So, are you a teacher?

Nope, I'm not a teacher!  I'm a mom. Or, I should say, I try to be a  mom to my boys.  Naturally, with between 26 to 50 boys over the years, it's a little impossible to really be a mom to that many boys.  But that is what God has put on my heart for these darling little boys that He has entrusted to my care. 

Those of you who read this blog who are moms will then be able to identify with me when I say how difficult it is to answer the follow-up question - "So, what do you do all day?"

Here's my attempt to answer that question:

1.  Provide peanut butter and milk powder for Paulo and the other boys with special nutrition needs.

2.  Give Lucas his cup of fortified water - which takes about 20 minutes!  Lots of chatting and cuddles are involved.

3.  Read books with Feliciano (and hand out books in the evening  after dinner).

4.  Greet Shondino with a big hug after school (the first of about 100 more hugs thru the day!)

5.  Look at Pedro's schoolwork (and all the other boys thrusting their worksheets into my hands!).

6.  Have a long, involved conversation with Aurelio about where his underwear is (thrown away because of embarrassment due to an accident instead of brought home to clean).  The first of about 35 other conversations about naughty behavior.

7.  Talk with Afonso about why he is angry with Gasper (he took his car) and how he can make other choices besides hitting.

8.  Notice Israel is distant and upset again and pray that God will touch his hard and angry heart (one of about 50 other prayers for the boys thru the day).

9.  Choose  Elidio and Armandinho to set up the chairs and tables for the Afternoon Program.

10.  Prepare for the Afternoon program.  Do the Afternoon Program.

11.  Give the skateboard to Zequito with Room 3 playing in the garden.

12.  Put a band aid on Narciso's wound (one of about 10 band aids I will put on thru the day).

13.  Take Shelton to the clinic to check on his skin fungus (one of many trips to the clinic during the week).

14.  Ask Lito to help Armandino learn how to write his name (one of many efforts to help my boys write their names as well as learning to read and write).

15.  Chat with Ivo's mom who has stopped by for a visit.  Pray for the 1000th time that they will be reunited someday.  (one of a few visits by family during the month).

16.  Look for ways to encourage Alfiado, the new boy, to join in with the other boys rather than stay off on the sidelines.

17.  Invite Dioniso in to help me sharpen pencils when he is having trouble regulating his mood with his friends.

18.  Inflate a soccer ball for Salamao (one of at least five a day!).

19.  Have a chat with Estevao about why he cannot A. ask visitors for money, B. take toys from other boys, C. stay out a half hour past shower time or any of another 50 things I routinely have to confront him on.  (By the way, he is delightful as well, just naughty - a lot!).

20.  Invite Pai in to play with his sister, Fatima (one of several times a week I invite siblings in to play to keep their connections strong).

21.  Call the head educator over to deal with Salamone's out of control behavior, when he doesn't respond to me or any of the Tias.

22.  Tell Jerome he is one of the cutest boys I've ever seen (one of about 100 comments like this I will make thru the day!).

23.  Marvel at God's transformative power in Antonio's life after digging tens and tens of little wormy eggs out of his fingers and toes when he first arrived, malnourished and neglected  (one of about 100 times a day I will marvel at what God is able to do).

24.  Jump on the trampoline with brothers Daniel and Simois (one of many times thru out the day I will spontaneously join the boys in whatever play they are involved in at the moment).

25.  Ask Joao' not to mess up my "very carefully arranged" ponytail, (one of about 100 times a day I will have to ask HIM to stop that!).

26.  Have a heart to heart with Marcos or Manito or Chico or any of about 50 boys who used to live in the dorm but have moved up but still stop in regularly to touch base.

27.  Throw a party for Zecca to send him off with lots of love and prayer as he is reunited with his family.

28.  Give Joao Macamo the extra food for Lucas and Domingos that they get every lunch and dinner to help put some weight on their tiny bodies.

29.  Cuddle with Domingos, my blind and developmentally delayed boy who loves him some snuggling!

30.  Kiss Jose' goodnight (the last of about 100 kisses thru the day!).

Thrown into the mix:  plan monthly birthday parties, shop for the extra food I give out 3-5 times a week in the dorm, pop some popcorn for the Friday night movie, give out the candy on a birthday, attend staff meetings and church services galore, take kids off the center for a walk to the market or to play in the park, clothes handouts, shoe  handouts, present arranging for Christmas and birthdays, "physical therapy" sorts of interactions for Lucas and Domingos, conversations with Tias about how to handle some situation . . .

The list could go on and on but I think you get the idea - I do Mom stuff!

And that wraps up this week's "More Info Mondays!"

So, how did you end up over in Mozambique anyway?

