Salama

This post can’t actually be as long as I had hoped. The internet is slower than I thought here, and get distracted trying to email as many people back as I can. But I just wanted to let you all know that I have been safe in Pemba for almost a week now (I had the “one week anniversary” of meeting Carly and Torstein today, haha). And I love it here so much. I could definitely live in Africa. I haven’t seen any gynormous scary bugs yet, but I have seen a monkey, we have 3 lizards living on our front porch, I’ve gotten to dance with some Africans, and learn some portugese and the local dialect makua. It is so wonderful. I live in a house with 10 girls, and so far we all get along really well. We hang out on our porch a lot reading.

The kids are amazing. I’ve already kind of chosen a favourite – even though I know you shouldn’t do that, haha. His name is Gassimo, and I think he’s about 10. I’ll have to ask him again,. But he is adorable, and so cuddly. ALL the kids are! I can’t believe how un-shy they are. From the first day they juts walk up and sit on your lap, or grab your hand. It’s so great. I can’t wait to tell you all stories when I get home.

Last night we were at “the tent” (where we have all our classes and church) just hanging out, and some of the local kids taught us some of their dances, and then asked us if they could pray for us. It was AMAZING. The authority that those kids have when they pray. Aww man!! It’s insane.

Margie – I gave your letter to Suzette the other day. She LOVED it, and said that she remembered you. She shows everyone her photo album.

I’m already getting a little sick of plain rice. I know it’s only been a week, but I can’t help it. We went out to a restaurant for a girl in my houses’ birthday last night, and Igot a chocolate milkshake. Awww, it was SO good. Haha.

I can’t think if anything else I need to tell you, really. The people here are wonderful, I’m filthy dirty all the time and it’s awesome, and God is doing some pretty cool stuff here. A couple days ago there was an outreach into the bush and 3 kids who were deaf since birth were healed, and they have complete hearing now. I haven’t been out on an outreach yet, but I can’t wait. I’m trying to take some good pictures for you guys, but the camera I have isn’t the greatest. My friend tor is taking some that he’s going to post online for me though, and I’m sure I can snag some from other students too. Alright – internet time is aaaaaalmost up. Keep praying, please, since they are still very much needed. Health, and money to get home would be great. Haha. Tcheau! (bye, in portugese)

en route

it was a dark and story night - very literally - when I flew into Joburg last night. there was chain lightning everywhere as we were landing. my palms were pretty sweaty by the time we were on the ground. travelling went pretty smooth getting there. the layovers were a bit tedeous, and some kid spilled club soda all over my stuff, but other than that it wasn't too bad. once I got to South Africa was when the fun began. (mom and dad, I'm sorry if what you ready next will scare you....)

My hotel "in the airport" turned out to NOT be in the airport. I got off the plane, stood in a line that too forever for them to put a stamp on my passport, and then set off looking for my luggage and the hotel. my bag came after a while (where I then hid the canadian flag tag I had on it, so I wouldn't get any more harrased than I already was). I wandered a bit, following the crowd, and some signs that talked about a hotel. I wandered some more, got some south african rand out of the machine, when a man came up to me, and asked to see the papers I was holding (hotel info). he read it, and said he had no idea where that hotel was. ".... um........ ..... really?" so then I found another guy who looked semi-offocial, and he was like "oh yeah, go outside turn left and walk to a shuttle" so I hesisitated, then stepped outside the door, and saw a long road and lots of people, and did I mention it was dark and stormy? haha. so I went back in (praying the entire time), and talked to an information guy who was like "oh! come with me, I'll take you!" so I decided to trust him. I'm usually pretty good at getting good or bad vibes off of people in regards to whether they want to kidnap me or not, and this guy seemed pretty safe. on the long walk there we talked about his friends who go to canada to box. so finally I made it to where the shuttle was supposed to come pick me up, and to save a lot of details and internet time - it did, I checked in, showered, went to sleep, checked out, and got a crazy fast cab to the bus station because I thought I was going to miss my bus.

so at the bus station, after running around a bit I got my ticket, realized that I and two others were the only white people there, and waited for my bus (which came an hour late). while waiting, the other two played rock, paper, scissors to see who would come over and ask me where I was going (the ultimate goal - to see if I was going to iris too since I stuck out like a sore thumb). SO, there I met tolstein and carly, and we traveled the whole way here to Maputo together. it was SOO great to have them with me at the border, because I would have been so confused and had a break down I think. haha. so we got to maputo, and all ended up coming here to wonderful beautiful "Oasis" where we will be for 2 nights. we're going to an englishservice here tomorrow morning, and then they (and hopefully me) will be flying out monday morning. pray there is room left on the plane for me!! otherwise I'm here till wednesday.

ok. I should get going. thanks again for keeping me in your prayers. they are what's gotten me this far. goodnight!


jen

4:30am, here I go!

26 hours

"I'm off to Africa tomorrow, I got my bags all packed. Did I tell you I've been waiting for this all my life?" - Ry Flyer

Ok, so my bags aren't completely packed but I've started. I don't have everything together, but I'm going. tomorrow at 3:30am I will be leaving my precious country behind and catching the 8:25am plane in Bangor.

this is actually happening!

this dream of mine, since childhood is now a reality. three days from now I will meeting all the other students, and seeing first hand what the country I have dreamed of for so long actually looks and feels like.
it seems so surreal right now. I've said all my goodbyes, yet it still feels like I will see them all on sunday at church. wow.

wow.

3 days and a bit

(read the following paragraph in skittish flight attendant voice).

hello, and welcome. thank you for joining me on my blog through the African experience. here I will give you a bit of insight into my trip, and mostly let all you at home know I'm still alive and well. but for now...

I am here. 3 days away from my big trip. as of right now I still have a few major things to get done. my visa hasn't arrived from washington yet, I still have to book a flight from Maputo to Pemba, get a few bus tickets and find places to stay along the way. I know I should probably be more nervous, but I know that all of this is in God's hands. he has gotten me this far and believe me, that in itself is a miracle.

I have been soo so blessed by him, and by the help and generocity (sp?) of the church, and friends. thank you SOO much everyone who has helped me out with this trip financially, or with all the stuff I need to bring, or have just been praying for me. it is all so very appreciated. God is so faithful. all I ask now is that you would continue to keep me in your prayers, and leave me comments on here, or emails once in a while after I leave so I can hear how you lovely people are doing at home.
thanks!!


jen