I was traveling 300 miles two Fridays ago, in hopes of getting another stamp on my passport, prolonging my visa for another 30 days. Instead I was told I must leave the country immediately…as my visa expired on October 2nd and it was already September 30th. I had spent 90 days in the country on a tourist visa and it was time to go. I was already unhappy about spending 8 hours in a cramped vehicle that day just to go to Maxixe and back and the news of having to leave country just added to the frustration. As we (Andre, the translator came with me) were heading home the Lord changed my heart, assuring me that leaving the country and having a break in South Africa would be for my good. I became excited as I thought about people I could visit and all those comforts I’d have again, like a hot shower without boiling water and ice cream and cheese sandwiches. I knew I could relax in a way that I can’t in Mozambique.
I got home within an hour of sundown and didn’t even attempt to sleep until 3am when I was once again in a cramped vehicle headed to Maputo, Mozambique’s capital. Ten hours and 700km later I was dismayed to find that Jaco’s friend, who I had hoped to stay with, was out of town. Great, I’m a city I don’t know anything about. The only thing I’ve really been told is to carefully watch my stuff as crime is common and I’m sure I’m an easy target- a confused malungu. I took a taxi to a hotel, astounded by the prices of both; I talked the taxi driver down to 500 instead of 800 meticais ($1=27mets), and then spent $83 on the hotel room…which is a lot when you live off $250/mo. and you were told it should cost half that much. I could be in the States at this price. Fortunately the hotel was within 2 blocks of a greyhound bus station, so arranging transport for the following evening was easy. I made the most of 30 hours I spent in Maputo: ate at KFC, slept in, had a nice breakfast at the hotel, went to the beach that afternoon and had a far more comfortable over night bus ride to Johannesburg.
View from hotel room in Maputo.
I’ve spent the last 10 days in South Africa, and I’m leaving for Mozambique tomorrow. It’s been nice to be in a developed nation again. To speak English. To have constant electricity. To eat a vegetarian wrap with hummus- things you just don’t get in Mozambique. It’s even been easier to pray here as well…there’s not the same spiritual darkness as in Vilanculos. I’ve been staying with the Homan family that I met in Mozambique when they came out to do an outreach in July. It’s been fun and relaxing to spend time with them and see how God is working in them and through them. They’ve taken good care of me…I even have Marcel’s room for the time I’m here. I’ve visited a handful of other people too. Last week I visited a couple, Barry and Helen who went on that same outreach in July…I have to say they spoiled me…I got a massage and probably the best bath of my life. Then I spent the next day with their granddaughter who accused me of “trying to trick her into praying” I thought that was hilarious. Helen and I prayed for Angie, the masseuse and we both see that the Lord has great things in store for her. I had good conversations with them as well as their maid who was very interested in hearing about Mozambique. The following evening I visited with some childhood friends; ate out and went to another friend’s house. It was really nice to catch up. I also saw some people that I met last June in the World Cup outreach. Chris Dirks’ family was a lot fun with young energetic kids and then also talking with Sammy who is sensing God’s leading in a new direction in his life. God has truly blessed me with each encounter that I’ve had. And I’m looking forward to a prayer meeting tonight.
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