Ever since I was a teenager, I have been wanting to work "someday" at an orphanage.  I just always had a heart for kids who were  abandoned, abused or neglected.  It certainly seemed a far-off dream.

 

(me with Francisco, Samito and Pedro my first Christmas in 2003)

Somewhere in the years after I was a teen, I heard a few times that "every Christian should give at least a year of their life to missions."  Whether or not that is true for everyone, it made sense to me and I thought "someday I'd like to spend a year at an orphanage!"

In 2000, I was working at Vanguard University, a Christian university in Southern California.  I spoke with our missions coordinator and shared that I wanted to lead a team of students to an orphanage.  Our school had already gone two years to an orphanage in Mozambique so he suggested I go there or find one of my choosing.  Mozambique was fine with me, it wasn't the where - it was the WHO!

So in June of 2000, I led a team of 16 college students to Mozambique.  From the moment I arrived, my heart was captured!  I fell in love with the kids and knew I wanted to return someday.  I knew that the time was near when God would be taking me away from all that was comfortable and familiar to being a new adventure of faith. 

That "someday" arrived in 2003 when I left my job and apartment, family and friends for "a year!"  Well, it's been almost seven years now and my heart is more captured than ever!

Well, this is where I end the first installment of a new feature called "More Info Mondays" where I answer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which I will save to the right margin for when new readers discover my blog.  I know, it's not Monday, but I haven't had internet access!

What dream of yours might God want to fulfill if you trust him enough to allow him???  Just some food for thought!

Isn't She Lovely?

It's been so nice to have a visit with my mom and she is looking fantastic!  She's doing quite well too, after a brief stay in the hospital last week which gave me a scare.  She had a temperature so they admitted her to keep an eye on it.  They never did determine the exact cause but she didn't have the flu or pneumonia so we were grateful for that.

Since being released, she hasn't felt quite her normal self but a doctor's visit confirmed our suspicion that it was the extra meds as well as the flu shot that was to blame.  Since stopping the meds, she has felt fine again. 

One new troubling concern is she has felt quite wobbly this week, as well as having what she calls "brain pain", different from a headache, which she's had for months now.  An MRI has ruled out any spread of the cancer and so they have referred her to a neurologist to see about neuropathy, a possible side-effect of the chemo.  

So, in spite of all those things, I think she is doing fantastic!  Please keep her in your prayers thru this winter.  The cold and flu season is no good for her lowered immune system and the gloomy weather just makes it harder to get out and about.  The winter can be long and boring for her. 

Good thing she'll have me to pester her with daily phone calls til December at least! 

Love you so much Mom!  Thanks for being my biggest cheerleader!

Black Bean Soup - yum!

Almost every time I talk with someone about food, I tell them about my yummy Black Bean soup!  I haven't tried any other recipes, there might well be others even better but I love the one I make.  If I make a big batch, I eat it every day 'til it's gone and never get tired of it! 

It can be served hot with lots of cilantro and sour cream or it can be served cold with some yogurt and a dash of cumin, perfect for hot weather days - I can still get my soup fix!

Since I've told so many people about it - and often promised to provide the recipe but then forget - I thought I'd write it out here.  Try it sometime, it's so easy and so yummy!

It comes from a fantastic little book I found at a thrift shop for a buck and am so glad I did.  It's called "More Home Cooking" by Laurie Colwin.  (I guess there must be a "Home Cooking" then which I would love to find!")  It's not really a cookbook, it's a book of essays about food with lots of tips and recipes thrown in.  I love it!  I've made several things from it and never been disappointed!  It's just a pleasure to read if you like food!

I'm going to write it as she has!

Black Bean Soup

For Black Bean Soup, however, beef broth from a can is fine.  Soak 2 cups of dried beans in cold water to cover for one hour and drain them.  Combine them in a large pot with two 12 ounce cans of beef broth and one 28 ounce can of peeled tomatoes.  People in a hurry often open up the can, drain the juice into the pot, and then slice up the tomatoes with a knife while they are still in the can.  I would never let anyone catch me doing this but I do it all the time.  Add one cup of water, two big cloves of garlic, chopped up fine, one minced onion and two or three smallish potatoes, cut into pieces.  Cover the pot, put it on a flame tamer over very low heat and get lost.  (I am on record in my belief that the flame tamer, a widely available metal disk that reduces a flame's intensity, can be the source of much domestic tranquility, but it is a somewhat controversial piece of equipment, because many people would never dream of leaving the house with the stove on. I, however, do it all the time.)

