Well after about 23 hours in the air and 31 on the ground
(layovers), all things considered we made it safe and sound to Pemba. We even
got picked up at the airport despite me telling our friend the wrong date twice
for picking us up!
During our first layover in Doha, we were given a hotel
voucher by Qatar Airways. It is part of their policy that if you have a layover
longer than 8 hours, you can apply. Well not only did we get the hotel room,
but they also gave us meal vouchers and so we got to eat from a buffet the
night we arrived and got breakfast the morning we left and the hotel provides a
free shuttle to and from the airport. I think I figured it valued $150! So
thankful!
Then onto our next layover of 18 hours! Because Qatar
doesn’t partner with the airline into Mozambique we were unable to check in
when we left Chicago and instead had to wait until we got to Johannesburg. When
you arrive in Joburg you are given 2 options, go through customs and get your
bags or go to a connecting flight and miniature customs desk.
If you are able to check your bags through to the final
destination often you can avoid excess baggage fees as flight from the US allow
you a great weight than from Joburg to Pemba. Nunu and I slowly made out way
through the connections flight route only to be told that they couldn’t check
us into our flight because it wasn’t until the following day and that we would
have to claim our bags.
Because we had to leave the terminal, we decided to look for
a hotel. I found the help desk and ask for a cheap hotel, with a shuttle to and
from the airport because we have lots of bags (4 large 50 lb duffle bags, 2
rolling carry-on suite-cases and 2 backpacks). The guy says he found us a room
in our budget and so we sit and wait for the shuttle.
A man shows up to get us and all our things, I wave at the
guy at the Information desk… as if just to double check that this is the right
guy… and we are off. As we are walking out to the shuttle, I’m noticing that
there are some cars, SUV but not to many shuttles. We eventually walk up to a
VW hatch back that is probably from the 1980’s?! Uh obviously the guy didn’t
mention all our baggage!
With 3 bags filling the entire hatch back (even pushing our
seat up a little) 2 rollers stacked between us, a back pack on our laps and
another duffle on the hotel managers lap sitting in the front, we are off. I
have to say, it’s moments like this that confirm for me that if I was a single
lady or traveling by myself, I would never even step one single toe out of that
airport. I start thinking of all the placed these guys could be taking us…
letting my mind wonder, could the guy at the Info desk be in on this? Sleep
depravation + Creativity = Weird Scenarios.
But luckily all is well and we eventually arrived at a Guest
House, sort of like a Backpackers place. Aaaahhh that’s right Joburg has lots
of these and they are probably way more cost effective than an actual “hotel”
with “shuttle.”
We met Heidi Baker on our flight from Joburg to Pemba, she
is the founder of Iris Ministries and they have 10 plus large orphanages in
Mozambique. As Nunu grew up in one of them, I nudged him to say hello. Success
stories are always fun, right? I looked back as he was talking to her (we were walking through the airport to change flights) and it was such a touching moment. Nunu had his arm wrapped around her shoulder and as he spoke she smiled and hung on his every word.
I’ve never met her before, but found her to be so hospitable
and welcoming (which might sound weird as we were at the airport). She welcomed
us to their Wednesday night worship. And made a point of speaking to us again
as we were waiting for our baggage in Pemba.
We arrived in Pemba tired, but clean (one bight side to
hotels). Our friend, Estefano, picked us up from the airport… I was so relived
to see him and felt so stupid that I kept confusing our dates. I said to him
“I’m so glad you are here, I’m so sorry for all the confusing messages!” His
response, “It’s okay Amanda, I’m in logistics!” What are friends for?
He drove us the few short minutes to our street, but
couldn’t take us to our door as the road has been washed away. Again with the
insane rain! Nunu ran around the corner to the Center really quick to ask people to help us with our bags. Who rounds the corner first... Abracos, the littlest guy in the house. Who probably weights less than each of our bags... well at least the checks ones.
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| This was the entrance to our road. |
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| Boys and staff helping us carry our bags to the house. |
So we are here. Nunu couldn’t possibly have a bigger smile
on his face. We have a roof over our head, running water and internet! What
more could a girl ask for?
Please keep us in your prayers:
- Health is always a big one.
- The rain will bring mosquitos, which carry Malaria.
- The rain is washing away roads, our buildings are leaking, the church has completely collapsed because of the heavy rains.
- We are hoping to purchase land. It would not only to build a house for us but would also be the hub of our further ministry. With all of the oil companies here the prices have sky rocketed (Owners on the major roads are trying to sell small 30 x 30 lots for about $35,000 when 5 years ago it would have cost no more than $3,000). Prayers the God will make a way and provide not only something we can afford but something in a good location for our ministry.
