MozamWeek

"It isn't always like this!"

2012-02-01T07:00:00.000+02:00

The whole time Mom was here, I found myself saying, "It really isn't always like this!" And it isn't. Our last ant invasion was in 1999! The last time we ran out of cooking gas in Tete was in, like, 2005! We usually have water and electricity and internet... but while she was here, we spent most of the time without one or the other. My kitchen was spread into the dining room to avoid having ants in my appliances. I had to cook on a little wimpy stove... that didn't exactly evade the ant infestation. We have to take people to the hospital only a few times a year. Our car usually works just fine!

I vaguely remembered making the same statement while Mikael's parents were here in 2010. Then we had no water for about 2 whole days and I put a ban on washing dishes in favor of keeping other things clean! We had people passing through town who needed a bed for the night. We had visitors that needed meals and groups that needed greeting and meetings that needed organizing.

I also seem to have made that statement to our visitor from Sweden in December. We were rushing around like crazy trying to get our visas renewed and having more visitors and providing transportation for someone moving house. We set extra places at the table then, too. The kids slept on mattresses on the floor. We had to plan our days around school activities and church events.

So, maybe it IS always like this. There are just different things that throw off the plans that were made in the first place. Between natural phenomena like ant migrations through the kitchen and failures of infrastructure in a developing country, we run into lots of challenges that you just don't get in America. Then there are the opportunities for hospitality, meaning that you set the table for 3 more that day. The opportunities for generosity that mean you offer your car to move a household. And the once in a lifetime things like ending up in the labor ward at the hospital encouraging a new mother to hang in there (when absolutely NO visitors are allowed in the labor ward, ever!)

You know, I've actually said, "Wow, I've never done that before!" just about as many times as, "It isn't always like this!" Maybe my life is kind of exciting after all! Even though there are parts of it that are just plain boring, I don't actually get to be bored by life every day! I've got a lot to be thankful for, don't I?

Summer vacation and Mom comes to visit!

2012-01-29T15:48:00.001+02:00

When I haven't blogged for so long, I feel guilty for not catching up. Merry Christmas and happy New Year are far behind us. February is around the corner! We had a great LONG vacation to South Africa where we met friends and enjoyed long evenings in Cape Town area. There is a reason the Cape Town is a top tourist destination. There is something for everyone, world class entertainment, and a very laid-back feeling that fits summer vacation perfectly.

If you don't think I should be talking about summer vacation in December, you don't understand the up-side of being on the down-side of the globe! Midsummer is in December complete with early mornings and late sunsets... we were on Table Mountain at 9pm and the sun was going down! Hanging out at the beach in the evening isn't strange and it isn't dark, but it IS windy - very windy, all the time! Our balls rolled wrong at the mini-golf because of the strong wind, I'm not exaggerating!

The absolute highlight of our vacation had to be meeting up with Mom in Johannesburg and dragging her with us all the way to Tete! Our car is made for 5, but this is Africa... so we made room for Momma! She endured being jammed in the backseat with her grand-kids for about 500 miles or so. Eventually I persuaded her that it only gets hotter and stickier the closer we get to home. She became a regular front seat rider for the last 1000 mile leg of the trip!

The kids loved showing Grandma their world. I think she liked being a part of it too! It was so good to have her there to stay with Katie and Jake while we took John to the dentist. We had a Safari and long road-trips. Beaches and highways. Missionary guesthouses and resorts. She experienced it all. School vacation ended and Mom was there to drop the kids off for the first day of school. (Our school year starts in January, so they actually all moved up a grade last week!) She got to experience an ant invasion brought on by rain and came to understand that killing them all off can create more problems than getting out of their way!

The three weeks we spent hosting my Mom were some of the best ever. I really appreciate her willingness to spend a lot of money to hang out with us. I'm so thankful for her interest in the little things in our lives here. I'm so proud of her eagerness to try some new things and go with the flow. It was fun to see the things we have in common even though I've made my home around the world. It was a nice surprise to feel so connected after years of being apart. Thanks, Mom. You've made our home richer because you stepped into it and made it yours for the time you were here. I love you!

Escola Josina Machel, Tete... yesterday...

2011-11-09T13:56:00.000+02:00

Where old school desks go to die...
Even simple, sturdy materials don't last forever. What happens when desks break? Who's responsible for fixing them? Apparently there just isn't extra money to buy the planks needed to fix the desks. They apply for money from the state and don't get it. So, the pile grows.

This classroom block was built in 1957!
A renovation was done in 2007. How often are they allowed to repaint? There is no schedule. There is no money. So, years of passing students leave their mark. Cleaning is done by people who sometimes can't physically handle the heavy job. People recovered from TB, for example, just can't stand to be around dust!

Maps, protractors, visual aids...
In the teacher's room, the walls are hung with materials that are used in the classrooms. I asked if there was enough to go around and they said it is adequate. With 10 usable classrooms, I guess you don't need many posters anyway.

The well...
When the school was facing a water shortage, they couldn't use the toilets. They dug latrines instead. The first one is still in use, but this one hit water! So, instead of a latrine they got a well. The water from this hole is used to water plants and clean floors when there isn't any city water coming through the pipes. Better than nothing, but...

Unused spaces...
This classroom has only screens and no windows, so rain comes in this time of the year. There are also holes in the roof and no ceiling. Several desks are falling apart. The walls need attention and the holes in the floor get bigger every time they are cleaned.

"I got these books so..."
Primary schools in Tete do not officially have libraries. These few shelves are the initiative of the school director herself. Someone gave her a box of books... in English. She can't read them herself, so she decided to put them where kids studying English could try to read them. The little books in her hands are the kind she dreams of having in Portuguese... lots of pictures and text that teaches something. She doesn't have any idea where to get more, plans to set aside the money from school fees to improve the library.

When there is so much that is needed, where do you start? I came with questions about which kids are at highest risk of dropping out. I enjoyed spending time with Veronica. She is lively and has lots of ideas. She has taken initiative in making some books available to kids. More questions need to be asked about how maintenance is paid for and where money comes from and who decides to use it for what. Tricky questions to approach, but donors will want answers. I can't promote projects if there isn't open communication. I have found this lady to be very willing to face the questions and give open answers. She gave me permission to talk about her school. She isn't exactly proud of what they have, but she has dreams of what can be. I think that is one of the keys. With a dream comes vision. With vision, we look for a way ahead.

How do I feel living down the road from this school that receives over 1000 children every day? Knowing that my 3 kids have more books stacked in boxes than they can read? BUT my books are not in Portuguese. My books aren't accessible to the students in her school. Accessible means it should be interesting, available in the right reading level/language and at a reasonable price for the user. Where will the books come from that are accessible to students at Josina Machel School? I still don't know, but I have dreams... and you know what that means!

SUNday in the car after church

2011-10-30T15:34:00.000+02:00

I put my oven thermometer in the car window to see if I can bake a cake. I guess not. At least I don't have a recipe for a cake you bake at 200F/95C. Pretty impressive temperature though. Maybe if the windows weren't tinted? Anyway, I'm glad I don't have to sit on the dash to drive! Have a happy day wherever you are.

Price check 2011

2011-10-14T06:18:00.000+02:00

About a year ago I posted a list of rising prices for Tete. Sine then, the dollar has risen and fallen and so have prices. We have more shops carrying more items than ever before. We have more cars driving on the same streets and parking is a problem for everyone. Here is the most recent estimate of what's available and how much we pay. I've changed my favorite shop... my new go-to guy is in an unnamed shop on the top street. The cash register print-out says, "Hassan" but we all call this "the blue-eyed man's shop." Everyone knows what we mean - there aren't many blue eyes in Tete!

I must give credit to VIP Supermarket for changing the way we do business. Though the prices are higher on many items and parking is usually difficult, some things you can only count on buying at VIP. What we DO like about VIP is that it stays open over lunch and has beef that doesn't taste like blood! Variety is amazing. You can pay with a bank card. You walk the isles and choose from shelves instead of pointing across a counter where an attendant gathers your stuff and takes it to check-out. The employees don't follow you through the shop like in some places. (I feel uncomfortable being stared at while I'm shopping though I know they are doing their job and want to be helpful.)

Item	May 2010 (30mtn/USD)	October 2010 (30mtn/USD)	October 2011 (24-40mtn/USD)
1 liter of UHT milk	52mtn	75 mtn	60mtn in one shop 90mtn in others
1.8kg milk powder	520mtn	600mtn	900mtn
1kg dried beans	35mtn	40mtn	60mtn
30 eggs	140 mtn	200mtn	150mtn
1 kg beef	110 mtn	150mtn	160mtn (better quality than before)
1 kg chicken	100 mtn	160mtn	130mtn
1kg chicken breast filets	--	--	165mtn
1 kg cheese	400 mtn	580 mtn, when available	500-600mtn
1kg onions	50 mtn	50mtn	50mtn
1 kg tomatoes	30 mtn		30-50mtn
1kg potatoes	20 mtn	30 mtn	15-50mtn depending on shop and quality
1kg rice	25 mtn	32mtn	35-40mtn
1 kg wheat flour	30 mtn	35mtn	35-50mtn
1 kg sugar	27 mtn	33mtn	35-45mtn
1 roll toilet paper	10mtn	20, when available	15mtn bad stuff, 60mtn good stuff
1 liter cooking oil	60 mtn	75mtn	80mtn
1 kg margarine	150 mtn	200mtn	170-200mtn
1 liter fruit juice	60 mtn	65mtn	65-120mtn
1 can coca cola	25 mtn	30mtn	25 mtn for bulk, 30-50mtn in cafe
4 carrots	20 mtn	20mtn	20mtn
1 cucumber	10 mtn		10-15mtn in market
1 cabbage	25 mtn	30 mtn	30-40mtn
10 bananas	20 mtn	20mtn	20mtn
1 kg coffee	1000 mtn, not available		800mtn, often available
4 oranges	50 mtn		50mtn
1 apple	12mtn		15-20mtn
1 kg laundry detergent	80mtn	100mtn	110mtn
Cheapest shampoo	45 mtn	60 mtn	75mtn
average shampoo	100mtn	140mtn	130mtn
bathroom cleaner	60mtn	70mtn	80mtn
Burger and fires at cafe	125mtn	150mtn	150mtn
Chicken dinner in restaurant	175mtn	200mtn	160-250mtn
big box of corn flakes	120mtn	160mtn	170mtn
350gm peanut butter	60mtn	80mtn	60-70mtn

1 liter plain yogurt	--	--	160-220mtn

He saw you...

2011-10-10T06:00:00.000+02:00

After my past few months of activity, I'm finally getting back into the real work of linguistics and literacy in Tete! In July I headed off to Botswana for a conference where I presented a little paper. Once back, it was regroup time and then off to Nampula for our conference. Back from a month away, September was school for the kids and painting projects to finalize our renovation that dragged on for a year! Last week I had another little trip for another meeting, and came home to kids on "spring break" this week!

So, as I'm finishing the clean-up from that painting job and swapping everyone's rooms, I've dug into old photos and stacks of papers awaiting attention. They'd been moved to the living room during the paint job and I refused to bring them back into the bedroom without sorting and filing. I'm getting to the end of that process and I can now see the floor in the living room!

Today is the day for data entry. I got Katie to help sort all the posters from a workshop back in 2009. We needed to keep them to make sure they were all archived before ditching them. One stack for Nyungwe, one for Nyanja and one for Tawara. Adjectives and personal pronouns and prefixes for direct object markers on the verbs! Ooooh, just makes you want to sing and dance, doesn't it? (If not, you are not a linguist.)

So, here is the last chart I typed up. Katie is getting the Portuguese fine, but thinks the Nyungwe is hard. What about you? Can you master the infixes of the Banthu grammar? It is one of the things that scares me about learning Nyungwe. These are the first 10 classes, but there are MORE. This is just the past tense of one verb, but there are lots of tenses and lots of modes and aspects as well and they are all marked on the verbs, strung together like beads of different colors and shapes and some shapes only come on one color, but others are rainbow bright! That makes for long verbs that sort of resemble that last sentence! Anyone who can master Banthu verbs is a phenomenon... like my husband. He sees it all clearly and it makes perfect sense to him. So, I let him understand them and I just type them up hoping that some little bit of mystery will lodge in my brain and I'll just know what sound right some day.

Nyungwe direct objects with the verb "to see"

1ª pessoa sing	me viu	wandiwona
1ª pessoa plur	nos viu	watiwona
2ª pessoa sing	te viu	wakuwona
2ª pessoa plur	vos viu	wakuwonani
classe 1	o viu (pessoa)	wamuwona
classe 2	os viu (pessoas)	wawawona
classe 3	o viu (embondeiro)	wawuwona
classe 4	os viu (embondeiros)	wayiwona
classe 5	o viu (joelho)	waliwona
classe 6	os viu (joelhos)	wayawona
classe 7	o viu (panela de barro)	waciwona
classe 8	os viu (panelas de barro)	wabziwona
classe 9	o viu (cabrito)	wayiwona
classe 10	os viu (cabritos)	waziwona

Rain

2011-10-05T16:59:00.001+02:00

There was a surprise rain shower here last night. It is a surprise because it is the beginning of October. For the past 12 years we get rain at the end of the month. Last year was different... and this your is different... so maybe the other 10 years were just phase and this is what weather is supposed to be like!

John and Jakob asked to play in the rain. They have happy memories of running around and splashing in puddles (and possibly rolling in the mud, which I frown upon). Since I know they don't place much importance on staying clean, I took precautions: wear the least clothes possible, put a rag on the floor by the kitchen door, and make sure they know that they have to clean up any mess they make.

They decided to be bad and play in the dirt. I didn't notice since I was hiding in my room enjoying a peaceful day of "ferriado" (public holiday) in Mozambique. No maids. No school runs. No people knocking on the gate. Lovely. I finished reading David Ker's memoirs, "Chasing the Hippo" and sending him a few comments from my side. I seriously laughed until I cried! Katie made us breakfast in bed and all three delivered coffee and rolls with marmalade to our room. They were happy to do that since we would stay away form the living room where they were watching cartoons all morning. Until the rain...

I really do hope that this will be a good rainy season here in Tete. People depend on good rains to water their crops. The rain can't come too early or too late. It can't come too often or too little. But, it does, and every year there are crises and worry about, "will there be enough?" So, I pray there will be just the right amount of rain at just the right time for most of the people with seeds to plant. I hope there will be enough showers to splash in for my boys. I hope there will be few power cuts (which usually come with the rain!) so that I almost forget where I keep the candles.

Check it out!

2011-09-21T21:53:00.000+02:00

Look! We are in the paper! I was asked by a local resident to write something about our activities as a humanitarian organization here in Tete. Tash Morgan is a contributor to the Zambezi Traveler , a regional tourism and business newspaper available in countries bordering the Zambezi River. If you click the link, hop on over to pages 33-36 for info on our neck of the woods -- I guess I mean "our bend in the river"! Tash and I co-wrote the bit on pg. 34.

As you can see, there is a lot going on in Tete these days! One interesting thing to note is that this is an English language newspaper generally directed to the foreign community. It is available in hotels and business offices. It is free due to all the advertising. So, I guess I can add one publication to my list of things available to read in Tete. Unfortunately, there isn't a local Portuguese language paper being printed or distributed.

I've been asked to write another article on the importance of literature in a community and relate it to my findings about the availability of reading material in Tete. Hopefully it will prompt new businesses to think about donating books to schools. Not just text books, but interesting books that promote an enjoyment of reading. You never know... small things do make a difference!

I promise...

2011-09-16T08:33:00.001+02:00

As Tete heats up this year, I'm making a commitment NOT to complain about the weather. It gets really hot. It is really dusty. I mean DUSTY- you've NEVER seen dust like this! There is red dust and gray dust... and now, with the coal mines, black dust is coming, I'm sure. But, I'm not going to complain this year!

I have decided to recognize the uniqueness of the weather in Tete. I will marvel at the creativity that God has in putting together this world. I will try to notice the good things. I will sweat and wait for the breeze to blow and cool my skin by a few degrees for a few seconds. I will try to embrace the local pace that conserves what little energy you have after living in heat for about 20 hours a day!

I will be thankful that we have air-conditioners in two bedrooms. I will be thankful that our neighbors upstairs block lots of the heat even though, down here, we get the dust. I will be thankful that I can know the people who were born here and call this place home their whole lives!

By this time next year, I will be in the USA for "furlough." My kids will be in a regular old school. I will have family around me (big smile!) and my kids will have 6 cousins to hang out with. Mikael will join the gang of "brothers-in-law" that the Kurtz girls put together. It might be warm in Alabama in September, but it won't be 100F!

Mom, am I on the list?

2011-09-06T12:45:00.000+02:00

Part of having kids growing up in Mozambique is figuring out what to do for school. We are very lucky to have a great little international school where our children have small classes, great activities and caring teachers. It is unusual for an English based school to open outside the national capitol. We are very thankful for Zambezi Junior School! We are the only missionary kids (MKs) in the school.

My kids are growing up though... and there aren't many options for middle school and secondary school. ZJS can take them until 7th grade if required. After that, there isn't a local option. Most of their classmates will head off to boarding school in Zimbabwe or South Africa. Most of their classmates' parents came from these countries and that system. I see the benefits of these schools, but I can't see that being the best option for us.

Most of the missionaries we know in Mozambique consider Rift Valley Academy in Kenya to be an excellent option. Most of the MKs who have grown up in different parts of Mozambique and head off to RVA have a wonderful experience. The school has an American based curriculum and follows an American school calendar. It isn't a perfect set-up, but it is pretty close! Not all kids thrive in boarding school, but most actually look forward to it.

Boarding school has been used as a threat in America to get kids to behave. It just isn't like that around here! I've always told my kids that they can't go to boarding school until they ask to. My intention being that they should want to go, not that I send them away. The RVA kids were still on summer vacation during our conference last month. My kids spent lots of time with current and former RVA students. The 11-13 year olds asked the experienced older kids about RVA. By the end of conference, Katie and Jakob were wondering if I've filled in their applications yet! They are already planning who will be there with them, etc.

So, I've downloaded the forms. 2013-14 isn't all that far away! I'm late in applying for Katie... the waiting list is LONG! They only take applications three years in advance now. (I was told to put her on the list from first grade before they changed that rule!) The hardest part of the application so far is finding their social security numbers- I have them here somewhere... but don't need them that often!

Cultural Differences

2011-08-17T17:17:00.000+02:00

Take one cookie?
Ask for seconds?
Shake hands or kiss?