On a flame tamer, a good black bean soup takes at least five hours to cook, hours in which you could be writing a novel, composing a brief, arguing with your dry cleaner or playing catch with your child and her friends.  You might yak on the telephone, balance your checkbook, or go thru piles of work.  You might even go shopping for yourself, remembering to stop afterward to buy some bread and cheese.  But whatever you do, while your soup is cooking, you are not!

Once the five hours are up, stir in the juice of one lime.  Then you can decide what texture you want your soup to have.  You can puree' part if it or the whole thing or leave it as is.

I have a flame tamer myself and also leave the house with the stove on.  My flame tamer resembles the old Jiffy Pop popcorn thing and I love it.  I usually puree' most of mine with a hand immersion blender.

Let me know if you give this soup a try.  Bon Appetite!

A Visit from Albano

"Hmm, who's that boy walking in the door, with his hoodie up and backlit from the light of the door?"  I turn to Tia Marta beside me and ask in near slow motion - "Is that Albano???"  He takes down his hood and we all erupt in cheers of delight to see our little buddy Albano again! 

This is the first time he has visited since he left two years ago, in September 2007.  He said he just felt like coming so he and his little friend hopped in a chapa and came for the day. 

We loaded them up with good food, two changes of clothes (theirs had seen better days to put it mildly), toothpaste and brushes and lots of hugs and love.  They sure enjoyed the trampoline and scooter and Albano was a bit of a star around the center seeing all his old friends.

I had seen Albano once while driving through Matola, where he lives, which I wrote about here, but this was the first time getting to spend some time with him.  He's finishing fourth grade right now, is looking well-fed but hasn't grown too much, he's still our little Albano.   

Please keep him in your prayers, he has a lot of potential but also a bit of a rascal streak!!  We love him dearly and hope he visits again soon!

Our Newest Family

Alfiado, Narciso and Clotilde arrived in late September after one of our pastors told us about the difficult situation they were living in nearby in Marracuene. 

They were living with their mother and auntie (picture in the photo with the mother at left and the auntie with her son at right).  You can of course see that they are both albinos although none of the children are.  Albinism is VERY common here in Mozambique (and perhaps throughout Africa but I could not say that for sure).  I probably see an albino every day that I am off the center.  Life is incredibly difficult  for them as the sun is so hot here and burns strongly for so many months of our hot season. Many skin disorders plague the person who is an albino.  There is some social ostracism as well but not as much as there used to be when albino babies were often killed because they were believed to be cursed.  Although that may still occur, many if not most albinos are integrated normally into a society that recently ostracized them.  Please don't quote me, I am not an albino expert! I am going on impressions and the occasional conversation with a Mozambican about the subject!

Back to our precious pumpkins!

This family had been living in Inhambane, about eight hours north of here, until their father died and his family did not permit them to stay.  This is always a tragic situation, I will NEVER get used to it although we hear of it all the time.  So they came back to the Maputo area but only found a place to stay but no work.  Their kinesu (like bamboo) home had gaps you could not only see thru but put your hand thru.  The home wasn't very sanitary and so all three children had skin disorders and health problems.  

So, it was decided to bring them here to help them get well and until we can help the mom (and auntie) get suitable housing and some source of income.  We hope that is soon as all three children were crying when their mom and auntie left, it was heartbreaking!

Please pray for wisdom for us in this situation.  We don't want to just create people dependent on handouts but there is likely very little this mother is qualified to do that would earn any income.  The auntie is missing a leg as well which makes physical work not impossible but very challenging for her. 

I am so grateful to be able to be here living out one of my favorite verses in the Bible - looking after orphans and widows in their distress!  Thanks for all of you who are praying, supporting and encouraging me in this incredible journey!

Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On Round Here!

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Santa Cruz Earthquake, which I lived right thru, about ten miles from the epicenter!  (Wait, am I old enough to have adult memories from twenty years ago?!?)

That was a monumental day to have experienced so I wanted to share my memory of it, just for fun!

I  was a student at Bethany Bible College in Scotts Valley, California on October 17th, 1989.  I also had a little job down in town at the Book Bank which I loved!  It was a small bookstore which had a little cafe in the back, where we served coffees, espressos, the best chai tea I've ever had, lasagne and amazing soups!  My favorites were the potato leek and potato cheese soup, wow they were good!  We also had scrumptious cakes, triple layer chocolate from - oh no!  My twenty year memory is failing me, I can't remember the name of the famous bakery that provided our cakes!  Well, anyway, there was a mint one too.  Pamela, remember eating that slice of Mile High cake in the Miracle bathroom late one night as we talked about, what else, boys??? 

