Salama

So this I wrote this a week ago. Slow in coming, but it's really challenging to get internet. Tons has happened since I wrote this but I'll write that for next time! 

Salama is the common greeting around here. It's the tribal Makua language. So that's the title of this post. :)

Life is great. Things have been going well. Things have become a little more routine and home-like, which isn't a bad thing, but some of the initial excitement has worn off I guess. Although I'm sure there will be plenty more with all of the new experiences yet to come!

Today was a crazy day. Today is children's day in Mozambique. It always falls when the June Harvest group comes so there are lots of hands to help make it a huge event. And by huge, you have no idea! We are talking THOUSANDS of kids! They were estimating 5000 to even 7000. I'm not sure how many actually came. 

We started the day with a meeting for all of the students, we broke up into and met our teams we will be doing ministry with all summer. Then we were assigned jobs for children's day. 

I'm writing this on Sunday, so church! After our meeting we headed to church. It was an amazing experience! The church building was PACKED! I'm not sure if that's normal or if there were extras for children's day. We started off with worship which was great. We sang some "normal" (by my standards) songs in English and Portuguese I believe, although it was hard to make out what language because it's so loud in there. Haha. Then they broke into some more African sounding songs that were really upbeat and a big dance party broke out. It was so much fun! There was incredible freedom and we were just grabbing kids and spinning them around, jumping up and down and running in circles. Everyone was so joyful and happy.

During the sermon, which was given by youth who shared their testimonies (unfortunately I couldn't hear because of all the noise and chaos) we sat packed like sardines on the floor with little ones all around, climbing around us, sitting on our laps, braiding hair, and NOT being very quiet. Haha

Here's me trying to take a picture with some kids at church:

 Heidi has been traveling and just got back in town yesterday I think, so today was the first time I had seen her. It was amazing just seeing her in the place where she's had such an immeasurable impact. As I looked at her and the thousands packed in that church I was in awe of how God can use one couple to change a nation. It inspires me so much. And intimidates me a little too, wondering if I could ever have that kind of impact. 

The big hit of children's day was CHICKEN and CANDY! A huge treat for Mozambicans. I don't know how they did it, but they served their Mozambican Bible students, then us 300+ Harvest students, then the countless thousands of children who came to the base today. Some walked miles. Some carrying baby brothers or sisters on their backs. 

My group was assigned to help wash hands. Which involved using pitchers to pour diluted bleach water on all the kids hands coming in. We got to greet them and smile at them as they came in. 

Got to go to the beach again tonight and spend some time playing with kids and seeing the sunset. Another "is this real life?" moment. 

The other day I got to go to the baby house on base, you have to sign up and go at certain times because of their schedule and to not overwhelm them with a ton of people. They are SO precious. I wanted to take them all home. Won't be the last time I hang out there. :)

Pictures say a thousand words right? So lots of pictures in this post. :)

I've been doing new things and learning new things. It's an exciting time. 

Here are a few:

TONS of new friends. Which is awesome. I often struggle with making friends, but it's been so good here. I feel like I can be myself and whoever I want to be because no one has pre-conceived ideas of me being a shy, quiet person. It's a good feeling. One time I was talking about being an introvert and one of my new friends said I didn't seem shy or like an introvert at all. Seems kind of silly but it was kind of huge for me because I feel like I've always been put in that box and it's shaped who I am and limited me at times. Anyways, random rabbit trail.

Another new thing I've been doing: .... Eating with my hands.

I haven't used a utensil since I got here. And it's not "finger food" lol. Tons of rice with various toppings on different days: beans, spinach like veggie, cabbage, fish etc. We have silverware in our house we are allowed to take to the cafeteria for meals, but eating with your hand is the traditional mozambican way and I kind of live by "when in Rome" when I travel. I just love trying new things and trying my best adjust to other cultures. It's such a learning experience and helps me be really flexible and adaptable. And it's kind of fun! so if you see me eating with my hands when I get home, don't be surprised. :P

Classes start tomorrow! So I'm really excited for that. Going to bed early so I don't fall asleep in class. ;) 

Oh yeah!!! Lest I forget. Yesterday after I got home from lunch on the beach and wifi, a truck pulled in packed with lost luggage. As they unloaded it a group waited impatiently to see if ours were on the truck. I didn't see mine for awhile but finally towards the back I did! So many people were jumping up and down and so excited. It felt like Christmas! It really did. Haha. I was high-fiving and hugging others who I had commiserated about lost luggage with. I was so excited to finally get my stuff and quickly realized after unpacking how much of it I could have left home and lived without. But I'm glad to have it and it was all a wonderful stretching and growing experience. 

Jesus is good. I hope you know that. And he loves you more than you could possibly ever know. :)