In our SIL branch in Mozambique we are a very diverse group. We have about 30 members from "overseas" and colleagues from several African countries. Just this month we have had our "Branch Conference." As part of conference, we planned a cross-cultural activity to understand each other better. We discussed hospitality customs in small groups. What do you do as a host? What do you do as a guest? What about unexpected guests?

I was placed in the "American/Canadian" group. Mikael was placed in the "Swedish/Norwegian" group. We also had a "South African," "British," "Dutch/German," and an "African" group. We discussed our customs and expectations in our groups... and then got together to share our ways.

In Holland, you may be invited for Coffee- just take ONE cookie! Don't ask for seconds. They will probably offer you another treat with a second cup of coffee.

In Germany, you might be invited for Tea (around 3pm) or Coffee (after 4pm)- ask for seconds or you will offend the hostess!

In South Africa, you may be greeted with a kiss on the mouth is you visit an Afrikaner, but NOT if you visit someone from English heritage.

In Sweden and Norway, take off your shoes as you enter the house. Refuse seconds- twice! The third time you can say you want some more!

In England, don't arrive early! If you are more than 3 minutes late, they will wonder if you are coming at all!

In the USA, ask if you can bring anything if you are invited. It is ok to offer to clear the table. It is ok to take seconds, but don't take the last bit!

In Africa, you will probably not be invited. Just stop by. They will ALL greet you formally in the house. They will prepare food for you and you should eat. You will eat alone, most of the time. For them, your visit is an honor and they will give you their very best. If you refuse, it is ungrateful.

If you arrive while someone is eating a meal in many European countries, you should know better! Mealtimes are understood. They might offer you a plate. You should probably refuse.

In America it is hard to just stop by without warning.You usually drive and homes aren't on-the-way to shops. If you stop by, apologize. The host will just tell you if he is busy or is on the way out.

In Africa, they will NEVER tell you if you are keeping them from something important. Don't stay long if you just stop in!

We realized that even people from the same country can have different rules. We also understood why our colleagues do what they do in hospitality situations. We all has a great time laughing at ourselves and how silly some of our habits must seem to others. We also noted how difficult it must be for our kids... living in intercultural environments all the time. They are pretty good at choosing what to do when, but sometimes they just can't guess right! I suppose they learn to pick up on clues by watching YOU! So, if my kids come over, be ready to give them the right cues!

What does Mozambique need?

2011-07-20T13:33:00.001+02:00

In about one year, we will be heading back to the US and Sweden for our "furlough" or "home period" as it can be known. Our lives have this rhythm of living years in Mozambique and then a year or less in one of our "home countries." Each time we come home, we are faced with a reassessment of our roles in Mozambique. Do we fill a role that is a need? People want to know. WE also want to know!

One question I have faced each time we come home is, "What do they really need in Mozambique?" People want to know what ONE thing or KIND of thing is most needed in the country where we work. In the past I've had to respond, "Everything! Just pick something and they probably need it!" I understand this isn't that helpful to someone who wants to seriously make a difference. It isn't helpful to us either. BUT, to be really honest, there is a lot of need in many areas. How can we know if we make a difference?

Today I received a link to the UN website with information on Mozambique in light of the "millennium development goals" I've heard about. I honestly had a vague idea of what these goals are, but haven't ever looked at them in context of where I live. I heard about them again at the conference I attended last week. So receiving the link made me take notice. I'll share it here: http://mz.one.un.org/eng.

The Millennium Development Goals

It is interesting for me to look at these 8 indicators of development and see where Mozambique stands. It is also one thing to see the information on paper and then to be faced with he reality of it around me everyday! I encourage you to have a look at the website. I encourage you to think about what this information means. I encourage YOU to answer the question: "What does Mozambique really need?"

Follow up...

2011-07-19T22:03:00.000+02:00

I had a very good trip to Botswana. At the Pan Africa Reading for All Conference it was good to see positive things happening in literacy, libraries, teaching, mother tongue education and language development in Africa! I presented a pretty simple study of "The literate environment in Tete, Mozambique." I am now responsible for following up on all those great contacts I made with interesting people doing interesting things all over Africa!

The list of things I hope to accomplish in the next year isn't getting shorter! There are interesting possibilities all around and it isn't easy to decide which ones are likely to get results. I have a few opportunities to train local writers in Mozambican languages, so I'll start there. Who knows? The experience from this stage will probably lead to something useful later on!

I'm going!

2011-07-08T20:07:00.000+02:00

I'm going to a conference tomorrow. I'm going to miss the plane that my friends kindly begged, borrowed and went out of their way to book for me! BUT I'm going to the conference!

I was able to change the date on the ticket without charge, thanks to a very kind and patient lady on the phone in Johannesburg. I'm not going anywhere near South Africa where her office is, but her branch office was the only one that I could actually connect with! She was the one who could help me. So, I'm going to the conference!

Since I'm leaving on Monday, I can be happy for the ride on Saturday... that might or might not get to Harare in time for take-off (of the flight I'm no longer booked for.) The person I'm riding with is a friend of a friend. I'm thankful for my friends for sure! Because without them, I wouldn't be going to the conference.

I'm going to have a weekend in Harare, unplanned, but fine. I have friends there to repay for kindnesses. I have memories there of the birth of our first child in 2000. I have curiosity about what the place is like these days. I will have a chance to make sure my presentation is up to scratch, I guess.

I'm going to Botswana... I'm going to a reading conference.

A library… with books… in Tete!

2011-06-20T14:55:00.000+02:00

My appointment with the director of the Universidade Catolica de Tete was at 9am. The director received me warmly and seemed personable and interested in our topic. He's got research of his own underway: "Which local traditions have survived the influence of the Church?" Now there's a topic you can look at for years! He offers me coffee which I accept. (I'm offered coffee just about anytime I visit Catholics!) He chats about his reading habits and is interested in our work in local languages. He loves newspapers! He buys all of them, even the ones that aren't available in Tete. Since he has other business to attend to, I'm turned over to his PR manager with instructions that she should show me around and answer all my questions.

Library door to the right... the Great Zambezi across the road!

We tour the small campus compound situated on one of the main streets parallel to the Zambezi River. The buildings belong to the Catholic Church and were used for a private school for years. In 2009 the University started courses and were given some space. Now they occupy the whole of the compound and have renovated almost all of it. I'm shown the classrooms with space and light and air-conditioners! Students move between classes and relax in shady places. Upstairs, I'm shown the computer lab... and finally the library! A real library! With BOOKS!!!

Inside the library

Inside the Library, shelves line the walls of a converted classroom where more than 900 titles greet the library visitor. They say that all students visit the library. There are photocopiers right in the room, so they don't have to take the books off the premises to copy them. They can't "check out" the books to take home, but using the facilities is free for students and teachers. Most of the materials are resource volumes and text books that are too expensive for most students to purchase. The University offers courses in law, management and finance, so those are the topics that dominate the shelves.

Exterior of the chapel across the campus courtyard

One of the other features of this campus is that is holds one of the oldest buildings in Tete. Built in 1560's --YES, that's right, there is a 16th century church in Tete-- the chapel was renovated because it was falling down. All freshly painted and newly tiled, there is little that remains of the original historical building. It is used as office space and meeting rooms for student groups. I'm glad it wasn't knocked down, but I struggle with the newness! I suppose commentary on building restoration in Tete will be another post on another day... there are ruins through-out the town and I fear they will be cleaned up all too soon!

Almost in my own backyard II

2011-06-05T17:16:00.000+02:00

Re-posting last week's note... I don't know what happened, but it disappeared. On Facebook this generated quite a few comments. Traditional religion surfaces in many aspects of people's lives here in Mozambique. In facing these ideas, it is important to respect where people are coming from while at the same time speaking the truth in love. My friend John seems to have found that balance on the day he visited the home of people with the "magic airplane". Following is the original mention of his post on his own blog. An encounter with a magic airplane
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Original post: Almost in my own backyard...

I learned of an interesting occurrence this week on the blog of a friend here in Tete. We have mentioned before that people here live in the city, but still have lots of beliefs based on cultural traditions. I have heard people mention "invisible airplanes" before. It just sounds silly and somehow ridiculous that someone would believe in an invisible airplane! One of the translators has told us that he saw an invisible airplane... it was covered with a sheet. I couldn't imagine what he meant! After reading my friend's post, it makes more sense. Have a look and see what I mean. They took him to the airplane about a mile from my house, right in the provincial capital. This didn't happen in the bush... it was right here... almost in my own backyard...

Click this link to read about one missionary's experience with one of the strange realities of life in the land of the Nyungwe people. An encounter with a magic airplane

I'd love to hear what you think about this one!

Sr. Carlos Respeito do Livro

2011-06-01T14:38:00.001+02:00

Today I stopped at the famous newsstand in from of Hotel Zambezi. I say it is famous because everyone indicates it as a place they know where you can buy reading material. I asked the guy for an interview and didn't learn much new.

The salesman is named "Carlos Respeito"… respeito is "respect" in English.

He sells about 25 newspapers a day. Mostly he sells "Noticias"… that is the paper distributed by the people I talked to in the first interview. So, his 25 is included in the number I got from the first lady. I'm still not finding new stuff being sold. I asked if people often ask for stuff that he doesn't sell. "Yes, sometimes they want school books that I don't have here."

Anything besides school books? "Yes, Bibles. People want Portuguese, Shona and Chewa Bibles."

Do people ask for Nyungwe Bibles? "Yes, lots of people do, but I don't have them."

Next week he will have a stack of Maliko, Mark in Nyungwe, for sale at his newsstand! I'll keep you posted.

"Excuse me, Sir. Would you like to buy a newspaper?"

2011-05-19T11:21:00.000+02:00

Probably not, if my recent experience is correct. I've informally started my research for a paper about "What there is to read in Tete". I spent a morning walking the streets and popping into each and every shop to ask for reading material. Since some shops have quite a random selection of inventory, I just went ahead and asked no matter what I saw on the shelves. I was the weird white lady for sure that day! (I also had some personal shopping to do, so I asked repeatedly for an electric coffee grinder- I was pretty sure that it wouldn't be on sale, but you just never know!)

An average visit to a shop went like this:
-Good morning, I'm looking for something to read. Do you sell any books or magazines or newspapers?
--No, check the shop over there, "Noticias" they have books.
-Do you know other places I can look for reading material? Like a library or something?
--I think there is a library, but I'm not sure where... There must be one, this is the capital city of the Province!
-Ok, thanks for your help.

So, I stopped in at "Noticias." This is a shop that sells stationery, does photocopies and has a selection of books in the window. All of them are school books: text books required for the 8th-12th grades and a few post secondary courses as well. "Noticias" is actually the distribution center for the main national newspaper in Mozambique. A good place to start looking for something to read.

The manager was very helpful. She took the time to look up information for me on subscriptions to the daily paper and sales records for the daily and weekly papers. Now, we are looking at a Province with a projected population of 2,137,700 people in 2011. How many daily subscriptions would you expect?

There are, in fact, 250 subscribers to the daily paper. Of course, the paper is also on sale at the post office, a news stand, and a few guys sometimes sell them on the streets. Bundles are shipped out to the districts so there is a possibility of covering the province quite well every few days or so. How many daily papers per week get sold? 1740 on average... 25% in the dsitricts so thee bulk of papers are sold in Tete City.

There are 8 newspapers delivered daily to the post office for sale at the counter. Some days all are sold out "if it is really good news" and some days only 3 are sold. The papers are left on display for the week and then they are collected by the "Noticias" staff.

There are also "Domingo" the Sunday paper... about 70 are sold in Tete Province every week. And there is the BIG seller, "Desafio", the sports weekly that comes out on Saturdays. They get in 400 papers a week and they sell them all every week!

So, what conclusions do I draw from this information? Either no one expects to find interesting information in a daily newspaper in Tete or they might not be able to pay the 20mt for the newspaper. People interested in Sports are willing to pay for the news. I did manage to ask some young people how much they would be willing to spend on a magazine that intrested them. They said that about 100-150 mts seemed reasonable. So far, I'm seeing magazines for sale at about 300mts. Out of range for the kind of person I interviewed on Wednesday last week.

I need to check out the other national newspaper distributer in Tete, "Diario". I've heard that it might even be a more popular paper than the "Noticias". I'll get back to you on that one.

On a side note, there were a few months last year when a local city paper was published! It was named "Calowera" after the mountain at the entrance of town. I believe they published for about 10 weeks. In that time I manages to buy the paper only once. I couldn't find where it was sold, but had heard about it.

Well, I covered about 500m of shops that day. I only have about 2000m to go! Tete isn't a very big town. We have only about 16 square city blocks of commercial space in town. That is way bigger than surrounding areas, so if they don't have it here, it probably isn't for sale anywhere. Books, newspapers and magazines... the search is on!

Kira's Heartbeat

2011-05-12T21:21:00.000+02:00

She would cry for your pain, but don’t cry for hers.

The flame of her life burns brighter in Heaven than on Earth.

She is at peace and shines with His love.

The heart of the beloved beats with a rhythm we don’t hear in this place.

Trust the One who holds her.

Trust the One who tends the flame and sustains the heart.

Hear the call to follow His steps, to walk this Earth and bear the memory of her wisdom.

Hear the call to rest in the security of His love when this world is so insecure.

Remembering a friend killed in a car accident this week. Please be in prayer for her family. Life is so short; live well!

What workshop?

2011-04-14T15:04:00.000+02:00

Nyungwe team is far side on left: 3 guys in white shirts

We came up to Nampula to attend a workshop with our translation team. They are studying principles of translation and how communication is a part of the process. How does the context of the Biblical passage determine the meaning? and How does our present day context determine the understanding of the text? I think it has been a good week for them. Mikael is in the workshop with them as a participant, though he has had the material before. This time it is being taught by an African for Africans, so he gains some insight into their perspective on communication. Should be enlightening!

During this week, I've been taking care of some paperwork for conference planning, thinking about sending out a newsletter, taking care of the house and kids, and enjoying the fellowship of friends. We work with some pretty special people, but we are usually "together" from a distance in this job. Nampula is a place where the training center brings us together in these times. It is good.

Our kids are also enjoying the time here. They have "Spring Break" for nearly 4 weeks! That is why we could take the time to come up and enjoy the teaching and fellowship. They have FRIENDS in Nampula... Seven little boys between the ages of 9 and 3! And, a girl just a year older than Katie! So, they run and climb cashew trees where they can jump off on a long rope swing. They have bikes to ride in a safe place. They have a playground with monkey bars! They have a children's library on campus at the Morningstar School! Books!!! Time to read in the hammock slung under the guava tree! Ah, freedom!

Snail outside our door after the rain... it is as big as my fist!

So, though the road was long and rough to get here, we are enjoying a break from the routine of Tete. Hopefully next week, after the workshop, we will be able to spend a few days at the beach 3 hours away! Considering the nearest beach to Tete is about 9 hours drive, we prefer to visit the beach up here!

Thanks for your prayers as we finish the workshop and discuss our team roles during the next period of the project. It is good to look at things from different perspectives and take steps to improve our teamwork!

Despedindo ao Brasil

2011-04-07T11:02:00.000+02:00

We've enjoyed the Brazilian friends we have met through the Zambezi Jr. School here in Tete. They came as "set up" crew for the new mining boom. They brought their children into the African unknown with a hope to grow and make a difference in a hard place. They have added a new wrinkle to the Tete landscape and the school's culture. We have carpooled and shared ideas and dreams and frustrations about living in this place.They have let us invade their homes (when our home was no real refuge.) They have walked beside us and prayed beside us. We have been friends!

In February, one family relocated to Malawi leaving holes in the classrooms they left. Then we heard that the second family was relocating as well. Just this morning I learned that a departure planned for May was moved up to tomorrow. When they leave for vacation, they won't return to Tete, but will set up house in Maputo.

In this life we have chosen we are faced with constant turnover. We meet new friends and grow close fast. We all need more from a friendship when we are away from family and our home culture. One drawback of the "quick and deep" friendship is the inevitable despedida... saying goodbye to people we've grown to love in our adopted home.

I write about leaving as much as I write about arriving. It is all part of the same process: that pulling up of roots and shaking off the soil so that we can be transplanted where we will continue to grow. The new soil is rich, but our leaves wilt for a while as we wait for the new place to begin to nourish us. Look at that garden we left: there is a hole there where a healthy plant shared the sun and shade and water. We have grown together and my leaves and branches have been shaped by their presence. Now, there is a space beside me. If I'm lucky, the Gardener will bring in a new seed of friendship before long. Maybe He will bring a transplant to share my garden. Or maybe I will branch out and fill the space with new growth. It will be good either way. We will all have a chance to grow and bear fruit!

To my Brazilian Tete friends:
Vos desejo tudo bom, caras amigas minhas! Cresçam no lugar onde Deus vos plantou! Sigam a Ele e façam uma diferença na África que vos abraçou! Ensinem os filhos a lidar com uma medida do sofrimento dos outros. E saibam que se Tete ficou lugar amado, era por vontade de Deus... no superficie esta cidade não oferece uma vida rica, mas foi rica, não foi?

part 2: Awakening Love

2011-04-02T15:03:00.000+02:00

Kind of seemed like a theme for the week when I was writing the last post. Sunday started with Song of Songs in the car, but I was reminded over and over of this theme of awakening love.

The sermon on Sunday morning was a reminder of some aspects of God's character: A reminder that there is "clock and calendar time" and there is "spiritual time". We can't understand what is beyond our own perception: that dimension of existence outside of time. So we try to understand the greatness of God and His love for us, but it's impossible. We can compare it to the unconditional love we experience in human relationships, but we still need to have faith to understand that God's love is so much more.

Later on Sunday evening, we met for Fellowship and Bible study with friends. Again, I was reminded of awakening love... Somehow while studying Phililppians 3 where Paul speaks of his own experience of being a "perfect" Jew and following all the laws and traditions. He meets Christ and suddenly his life it turned upside down. He realizes that all his own accomplishment is rubbish compared to the privilege of knowing Christ. "All I want is Christ and to know that I belong to Him." (CEV)

I started glimpsing something new. I can't say it is a spiritual truth, exactly. I just got a piece of understanding that I can relate to. One of those moments that brings us to a little clearer understanding of God's love for us. There was this point brought up in the discussion that Paul had an incredible sense of who he was in Christ. It could even seem he was bragging if taken out of context. It is just that he understood how perfect Jesus's sacrifice was; he understood how complete the forgiveness of sin is; he understood how GOD sees us because of Jesus IN us. I got this tiny peek...