On the 17th, I had started work at 4:30 and headed straight for the cafe as it was always a busy time for us.  There was a counter that people could sit at to order, then a space about wide enough to walk thru, then the counter against the wall.  That's where we took orders and served from.  Up on the wall, above the walkthru, was a refrigerator unit with our bottled drinks and assorted goodies.  Kinda like those pie cases at a diner would be.  Well, I never left that work space once in the first half hour I was there, making espressos, washing glasses (twist on those built in scrubbers, rinse in treated hot water, rinse in scalding hot water, no wonder I have an addiction to hand lotion to this day!), serving slices of delicious cake. 

It must have been just 5:01 or 5:02 or so that a customer came in and ordered a flavored coffee.  We kept the flavored coffee beans in glass jars lined on shelves going high up the wall, just around the corner of the counter.  So I stepped away from my post to get the beans and grind them up for a fresh cuppa.  The clock ticked over to 5:04 and that's when our 7.1 earthquake struck!

Dodging falling jars of coffee beans, I ran to the front of the store for the nearest doorframe.  My most distinct memory?  Seeing the light poles in the parking lot sway from side to side, must have been about 15 feet in either direction.  To my mind, cement poles were not supposed to do that! 

After the shaking stopped and we went back into the store to check out the damage, I saw something that also shook me up!  The overhead refrigerator unit had fallen from the wall and crashed down, filling the spot where I had been standing until that blessed customer had ordered their speciality coffee!  Whew!  I was so thankful I was not standing there for that to come crashing down on my head!

   Right next to our store was a Radio Shack and one of the employees was listening to the news on a battery radio.  The most shocking moment of the whole earthquake was when he said "they've just reported that the Bay Bridge has fallen into the Bay!!!"  Of course, we imagined the whole bridge just collapsing and not existing anymore!  Although it was incredible that a portion of the bridge did collapse, sending cars crashing to the level below, I was still so thankful when I learned the whole bridge hadn't collapsed!

Bethany decided to close for a week so I headed home to Oakland.  Except that Highway 17 over The Hill (the north-south route connecting Santa Cruz to the Bay Area thru the Santa Cruz mountains where the epicenter was located) was closed as well.  I don't remember my exact route home but I know I went up Highway One along the coast and had to cut over thru the bay towns.  It was a LONG drive!

There were remarkably few deaths in Santa Cruz, but one was a woman named Laura who worked at a coffee shop!  Imagine my friends' fear when they heard that on the news in the days before cell phones and all our regular phone lines were down. Needless to say, we were all grateful that wasn't me!

Of course, there was a lot of damage throughout the Bay Area, terrible destruction in the Marina district in San Francisco and the collapse of the Nimitz freeway in Oakland, both over 40 miles away.  The Battle of the Bay had started as the Oakland A's were playing the San Francisco Giants in the World Series at Candlestick Park in SF.  So all eyes were already on the Bay Area when the earthquake hit.  

I thanked God for his protection over me that day 20 years ago and I thank him again today!  He knows the plans he has for me!

Anyone who went thru the Loma Prieta earthquake care to share your memories?  Or, anyone who's been in another earthquake for that matter, why not!

Shelton is home from the hospital!

With everything happening with Paulo's death, I didn't have a chance to write a post saying that my newest boy, Shelton had gone to the hospital the same day that Paulo died.  Talk about a fright!  When someone dies, you become quite aware of the frailty of life.  It's amazing how resilient yet tenacious we humans are at the same time!

Little Shelton arrived just over two weeks ago.  Sunday morning, about an hour after learning Paulo had died, my Tia pointed out to me that Shelton had very labored breathing, a high fever and he had vomited in the night.  I felt so bad for having to call the nurse on call who was only just finishing with arranging Paulo's body going to the morgue!

She gave him paracetemol to bring down his fever which didn't help at all.  An hour later, she gave him ibuprofen which did take it away, thankfully.  She was also trying him on a nebulizer (which helps clear the airways) but after that had little effect, she decided he needed to go to the hospital.  

He was admitted on Sunday and just came home on Wednesday afternoon.  He came home with a diagnosis of pneumonia which we knew he had.  They didn't say he has asthma which we were suspecting but I don't know if they've ruled that out 100%.  They also took a TB test which came back negative, thankfully!

His breathing is still a little labored which is from the fluid on his lungs but not a thing as bad as it was on Sunday.  He hasn't had a fever since then either.

His grandmother went to the hospital with me to visit him.  This photo is of her with Shelton and his little sister, Thursday the day after he came home from the hospital.  She came when Shelton did and is staying in our girls' dorm. 

