Reflections on my first month in Vilanculos, Mozambique

…Things that have I learned…or even expectations that have become true or proven false.  

Africa definitely has its own pace and perception of time.  Things just take longer.  But people just aren’t in a rush to do things like they are in the “developed world”.  At times it can be very frustrating when things don’t run as smoothly as planned or just take longer.  Like it takes a longer time to start something completely new…like a women’s bible study at church or successfully get the internet on my computer.  Often I find that God works in our lives in the same way…often time changes aren’t immediate..but come in layers and stages that often is not immediate.  Wait. And Listen. Or how about be still and know that I am God. 

I have had a few opportunities to teach.  On July 21^st and 28^th, I spoke at prison, as there is a consistent weekly ministry there. I also preached July 31^st, as Pastor Jaco and his family were in South Africa that weekend.   I’ve enjoyed teaching.  I sought the Lord for a word and he has given it to me.  I know that the when Scriptures goes out it is not in vain, but produces fruit.  The following is some of my thoughts after speaking on the 28^th.

I’m reminded of what Darcy (my roommate at the time) told me in Venezuela in 2006, “Leigh, you don’t know this yet, but you like teaching”.  And I feel like I am seeing this come true.  I remember being extremely nervous for that time, before speaking.  And here speaking in the prison, and even at church…when I was here in 2009 and I’ll speak on Sunday…minimal nervousness but surprisingly comfortable and at home doing what I’m doing.  And I know God uses it.  Today about 30 people were at the prison…and while I was talking about 10 left, one by one, as I was speaking.  But the 20 who persevered through my explanation of Romans 12…talking about the end not repaying evil for evil but Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.  I told them how each one of us is responsible for our actions and will be judged by God for everything we have ever done: good and bad.  But I am not afraid to stand before God, even though I know he could destroy me in one second if he so desired, because I am covered with the blood of Jesus, and therefore have the righteousness of Christ, and that is what the Father sees when he looks at me, the righteousness of his son.  And I wasn’t planning to but I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to do a salvation invitation and so I did…and not to my surprise….one man wearing a black shirt sitting almost directly in front of me…you could just see he was intently listening..he gave his life to the Lord today.  Please pray for him that he may grow and mature in his faith.

Other things about Mozambique...   

It actually is cold here at night…like in the 50s. Its in the high 70s in the day.  This morning was cold…temperatures in the 60s.

This was taken on my 26th birthday...I had a steak dinner with cauliflour and mushroom sause... 

I eat lots of rice now.  Bread too,but I’ve pretty much always done that. 

Having a baby (or a few) before your 20^th birthday is the norm.  One lady at church is one year older than me-27 and already has 5 kids, ranging in age from a few months  to 11 years old.

Vilanculos really is a beautiful place.  Gorgeous beaches. But a little too cold to go swimming as it is winter here, which feels like going to the beach in March.  Flying into Vilanculos was by far the most beautiful areal view of the ocean I’ve ever seen: descending over the water at low tide when the coral reefs and different colors of water are most visible...absolutely stunning. 

Beach sand is everywhere.  I am sure that at one point the sea level was much higher because almost every corner of Vilanculos is covered with sand…I stay a 10 minute drive from town… (about 4 miles) away from the beach and I can’t get away from the sand…which means dirty feet and mataqueñas are a way of life.

Two weeks ago I had my first mataqueña…a flesh eating bug that lives in the sand until it finds a human host.  When I felt it I thought it was a splinter and attempted to get rid of it.  As mataqueñas eat flesh, they become fatter and look like an obese black head or other acne.  

Then last week I decided to trim my toenails and I was disgusted to find several (9?) mataqueñas where my big toenail used to be.  When mataqueñas are big enough to see them as yellow, and not just their black heads they’re huge and it’s just gross. I have never been so disgusted with something in my own body as I was with those mataqueñas. Sometimes you can feel mataqueñas bite when they’re in your skin, other times you can’t. I did feel some pain in my toe but because I didn’t see them under my toenail, I assumed I didn’t have mataqueñas. Was I wrong!  I had a total of 15 in my toes that were taken out last Monday.  Fortunately Clara, the maid, is quite skilled at taking out mataqueñas…it took her about one hour to take out 15 with a needle. Since mataqueñas are so common here locals know how to take them out.  Also, once the mataqueñas are gone the skin where they were dies, it turns black and hardens.

You might be thinking, “Leigh, this is disgusting, why did you blog about it?”  Although disgusting, it’s really a normal part of life here.  I want to give you an accurate picture of life here.  Pastor Jaco joked that my first mataqueña was a rite of passage for doing ministry in Mozambique.

I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for eating chicken as they raise and slaughter chickens here. Occasionally I’ll help feed them or clean the cage.   Also, I have eaten parts of chicken that I’d never tried before like stomach, heart, neck, and feet…which all taste better than liver if you ask me!  

Please keep me in your prayers as I'll be starting bible studies with women in the church this week....one on Tuesday-tomorrow and one on Thursday.