You know when love awakens. You see this person differently than others see him. You see him as wonderful, glowing with potential... you see him with "sparkle". You know in your head that he isn't perfect, but that doesn't matter. There is nothing so grave that it overcomes the glow. What if God sees us with the "sparkle" on? When He looks at one forgiven could He be seeing with that "outside of time" perspective? Seeing us as how we WILL be in Heaven? Because He isn't limited by time, what will be already is. He's not blind to our faults, but they are not central to our being when He sees us IN CHRIST.

It has been said that "love is blind" and that being in love is like living in a haze brought on by that intense attraction that nature provides. BUT what if it isn't temporary blindness or a chemical imbalance? What if it is just a glimpse of seeing as God sees? When I think about it, I am reminded to press on toward that goal! The goal of being sparkling clean in the presence of God. The goal of fulfilling the potential God has for each me. The goal of BEING what I was created to BE.

Maybe so, maybe not. For me, it is a helpful perspective. I'll try to accept that God can see my "sparkle" and I'll try to see it in others, too. So, let your light shine... it is probably brighter than you think!

Songs from the Bible on Sunday

2011-03-30T19:54:00.000+02:00

It all started with the kids paging through the Bible into Song of Songs on the way to church.

"What's this?" asked Katie.
"It's about love and mushy stuff," from me.

So, she starts to read aloud. Mikael and I were listening with twinkling eyes in the front seat; Jakob was busy looking for the book in his Bible in the back seat. Somewhere in the middle of the first chapter, there are giggles as Beloved and Lover trade compliments and compare physical traits to rustic themes. You are a lilly among thorns... You are an apple tree in the midst of the forest...

Now, I've been told that Jewish men weren't allowed to read these love poems until they were 30 years old. You can look at them literally and even then they are pretty racy. If you delve into the metaphores and possible interpretations, it's downright hot stuff! We only have a 5-10 minute drive to church, so we got about as far as, Don't awaken love before it is ready, wise counsel given by a person in love.

"What does that mean?" I asked the backseat.
Jakob, age 8, answers without missing a beat, "It means, not to worry about falling in love until you are ready to get married."

I couldn't have said it better myself. I'm thankful for kids that seem to have gained that kind of wisdom while living in our home. My mom and dad seem to have built that into us as kids... never by preaching it, but by living it. Their love was sweet and secure. They had been 'first loves' as teens and married as soon as they could when Mom turned 18. I came along 4 years later, and they still seemed to be sweetly in love as I grew to adolescence.

I didn't seek love like many of my friends. My point of view was always kinda like Jakob's: "I don't need a boyfriend if I'm not ready to get married." I probably seemed boring to high school friends. That's ok, I wanted to be liked and seen as pretty and all that, but I was not willing to go on a man hunt for it. I somehow knew that I'd have love when I was ready. It wasn't MY job to FIND a man... It was God's job to "introduce" us at the right time.

I did think God was taking a long time, but patience payed off. Those of you who remember our story know pretty much what happened. I know our kids have heard our story, too. How we each followed God's call to missions and He made sure we got "introduced" at the right time. Me coming from America and Mikael coming from Sweden met in Maputo where we were sharing a desk at the office. From there on, things went pretty quickly. Love awakened and the rest is history!

Nyungwe on the web...

2011-03-17T09:27:00.000+02:00

I've recently received information from one of our funding partners for the Nyungwe Bible Translation project. I thought I should share it with you since many of you pray for us as a family here in Tete. Some of you also pray for the translation team regularly. Here is a link to The Seed Company. On the site, you can find information on Nyungwe and commit to praying for the project. There is also a way to give to the translation work through this organization.

The Seed Company provides funding for running the translation, training the translators, and paying their salaries. Some of the funds are for printing materials for testing, but not for publishing Scripture for distribution. This organization has worked very hard to make translation possible in projects where there is a local initiative to do the work.

Of course, if you want to contribute to our personal ministry, that would be through another organization. We do not receive any funding for our family through The Seed Company. They strictly fund the translators and NOT the missionaries. It has been such an encouragement to partner with The Seed Company. When our personal funding has decreased, we have not had to stop the translation! That is a real blessing to the Nyungwe team; they are no longer dependent on missionaries to fund the translation, they have their own resources.

Thanks, Seed Company, for making Nyungwe Bible translation a possibility!

Nyatandadza

2011-03-03T14:48:00.002+02:00

7 traditional Nyungwe benches

Q's dad makes these cool benches called nyatandadza from local wood. This is an element of Nyungwe culture that I found just last year. The benches are seen in almost all homes in his village, but made by just two men. I've heard concern from a few that he's chopping down trees in his home area. I cannot guarantee that he's using fallen trees. I do know that trees are cut for firewood and charcoal. They need the wood for cooking because they don't have electricity or gas. Solar power is expensive and solar cookers aren't available out there anyway.

Made by a man in Matambo

Nyungwe culture in Tete City

I also know that people out there in Matambo don't have many ways to make money. So if he chops a tree for my bench, he can buy food that he can't grow himself on his small farm. I will keep his tree for years and appreciate how he saw a bench in a tree. This is a tree saved from becoming charcoal for someone's grill here in town. Once this tree is brought to town, it teaches us that local culture can be appreciated by all of us.

I do hope that he has a bit of a better life with a little money to buy soap and cloth for his wife. He might use the money to pay someone to transport thatch to repair his roof. He might buy a uniform or notebooks for a grandchild to go to school. He MIGHT... or not. He will decide how to use his money, I won't.

I don't think the craftsman is going to chop down all the trees to make benches either. There isn't that great of a market for them. One city neighbor says, "No one will steal THAT old thing that came from the bush!" It is mostly azungu that are interested. Nyungwe people see them in my yard and smile at seeing them in a new context.

Anyone interested in nyatandadza benches can get in touch. I'd be interested to hear what you all think about issues of deforestation vs. using local materials for art to increase appreciation of local culture or encouraging home industry to improve the economic situation of families in rural Mozambique. There aren't easy answers. I was just happy to find beautiful Nyungwe things to share. I was excited about helping a friend feed his family. What do you think?

Almost in my own backyard

2011-03-01T10:00:00.002+02:00

I learned of an interesting occurrence this week on the blog of a friend here in Tete. We have mentioned before that people here live in the city, but still have lots of beliefs based on cultural traditions. I have heard people mention "invisible airplanes" before. It just sounds silly and somehow ridiculous that someone would believe in an invisible airplane! One of the translators has told us that he saw an invisible airplane... it was covered with a sheet. I couldn't imagine what he meant! After reading my friend's post, it makes more sense. Have a look and see what I mean. They took him to the airplane about a mile from my house, right in the provincial capital. This didn't happen in the bush... it was right here... almost in my own backyard...

Click this link to read about one missionary's experience with one of the strange realities of life in the land of the Nyungwe people. An encounter with a magic airplane

I'd love to hear what you think about this one!

Gone South... and back again

2011-02-28T23:33:00.000+02:00

I didn't take my camera. I should have. It was all so shiny! That's the first thing I noticed coming into Johannesburg on the direct flight from Tete. The airport is BIG and clean and beautiful and efficient. I got off the plane, rode the shuttle to the terminal, walked straight through the modern passport control maze all stamped and greeted and smiled at. Then signs directed me to the baggage claim where my suitcase trundled 'round the belt to me in about 3 minutes. I followed more signs through the green line in customs and *poof* I was out in the lobby looking for my ride. Amazing. Africa, but not so African. I'm sure I had a silly grin on my face the whole time just marveling at the order of it all.

This is life ordered in a western grid... we feel at ease when we are directed almost automatically and impersonally through the big, scary unknown airport. I'm sure a Mozambican wouldn't have felt at ease at all. He'd probably feel abandoned and alone. He might be wondering why no one is interested in his welfare; no one is coming up and asking where he's going and looking at his ID. Where's the, "Can we take your bags?" and "Can we get you a car?" He'd automatically feel respected and cared for if that happened, but to just be left to read signs and walk alone with your stuff barely noticed through a kilometer of terminal would feel very uncertain, I think.

So, we look at things differently. If I think of it that way, I might be more understanding next time I'm greeted by people in unmarked clothes asking to help me through the unmarked processes at an airport. As is, it makes me uncomfortable to share personal info with strangers without the authority of a badge. If they offer to help me with my bags I wonder if they'll run off or how much I will have to hand over to make them happy they helped me. I've learned to be suspicious, but I don't know where. I've actually never had a bag stolen at any airport anywhere in the world. People who say they want to help generally DO help. Usually they are polite and usually they are happy with a reasonable tip (though I've had some guys fight over who should be the one to help me in the first place). I guess I should be a little more understanding and a little less defensive.

But, then again, if I'm in an American airport and a guy without a badge wants to see my ticket and help me with my bags, I'm gonna hang on to both! I guess that is where I learned to be suspicious of strangers! That is the baggage I'm carrying into my overseas experience. Fair enough, I guess. I'm a product of my home culture and I've heard enough stories to keep me on my guard. I think I'll just enjoy the times I get to walk through alone, and appreciate the times someone notices I need help. I'll remember where I am and be alert to irregularities. I'll smile at strangers and keep my eyes on my stuff. I'll just remember how nice it is to be back... whichever world it is I'm coming back to that day.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T23:32:00.000+02:00


The kids ready for Valentine's Disco last Friday night.

In America we wish each other a happy Valentine's Day just because. Here in Mozambique, it is "Lover's Day" or "Dater's Day" known only to a few. So, when we get cards and buy chocolates for a spouse or child on this February holiday, they think it is kind of strange. They just don't understand that a box of chocolates just sort of says "you are special." My kids understand. They really were surprised by the real box of chocolates all wrapped up for them! They got a big box to share. Mikael brought some goodies from South Africa before Christmas that we hid away for this occasion. I got my treats as well; thank you , Honey.

Thank you to Charity Chapel in Pensacola Florida for making us all feel very special in February. Your package arrived just in time for Valentine's Day and everything is much appreciated! God bless you! Mom also sent cards and pictures of cousins and herself. We all loved them!

I wish you a happy Valentine's Day... or what's left of it in your part of the world. Our celebration was low-key: homework followed by linguini with a creamy sauce that Mikael whipped up for us. I wanted to make my Swedie's favorite black forest cake, but couldn't find what I needed. So we did a plan B: a quick version of Chocolate-Cherry pie with fake whipped cream. Everyone smiled; that's the point! We aren't very picky when it comes to dessert!

February

2011-02-12T13:09:00.000+02:00

I think we have come to a phase in our field term where most things are just normal. I've looked at the past two weeks and we haven't had any crises. Everyone is over their colds. School is in full swing. Translation is on track. Our power and water and internet are working. I'm able to wade through paperwork on my desk and check my e-mail. Kind of boring. Kind of nice. What do you do when things fall into a routine? It doesn't happen very often around here. I'm out of practice.

This is the month of Valentines and remembering to show our love to those we care about. This is the month for a few special birthdays and our wedding anniversary. This is the month for reminding ourselves to stick to that New Year's resolution we made... or change it... or give up. This is the month to find out if our tax info is where we thought it should be. This is the month to commit to 2011 and plan to follow the plan. I guess it is a good thing it is a short month. Then we can't draw out all that "in with the new" stuff.

I've written a newsletter and have had it checked. At long last I'm committing to writing regularly about our work here. Pop me an e-mail if you want to be on the mailing list for the newsletter. It is going out via e-mail next week.

My proposal to run a series of workshops for Nyungwe bilingual education teachers fell apart. It seems they were told they have more important things to do and can't spare the time to be trained in writing the language they will teach. This means that instead of an official training series, I have to come up with something different. THEY asked for help. I offered help. Somewhere someone else said it isn't a priority. There will be another way. More locations, less content, shorter days. I won't give up until they refuse to look at a new proposal. I'd appreciate your prayers as I try to find a way to give them what they need. Strange job. We've offered them what they want and now we have to fight to be able to give it to them.

Please pray.

The Hill January 2011

2011-02-01T21:01:00.001+02:00

Click and this should take you to an album.

Querino Writes

2011-01-31T15:50:00.000+02:00

My guard for two years came from the countryside where he farmed and herded goats since he was a boy. He wasn’t interested in school. His dad was happy that he was home to farm. Why should he study? Now he’s married with a wife and son of a year. He lives in town to make a living and go to school. Adult literacy is free for everyone who lives near enough to a class. He’s been in the Portuguese class for two years. When he came to Tete he didn’t speak much Portuguese, but that didn’t stop him from starting literacy classes. He struggled through the years with naming letters and learning vowels. Last June when Mikael’s mom was here, Querino showed her his books and what he could do. As a Special Education teacher, she was amazed at his difficulty at putting two letters together to make a simple syllable. After over a year in Literacy class!

Querino’s brother Ilidio works on the Nyungwe Bible translation with us. He’s the big brother in the family. At 28 years old, he is the only one of his brothers and sisters who finished school. In his village there was school until the 5^th grade which he completed at 11 or 12 years old. Now he’s in his 4^th year in a bachelor’s program with a scholarship through our mission. He says he always liked to study. As a poor kid in the village he sometimes had to attend school wearing only a loin-cloth like a baby. He never gave up. He always did well and the teachers saw the promise of a good student despite his outward appearance.

This week I was working with Ilidio and the team. Ilidio had lunch with us a couple of times as we got caught up with him after his months away at Bible College. I asked about Querino’s progress and he said that finally his brother was getting somewhere. They’d been staying together over the holidays and he’d taken time to help Querino with reading. During this conversation, Ilidio’s cell phone beeped. There was a text from the village:

bo no ti ma no ti ri be u cu ma na reo

Boa noite, Mano. Tiribe kugumana lero.

Good evening, Bro! We didn’t meet today.

On Querino’s day off he was texting Ilidio from the village to say that he wasn’t coming home at night. The text had been delayed because of bad connections, but arrived just as we were talking about Querino! “He can text?!?” I exclaimed in surprise. “Yes, he’s just starting. Look at it. Needs some work, but he’s got the idea!”

They say in literacy training that you only learn to read once. It doesn’t matter how many languages you eventually learn to read… there is just ONE time when you make the connection, that FIRST time you understand that sounds of letters come together to make meaning. You learn to read once.

I guess after two long years of unsuccessful schooling, Querino has caught onto the secret of connecting symbols for sounds with meaning. He can read. AND because of cell phones he’s motivated to write… a text as simple as a greeting to his brother shows his progress. I also find it interesting that these first attempts are in a mixture of Portuguese and Nyungwe. Basically he’s taken the standard Portuguese greeting and spoken it in Nyungwe. He’s writing in syllables, which is how most literacy in Mozambique is done. He will get used to joining syllables to make words and keeping words separate. But, this disjointed string of syllables is a real breakthrough for a man at the threshold of literacy.

Congratulations, Querino! Adachita basa, Mano!

Back to School 2011

2011-01-17T17:16:00.001+02:00

Today the 3 Bister Kids started a new school year. In our small school there are 2 grades per class. This year was "move up" year for the Bisters!

Katie is up to MP3, the oldest group in the school. She's started 5^th grade, if you can believe that! There are about 13 kids in her class. She's excited about starting guitar this year. She and Dumi both declared their teacher to be great.

Jakob is in MP2. He's starting 3^rd grade in a class of about 8 kids. He was very pleased that his new teacher isn't as strict as he'd imagined he'd be. He also finally kept up with Kelly on the morning run. They are the two fastest in the age group, but she's managed to beat him every time! This might be his year to pull ahead at least sometimes.

John has entered the 1^st grade. He's finally in PE and gets to run with the big kids… and swim after the run… and play all the sports. Finally! He has a new teacher (Katie had the same teacher in first grade) and there are about 13 kids in his class. His best part of school so far was his new "Deer Book"… we'll have to see what that is!

Tracey and I will be leading the Christian Club again this year. We will meet on Thursdays for an hour. Since there are two of us, we can divide the kids by age groups. Last year was a good start to Christian Club, but it was tough with 25 kids aged 5-12 in one group for just 45 minutes! Since most kids don't have Sunday School, this is a good chance to give them the basics they miss out on.

The whole family appreciates your prayers as we get going in this new year. I look forward to sharing the year with you on this blog. It will be great to see what God has for us in 2011.

Lovin' it

2011-01-14T08:10:00.000+02:00

My new computer is great. It is faster and more reliable than the other one that got hung up on the simplest tasks. I love my new broadband with a wireless router... except that it doesn't like Mikael's computer, so he's still bound to the cable and it nearly defeats the purpose of our upgrade. NEARLY. I still like working faster myself.

There are a few things that aren't working out in my transfer of stuff to the new machine. These are annoying and concern me a bit. Anyone with ideas can send me an email and I'll try it out.

1. Transferring files from an old crippled XP computer to the new one with Windows 7 is proving slow. I wanted to network the two through the wireless connection, but I'm not managing to get it straight. So I'm using a 2gig flash drive and 10 years of digital photos 2 gig at a time will take forever. I have my files for work... but my pictures are still on the old one. I'm working on uploading everything to Picasa where I'll have access to them all the time. Maybe that's the answer if I don't want to buy an external hard drive.

2. I was looking forward to Skyping with our new connection and new computer. I haven't managed to get Skype downloaded on the new one... I get distracted and end up on a Portuguese site where I can't figure out what they mean by the settings. I should be able to figure this out, but I get stuck and move on.

3. While looking at setting up Skype, I tried out my webcam. Unfortunately, I see it, but it doesn't see me! There it is at the top of the laptop, but it doesn't seem to register as a piece of hardware on the computer. I've looked online at the Dell website. I've tried my hardware manager... I've tried clicking anything that remotely looks like it will open or unlock this mysterious device. And all the while I have this niggling feeling that some hacker in cyberspace is watching me and laughing... because maybe he's controlling my web cam and I don't know it! Of course not... but...

So I'm trying to get everything set up so I can do my work here and communicate with the people who sent me here to do it. At least my email is working... and my facebook... and my blog... and lots of other stuff. I'm stubborn. It will work sooner or later.

Pickles

2011-01-08T17:16:00.003+02:00

Some things are just more special here than at home in America or Sweden. I came home just before Christmas with a BIG can of pickles. They cheered! We haven't had pickles for months... almost a year, I guess. I just don't want to pay $4 for a tiny jar of yucky pickles. BUT I will pay $10 for a huge can of pretty good pickles! So, one of our holiday treats in Tete this year was unlimited pickle pleasure. Any meal... as much as you want! They are really sour, so the pickle gobbling didn't last long.

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade! If Tete gives you pickles, eat 'em!

Family picture, 2011

2011-01-06T17:39:00.000+02:00

Unedited family photo... at least we are all smiling!