Two "small" words about the hospital and why I'm so glad he's home now:

1.  Monday morning, the doctor was seeing Shelton at breakfast time.  So, he didn't get to eat breakfast!!!!  He couldn't get down to the dining room because it was closed by the time the doctor was gone and they wouldn't make an exception.  And, the tia had asked to bring the bowl of porridge to the room for when the doctor was gone but they said No.  Why?  Because the doctor was there!!!  (what, is he allergic to porridge?!?)  I was FURIOUS!  The twist of the knife was that while I was visiting, at 4:30pm, she was able to bring his snack (a bowl of porridge!) into the room to feed him!!!  Hello!  This is a hospital where people are supposed to get well!  A sick, five year old taking about five different meds doesn't need to eat for 18 hours straight - because "the doctor was there???" 

2.  The person who stays with the child/patient, isn't allowed to keep ANYthing in the room.  Not an extra capulana (the piece of material they use for a skirt, wrap, towel, blanket, etc.), not their purse, not a diaper (if the child is using  them), not a set of clothes, a toothbrush, nothing.  And, not food! They can eat when their visitors bring them food (because the hospital only provides the basics for the patient), but they can't keep any of the food in the room.  Where must they keep it?  In the BATHROOM!  In an open cubbie!!!  For the sake of decorum, can I suffice to say that the bathrooms in the hospital are  not clean?  I've been in them, please trust me on this, I won't go into detail but you've not likely been in a gas station, beach bathroom or reststop that holds a candle to these bathrooms!  Do you know ANYone who stores food in their bathroom?  And we aren't talking about canned goods here.  Not only do I wonder "are they trying to drum up more business here?"  but many, many of the things left in the bathroom are stolen as well.  It's terrible and so unnecessary. 

In case you think I was ranting just there, trust me, those were my "small" words about the hospital! 

I am SO glad Shelton is home!

Paulo Cossa, 1997 -2009

What a terrible title for a blog post.  One I hope to never have to write again.

Paulo, the boy in the red shirt making the funny faces in the group photos, died on Saturday night, some time in his sleep.  He wasn't feeling well on Saturday and on Sunday he just didn't wake up.  They found him with his hands tucked under his chin, a very peaceful looking position which has comforted us all that he wasn't suffering.  He was twelve.

  Paulo was such a sweetheart!  He came to our center two years ago, leaving his family an hour and a half away so he could be closer to the city (as well as our clinic) for good medical care.  He was very sickly when he came but had improved so much, you'd hardly know it!  In fact, he was so much improved, he was set to return home to his mother and family in about two weeks time after school is out for summer holidays. 

Paulo quickly became one of the boys and his closest buddies were the boys who moved out of my dorm last year, including all of these in the group photos.  Naturally, they are missing him, grieving his loss and not sure what to think of it at all.

His funeral was yesterday.  I'm sure most of my readers have never been, nor ever will go, to an African funeral.  The grief is palpable and very visible.  There is no attempt at stoicism, the family usually weeps until physically laying on the ground and Paulo's funeral was no exception.  It' heart-wrenching to see.  And devastating to watch that little casket lowered into the ground with utter finality.  I will certainly miss him and cannot imagine how his family is feeling.

His death has also caused a bit of fear to creep into my heart, for all my boys, but especially those who are HIV+ and whose health is more fragile than appears to the eye.  I have seven HIV+ boys in my dorm currently and although you would never know which was which because they look so healthy, I'm reminded that even a cold could be life-threatening when their immune system is so compromised.  So although I don't want to be fearful, I want to be always vigilant about looking after these boys extra carefully, as well as all the others. 

 

Tchau meu amigo Paulo.  Tem saudades de ti.  Ate' logo!

(Goodbye my friend Paulo, I miss you.  See you soon!)

Mozambique's Next Top Male Model search is on!

 

              Pedro                                              Pai

  

               Simois                                            Daniel

                Armando                                        Lito

                   Ivo                                             Adilson

               Tia Laura                                Tia Bilena

               Tia Anna                                 Mana Laura

               Shelton                                     Alfiado

We begin with four cute-as-a-button littlies from Room 3, the youngest boys in the dorm.  The second two, Simois and Daniel, are brothers!  But you can only vote for one!

Room 1, the middle age, was conspicuously absent from the photo shoot.  Could it be they are overly self-conscious of their missing front teeth?  Nah, simply they were playing in the back garden, rather than down by the soccer field!

The next group of four are from the biggest and most handsome boys in the dorm, Room 2!

The Ladies are included here simply for consideration for the "best sport" award.  The blurry one, Mana Laura won't win it for sure - she didn't even jump down from the tree as everyone else did!

And lastly, honorable mention goes to our very serious newest entrants.  Shelton and Alfiado arrived last week and were still getting a feel for things during our photo shoot.

Let me know who YOU would choose for Mozambique's Next Top Male Model!!! 

