each year (I don’t say that at all to take away, but it’s just more fun to write about new experiences)… but also because it’s a fairly stressful day… well at least for me.

A lot goes into feeding 50 people. Trying to figure out who gets invited and what do we do with those that can’t come. How do we stretch the money we have so that the plates are full? I think it’s a cultural thing because I can tell I’m the only one thinking of some of these things. I didn’t grow up with neighbors watching me thought the windows on Christmas day, and that is what it feels like to me.

Those of you who know me well are probably wondering if this is a “it’s not fair thing,” but it’s actually the opposite for me. I go into the day knowing it’s not going to be fair. Knowing that it must be hard for the children who peek through our gate and those who get inside but aren’t on the list.

For me I want to stick to the list, because we could “just add one more” for days. We have to draw the line somewhere, I’d rather draw it and be done. But it’s not always easy to do.  

This is one of those cultural things you can’t plan on, you can’t prepare… you just are in the situation praying not to make a fool of yourself. Praying for grace.

All-in-all Christmas was wonderful. Back in September the PA’s who visited brought almost 30 backpacks (maybe more, I can’t remember). Two women in the community organized families to fill the backpacks. It was so amazing! And I love that it was a cross continental event!

For more pictures click HERE!

In total, 37 bags were filled! Each child got 2 boxes of cookies, 2 bags of candy, a tooth brush, tooth paste, a wash towel, 2 bars of soap, a ball cap, pencils, pens, colored pencils, 2 notebooks and one personal item. The personal items ranged everything from a watch, sunglasses, clothes, balls, trucks and even a few mp3 players.

The crazy thing is that as soon as we are done planning Christmas, we turn around and have to start thinking of New Years!

That night the kids got to eat chicken and spaghetti… and there was no list. As long as we had food, kids were welcome to come eat. Oh and they all got a bottle of pop (a big deal here) with dinner. Nunu and I also popped TONS of popcorn. I’d guess like 10 – 12 gallons! They had a movie marathon of Pirates of the Caribbean.

That night Nunu and I actually went out to dinner. We don’t get to do that often and we hadn’t left the house at all together since I had arrived (at least not for fun). So we went to Wilson’s Warf, one of our favorite places in Pemba. It’s run by South Africans and so far it’s the only place I can find a chicken breast. It’s actually a sandwich with some sort of picante sauce and it’s a nice break from bone in chicken. We both tease each other because we order the same thing each time we go. Nunu always gets Calamri =)

Now that New Years is over, we begin the task of getting all of the kids enrolled into school. As their school year starts on January 14^th. By this afternoon, all will be enrolled and then next week will be all about getting them new school uniforms. Back to school shopping for almost 40 kids! At least they got much of what they need in their backpacks.

In closing, I just want to say that yes, some days here are hard. I’m a missionary, I’m not perfect and I know that God has many things He is still teaching me. Some days are harder than others, but I find so much peace in how far God has brought me. Learning lessons isn’t always easy but I look forward to the day that I can look back and see just how God brought me through the stressful moments.

Prayer Requests:

PRAISE! – I don’t know if I ever wrote about this on my blog, but on the Dream Project’s Facebook page, I shared about our neighbor, Sanito, being hit by a car.

Links to the Facebook Requests:

Sanito Prayer Request

Sanito Update

Well on Christmas day, in walked Sanito! It was the first time I had seen him, he has cast on his leg and uses a crutch. But the first thing you notice is the scar in the shape of a backwards “7” with the corner separating his forehead from his hairline. My guess is the scar is about 8 inches total. I don’t have a lot of experience here with hospitals, I only know that they have a high death rate in pregnancy. But I’m convinced it’s a God thing that he survived. So thank you, thank you for your prayers. My guess is you can keep them coming in regards to his leg and rehabilitation!