We are looking forward to 2011. There's lots ahead to look forward to! The kids are settled and happy and doing really well in school. (They got some pretty awesome awards at year end ceremony!) Translation is more organized and locally led than ever. There are several publication goals for this year plus trips for testing and training. Interest in literacy training and materials development is increasing in several schools. Our house is renovated and feels like home!

Thanks for continued prayer and support for our family and work. We wouldn't be here if there weren't people home in USA and Sweden making an effort to keep us here! You are a blessing! Have a great 2011!

How sweet it is...

2010-12-27T13:14:00.000+02:00

For me, what makes it feel like Christmas is...

having kids home from school
choosing, buying, wrapping & giving gifts
baking cookies and making candy
decorating the house and putting up the tree
reading the Christmas story and setting up a Nativity set
remembering other Christmases
visiting and visitors... making time for family and friends
good food from far away... smells of cinnamon, orange, cranberry and chocolate with peppermint
candles and tiny lights

Remember my homesickness in November? Click to see the post Is it homesickness...? Before Thanksgiving I was feeling sad and missing family and all that comes with it. It was hot and my house was torn apart with renovation projects! I didn't think I could feel Christmassy in Tete.I asked for prayer from all my friends. It was a tough week.

Guess what! You prayed and I started feeling better soon after. We made an early Thanksgiving dinner when the power cuts thawed our precious turkey legs. We enjoyed our celebration of God's goodness and faithfulness to us and remembered lots to be thankful for! The next week was the last day of school and very busy for everyone. December came and Christmas preparations began. Cookies... candy... parties at school and with friends. I can't think of anything on the list that was missing! It feels like Christmas!

All the renovation projects came to a big climax the week before Christmas. Maybe that is why I haven't written for awhile! The air conditioners were in, but one room had electrical problems. The "landscaping" guy finished his work on our sad little patch of dust and mud. The carpenter came and put up shelves for my books and more shelves in the dining room. (I have unpacked 4 boxes of books and some special pretty things that have been stored for about 4 years!) The tile guy came and laid tile in the hallway and two bedrooms that had been stripped to bare, rough cement for a month. The phone company sent someone to install a land-line with broadband (and makes almost daily visits to fix problems!) Finally, on December 23rd the TV guys came and installed a satelite dish with DSTV in English!

Now there is still this little part of me that says, "You are a missionary in Africa. You should suffer in the heat with the people you came to reach out to. You should not spend money on TV and landscaping! Internet that works, ok... it is a necessity, but DSTV?" Then the other part of me smiles when I look at grass growing where my kids can play outside and I can sit in the shade with my African friends and learn Nyungwe words. I can walk through my house and it is actually clean since the floor can be swept! My kids can play on the floor in their room without skinning their knees! My husband can retreat to the coolness of our room after lunch to rest after a morning at the office up the hot, dusty road. I can turn on my new computer and hook to the internet in minutes.

We invited the translators over with their wives for a Christmas party last weekend. They enjoyed being together and I fed them roast chicken and stuffing from America. They really liked stuffing! I thought they would think it was strange. We sang carols and choruses in all our languages. We sweated in the heat of the evening with doors closed to keep out mosquitoes! One said, "Maybe next year you will have air conditioning in the living room, too. Then we can come and eat in comfort!" Maybe my luxury isn't only a blessing to me... maybe I need to share more instead of feeling embarrassed that I have more than them. Maybe 2011 will be the year I learn to enjoy Tete better. As for DSTV... it is $25 per month... a present for the whole family from money we received for Christmas. (Thanks, all of you.) I sat with my kids last night and watched Food Network and they said, "This is just like grandma's house in America!" and it was... just like home, sweet home!

No way...

2010-12-22T19:36:00.000+02:00

We were declined permission for permanent residence. They said that since we didn't have permission to stay out of the country for more than 90 days, we relinquished rights to residency when we left on furlough 2007. When we started over in 2008/2009, we don't get credit for any of the previous 9 years residence. So we are now required to renew our documents in January. We will pay $730.60 per person on January 2, 2011 if the exchange rates stay the same. (That's about $30 more this week than last week! Exchange rate is DOWN!) And we will pay that amount in 2012, and every year we are in Mozambique. Ouch. I can think of better uses of my partners' money!

Thanks for praying... and I know that God has all this in His plan. Of course, if anyone wants to donate to our ministry, it would sure help in 2011!

Pray for favor...

2010-12-14T19:06:00.000+02:00

There is a chance that we can get permanent residence visas for Mozambique. We have lived in the country for most of the past 15 years, actually... 12 of them in Tete. The law required 10 years residence for permission to apply for permanent residency. Some setbacks... like long furlough and renewal dates made it impossible to apply before now. With new biometric residency docs... and the world's most expensive yearly renewal fees coming into effect, we really want permanent residency.

If they look with favor on our request, we will have the right to stay for 5 years without renewal... and we can come and go without restrictions. We would also save the $700/person (x5) annual fee. This would be wonderful. God is all knowing, all powerful... and all good! Join us in prayer for a positive response. We should know the verdict on Thursday.

Thanks,
Jeni

Whew...what's new?

2010-12-08T22:05:00.000+02:00

I'm writing from our new broadband connection. It's fast! I'm still working on getting the wireless working, but this is better than the last connection.This is another sign that we are moving forward. Last year was really tough in a small house in a bad location... all very temporary. In January we moved to a better area of town for work and school.We are happy for this house, but it needed lots of work to get it in shape. There weren't ACs, the yard was a real mess, plumbing and electricity needed an upgrade, inside we needed to paint and even the floors had patches of cement that crumbled when we cleaned! Since each step of the process involves lots of mental and physical energy, we've spread it out. We want to be done by the end of the year. Some of the changes are painful, but some, like this internet thing, are a pleasure.

Here's a list of the past month's changes:

Air-conditioners. With temperatures around 100F/40C for about half of the year, AC is the norm in Tete. We have lived here for about 12 years. We have always had air-conditioning in at least part of the house until this term. It took about 2 months to upgrade our electricity contract to 3-phase so that ACs would run. Now both bedrooms have working air conditioners! We sleep better at night, and our computer is happier. Buying and installing took about 2 weeks.
Fixed phone and broadband... very straight-forward process. Done in about a week... with a few pending issues they say are due to rain.
Bookshelves: we have lots of books, but have a shortage of shelves. Yesterday, the planks handed over to a carpenter were successfully mounted in my hallway. That's 8 meters of space for books and doo-dads that have lived in boxes for more than 2 years! It only took a week.
Painting kitchen cupboards: in USA you have DIY. Here, almost no one does their own painting or anything. I had paint and brushes, so I spent a few weekends sanding and painting while preparing meals... multi-tasking. Not done yet, but it feels good to have it going.
Yard work: we have clay... sticky, gray clay. Patches of grass... two kinds that are quite different. During the rains, we have floods in the yard. The plan is to bring in dirt to raise the yard over street level, plan walkways and drainage to the street and plant grass. A friend recommended a guy... "Pensar Ricardo" (his name is "to think?") So I have Mr. Thoughtful ripping up my yard with his buddy during a quite rainy season in Tete! Think mud and muck! Ooo... and my kids are out of school! Well, we are hoping for a quick change once they start planting grass. It will be so nice when it is done... when? Whenever.
Floors: I decided to tear up the cracked and flaking cement before installing air conditioners. Cement dust is bad... I didn't want to gunk up new machines with cement... plus all the pounding... Anyway, I had a crew come in and demolish my floors in hallway and 2 bedrooms. Had to move out all the furniture, etc. One day moving, one day breaking... now we are walking on floors that resemble rough sidewalks. BUT we have air conditioners, and tiling isn't very messy compared to demolition.

None of that requires full-time attention. It all requires dealing with unknown workers in the home... contracting, contacting, scheduling, paying and follow-up. Negotiating prices is no fun. There are culture and language issues behind everything. Even after 12 years we are still learning the ropes! I just have to keep in mind that usually people are being fair. I might not understand their reasoning, but I'm in their world. I can learn to work in this system. If it doesn't contradict the Bible, I can't call it wrong, can I? So I hope I'm becoming more patient. I hope they see Jesus' love in me even when I'm questioning their actions and decisions. I hope they are more blessed than bothered by interacting with my family here in Tete, Mozambique.

A surprise Thanksgiving

2010-11-22T09:40:00.002+02:00

Did I say I'd do Thanksgiving if I had air-conditioners? I HAD Thanksgiving BECAUSE I have air-conditioners! Bought them and had them sitting in the living room for a week. Found professionals to install them. Did it on Friday, but not the electrical... you have to call another guy for that. HE came on Saturday. Unplugged the fridge and freezer because he was worried about spikes when he reconnected the power. BUT he didn't unplug the new air conditioner! Poof... seems it blew a hidden fuse and now Mikael is in town trying to hear what can be done and by whom. Purchases and workmanship are usually not guaranteed in Tete.

That was Saturday morning. Sunday morning, after a late breakfast, we opened the freezer to find that "we" forgot to plug it in after the electricity was back to normal. Oops! Surprise! Thanksgiving! I'd found 3 turkey legs in town. They were thawed. So, like a true African housewife, I announced a feast.

Amazingly just about everything I needed for the meal was already here at home. You can't really shop on Sunday since only gas stations are open... and the market. I had a loaf of bread in the freezer for stuffing, I had turkey legs. I'd bought two little butternut squash to substitute pumpkin. I had a tiny packet of dried cranberries that I found stashed away (smart of me to buy them, hide them, remember them and FIND them). I had plenty of potatoes, eggs, margarine, flour, onions, stock powder, and a fresh bottle of gas for the stove! All waiting for Thanksgiving! I was just missing carrots... since I can't get celery for the stuffing, I needed the carrots... available at the local market everyday.

Immediately, I enlisted my 3 helpers in cutting up bread for stuffing. Mikael ran to town and upon his return, helpfully washed all the dishes left overnight and from breakfast, AND peeled potatoes! I cut squash and put it on to boil. Ran the stuffing veggies through the food processor (thanks again, Christina). Threw together two pie crusts while the kids weren't looking. (Hee hee...they like to help with rolling, but this wasn't the time for it!) By 1:00 the stuffing was mixed and in the pan with 3 turkey legs on top. Into the the oven. Katie scraped out my pumpkin and I made the pie filling. I actually had room for 2 pies AND the pan of turkey and stuffing in my little oven!

Somewhere along the day, things moved slowly and dinner wasn't until 7pm. The power was off for a while. Then the water was off most of the afternoon. Then the gas died in the stove and we needed to hook up that new tank... BUT, we had a pretty great meal. Stephen is a new MCC volunteer from Hawaii and California, and he was available for our feast since it was so conveniently delayed! Part of Thanksgiving is about sharing, so it was very nice to have him with us! We were able to be thankful for our blessings of friendship, the comforts of a home in Africa, the bounty of food that we can enjoy even when the harvest in Mozambique is months away. I ate too much. You are supposed to eat too much at an African feast!

I wish all of you a very happy and mostly traditional Thanksgiving. I hope you can share your feast with loved ones or bless someone in need. I hope you remember the love of Jesus who gives us his true LIFE and opens the way to God. I hope you know how blessed you are... no matter how little you have. I'm sure you have something special God gave you that you can share with others. Even your words of faith, hope and encouragement in a struggle are a gift you can share. That's a kind of harvest from your life in Christ that doesn't have a season, but seasons all of life.

I just got a call from Mikael. The man at the shop is sending a technician to check the machine. If he can't fix it, they will replace it! Now THAT is a reason to be thankful! God's favor with a Pakistani shopkeeper in Tete! Just say a little prayer right now for the technician... a smooth solution would be MOST welcome! God is in control. He's good. I've just gotta follow.

Chillin' in Tete

2010-11-08T11:26:00.000+02:00

No, the AC man didn't come and install our air conditioners yet, but we have had electricity for the past 48 hours! It came back Friday evening 9pm. We'd just prayed with the kids before bed. I went to get a spray bottle to mist them while they wait for that elusive breeze to hit them. As I squirted Katie, the power came back!

"Wow, Mom! God was really listening to that prayer!" We'd asked God to give the repair men good ideas about how to fix the power cut that lasted 29 hours. We also prayed that He'd give us restful sleep even if the power didn't come back. We got power and restful sleep, so say a little prayer of thanks with me! We advanced to the part of the nighttime ritual where we place the fan in just the right place so it almost hits all three kids in its oscillation.

Saturday was a dream... Mom's package arrived with presents for all. Most packages have been lost or so delayed that she has little incentive to send them. It worked this time and we got a box of fun stuff and new clothes and lots of underwear! My boys like American underwear :). The kids put on Saturday cartoons with a new DVD and functioning electricity. They charged the DS and tried out the new games. They colored and painted and left plastic wrappers and paper scraps all over the house, just like Christmas! It helped my homesickness, actually.Thanks Mom!

Chillin' in the title refers to my ice-cream adventure on Sunday. We didn't have ziploc bags for the freezing method on Wikihow. Thinking out loud as I always do, I analysed the problem with the kids. You need an inner sealed container. Ice cream needs to keep moving to have contact with the cold source. The cold source can be ice or a freezer... in a bucket or whatever, right? We came up with putting plastic peanut-butter jars filled with ice cream mix into a big NIDO (powdered milk) can with ice and salt. We'd seal it up with duct tape (thanks Kathy, still using it) and roll it around for half an hour.

It didn't really work. Good news is that it didn't leak. Bad news is that it is noisy and no one likes to be in charge of the can. We put the can in a basin to rock it, just in case. We also had a jar of ice-cream that wouldn't fit in the can so we stuck it in the freezer. It froze first. Of course. We had fun though and the anticipation and use of ingenuity was good for us. (Mikael wasn't into it... non-believer! He played computer chess while we battled it out with NIDO cans.)

After baths, everyone got a spoonful of the "leftover" ice-cream in that little jar in the freezer. By the time they were asleep, Mom and Dad checked the other jars... frosty enough to pour melted chocolate in and stir up for the chips. Back in the freezer with one more beating at midnight to prevent crystals. Today after school, we have a treat for everyone!

I suppose if I lived back home, I'd have nothing to do... we'd just buy ice-cream every week and take the air conditioning for granted. I'd be busy at work with kids in school learning about George Washington from their teacher. They'd have Children's church and Sunday school with friends. I'd go to ladies' Bible study with my friends. It could be nice to stay home long enough to feel normal there. But I think I'd miss something about being in a strange land and learning from the people I came to teach. I'd miss writing about thing that are strange to you from my perspective. I guess I'll just stay here for now.

Is is homesickness or just Tete in November?

2010-11-02T14:12:00.000+02:00

I think I'm homesick. Tete in November is enough to drive anyone to dreams of leaving. It isn't the heat and the paperwork and the monotony of life in the hot season. It's different, I think. What do you do when you are far from home in the most family-centered season of the American calendar? It isn't here yet, but it is coming fast. Thanksgiving to Christmas is a tough time for missionaries and others overseas. I think it is worse for Americans. I'll tell you why.

WE have THANKSGIVING! It is really the most American of all holidays, I think. More than the 4th of July for some of us. Sure, we have traditions on Independence Day, but not like the traditions on Thanksgiving! You can celebrate the 4th with friends on the beach. You can celebrate with strangers. You can eat almost anything or nothing and it doesn't matter. You want the Star Spangled Banner and Fireworks, but it's nothing to call home about.On Thanksgiving, you WILL call Mom... and you will miss her pumpkin pie and the RIGHT kind of stuffing if you aren't home!

If you want a really important American celebration, look at the 4th Thursday in November. We can't even give it a date. It has to be Thursday so you get a long weekend to recover from the feast! There are specific foods you SHOULD have on Thanksgiving. Turkey is a real celebration food designed to feed a whole crowd! 20lbs of poultry roasting for hours in the oven, stuffed with your family's favorite stuffing recipe. Ok, the stuffing varies greatly around the country, but it is stuffing a big noble bird that counts. We all know that sweet potatoes are supposed to be there whether we like them or not. Cranberries in sauce or salad are part of the expectation. Salads and veggies vary, but usually corn of some kind finds a place on the table. Pumpkin pie... outsiders don't understand the appeal of baking a vegetable for desert, but it is so good with cozy spices, flaky pastry and the custardy filling.

Thinking of these things warms my heart and brings a tear to the eye. Tete is so NOT Thanksgiving-able. I'm still thankful, but keeping traditions is tough for this holiday! First of all, no family. I've accepted it whether I like it or not. I won't get there and they won't get here. Too bad. I can find a turkey... it might be tough and imported form Brazil, but it will be a big bird. I can make Mom's stuffing pretty well, too. Grandma showed me! I can get canned corn. Cranberries you just have to forget. I can also use a butternut to make a pie, but the one thing that really gets tough is the HOURS in the oven! When the temperature is already about 100F, how do you stay in the kitchen for 5 hours preparing all the goodies without melting?

On the 4th of July, we are proud to be Americans. On Thanksgiving, we are THANKFUL to be Americans. We remember that we could be something else. We could have a king and speak "british" English, heaven forbid! We'd be spelling words funny and drinking HOT tea with milk! We might even have to teach our children Cricket... where the game is so long you have to stop for tea! HOT tea! We are thankful for our families and we remember that we need each other. How can you eat all that Turkey alone? We are thankful that God let us be born free to follow our dreams no matter where we come from. If we work hard, we can do it. That is the real American dream... hard work will get you somewhere. You can choose and you can try.

So, without family to share my turkey dinner and without Americans to share my dreams, I feel a little homesick. If I get air-conditioning installed before the 4th Thursday, I'll try for the whole she-bang! Might have to do it on Friday though. We don't get Thursday off. I know a couple of Americans I can invite for dinner and throw in a few others as well. But, what about after the meal... who will wash the dishes with me? And what about football? There isn't a football game on here!

Last year I tried to have a Thanksgiving party. I baked pies and asked people to bring cakes or deserts of their own. I invited Americans and some families with kids. Everyone came and dropped off their kids and left! Jon Vuvu* was there, an Oregonian who appreciated my pies. He was put in charge of getting the kids to play baseball! Of course, they didn't know how. We had only one glove and finally borrowed a bat. The outfielders kept wandering off since there wasn't anything to do! The batters didn't want to take turns. Finally, Chris and Katie came and helped with the baseball. It was difficult to keep going! But it was nice to be together and eat pie with thankfulness. It is a happy memory even if it didn't work out as planned.

I think that about sums up any tradition you try to keep while you wander the world. You can make a happy memory, but it probably will be different than planned. So I guess the secret to fighting the homesickness is to be thankful for the happy memories we are making along the way. Look for the traditions we are building here with our kids. Accept the changes and remember, change is good. That's why we are here. We are working for positive change. We can have a dream and we can try... we can act like Americans and be thankful that we are free to choose... to be here.