And remember, there are 22 more boys in consideration for runner-up!  (Actually, they either weren't there, Room 1, or their photos were too blurry.  Less is more anyway, huh?)

Good things come in threes!

Well, what happens around here when one goes away for three days?  Apparently one returns home to three new boys, one for each day!  Although, in truth, two brothers arrived the same day!

While in South Africa last week for my dental implant (which I will have to return for this Monday as the screw fell out.  No jokes here about me having a screw loose please!), I got an email from Ros saying that a new little one had arrived, a small six year old named Shelton.  His sister had arrived in the girls' dorm as well.

He is slightly malnourished so would I be able to give him the same morning porridge that I give Lucas and Domingos, a vitamin-fortified cereal?  Of course, so I threw several more bags of it into my trolley at the grocery store where I stock up.  Everything is cheaper in South Africa!

  Barely had I processed that when I got an email the next day saying two brothers had arrived!  Alfiado is 9, as of July 1, and his little brother, Narciso, will turn 7 on October 17!  They look exactly alike, these two cuties!

Alfiado in particular has little scars all over his body from what looks like chicken pox gone very wrong.  He has a fungal condition all over his head that is quite bad.  But, although they seem neglected, they seem to be in fairly good health.  They'll have an in-depth check-up this week and we'll see how they are.

I arrived back from South Africa on Friday night and met them for the first time.  Shelton, the cutest thing ever, hasn't made a peep the whole time he's been here, and barely acknowledges me.  But the brothers, after watching from the sidelines as I hugged and kissed the boys hello, shyly worked their way close to me and received my kisses and hugs with silly grins.  They have warmed up completely and are delightful!

Please pray that these precious boys will quickly feel at home here, that we can help them get healthy and fill them with love and care, straight from the Father's heart!

The Faithfulness of Domingos' Father

(The Courtship of Domingos' Father went thru my mind as a title, for all you old people like me, but I thought it might give the wrong impression!)

One of my precious little pumpkins is Domingos!  He's been living with us for two years now!  (Wow, can I insert here "where has the time gone?!?")

I've written about Domingos before but just a reminder, he came to us from another center where he wasn't really being cared for properly.  He is blind from birth, actually has no eyes, and also is developmentally delayed.  When he arrived, at nine years old, he weighed about 27 pounds!  His poor eating habits had him losing most of his food out of his nose or vomiting it up and the remainder, he would regurgitate for hours on end.  I have a theory that at the other center, he wasn't fed, he just stuck his face in his plate and ate as fast as he could before other kids could steal his food. 

Well since being with us, he still has lots of challenges but he has put on quite a bit of weight, he never vomits or has food out of his nose and he rarely regurgitates!  He's about a quarter of the way to feeding himself but needs lots of help with it. 

Although Domingos can walk, he doesn't walk by himself.  Except about once a month or so, he'll get a bee in his bonnet and suddenly stand up and walk across the room, but that's usually the extent of it!  I am hopeful though that we can help him gain some independence in walking and eating. 

The photos above are from when Domingos' father visited last week.  Domingos' mother abandoned the family before he was one year old, forcing the father to put him in a children's center because he could not provide the 24 hour care he needed and work as well.  So, his son has been in a center for ten years now!  And yet, this man still often visits Domingos.  He is, in fact, one of our most frequent family visitors.  His faithfulness is so touching to me, made all the more so by the fact that Domingos doesn't seem to know him and can't really give him much love or attention in return.  He loves a big cuddle but other than that, he gives no feedback or attention to his father who visits him so often.

It  is a precious thing to me. 

In this land of too-absent fathers and so many unwanted children, tossed to the side and seemingly easily forgotten, here is a man who loves his son, just as he is.  Who hasn't forgotten him.  He simply can't care for him in his home.

Domingos' dad cried on his last visit when he was telling me more about when Domingos was born and the difficult time he had when his mother left.  And when he said "I don't know why my son was born this way."  His pain was evident and that again is a rare thing where people stoically bear their many burdens and tears are a rare luxury, reserved for the most horrible of circumstances of death and loss. 

I was proud of Domingos' dad in that moment, as I have been many times.  Proud, but hurting for him at the same time.  How I wish I could make everything better for both of them!

In the meantime, I do what I can to care for his son, providing a safe, loving, healthy home for Domingos to grow and thrive in.  And welcoming his father whenever he wants to come and visit!

I'm always shutting the door in someone's face.

Always.  With 29 boys, no matter how many of the boys I invite into my home (unless it was all 29, not likely!), there is another little hopeful face, wishing I would invite them in too. 

You see my home is part of the dorm, one of the four rooms off of the main room.  And most of the time, my door is indeed shut or it would be chaos from morning til night and I try to do all I can do to minimize the chaos in my chaotic life!