This week and the next

2010-10-27T10:23:00.002+02:00

My schedule seems to be determined by so many things. What's going on? Here's a sample.

Monday: Doctor visit. Kids with ear aches and sore throats. Tried all my usual tricks so I've called in a professional. One's on antibiotic, the other two must use ear plugs for swimming, but are fine. Bible club... memory verse sheet requests from some students! I hope that means they want to memorize! I just listed all my favorites. You can send me ideas for more verses that every kid should know! We are starting practice for Carols evening as well.

Getting an air conditioner installed. First we must upgrade our electricity... then we must buy the big machines, then we have to have someone install them... leg work, filling out forms, why can't it be easy?

Planning for my bedroom and hallway floors to be taken out and redone. We had the living and dining areas done in April... what a mess! But, the top layer of cement is starting to break up in the rest of the house, so we might as well... After taking out the floors, we will call the painters... it will be so nice to get it all done!

Thursday, Rosa, our housekeeper, will be at the doctor again. She is still feeling dizzy after a long drawn out case of tummy trouble. I think the strong meds they gave her for over a week has made the situation worse. I know she's anemic anyway... put those together and you get a dizzy, weak person. She'll recover. Pray for her... she worries and that makes it worse.

Friday and Saturday are the school play for the kids. We can attend one night... the other will be a date night! In the play, Snow White, I have one tree, one jockey (instead of dwarfs) and one horse-race commentator. It is a musical. My tree will have to stand and smile, I think. That's what he's best at. My Jockey has to sing in a group of jockeys... better than making him learn a lot of lines. My commentator will stand on a stool and belt out quick solo lines with good enunciation. I'm sure she'll love it! She even uses a nice South African accent when she's practicing!

Sunday we are trying to get Mark/Maliko delivered to some more churches... never-ending process. Pray that we manage another 4 this weekend!

So, what about work? I've been in touch with some of the Education Forum people, but it seems interest is lagging and our campaign against school corruption is delayed. We must get the interest back up! sigh... my turn to beat the drum, I guess.

Primer Revision on hold this week. I will work on it next week in the mornings. I have a computer up and running. That is the first step.

So, if I can leave the renovations to someone else, I can work on Primers and seminar plans... If that someone else is going to translate the Bible, I'd better do my part for organizing aircons. But, with the heat up to 100+ in the shade (that is over 40C for those of you who live outside America) we have been sleeping in a house that is over 90F/30C. It isn't good for restful nights. It isn't good for computers to run in that heat either. So, please pray for things to move quickly!

No bad computers?

2010-10-17T15:35:00.002+02:00

My computer support person said to me, "I have always refused to accept it when people tell me that a computer is bad... but, working on your computer this week, I have to admit there is at least one bad computer out there!"

So, I had a lovely week in Nampula. I'm on an "entity committee" for our mission so I get to travel about twice a year to business meetings. My trip takes me to Nampula where we have a training and conference center. I travel through Lichinga where I have a dear friend from days gone by in Portugal and Tete. It has been good to take care of business, be "on-the-road" and meet people I don't usually get to meet. I have relaxed, while Mikael has had a lot of extra work at home without me. It has been good. I have seen God's hand taking care of me when there has been trouble.

No bad computers... just mine!

While I was sitting in meetings, I had turned my machine over to the capable people in our computer department. I had a serious complaint that would require lots of time. I knew that and they knew that. They just didn't know how uncooperative my computer was. When I received my computer on Friday afternoon, everything was running much faster with a new operating system as planned. BUT I had no email addresses or old emails. I admit, I cried. Others comforted me and patted my back and of course, I did what I could and moved on. The files where there, but not accessible without a Vista computer. So, they weren't lost. Just out of reach for now.

I left Nampula on Saturday for the weekend in Lichinga. It was a welcome stopover, but not originally planned. My more direct flight connection to Tete was canceled by the airline. This way, I could still get home by Monday, I just had to leave on Saturday. Arriving in Lichinga I had a great lunch with Janice and her new short-term missionary, Claude. What is Claude doing in Lichinga? He's going to be running computer training course. He's young and Swiss and techie and newly arrived in Mozambique. He's here to serve and I gave him a job immediately!

Isn't God good to us? He knows our needs before they are there. He allows some things to happen so that other things can happen. I was rerouted on my flight to spend two days in out-of-the-way Lichinga where Claude was working with Janice. I had a computer crisis just in time for Claude to jump in and help his first missionary with a problem. He had the right kind of computer and enough experience to fix my problem. That's pretty cool.

It is nice to be reminded that our crisis is an opportunity for God to show us His mercy and power and love. What is your crisis today? Expect God to watch out for you... ask for help... and follow His path. I'll bet you get a nice surprise by the end of it. God is good.

Dollars and mets... prices in Tete

2010-10-02T15:16:00.001+02:00

We get paid in Swedish crowns and US dollars. We exchange the money for Mozambican meticais (met-ee-kysh). The exchange rate is favorable for us, but over the years we've learned to think in "mets" instead of dollars. Prices continue to rise every week. We especially see the difference in meat, milk and eggs... luxury items for a Mozambican, we see them as main items in our diet.

Here's a shopping list with what we paid back in May compared to what we have to pay now for the items we usually keep on hand.

1 liter of milk=52mtn, =75 mtn
1.8kg milk powder = 520mtn, =600mtn
1kg dried beans = 35mtn, =40mtn
30 eggs = 140 mtn, =200mtn
1 kg beef = 110 mtn, =150
1 kg chicken = 100 mtn, =160
1 kg cheese = 400 mtn, =580 mtn, when available
1kg onions = 50 mtn
1 kg tomatoes = 30 mtn
1kg potatoes = 20 mtn, =30 mtn
1kg rice = 25 mtn, = 32mtn
1 kg wheat flour = 30 mtn, =35mtn
1 kg sugar = 27 mtn, =33mtn
1 roll toilet paper = 15, =20, when available
1 liter cooking oil = 60 mtn, 75mtn
1 kg margarine = 150 mtn, 200mtn
1 liter fruit juice = 60 mtn, 65mtn
1 can coca cola = 25 mtn, 30mtn
4 carrots = 20 mtn
1 cucumber = 10 mtn
1 cabbage = 25 mtn, =30 mtn
10 bananas = 20 mtn
1 kg coffee = 1000 mtn, not available
4 oranges = 50 mtn
1 apple = 12mtn
1 kg laundry detergent = 80mtn, =100mtn
Cheapest shampoo = 45 mtn, = 60 mtn
average shampoo =100mtn, =140mtn
bathroom cleaner = 60mtn, =70mtn
Burger and fires at cafe =125mtn, =150mtn
Chicken dinner in restaurant = 175mtn, = 200mtn
big box of corn flakes = 120mtn, =160mtn
350gm peanut butter = 60mtn, =80mtn

These are the things often on our weekly shopping list. In all, the prices might not seem very high. What you must realize is that there aren't really other options. This is the list because there isn't really anything else to buy. I might WANT ice-cream, but I won't pay $10 for 2 liters of bad quality ice-cream. Convenience foods don't exist... frozen veggies might come now and then, but they aren't in good condition by the time they get here!

I spend about 3,000mtn a week on groceries that feeds our family, 2 maids and a night watchman. Last year, the prices were lower. I didn't really write them down, so I can't tell you how much lower. Every year at Christmas, the prices jump quite a bit. People don't have food stored up by then. It is a hungry time. I feel bad buying luxury foods to celebrate the holidays when my friends barely afford rice and beans.

Lunch for 10 people (our family + 3 guests),
Rice and beans with cabbage salad = 150mtn
Nsima (thick corn meal mush) and matapa (greens cooked with peanut and coconut) = 100mtn
Fried Chicken and mashed potatoes with lettuce salad = 400mtn
Beef curry with rice and salad = 250mtn
Bologna and cheese sandwiches with potato chips = 500mtn
Tuna salad sandwiches with fresh fruit = 250 mtn
Peanut butter and jelly with bananas= 150mtn
Spaghetti with meat sauce, green salad and green beans = 350mtn
cornflakes with bananas and milk= 200mtn
Yogurt with granola and fresh apples = 300mtn

We eat lots of rice and beans. We like matapa, but it takes a day and a half to make! We never eat bologna and cheese together-too much of a luxury! Tuna or peanut butter sandwiches appear often. We have spaghetti every week, but fried chicken about once a month! Welcome! We'd love to have you over for a meal!

Boxes of books…

2010-10-01T21:02:00.001+02:00

We have boxes of books. English books. Swedish books. Portuguese books. Nyungwe books. Each trip home brings us back with a load of books, some new clothes and shoes. We buy more clothes and shoes at the market here, but can't get many books. The library isn't well-stocked and you can't actually take the books out of the building. The two bookstores in town sell school books or volumes of civil legal codes. I can't afford the books they sell here. A novel might be sold for $20 to $50. Most of the novels don't pass that "whatsoever" test anyway. Some reference books are offered. A big Portuguese dictionary costs 2,000mt… that is about $70.

Back to my boxes. Stacked in a corner of our guestroom/office/store room we have about 10 boxes. Most are books we've collected and don't have shelf space for right now. The boxes are labeled: Christian, reference, novels-English, novels-Swedish, misc. children's, cookbooks… More telling are the books that have made it to the shelf: Where there is no Doctor, World Book Encyclopedia, Concordances, Dictionaries in 4 languages. There are several versions of the Bible in English plus Portuguese, Swedish and Children's versions. We have a stack of John Grishams and a stack of old National Geographics and a row of young fiction books that are hand-me-downs.

Just now, it is the "hand-me-downs" that bring me to write. Five boxes of books left for our family by friends leaving the country. First came a Swedish box from a family up North that had "outgrown" many of their books. They thought of us. Thank you. We consider several of those books to be new treasures. Then there were two boxes left by a Brazilian missionary: Portuguese books donated to our office library project that doesn't have a room of its own yet. Next came a box of books from our British friends. They homeschooled here for about 5 years and have accumulated a bundle of reading material worth passing on. That's four boxes of books from leaving missionaries accumulated in the past 6 months.

Now I'm looking at box number five standing beside the bookcase with the hand-me-downs. I'm getting teary. The books in this box were passed to us by dear friends. They have been our second family while we are in Mozambique. They know where we come from and why we are here. They understand our struggles in this place better than you do. We started as a "double team" in 1999 and became a "tag-team" over the years. Often we shared work without sharing Tete, but a tradition of house-sitting in months of transition grew between our families. We are at home in each other's kitchens. We have passed furniture back and forth, borrowed linens, and of course, read most of the books on each other's shelves.

The time has come for them to move on to another African country. They are packing and giving away accumulated treasures. Selling what they can and facing up to the limit of luggage allowances. Already packed are 16 boxes of books they can't part with. 600 pounds of faithful friends will find their way through the dusty border posts down to the Cape. We are praying that those boxes will be shipped with helpful souls passing through with room to share. The family will adjust to their new home in a town with a library, public schools in English and used bookshops for browsing and buying. They will still be connected to Tete and Nyungwe in new ways with new technology to spread God's Word and make more books available here in Mozambique.

So, now I look at that box below the encyclopedias. A reminder that we will box up our books some day and leave them with someone we love. I hope by then there is a library in Tete that will be the guardian of our books… with shelves open for browsing… with people reading about everything I've been able to read about and much more. They will be practicing English and seeking God in Portuguese at a library started by Mozambicans for Mozambicans with a will to read. I hope most of all that that library will have a whole section devoted to the Nyungwe language with dictionaries, folktales and local history written by people who have lived it. I hope that box number six will live there among them.

You see, David was in town overnight to attend to last-minute business. He brought a stack of planks… precious deep red wood… long, straight and planed for some project years ago. They are destined for the office. We are going to use them to build bookshelves! I also noticed that he dropped off ANOTHER box of books: I peeked inside to find photocopied bundles of the first dictionaries and Bible translation portions in Nyungwe done by the Catholics about a hundred years ago. They were dug out of a library somewhere else in the world and copied for use here. Someone has to be the guardian of these out-of-print treasures… for now, it is me. I only keep them for awhile and then I too will pass them on.

The Whatsoevers

2010-09-20T23:15:00.003+02:00

Maybe my sisters remember. Dad told us to think about the Whatsoevers. I didn't know when I was 10 years old that he was teaching me how to control my thought life. It's in Philippians 4:8 where it tells us how to choose our thoughts.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is pure,
whatever is admirable
--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--
think on these things."

In the NIV it isn't whatsoever like in the King James I memorized as a child. These are the whatevers for my kids. What an awesome tool to protect heart and mind! Choose to think about good things. Should I replay the insults someone shouted at me in anger? Should I dwell on the gossip about a friend? Should I see the horror movie? Should I choose that computer game? Should I let my mind wander to the worrying uncertainties of my future? We can make a choice if we want to.

More than ever kids are bombarded with choices of what to see and listen to. Cell phones and iPods, internet and computer games, 24 hours of TV available every day with LOTS of channels! I had 5 channels as a kid. FIVE. No computer games with any moral content... remember the many variations of ball games on an old "Odessey" TV game? Ping-pong or handball... white paddles on a black screen with a ball bouncing between them? Uh, not much of a moral intrusion there Music was available on cassette tapes or records. If you wanted to see a movie, you went to the kid's flick at the cinema... once a year, with Grandma for a special day. Life is different now. Technology that is making it possible for me to send this message from Mozambique to whoever wants to read it anywhere in the world also makes it possible for me to CHOOSE anything to read or see or hear for better or for worse.

You know it is true. If you don't see bad stuff or hear bad stuff, it just isn't going to run through your head, is it? If you constantly play songs with edgy lyrics and watch whatever is on TV and see questionable movies and stuff your head with THAT. What is going to go through your head later? What pops out of your mouth before you can stop it? Images can be so powerful... and once they are seen, they stick, like it or not. It is hard to forget what your eye has seen. Protect yourself. Choose good things. They also stick!

In Bible Club at Zambezi Junior School we are studying the Fruit of the Spirit this year. We've come to the end of the Fruit lessons and have just a few weeks before starting to practice for a Christmas celebration. We have some time for "how to live a Christian life." My first choice for the additional memory verse was the whatsoevers. Kids need guidelines. Many parents aren't giving them. So, I have a unique opportunity to mold the conscience of a few kids. I have a chance to give them a choice. I memorized that verse about 30 years ago. How many times since then has God prompted me to choose right thoughts? Without even trying to remember, it pops into my head giving me a guideline for a choice. I can still choose to go against the guideline, but I KNOW what is right. I can choose what is right because I know I have a choice.

Another thing Dad said was, "Depression comes from believing a lie." How true is that? It fits right in with the whatsoevers. I can believe I will always fail or believe people are going to think bad things about me or believe I'm going to be taken by aliens. I can feel ugly and boring. I can imagine terrible things that could happen. Is any of that really true or right or lovely? No. So, I remember what Mom told us every night when she tucked us in, "Think good thoughts instead of bad thoughts." My Dad and Mom were a pretty good team, weren't they?

What did you do today?

2010-09-09T16:04:00.002+02:00

Sometimes it is hard to define what I did after a day in Tete. I start off with one plan and things almost always change by 10am. Monday I was nicely defined as a substitute teacher for John's class... until noon. At noon, I should have driven home to make lunch for the other two... then back to school to teach Bible Club and hang out until swimming was over at 4pm. But... something changed.

We have to look at Sunday- the team went with Mikael to deliver the Gospel of Mark in Nyungwe to 7 churches "on the other side of the river." He drove on good highway... and some normal dirt suburb roads. They had a warm welcome in the church they visited and headed out for the second on the list. "Ka-plomp, ka-plomp, ka-plomp." Flat tire. How odd that a 5 inch metal shard would be stuck in our new big, tough Wranglers! The spare was low. Power cuts on Sundays. No compressors to pump up and no repairs possible. So Maliko came home with Mikael on Sunday and we didn't want to drive much.

So, on Monday, "teacher Jeni" didn't have a car. M dropped us all at 7:30 for a day at school. At 10am he brought us lunches and snacks and all we needed to stay at school until 4pm. Still no tire repairs possible since the Maputo riots tried to spread through the country. A few people tried to start something in Tete... at the goat market between town and the school. Police controlled it peacefully. They still closed things in town to keep people quiet. We were able to go home as planned at 4pm, but we were a bit tired.

Today was different. Everything is back to normal in town. Our spare is still not great, but holding most of the air. The repair on the other tire will have to be done next week since the shop ran out of patching material. So we aren't driving around much. I needed to work on a few things. Email was working, so I checked and answered it. Then it wasn't working... then it was... I started a workshop proposal for teacher training in Nyungwe writing skills for schools in Mufa-Caconde.

We need to look at yesterday for that explanation- I always have prayer time on Wednesday mornings with some moms at school. Our group is small, but faithful. When we were finishing up I got a surprise call from the Director of the primary school in Mufa-Caconde. He was in town and looking for materials in Nyungwe for his Bilingual Ed students... about 80% of his school at this point. We had a great chat. He took a class set of Maliko (the Gospel of Mark in Nyungwe) a few Jonah books and some Life of Jesus SGM booklets based on Luke. These he will use in the 4th grade where the kids have almost nothing to read in class. He was really happy for the materials. They can use Bible texts in school... the important thing is that it is written in Nyungwe. Almost nothing else exists, so Maliko is the best offer! He also wanted our literacy book produced last year. He wants to use it for first grade since their Nyungwe materials never arrived from the state publisher. Our book is still being revised, but it follows the methodology they use in Bilingual Ed so the teachers can use it and hopefully fill in the gaps. I printed out the first 3 units that are reasonably ready. I need to get more copies for him.

So, now I can explain my Workshop proposal. Since teachers in Mufa-Caconde don't have materials for their students to read, I want to offer to teach them to write their own. In a series of workshops, we will make sure they have learned the basics of Nyungwe spelling; we will give them a chance to write about local history, interesting events in the community, folktales, etc. Then they will learn the art of re-working the texts into easy reading materials. It is much harder to write natural EASY stories! So they get lots of practice in editing and spelling and grammar and all that good stuff.

That's what I did today in between answering phone calls about electricity repairs in our house and picking up the kids at school and looking at the big, ugly owie on Rosa's leg...
and evaluating a loan request for one of our staff...
and speaking to the "boss" about the request on behalf of the employee...
and welcoming a friend who stopped in having just returned from a month in Brazil...
and finding a ride home from school for her son...
and eating sweet potatoes and cabbage for lunch...
and scheduling a meeting to discuss some partnerships at the department of Education...
and waiting for the server to recognize those emails and this blog post.

Most of the things on the list take just a few minutes... but they add up to many interruptions that slow down the progress of the things I mean to do every day. But, there is progress...

Last year, Mufa-Caconde didn't have materials either, but this year they know where to find something to substitute what they are missing. That is a huge step forward... the result of some concentrated efforts with lots of little interruptions like today.

Testing, testing…

2010-08-30T22:54:00.002+02:00

Katie had a lovely birthday today. It was also the first day of school after a 3 week break. It was also the day I taught Bible Club at school. So, it was a big day. I'm trying a new way to upload blog stuff and just need to see if this works.

Hello? Hello? Am I here?

2010-08-23T09:14:00.002+02:00

I've been enjoying a few days up in Vila with our dear friends. My kids played and ran and read books. We ate great food with a great cook. Mikael and I read books and relaxed, enjoying sleeping in and poking our heads out of the house sometime after 10am. Ahhhh. Vacation.

So, during that week, I didn't even turn on my computer except to watch a movie! I didn't look at email. I didn't blog. I didn't even feel bad about it! That is how it should be.

We are home in Tete now. M visited 6 more churches with the team yesterday to pass out Maliko, Jonah, and Luke excerpts. The kids and I had HomeSundaySchool. They enjoyed drawing pictures of Stephen getting stoned... and a long train. (We still aren't sure how John's picture fit into the lesson, but it was nice.) The lesson was chosen because that is the chapter that was shown on Mozambican TV Bible cartoons Sunday morning.

Today I'm back at the computer taking care of business. I have a meeting to plan for Education partners on Wednesday. I need a confirmation from the Dept of Ed before I send out the invitations. I have Email to catch up on. I'm planning lunch for our family and household staff. (Rosa was just in to announce that the market ladies have Sweet potatoes, bonongwe leaves, and papaya for sale in my yard.)

For the rest of the week: Tomorrow I've invited Yanick, a school friend, to come for the day while his mom works. Wednesday is probably a meeting all morning. Friday is a meeting with the translation team at the office-I will need to bake a cake.

What else is going on? Let's just say that though it is nice to have running water, it is almost more important to have drains that work! They do. I'm glad. I hope yours are working too! I think that is enough for today!

Loofah- the 101st post

2010-07-27T21:57:00.002+02:00

Thanks for your guesses. I have been offline for over 2 weeks. Today, the internet is back. Hopefully it will last awhile! I've downloaded all my emails... and updated all my anti-virus software. Checking up on MozamWeek is the third thing on my list!

Melons, gourds, pumpkins and cucumbers are all related, I think. The picture on my 100th post (no, I didn't realize it was the 100th until just now) is a loofah fruit! You can look it up on the internet. Actually, it seems they are grown quite well in Tennessee according to one source. I always thought loofah were sponges... good for bath scrubbing. Well, you can eat them before they dry out. We did. It was pretty good, but mixed with other stuff in a stir-fry, so I didn't notice any real taste.

I guess no one won that one... I could give a prize to Arne Bister, but HE didn't guess. He was here when we ate it!

Thanks again for checking in on us. Christy, Crickett, and Arne are the only ones who made a guess. I guess you are the only ones who read this blog, so thank you. Makes me feel good!

What is it?

2010-07-13T11:42:00.003+02:00

For those of you who have never lived in the Southern Hemisphere, this might seem like a new exotic fruit... or vegetable. In fact, I have eaten this several times in Mozambique. When they are fresh and green like this one, you sometimes see them in the market. Usually they just grow wild and people gather them for stews. I don't know anyone who actually plants them, though I'm sure you could.

To register your guess, go to the actual MozamWeek site. Then click to comment on this post an follow the instructions.

Hint: You can buy it at Wal-Mart and you may already have one at home!

Click here for Mark Dedication Pictures

2010-07-10T15:50:00.001+02:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/Jeni.Bister/Maliko

We had a great day. All the VIPs from town... from out of town... family members from overseas... and a couple of volunteers who actually flew in with the books we planned to dedicate! I've included all the pictures here... instead of just picking and choosing. Choose for yourself.

God is Good!

Maliko

2010-05-21T08:46:00.004+02:00

Mark is coming to Tete... printed a couple of weeks ago, we are searching for the best way to get this Gospel from Nampula to Nyungwe-land. First, we tried to print it locally... that proved to be an expensive error. A simple paper cover was going to cost 50 cents per copy... in addition to the dollar for the text to be copied. A dollar and a half for a 40 pg. booklet is steep for a Mozambican. And, we did actually want to be able to GIVE AWAY a whole pile of the things!

So, we asked our printshop in Nampula how much a thousand copies would cost. 49 cents/copy (including cover, collating, staples and everything). Shipping to Tete by air... will only cost a few cents per copy! So, we can get a copy of Mark for about a half-dollar with better quality than doing it here.

Praise the Lord for our branch headquarters in Nampula! Thank Him for Susan and her team that set up and run the printshop to provide quality booklets for Mozambican projects! Susan has worked for years to train Mozambicans to run all the equipment... so after it is type-set, they can take the computer files and run with it from start to finish!

An added bonus to printing in Nampula is that they received a donation for printing mother tongue materials to distribute among the projects. Thank God for generous donors, too! Now Nyungwe Mark is costing so little that I'm getting 1,000 copies for the price I paid for 50 here in Tete. God is good!

Back online

2010-05-12T13:27:00.003+02:00

Here in our part of the world we have been having communication problems. Internet and cell phones have been mostly off with rare occasions of reduced functionality (I've always hated that word, but here I go using it in public!). They tell us things are just about back to normal, and we are trying to catch up on a backlog of missed communications. Hooray for Internet!

Just now, I'm writing this while my anti-virus is being slowly updated for the first time in a month. I've had several text messages reminding me to check on scheduling for visitors in the next month (we are getting Mikael's parents for a month, but also our Director, Seed Company rep, and some Discovery Team volunteers while they are here!) I replied to several e-mails asking for clarification of our plans in this year. Yep, we've been out of the loop. I think we are back. Try us and see!

Even though we are blessed with great ways to stay in touch, this reminds us that we are still off in a corner of Africa where a cut fiber-optic cable leaves half of the country without any alternate networks. So nice to have that sorted out. Now... back to work!

Over a year back in Tete... some pictures

2010-04-14T20:38:00.001+02:00

There are supposed to be pictures here.

Nampula and Conference

2010-04-08T14:55:00.003+02:00

We have returned to Nampula for our mission conference. Kids are happy and we are happy. We have a chance to get business cared for and meet with friends, all at once!

The road to Nampula was better than ever. 17 hours of travel, 2 hours of which were border crossings, 4.5 hours on bumpy, dirt roads, and the rest on lovely African paved highways through rural Mozambique, Malawian tea plantations, and scattered villages and small towns.

A week of business and prayer and refreshment. Easter weekend on the coast with dear friends. This week we are tying up loose ends to be ready for the return to Tete. Once we leave, we won't come back to Nampula for a long time. We want to take full advantage of the SIL office services.

So, thanks for hanging in there and waiting for a post on this blog. My computer doesn't like the internet connections available here in Nampula... but Mikael's computer likes it better here. You can't have everything working at once, I guess.

God bless Nampula.

March in Tete

2010-03-12T18:50:00.002+02:00

We had a good two weeks of rain. It was drippy, sloppy, and lovely. Now the grasses are green on the rocky hillsides. The baobabs stand sentinel over the low scrub bushes covering the landscape. The goats and cows are happy to graze in abundance. The temperatures are mostly in the 80'sF or 30C.

Our routines are established in school for the kids, translation office is moved to town. We are fixing stuff up in our rental house. I've got Mark ready for printing, but the copy shop messed it up. So now I have to sort out the usable parts and ask for them to redo the others. I should have been so easy! I'm glad I only asked for 100 copies to start with instead of 1000!

We are seeing increased partnership interest with the Dept of Education. Please continue to pray for our relationships there. They value our input as linguists... and as possible funders for training and materials production. It takes a lot of wisdom to communicate with them on how we can cooperate.

I've made a visit to Mufa-Caconde, Matambo, and Changara schools. Interesting to see up close how kids in rural areas are studying. I've seen cows leaving empty classrooms... tasted the salty water from their well... and had a look at their portable library (which consists of 3 AIDS prevention magazine titles, some puzzles and several board games). Despite it all, there are almost 1000 kids per school toughing it out in less than perfect conditions to learn the basics.

March is marching by... by the end of the month, we have a visit to Nampula for our SIL Moz Conference. We will elect a new director and decide which new directions our work will take on in the next few years. It is exciting to be a part of change, but also a challenge. We each need to be willing to follow God's lead... anywhere, right?

Visiting Cateme

2010-02-18T10:33:00.005+02:00

I mentioned in a recent post (click here) that I was involved in a group looking at the Primary school in Mufa-Caconde. I was supposed to visit this school today, but the trip was canceled. I'm still looking forward to the visit and I' ll keep you updated. In the meantime, I was invited to visit the new primary school in the re-settlement of Cateme.

Now, I've always thought of re-settlements as a result of refugees in times of war or something like that. This re-settlement is the result of economic "development" in Tete province. It is hard to describe the impact of the recent invasion of foreign companies in our neck of the Zambezi Valley. We have huge Brazillian, Australian, Portuguese, and International companies coming to town to explore the hidden riches beneath the blazing African sun.

One company has a 30+ year contract to extract top-quality coal in Moatize 20 km from Tete. In order to do this, they have to remove the local population... to where? Cateme... another 50km or so up the road. What they are doing is quite amazing. It is also controversial, but that is the price of progress. Almost 1,000 families are being moved to the new town. They are given houses, farmland, infrastructure, and more... at the cost of pulling up their roots and shifting everything half-an-hour away. They haven't got a choice... their old homes will be gone, and in place of their villages will be a huge hole.

So, what is the place they will now call home? Cateme... 10 km from the main road from Tete to Malawi. A new "gated-community." The first buildings you notice are the secondary school... still under construction. Freshly painted classrooms... boarding facilities for 300 students, sports complex, labs, library... bathrooms with all the necessary fittings... including WATER. Across the
way, you see the primary school. Similarly equipped with newly planted mango trees that will eventually shade and feed kids on break from class. Teachers' houses are nearby both schools. There is a police station and health post.

The area is huge. The water and electric lines are in place: if you had electricity in your old house, you get it in Cateme. If you didn't, you are able to install it when you have the money. It is fair, but it is tough. They have maintained the organization of the original settlement. People have the same neighbors and local "secretary" in their new "bairo". There is lots of green space between the "bairos" and as 400 families have already moved in, their cows and goats are grazing nearby. Everyone's cows were herded from the old villages to Cateme and presented to their respective owners.

There is a lot to get used to; everything is new. Every house has a latrine and bath-house... most didn't have that before. All the houses are made of cement block and have zinc roofs... most of the old houses were mud huts. No house will be more than 350 meters from a fresh-water pump... many went further for water before. BUT, the market is far away... until local initiative kicks in to set up their sales shacks. They are far from town where they may have gone to church or visited friends. The churches in the original "bairos" were also given land in the resettlement, so it is just a matter of time until they will fill in the gaps.

Time will tell. People will create new routines and find ways to do what they want in spite of the changes. Hopefully they will take advantage of the new opportunities for education and training as they are implemented. For now, 9 families each day are being transferred to Cateme. All their belongings and family members will be settled into their home and welcomed to their school. 9 families a day will join the new community of Cateme. 9 families a day until June or July.

I'd ask you to pray for those 9 families today. That God would give them peace and hope. That He would help the Christian families to show His love to their new neighbors. That there wouldn't be strife among new neighbors. That children would settle easily into class with their friends and new teachers. That teens wouldn't hate being so far from town. That they would all be blessed today. God, bless Cateme.

I don’t eat bugs before breakfast…

2010-02-07T23:25:00.001+02:00

Querino came to work this morning with a gift from home: ntswaya-- termites, flying ants! Mikael took one and nibbled half of it. They are little black and brown wingless crunchies. I’ve heard that they taste like bacon… BUT, on an empty stomach, before my coffee… sorry, I just don’t eat bugs before breakfast. “Give me one after my breakfast… or in the afternoon,” I replied.

Well, the “Tete shrimps” where gone by the time I got home at 3pm. So, I still haven’t eaten ntswaya. Pretty good, huh? Over 10 years in Mozambique, and this is the first time I’ve been offered this delicacy. I suppose it is just too good to waste on people who won’t really appreciate it; I say the same thing about good chocolate, real butter, and cheese. My African friends aren’t very impressed with these things we nibble in small quantities to make them last. I won’t be offended if they keep their best things to themselves, if they don’t ask me to part with my chocolate. Maybe we are more alike than it seems…

Seminar invitation from Dept of Education

2010-02-03T02:08:00.003+02:00

I have been invited to attend a seminar at the Provincial Dept of Education. The theme is something about creating a project to improve local schools. Very important. Much improvement needed, but ruts are deep and this might give them a push to help them out.

I'm invited as an "Educational Partner"... the other 20 participants are school directors, district supervisors, inspectors, etc. I've been placed in a group to study the reality of a village school about 50km from Tete: The complete primary school of Mufa-Caconde. I was interested in this school because it is one of 6 schools in the province that have bilingual education in Nyungwe. Kids are learning to read and write in Nyungwe and then transition to Portuguese by the 4th grade. I wanted to know what really happens in these Bilingual programs.

I'm learning a lot about Mozambican schools! We have been analyzing the current "reality" of the school. Filling in questionnaires about the physical conditions and the teaching challenges... the community involvement and local partnerships... numbers of students and teachers and desks and doors!

Can I tell you about Mufa-Caconde Primary School?

12 classrooms in the main school, 2 in the annex 7 km away! 4 of the classrooms are new, built by UNICEF... they are secure and have desks for 50 children in each room. Only one other classroom has desks, so 7 groups of 50 kids each sit on the cement floor to study. That is in the morning... there are full classrooms in the afternoon as well!

When we looked at what needed improvement, they mentioned a new incentive to put up posters in classrooms to decorate and teach... to "make the walls talk" to the students. Fair enough, lets do it. Problem is, if they put stuff on the walls, the next day the papers are gone. Why? The classrooms don't have doors!

I was all excited about finding them money to put desks in the classrooms, but I didn't think to ask WHY they didn't have desks. Ok, let's get them some doors! They can't keep papers in the rooms because someone will steal the paper for use in the latrines, I imagine. They don't have anywhere to lock up books either. School rooms are basically concrete boxes with a blackboard. Not very stimulating!

I imagine it is frustrating for teachers in this situation to learn new teaching methods... and see ideas of how to liven up the classroom, but they can't do any of it because they can't close the door. 7 doors on 7 classrooms. Locally made and installed by local builders. It is a step in the right direction!

Not all is bad at Mufa-Caconde, the school has the distinction of being certified "free of fecal material on the school property." You may wonder why they need to make these declarations! (I know why... even the street where I live in town can't be declared free of human waste. And I live in a good neighborhood!) The school has latrines... the kids are taught how to use them, and they are doing it! This is something they can't learn at home since most homes do not have a toilet or outhouse. Tradition says to just "go far... in the bush..."

There is also a well with a pump. But the water in the well is "salty"... it can't be drunk and it isn't good for watering plants. That makes the new government goal of "a tree for every child in the school" a little difficult to manage. 1000 kids in Mufa-Caconde need to plant and care for a tree this year, but they can't use the water on the school property. Let's hope it rains!

It is Heroes Day in Mozambique. No seminar tomorrow. But, On Thursday I will join the Mufa-Caconde group again and we will make a plan for school improvement together. I'm hoping that we will get into some good planning for the Nyungwe teacher training program. That is something I can really help with. I'll let you know what they want to me to do with them.

Blue, blue, blue

2010-02-03T01:44:00.004+02:00

Usually the sky is blue... today it is gray, but inside my new Tete house everything is BLUE!

We moved to a house in town... I've mentioned the challenges of living on the "wrong" side of the Zambezi River during the bridge renovations... we looked for a house for over a year and finally have found something to move into!

There are problems: for $500/mo in Tete, you don't get much. In Chimoio, you get a palace for the same price! But here in "boomtown" things are different. We have a downstairs 3 bedroom 'duplex". We have quiet neighbors upstairs who have a pretty tropical garden, but we have a sandy, patchy grass, flooding when it rains... sewer-smelling garden. We've had the plumbing worked on, but there is more to do. The upstairs very effectively blocks the hot sun from baking our roof! So we are quite comfortable without air-conditioning... as long as a fan is blowing!

For now, we are enjoying living and working on the same side of the bridge. I spend more time working and less time in the car driving kids around. The kids spend less time in the car and have more time to play and relax a bit before doing homework. We can pick up fresh bread, fruit and veg, meat and everything just blocks away. We can walk to the pharmacy in about 5 minutes and I can walk to the Dep of Education in about 10 minutes.

Only question is how much renovation is it worth putting into the place to live comfortably for a year... or do we go for the long-term lease idea and make it home? Right now, that's my vote. I'll update you on The Hill later in the week... or month...

Everything's a Dollar

2010-01-14T14:25:00.000+02:00

We recently spent about 20 hours in Zimbabwe. We traveled the road from Beitbridge to Mutare. It was good to be back in a country we have grown quite fond of in the past 14 years or so. We announced our engagement at a conference in Harare in 1996. Katie was born there in 2000. We used to vacation in the cool mountains on the Mozambican border, enjoying wonderful hospitality and good food only a half-day's drive away.

In 2003, we used the "shortcut" through Zim from RSA to Tete for the last time. Times were tough, fuel was scarce. The borders were complicated. Shelves were empty and money was so devalued it was hard to buy anything. I took a bag of apples to the checkout, and the price had changed alread from what was marked! Things got worse after that...

But, 2010 is different. They have taken the US dollar as their currency. Steps have been taken to stabilize the economy. Suddenly, the shelves are full! It is funny not to have to convert all the prices to dollars in my head... since they are already in dollars! Everything is a bit deserted along the way, but we are hopeful that the resilient Zimbabweans will bring back the good and leave the bad stuff behind.

But there are some strange consequenses of using the dollar: there aren't any coins. You pay minimum of a dollar for everything. A roll of toilet paper, a bottle of water, a road toll are all $1.00 each. Hotel room, $100... steep, but we gotta sleep. I heard of someone selling bananas for $7 just because the people weren't yet used to the "value of a dollar."

We are so glad to see things improving in this neighboring country. In a way, it is like renewing an abandoned friendship. Familiar, but different. Praying that God will use all things for His good!