Shortly after moving into the dorm, over five years ago!, I felt the Lord give me the idea of having around four kids in at a time for various activities.  For example, Sun-Tues evenings after dinner, the boys either read books, color or play.  Well, I used to try and sit in the main room and color or read with them.  Remember, I have only 29 now but have had up to 50 over the years!  Anyway, after about 3 1/2 minutes of incessant "Mana Laura, Mana Laura, Mana Laura, look at this, look at this, look at this" I had had enough and would escape to my house, annoyed with them and annoyed with myself for being  annoyed with them.

That's when I first had the idea to invite four or so in at a time and read or color with them.  Ah, thank you Lord for that wonderful idea.  It soon turned into inviting a few boys in at a time throughout the day, to do things together or for them just to play if I am otherwise occupied.  

They absolutely love it!  And I have a list of their names that I put a checkmark next to so I don't invite the same boys over and over.  And, they know if they ASK me to come in, I will invite someone else. That has put an end to 29 boys asking all day every day if they can come in!  

But you know what?  No matter how many or how often I have boys in, there is still someone standing on the other side, wishing I had chosen him as I close the door as gently as I can in their sweet little faces. 

And it breaks my heart. 

After all these years. 

Mercy Air - a respite of peace!

People sometimes ask why I enjoy going to South Africa so much.  There are a number of reasons but the first one that always springs to mine is ANONYMITY!!!  With 30 little people around, not to mention the whole rest of the center, I really enjoy some time on my own to just be me without all the expectations. 

A close second would be PEACE  and QUIET!  And that's what I find in abundance at Mercy Air!  It's an aviation ministry located on a large, working farm.  One aspect of their ministry is to provide a peaceful respite for missionaries and that they do VERY well!!

Here I am upon arrival in my favorite suite, The Eagle's Nest!  It's upstairs in the main house and just feels like a hideaway.

My favorite part of my favorite place is, of course, the bathtub!!!  With enough candles to read by and Harry Connick, Jr. providing the soundtrack, it's bliss!

 

 

I sleep in the big bed! And I love the African decor!

 

I take my breakfast here on the porch.

 

A daytime view of the bath and kitchenette.

Upon arrival . . .

Springtime in September!

A shot of a couple of their planes.

See the little doggie?  He so wanted me to follow him down that path!

  

The pool is a fantastic perk in the heat!

The place is full of friendly dogs! 

 

And it's so lush, I just love all the greenery.

Another Springtime shot.

And to leave you with, one of the local monkeys!

Making Cookies!

It's so fun to do things with the boys just one or two at a time.  During one of Pedro's visits, we made oatmeal-cranberry cookies for the dorm!  He loves learning how to cook new things!

Just this week I had a Jose' grande' and Salamao in to make spaghetti sauce too which they loved.  Their favorite part was the sizzle of the mince as it hit the pan!  I decided to risk letting them use the can opener for the chopped tomatoes.  With only one mishap (big splatter all over the counter and wall!) which we had a good laugh about, all went well and they were delighted.

"Anema!"  they declared!  Which means something like "Yummy!"

But, I forgot to take photos!  Oops!

Um, seriously? Someone stole my WINDSHIELD???

Yes indeed, they certainly did.  Here's the funny thing - Tuesday evening I bought 10 chairs while I was in the city.  As I was loading them in my car, which has no trunk, I thought "I wonder if these plastic chairs will be worth someone breaking into my car?"  (Well, they cost about $120 so in fact, they really might be worth it to someone!)   I was spending the night at my friend Sarah's (whose roommate's name is also Sarah!) so there wasn't much I could do. 

So, Wednesday morning, when one of the Sarah's left for work, I raised my sleepy head off the couch and said goodbye.  Moments later, she was back.  "Uh, Laura?  I'm sorry to have to tell you this but someone has stolen your windshield."  "What?!?!" "Are you serious?"    Sadly, she was quite serious. 

I threw on normal clothes and ran downstairs and sure enough, this was what I saw.  What a shocker!  You can tell when a theft is out of the norm when all the people passing by do a double take and stare!  That was kinda entertaining to watch actually!

But you wanna know what is amazing???  They didn't take one single thing from the car!  They didn't even enter the car!  And the doors were still locked!  What amazes me is that not only did the windshield thieves not steal anything inside but after the fact, no one else did either.  Perhaps they thought I'd had enough for one day?