Happy Returns

2010-01-12T13:56:00.002+02:00

Back.
Hot.
Of course!

4 days on the road to South Africa... 2000 km Tete-Johannesburg

33 days in the "Republic" as it is known at the border post. RSA. Republic of South Africa. The next best thing to America right here in Africa! McDonalds... kids had their first Big Macs when they discovered that Happy Meal isn't filling enough. 6 Pizzas. 2 Zoos. 2 Passport Renewals. Car tune-up, 2 new big expensive 4wheel drive tires. One spare wheel in the RIGHT size this time. Extra filters and timing belt to be installed later. "Ice-cream only ONCE a day"... we had to make a rule because we liked it so much and it was cheap. Barbeque ribs!!! Cookouts with friends. Real, good hamburgers (not to be confused with the Big Macs). Swimming pools. New guitar. Fresh clothes without holes or smudge marks from dirty water. 3 Dentist appointments. 2 doctor appointments. 1 eye appointment. HAIL... rain... cool nights and sunny days. Baking cookies without baking ourselves! Grapes, Nectarines, Apples... cherry tomatoes! Ham and hot dogs. Shopping in clean malls and all that! 2 movies with the kids. Inconsistent access to internet, but it was vacation, afterall!

3 days of driving 1500 km home to Tete.
Through ZIMBABWE!

7 years after the last Zim stamp in the passports, we ventured that way again. The road through Moz was LONGER, and had lots of detours into muddy margins. Not what we wanted to wade through after the rains started. So, we decided to do it. Zimbabwe, our old abandoned friend! The roads are better, but for a few years travel through this troubled land has been avoided. Now there is fuel again. Friendly policemen. US dollars are the official currency, so you don't have to convert all the prices in your head. The border posts where organized and friendly. We felt safe and welcome. It was a happy return to a place we used to spend quite a bit of time. Katie was born there, for one thing.

Back in Tete at 4pm on Saturday. We stopped for a coffee and to buy bread. The kids were begging to just go home. Driving down the road, Katie said it best, "I don't know why, but Tete just feels like home." Nice to hear from a child in the backseat sweating for an hour while we wait for the bridge to open!

We have returned! Hooray for Home!

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-28T17:22:00.002+02:00

Mikael, Jeni, Jakob (7), John (5), & Katie (9)

Having a green Christmas in South Africa. Enjoying comfortable housing, restaurants and good home-cooking without having to improvise on ingredients! Everything is easier here... We are thankful that God looks out for us by providing everything we need. Even a vacation from the heat and dust of Tete in December!

God bless you with joy and peace in this season. Always remember His care for you... even if you have everything you want, you need His peace in your heart to have the JOY you long for. God gave us Jesus to bring us peace. He loves you. Don't forget it; He won't!

What David remembers...

2009-11-25T09:35:00.003+02:00

I've been enjoying a trip down memory lane with Lingamish. David and Hilary Ker started out with us in the Nyungwe program back in 1999. Back then we weren't officially translating; we were doing linguistics and stuff. David was in charge of translation. David has been writing his memoirs of life as a missionary in Tete. I've enjoyed the trip down memory lane.

For a peek into Nyungwe-land and life as a Tete missionary through David's eyes, check out Hippo-hunting at Lingamish. I can't say that I disagree with David's recollection of events... his perspective on them is just unique. I always enjoy reading his stuff. His irreverence is refreshing, and he is honest... even if he's sometimes a bit deluded. Hopefully, he'd say the same about me... except for the irreverent part.

Can it get any worse?

2009-11-21T17:47:00.004+02:00

Last week was one of those tough ones... 100F/40C every day. Power cuts day and night. Water off and dirt blowing in the hot wind. My fridge was a balmy 65F/22C on the inside and the repairman uttered these words: "Madam, the problem is not with your fridge, your house is just too hot." We were hot and dirty and grumpy and tired... Rosa was down with something, so I had to actually think about ironing (and worry about if she needed something and I couldn't get it to her).

And THEN it happened - the power went off at 3am one morning and didn't come back. Power off: water off, that is just the way it is. Samantha came and picked up my kids for school at 6:30am... it was unusually cloudy and much cooler. The breeze smelled of rain, but there were no drops. Mikael headed off for some business in town and was taking the noon carpool run for me. Rosa wasn't showing up.

It slowly dawned on me that I was home alone, and I couldn't do any of the 100 things on that list I keep running in my head. So, I sat down with a cup of coffee where there was a draft of cool air. I thanked God for a day off and invited Him to spend it with me. I rested. I think I probably needed it.

Pickings were slim for breakfast, but there were strawberries melting into mush in the freezer and milk threatening to sour. I thoroughly enjoyed what was being saved for a celebration or special occasion. It was lovely. Better than sneaking chocolate late at night.

I lay on my bed and closed my eyes and heard the birds singing and the leaves rustling. Shadows shifted as clouds floated over the sun. The tin roof ticked and crackled with slight temperature changes. Stillness is a luxury we often push aside when it threatens to sneak up on us. But, HE calls us to it: "Be still, and know that I am God."

By 2pm, I welcomed the power back. I made lunch for Mikael and John. I headed off to wait for the Zambezi crossing. Katie and her friends piled in for the ride home. I took it easy and had much more patience that day. I wonder why? :) I breathed deeper. I found beauty around me. I smiled more.

Take a deep breath. Thank God for something. Smile. Wait... He's here.

On the town

2009-11-03T15:00:00.003+02:00

Back in Tete for about 12 hours and it was already time to go to school! So Kathy and I made the rounds: 3 kids to school, hello to everyone; up to The Hill to see the guard house and the water tank that were finished while we were gone; in to town to find out about our building license at the city council; coffee at the cafe; check for mail and packages at the post office; buy the necessities and hunt for cheese.

All that brought us up to noon when we drove back to school to pick up John and the 2 amigos who live on this side of the river. Here at home, I tried to do laundry, but the water turned off before the final rinse. Luckily, I can count on the clothes drying even if I don't get the load finished until 4pm... it is that warm and dry!

Tomorrow I lead the meeting for the Forum for the Education Partners for Tete Province. Back just in time to step into that role... I'd better get caught up on those reports they sent me!

That's all for now... my computer is getting HOT. Time to let it rest.

Slowed down...

2009-10-29T13:49:00.003+02:00

Well, I just waited about 10 minutes for the "New Post" tab to open so I can write my "weekly" (ha) update. That was enough time to pop a pot of popcorn the old fashioned way! Internet is slow here in Nampula... we've been out of touch more than expected, but all is well. Thanks for the prayers; we appreciate them!

Last weekend, we headed out to Chocas Mar... Carrusca, Cabaceira Grande, and Ilha de Mozambique! Beach weekend. Totally tourist. Relaxing. Kathy wants to move there, but doesn't know what kind of job she can get at a beach. It has been fun having my aunt here for almost two weeks now. She has slowed her pace to fall into step with life in this corner of the world. It is lovely to see HERE through her eyes.

Right now, she's in a hammock swing under the back-yard guava tree writing in her journal and reading the 3rd book in the lady-detective series by Alexander McCall Smith. Great books for a relaxing read shimmering with glimpses of the African mind.

Since the end of the workshop last week, we have had a chance to slow down... beaches and islands... schedules changed... internet slow... a half-day of prayer yesterday... all means that I didn't get packed. So today was packing day and tomorrow we are on the road home to Tete.

We are going home the slow way. Hoping to enjoy the journey through Mozambican bush and Malawian tea plantations. Stopping at a game park for a chance to see wildlife. Overnights along the way with missionaries... because it seems that all the guesthouses have the wrong numbers on the internet!

If we are on time, we will be back in Tete Sunday night. If... we will see how much time we need. Rushing this part of the trip doesn't feel right. We don't pass this way very often. That is reason enough to slow down, discover joy in God's creation, and be HERE, wherever we ARE.

Enjoy Him in your world, too1

Pictures of the week

2009-10-21T11:23:00.003+02:00

Click HERE to see our pictures on Picassa.

Having a great time!

Visitor from another world...

2009-10-19T13:53:00.002+02:00

My aunt Kathy arrived in Nampula on Saturday! Her trip was more than 24 hours of airplanes, overnight lay-overs, immigration desks, and customs officials. Sounds like she did very well on this journey to our world. We know God was watching over her because she arrived safe and sound, with all her luggage, and didn't pay extra for anything along the way!

Our Nyungwe translation team and all the missionaries are having fun meeting Kathy. I'm 43... they expected my aunt to be, well, older than Kathy! So when she climbed a 100 year old cashew tree and jumped off the Tarzan rope swing, she got a reputation! (She didn't think anyone was watching, but I saw the kitchen ladies smiling from a distance.) Now she's looking for a job around here... "I can help with that..." waiting tables in the dining hall, painting the new mural in the office entry... helping at pre-school... shopping... That's the spirit, Kathy! Keep it up!

Now, on her list of things to do:

carry stuff on her head
drive on the left side of the road
shop alone using local money
hold babies at the orphanage
learn Nyungwe greetings
learn Portuguese greetings
learn everyone's names and what country they are from
keep having fun!

I'm having fun watching her... and she's having fun watching me. That's how a cross-cultural exchange should be, isn't it?

Hello, Nampula!

2009-10-14T09:38:00.002+02:00

We have been in Nampula for over a week. The long trip went well and the road is much improved over 3 years ago! Right, 3 years since we have traveled to our mission headquarters in Mozambique! Long time-no see!

We have enjoyed catching up with friends and colleagues working towards the same goals as we have in Mozambique: to see God's Word available to these people in their own languages! Our mission supports about 10 language projects here, including Nyungwe where we work. There are several other missions also doing Bible translation in Mozambique... plenty of languages to go around!

What a treat to live, study, and work all within a single area! Our house has 2 bedrooms, and a complete kitchen. We eat lunch with the translation teams in the cafeteria: matapa, beans, rice cooked in coconut milk, fish, chicken are the variety of Nampula specialties we enjoy. I can have laundry done by the center staff. The kids are enjoying Morningstar school here as well; they have Miss Dancy, a retired teacher from Alaska, and Miss Jarvis, a young teacher from the US also.

As for our work, Mikael and 3 of the translators finished the consultation of Genesis last week! Now the team and Mikael are involved in the Ephesians workshop. Genesis is long, but Ephesians is deep! The Nyungwe translations of Paul's letter should be finished by Oct. 23. Mary Breeze, a consultant from England is leading the workshop. She will make sure all the languages involved inthe workshop have good translations by the end.

I have been struggling with internet problems, so a few things have gotten held up. Nic to have a computer department right here to give us the support we need in that area! I have been able to catch up with a bit of record keeping with the personnel dept. Most importantly, I have been able to make a good start on the revision of the Nyungwe Primer -the book that teaches people to read in Nyungwe. Here in Nampula, I have Nancy Loveland right next door all day. She is the Literacy consultant and lanugage programs manager for our branch. We also have gotten some orientation from the finance department for the Nyungwe project funding.

So, if w get so much done in short time in Nampula, why don't we just live here? Only one answer to that question... the NYUNGWE PEOPLE DON'T LIVE HERE! All the trudging through the heat and dust of Tete serves a purpose... we must be where the people are who need God's Word. So, Tete is our place in the mission picture. We are needed there full-time to support the translation project. Happy there... Happy here. God's will is a good place to be!

"A hair-dryer blowing dirt on you every so often..."

2009-09-24T08:01:00.005+02:00

Summer is back.

Usually by August the weather is hot and dry and we are wishing for air-conditioning. Even mid-July is usually hot. BUT this year, we gave thanks every day the heat stayed below 85F! Now, the weather has officially changed. Summer is here... summer in the "deep South" that is... on this side of the world, it comes in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan... and lasts!

Read Katie Nalls' description of Tete in the heat... She gets it just right: "A hair-dryer blowing dirt on you every so often..." Lovely! Home, Sweet Home! Meanwhile, we are coughing as our bodies adjust to the new thicker air. It hasn't rained for months and the loose dirt is getting deeper. When the heat rises, it builds up into a big blow and warm air sweeps up the Zambezi River, picks up the loose, red sand and whoosh!

Now, I shouldn't really keep on about this... I'm expecting a visitor from the USA in a few weeks. She might re-consider if she finds out about the weather! Last time we had a visitor in Tete, it was November 2006. First day was HOT... then an amazing thing happened: it rained! The next few days were cooler. It was a miracle. Then, the day before he left, it heated up again, just to let him know how really miserable it can be.

Right now, though, the birds are tweeting in the tree outside my window. The fan is blowing cooler morning air around the room. It isn't dusty. It is actually pretty close to perfect. It is almost 9am... noon is another story!

2016

2009-09-14T10:05:00.004+02:00

That is the newest, most accurate estimate of when the Nyungwe New Testament will be ready for publication. Based on formulas that seem to be actually realistic about how much translation gets done in a year, drafting 20 verses a day, 150 actual work-days per year, including the other steps in the process, counting off for weekends, workshops, sickness, etc...

The translators are determined that they will translate the WHOLE Bible. They aren't satisfied that New Testament, Genesis and Exodus are enough for the Nyungwe people. So, there will most likely be a second phase to the project. Most likely, they will do most of that without a full-time missionary.

Bisters? What will they do after 2016?

In 2016, Katie will be 16 years old! Jake and John will also be out-growing the Zambezi Jr. School here in Tete. So, we are considering our options in other positions in Wycliffe. Most likely Mikael will work towards getting certified as a translation consultant. In the next ten years, not only will Mozambique have loads of Bible translation to check, but Angola should also have translations in progress.

Pray with us about preparing for the future God is planning for us. We still feel that we will be involved in Bible translation in Africa for sure. Where? How long? Doing what? God will show us... in His time!

What the average Nyungwe person believes

2009-09-09T23:33:00.001+02:00

From our 10 years in Tete, we have come up with the following explanation of what traditional religion involves here. Several local pastors have stated that this is what most people think. So, for what it is worth, here is our summary:

Most people follow African Traditional Religion, a system of witchcraft that requires sacrifice to ancestral and natural spirits. There are territorial spirits that control certain areas, but only the elders would know them now. Most of today's traditions are linked to the family. All members of a family have an obligation to participate in ceremonies in times of crisis whether it be sickness and death, economic difficulties or crop failure. There are ceremonies for protection from evil and for retaliation for perceived attack or curse. Magic to ensure luck in business or relationships. Charms or herbs to protect from sickness or heal an illness. Almost any event out of the ordinary is attributed to spirit activity.

Their traditions and belief system affect every area of life. Relationships are often filled with suspicion, jealousy, and fear. Any illness or pain is suspeced of having been ordered by someone who knows you. If someone is suffering more than others, he goes to to the traditional healer (nyabezi) to find out why he is suffering. Everything is caused by someone else. He will be told who has "ordered" the problems to come and will be offered a chance to protect himself and even retaliate against the offender.

If one gets ahead in life, he is suspected of having used strong magic/witchcraft to gain favor with evil spirits. This type of magic is very costly not only in money, but because someone will have to suffer or even die for the cause. This is of course illegal, but the practice exists in secret and suspicion and fear are very real.

So, why do they need the Bible in Nyungwe? They have a fully-functioning culture and religious system here. What difference will understanding the Bible make to them?

Seeds

2009-09-08T22:14:00.003+02:00

The kids were off for a month and we spent the month running, teaching, running and building, and proposing to the funders of Bible translation projects around the world. The teaching went well; the building was a bit stressful, but moving ahead; and the Seed Co. was a highlight!

You can click on Seed Co. and check out their stuff. We were pretty impressed with the thoroughness of the application form. We were also delighted with Stuart, the guy they sent out to help us fill in the proposal properly. This isn't an ordinary fill-in-the-blank deal. They want the details like: What is special about this group? How do they make a living? What is their religion and how does it affect their everyday life? How will the Bible make a difference in this people group's future? Who are your partners and what role do they have? Who makes the decisions? Why do they need missionaries? How long will it take to finish the NT?

We can now answer all these questions! It took hours of conversation with Mozambican pastors, Stuart, and among ourselves to get to the answers, but we now know why we are here and how long we need to be here! Before we were shooting in the dark, but now we have a target that looks realistic!

What is special about Seed Co. is that they don't pay missionaries! They are there for the national translators who are actually running the projects. At this point, it is safe to say that Mikael's involvement in the project is limited to exegesis and helping them with planning and training. He also gets their computer "unstuck" when someone hits the wrong button. We also need to be around for the literacy and linguistic side of things. So, they need us here, too. We train them to administer the project, and they are proving to be faithful and capable in what they are trained to do!

We came back to Mozambique almost a year ago with budgets and estimates of what it takes to live and work here, but our funding strongly favors Literacy. In the meantime, money for 4 full-time Bible translators, rent for an office, and all that goes with it is very UNDER funded. Seed Company is there to make it possible fore everyone to WORK on ministry and not worry about the funding for the long-term of the Bible translation.

So, I'm going to re-introduce you to the Nyungwe Bible translation project. I will write a series of posts based on the information gathered through the proposal. I hope it inspires you to pray for the Nyungwe people... and to pray that we get sufficient funding to finish the New Testament by 20__.

... I'll tell you tomorrow

Off to the mountains again!

2009-08-29T06:27:00.003+02:00

It isn't often that I'm on the computer at 6am, but this chilly morning I thought an update was in order before our trip. Besides Bible translation for the Nyungwe people in Mozambique, we also teach 4 weeks a year at a Bible College 4 hours away. Today is the day we head to Angonia district to visit the school. We enjoy the change from hot, dusty Tete each year... and the interaction with Mozambicans who are getting a higher education.

During our furlough year, we couldn't teach our Literacy Principles or Translation courses scheduled for first and second year students in the theology program at Hefsiba Christian Institute. This creates scheduling problems when we need to combine classes. So This year we have had to teach in shorter blocks and divide up the courses. For me it has worked out well. We wrote simple Bible stories last week in 5 languages from central Mozambique! Hopefully a bit more knowledge about writing in Mozambican languages, special needs of new readers, and how to set up a literacy class at your church will make a difference some day!

We have been home in Tete again for this week. I needed to check on the building of the guard house on the Hill and Mikael needed to work on a few admin things around here. Now, off we go to the land of strawberries and potatoes, cold mornings and chilly toes, green grass and flowers, good friends and lots of tea and hot chocolate! David and Hilary Ker live up at Hefsiba... our long-time partners in Nyungwe-land moved to Vila Ulongwe and have responsibilities at the Bible school now. Just another reason we like visiting Angonia!

Next week in Vila, we meet with a representative from "The Seed Company" a division of Wycliffe that provides funding to locally run Bible translation programs. Nyungwe Bible translation has been moving toward local admin and ownership for years. There is enough structure in place to warrant Seed Company funding. This will ensure that the translation will have enough funding to operate when missionaries are gone. A big blessing to the translators and Nyungwe people.

I will listen in of the meetings, but also hope to get busy revising the grammar notes and primer we worked on in May. Also, broadband has come to Vila and my camera is returning from the repair shop! Look forward to some updates and pictures soon!

Foundations and fun stuff...

2009-08-12T17:51:00.002+02:00

I had lots to do today... kids are out of school... Mikael is teaching at the Bible school this week. Grandma and Farmor and all our aunts and cousins are far, far away! What is a missionary mom to do in this case? Call another missionary mom, of course!

It just so happens that Chris and Katie Nalls live half a mile away. This couple from Georgia have been in Tete for nearly 6 months. They are working with the Baptist church here in Nyungwe-land. So, when I have a 9am meeting in town, and people building gazebos and guardhouses on the Hill on the other side of the river I need a hand. Thanks to the Nalls, my kids had a lovely day with little Abigail and I got my work taken care of! Click HERE to visit their blog where they have posted pictures of my kids from today!

I also have taken pictures, but my camera is in the shop and my phone doesn't talk with my computer, so you will have to wait to see the excitement of building on The Hill! I did see the preliminary sketches of our house, and it is just like I hoped, but with a Mozambican accent! My draftsman will make changes and then let me know. Kind of exciting!

As for my meeting at the department of education this morning, we had new challenges this time. First, I sat for 20 minutes at the bridge waiting to get to town. (I used the time to fill in details for our branch photo book... Nyungwe will be among the languages represented, so I need to get a few things prepared for them to show off our work here!) Upon arriving at the meeting, I find that THEY have rescheduled us... but not informed us that our meeting will be next Tuesday! Since the Education Partners are all excited to partner together these days, we had ten organizations who didn't wait for invitations, but just showed up for the scheduled meeting!

We asked to use the meeting room for 30 minutes while they prepared the invitations for next week's meeting. Since I won't be here next week, I asked if it would be appropriate for SIL to present our report today. Pastor Bata from the translation work was with me this time to get to know the partners as well. We showed off our literacy manuals in Nyungwe, our grammar sketches, and a new LIDEMO CD-ROM that David Ker is working on to promote Mozambican languages. Very good response to a quick presentation! Bata will represent SIL at the next meeting when the other partners present their programs and we will see who will partner with who.

From there, it was up the Hill to see the foundation of the guard house for the plot. Then I had to run for 20 liter water jugs, and bags of cement, we chased down the truck driver who promised to deliver our bricks, we hunted through markets for baobab rope to tie our roof on the gazebo. All this made for very interesting photos that I can't show you! Oh well, I ate lunch with Miriamu... goat stew with cabbage and nsima (the local polenta-like basic food) and I headed back to the bridge. This time, I drove right through, there was no line to wait in. These days, that is a reason to praise the Lord all the way home!

Divide a circle in 11 equal parts...

2009-08-06T22:23:00.002+02:00

Today I left the kids at school for the penultimate time this term. I drove straight to the house of Q, my guard/worker on the Hill. He has been waiting on rocks... that got sorted out later. Today, I was in search of SHADE! For $8 I can get 4 3-meter poles... we bought 3 bunches. I hauled them home to Q's since he wasn't sure if he'd get them secured on the Hill before sundown. Apparently, someone will steal them if we leave them lying around up there.

"I want it here. Make a circle from this center. Shift it if you have to and dig for the poles."
"Do you want a door?"
"No, just poles and a roof. Can we do it?"
"Yes, maam. No problem."

I headed to town to hunt down a load of rock for the foundation of the guardhouse. Once it is built, Q will move his family to the Hill. His family consists of a wife and various relatives that seem to be rotating in and out of town. Some brothers, some brothers-in-law, some 5 year olds and 10 year olds... we just never know who will be around! At least Q isn't leaving the place unstaffed!

When I got back to the Hill, I found Q and a brother-in-law. They had been digging holes for the poles... 11 holes around a shakey circle. (They had asked me to bring string so they could measure properly.) We did make a round circle... then, since they had to re-dig the holes, I asked why 11 poles? Well, we have 12 poles and they need one for the middle.

I think that is good use of resources. If they have the poles, they want to use them... if they need just one more, they have to buy 4 more. I wanted evenly spaced poles, so I helped them divide the circumference into 12 parts... 8 was too far apart they say. Since I have a lot of money, I can buy the extra poles. I sort of wanted shade somewhere else, too. Summer is coming!

So what's new?

2009-08-04T10:19:00.004+02:00

It isn't chilly at night for most members of family.
The bridge over the Zambezi is being renovated... one-lane traffic... long lines and waits between home and school. We left school at 4:30 yesterday and arrived at home at 6pm. It is usually a 15 minute drive. It is often 45 minutes, but yesterday was the worst!
Fuel crisis... well, sometimes we have enough diesel in town and sometimes we don't.
The Hill... There is now a pile of sand on The Hill. Querino, the defender of the Hill, has brought a big load of thatch from the village and is storing it in a "pit" by his house. We expect a truckload of rock to arrive today for the foundation of a storage/guard house. We have bought 1,200 bricks that still need to be hauled over the highway and up the hill. The mason is charging about $60 to build the guard-house up to the roof. Then I need to get someone else to put the roof on. We have chosen a registered technician to draw our house plans and submit them to the city council. That's all for now.
We have one more week of school then the kids are out for a month! So... what will I do with them home for a month? I'm thinking of sending them to the Hill to learn bricklaying :)
Our course at the Bible school is "pending" until further notice. We were planning to spend part of August at the Bible School to finish off our course, but there is an immigration/labor issue that the school is dealing with, so they can't have missionaries teach right now.
We will go to Nampula for translation checking and training in October. Haven't been there since 2006!
We will teach a short seminar on translation/interpretation for our church... they are trying to have a Bilingual service, but need some tips...
Kers are planning to come down on Friday and stay over the weekend! Fun to have visitors again.
I'm leading the Forum for Education Partners - committee for teaching and training... that means that we are working on formalizing partnership with other education NGOs in Tete.
We meet with the local pastors' association on Thursday afternoon... they will decide how we will operate in a new association that will determine where we will build the office and library that is planned, but stalled.

So, if any of those things strikes you as a prayer request, please pray! We are praying for our partners, fellow ministers, friends and family, and the Nyungwe people, Bible tranlstion, and practical stuff that pull all of those things together.

Together, we can make progress towards the goal God has put before us... and the vision He has put in our hearts. One step at a time... sometimes I just hope for a leap, but landing often hurts when you jump!

Guest writer... Jakob age 7

2009-07-25T15:39:00.005+02:00

Today is Saturday.
I like it when I have a day off school.
I watched TV in the morning. It was "Yakari" a cartoon from Brazil. I don't understand everything, but it's about an indian child. Then I ate pancakes with chocolate frosting (left-over from Mom's birthday cake) for breakfast. I got candy to eat outside.

On weekends, Samuel is here. He's our guard; he works outside at our house. Today I saw Samuel kill a spitting cobra! It was on the ground in the bushes in the yard. It was white and black and as fat as my thumb and as long as my arm up to my elbow. It was a baby one. I'm glad Samuel is here! He hit it with a long fat stick 3 times and then on the neck and it died. Then he picked it up with the stick and threw it over the fence.

I would like to kill a snake one day, Mom hopes it will not be soon!

Connections...

2009-07-13T22:57:00.002+02:00

Internet was really bad last month. Some software glitch made our computers incompatible with the modem... long story. In order to fix the problem, we had to switch computers... again! Only MY computer with Vista will run the new driver for the modem. Mikael's new computer won't... and the OLD computer is out of the question. *sigh*

Connected again! Yea! I uploaded pictures to the net... I must be doing something wrong, because David says that Picasa is the fastest and most user friendly. Appreciate the effort, please! I did it for you!

Other connections that have worked out:

A missionary returns to Brazil for 2 months break... needs somewhere to store a few things... so our office now has enough chairs for the translators to sit together... and a printer to use at the office. So nice we could help out!
A year is up for Holly who has been building underground dams in Tete Province. She is going back to America this week. I've been trying in vain to get contact solution. (That was the LAST bottle, not the NEXT to last bottle!) Holly has half a bottle of the stuff I need and doesn't need to take it home! Nice to be able to take that off her hands!
I wanted to get some nice shots of the kids and friends on our recent picnic on The Hill. Uh, that is a funny noise! My camera lens just goes in and out and beeps, but I get a lens error! Yikes! It is new, insured, and far from the repair shop... BUT Holly will be stopping for a few hours in South Africa... and we have a support team a few minutes from the airport. Leah can get my camera from Holly, get it fixed, and
The Tete Mennonite missionaries are getting a group coming through Johannesburg to Tete... in August. So, they can actually hand carry my camera back if it gets fixed in time! While I'm at it, I will order contacts and solution!

It is good to be connected! On the internet I've found old friends from Indiana on Facebook lately! 25 year High School reunion is coming up in Pensacola, but I'm not going to be there! I won't be sending new pictures of us and the kids without my camera. It is good to be connected to people for real, too. People right here in Tete who help each other out. Thanks friends... for carrying cameras, and leaving contact solution and chairs!

Thanks for praying for us here. These glitches are frustrating, but not serious. God has us in His hands! AND the translation is moving forward... about a chapter a day is getting finished now! Building plans are slowed down, but not stopped... we just need the right connections!

Strawberry Pie...

2009-07-05T08:54:00.005+02:00

When my friend came into town from Lilongwe, she brought us a few quarts of strawberries. That is a real treat around here and it came just before the 4th of July! I sent out a frantic e-mail and text message to Mom and my sisters for the family strawberry pie recipe. This is the reply that I only managed to read today, July 5th... Since we had home-made ice-cream for the 4th, I didn't make pie. We will have that today!

Oh my! What do I want for a prize. Mom is getting her cookbook. We are at her house.

For my prize, I want a picture of your 3 kids.

Fresh Strawberry Pie

1 qt. strawberries

1 c. sugar

3 T. corn starch

2 T. white corn syrup

1 c. water

pinch salt

2 T strawberry gelatin

red food coloring

Put Strawberries in baked pie shell.

Cook until clear sugar, cornstarch, water, salt, corn syrup.

Cool slightly, add gelatin and food coloring. Pour over berries in pie shell. Top with whip cream.

(Old church recipe book)

I will share my prize since we are all together.

...my house for the 4th of July. You are invited!

Love you all.

Pam, mom and CJ

OK, so here is Pam's prize... any admin stuff I want done, I know SHE will be the one to get it taken care of! Mom and CJ have other various gifts... together we make a family, don't we?

I didn't have the 3 kids together on the 4th, but this is from vacation a week or so ago! Hope it will do until I get another one. NOW, I want a picture of YOUR kids, Pam! You too Christy... and, I want a good picture of MOM... I won't post it, ok?

4th of July

2009-07-05T08:38:00.003+02:00

Cookout with the Nalls! Looks like the 4th of July, but I bet we had better weather! Cool and overcast, lunch was interrupted by a bunch of bees... we moved inside for awhile. Then ate home-made icecream outside. Little Abigail went down for a nap before the games: 3-legged race, running, water balloon toss, and a parade! Complete with a queen, fire-man, Shriners' little cars, and a clown... I will say no more!

Big Red Parked... until...

2009-07-01T21:48:00.002+02:00

The new red Surf is parked now... we have less than 3 liters of fuel and the city is dry! There isn't any diesel within about 100 miles or so!

I found this out conveniently when I ran into a friend while I was picking up a big can of milk powder. I needed to get John from school with 3 of his friends and drop them at home. The trip from home to school is 11 km... divide by 1.6 if you want miles. I make the trip 1 or 2 times a day, but we have organized a carpool starting this week. Oops... I'm not going to be able to do my part again! 2 of the 5 families involved have gasoline cars (*whew*). Unfortunately, the cars aren't big enough to take all 9 kids!

What happened is that some ships are stuck in port at Beira and can't unload the goods including diesel fuel. So there is suddenly a great scramble for any available fuel hidden away for an emergency. Unfortunately, we didn't have an emergency supply. We put out the word in our network of friends, and when they find some, they'll let us know. Nice to have friends.

Another twist in the month-end financial crunch is that when we took 20,000 kwacha from a machine in Malawi on our Mozambique account, the bank deducted 20,000 meticais. That means that though we took out the equivalent of about $150, they charged us about $750! The bank is correcting the error, but it will take a week. So, this week, we are trying NOT to spend money. Luckily, we have been able to pay bills and salaries!

Keep praying... never a dull moment around here!

Thanks Grandma!

2009-06-26T13:00:00.000+02:00

Jakob was very happy to finally receive his birthday present from America.
He is now 7 years old and one month... he has lost 3 teeth within days of his birthday. Isn't he handsome? What a big smile! He was just as happy with the present from Sweden that came on his birthday, but my camara battery was dead... oops!

Back today

2009-06-25T10:57:00.002+02:00

We have had a relaxing few days off in Malawi. Very nice to stay with friends and explore the lake. We have done what we wanted to do and now it is time to get back. Our plan was to leave on Wednesday, but we would be getting back in the afternoon... and Thursday is a holiday in Mozambique, so... Why not stay another night and get back for work on Friday anyway? Mikael squeezed in a haircut and the kids were invited to take part in a music class with friends.

We are so thankful for a chance to visit and relax in relative luxury from what we have been living in Tete for the past months. Thanks, Christina! Thanks supporters! Thank you Jesus for giving us friends who care!

A day at the beach

2009-06-24T20:36:00.000+02:00

After Lilongwe, where we stocked up on things that are less than ncessary for life, we headed to the Lake for a couple of days of R&R. We are staying at the Wheelhouse Marina at the suggestion of a friend who grew up on vacations at Lake Malawi.

Driving onto the property we were reminded of Kenya's Lake Naivasha... where Mikael and I started our "Safari" training course for Wycliffe missionaries in Africa. A canopy of African trees shading a patchy lawn that slopes down to the lakeshore. The difference is that at Naivasha you tent-camp with hippos munching grass all night... here we sleep in a thatched "chalet" on beds with a bathroom to ourselves.

Having spent my youth in Florida, I'm not very into swimming in lakes... The water is cristal clear and Lake Malawi has a high concentration of tropical fish to see, but shallow and waveless beaches with golden sand and black silt fall short when compared to the white sugar sands of the Gulf of Mexico. On the other hand, the warm waters of the lake are a paradise compared to the chilly lakes of Sweden!

My kids are growing up on three continents and I hope it will show them how to appreciate the beauty that each one has to offer. Pines ringing a blue lake where the nordic sun doesn't set, palms and sea oats fringing dunes that drop into the crashing waves of the Gulf, thatched gazebos under acacias where birdsong intermingles with lapping waves in the peaceful heart of Africa... those are the memories we carry around the world.

This afternoon we will eat fish and chips for lunch (we ordered the lunch when we finished our breakfast since service can take awhile!). Then head to town to change money before we stop at the fishery to see them feed the ciclids around 3pm. There are resorts of varying quality and price and I hope to check out several and return to the lake when we get a break later in the year.

For now, I wish you a happy summer vacation. May God bless you with rest in your heart even if you have a busy week ahead of you!

Mozam-every-other-week?

2009-06-20T21:54:00.002+02:00

Hi. Been awhile, hasn't it? Glad you didn't give up on me completely!

The second seminar/workshop went as well as the first. Actually, they each had unique challenges and benefits, but the outcomes were equally well-received. From May 26 to June 5 we were involved in writing the Nyungwe Primer in Tete. A Primer is a book that teaches reading and writing... the alphabet, grammar points, etc. This one was for adults, but I have a feeling it will end up being used for kids as well.

60 lessons in 1o days. We invited writers from the first seminar, but didn't get much participation from outside the churches. Apparently we don't pay well enough. BUT the ones who did help us seemed to enjoy it in the end and I think they learned something. They also see that the simplest writing needs the most thought and preparation. It is a real stretch of the mind and immagination to write a comprehensible story with 5 vowels and the letter "n". We could only include taught letters... adding one each lesson. Lots to keep track of along the way.

Upon presenting the draft to the official education agency, the writers, and a few friends, we have been really encouraged to see the reactions. First, Nyungwe people like reading about things they know and understand... the Tete culture comes through strongly in the simple stories. The department of education sees this as a step towards fulfilling the goal to make literacy available to non-portuguese speakers. The expat community sees the Primer as a help in learning Nyungwe. Churches see it as opening a door to reading that will make the Bible accessible to those who will never learn to read in Portuguese.

There have been many clues to show that God was really behind the timing of these two important seminars. We have made contact with people and gotten the attention of several groups that were not interested before. Keep praying! God hears!

Now... why the silence on our end? May was basically so busy that I didn't sit at a computer with internet for more than about 2 hours in the whole month. June started up with internet problems in Tete that don't really have any cure in sight! We are overnighting with friends in Malawi. First internet in 2 weeks! I'd better post this and check my email!

We are taking advantage of the kids' school break to have a family get-away in Malawi over a long weekend. Haven't been across this border for nearly 3 years! This will be the first time we visit Lake Malawi as a family. I've never been to the Lake. Mikael was here in 1995, I think! Maybe it is time to check it out.

One down, one to go!

2009-05-31T19:07:00.004+02:00

One down and one to go: the seminar marathon continues for another week!

We finished the Discover Your Language course well. All the participants worked hard until the final day. We put the rough draft of the 3 short grammar outlines into booklets and printed them for each of the participants. So, I think the seminar was a success. At least now several leaders in the Tete community know what we do in SIL. They have expressed interest in continuing the cooperation with us through the revision of the grammar notes.

Seminar 2 is halfway over. We finished the first 20 lessons of the Nyungwe Primer and teacher's manual in the first week. There were hiccups and a slow start, but we are doing it. We have gotten into a rhythm and it seems like things will be easier from now on. Imagine writing a paragraph with only vowels and the letter "n". That is how we started! Second lesson we could add "t". Third lesson we added "m" and so on. We are now using about 16 letters and writing is easier!

Keep praying. We have lots to do before we end on Friday. And then we will need to revise the Nyungwe grammar notes and the Primer before the test version and pilot materials are ready.

It is busy and tiring, exciting and challenging. The kids are coping well during this intensive month. After next week we will get into a more normal routine. Soon the kids will have a half-term break. This time we really want to get away for a few days as a family. It is about time!