I had an ashtray full of money, a pair of shoes on the passenger floor, an unopened parcel (with who knows what treasures inside?!), a couple cans of Coke Light (I might have been tempted by those!), my IPOD adapter even!  Not to mention the CHAIRS!  They weren't stolen!!  So even though I'd had that thought, that's not what they broke into my car to steal!  So bizarre.  I'm actually REALLY glad they didn't steal anything inside.  They cold have taken all the things we're required to have like a jack, cables, reflective triangles, reflective vest, etc., not to mention the flashlights, umbrellas, etc.  All that sure would have added up to replace.  I really am amazed and so grateful nothing else was taken.

I'm also very fortunate they didn't take that black rubber seal you see hanging out the window.  My mechanic couldn't find another one!  Which is a bit of a bummer because the way they cut mine, it would be better to replace rather than have to glue it as he will have to do.  But, at least I have it!

Another little bummer is, the tax payment proof is on the windshield.  So now I will have to deal with getting that anew.  I really have no idea if I will have to pay again or if my receipt will be proof enough.  That's just an inconvenience. 

As it is, it will cost about $250 to replace it, as well as fix some rust spots around the windshield while he's at it.  That's a bummer. 

But, it wasn't my car that was stolen!  And it wasn't anything in it.  So I am counting my blessings!  And having a good laugh at such a bizarre event!

I'm also laughing as I remember driving the 40 minutes home without a windshield - it was quite amusing to people passing by!  Thank God it didn't rain as it looked like it could open up and pour at any minute! I made it home without even one policeman on the road looking my way, so I didn't have to stop and explain myself.  Yay! 

Now, my cute little Venture is in the trusty hands of my mechanic and I will soon be the proud owner of a brand new baby windshield!

Salada! In abundance!

In my July birthday post, I mentioned sticker shock in an American grocery store when I wanted to buy salad for my birthday dinner.  A small bunch of red leaf lettuce was $2.99!  A head of iceburg wasn't much better at about $2.50!!  I didn't end up buying the lettuce in the end, I just couldn't pay that much when I know the price of salad here, at least part of the year.  I think you'll understand why when you see the photos below!

It's the height of lettuce and tomato season so right now, I can buy lettuce, tomato and onion enough for 35 people (that's 35!!!) for 40 mets, which is about $1.50!!!!  And not just a little salad either.  Take a look at these photos and you'll see, we all ate salada in abundance!

 

Mind you, that's not the price all year round but while it is, we're eating it like it's going out of style!

Yep, I pretty much chickened out.

I was driving home this morning and just as I came to a part of the road that had a bit of an incline, I saw a man in a wheelchair laboring to get up the road.  It's not very steep but it is uphill and the "sidewalk" is practically non-existent, crumbling away to sand and rubble in many places.  He was moving forward using kind of a wheelie movement that looked kinda awkward and very difficult.  (Photo #1, the good part of the sidewalk.)

As I passed him, I was filled with compassion for him.  Life in a wheelchair anywhere I can only imagine is, to say the least, tricky, but here in Mozambique?  I cannot even imagine.  As my eyes filled with tears I thought, "I will never complain again."  Which I did stick with until at least four hours later by the way!  But then I remembered how seeing him had made me realize how little I have to complain about really and gave myself a quick attitude adjustment.  (Photo #2, a strip in the middle of the sidewalk gone and a roadside stand just barely visible to the left.)

After I passed the man, a minute or so ahead, there was a car parked up on the "sidewalk!"  And then another!  It's a busy, narrow road and I thought, "what will he do?"  I wanted to stop and help but as I said, it's narrow and busy.  (Photo #3, the sidewalk disappears and only sand is left against the curb.)

As I turned the corner onto the next road I decided, "Right, I'm going to stop and go back and see if I can help.  I can offer a push or a ride."  Then I thought this scary thought:  "Or I could pray for him."

Uh, what kind of prayer?  The "Lord bless this man" prayer or the "Get out of your wheelchair and walk" kind of prayer.  After all, that is how Jesus often healed people.  And I do believe he still heals today.  And he promises us we will do greater things in his name than he did.  But I have to confess, that made me quite nervous. 

So as I was walking back to him (it would have taken me ages in the traffic to get my car turned around and back to him) I said "Lord, I don't really know what I'm doing here, please show me!"  I was willing, or thought I was, to pray for him even.

When I got to him, he was nearly at the top of the incline.  I asked where he was going, was it far, and could I help and he said he was going to church which was just up ahead on the other side of the traffic signal.  He thanked me for the offer of a push but had reached the level part by then and didn't need it.    

Well folks, perhaps I would have chickened out of praying for him anyway but something about him going to church just stopped me in my tracks.  For some reason it made it harder to offer to pray for him rather than easier. 

So, I chickened out.  I said "God bless you" and "have a good day" and walked back to my car.  I will pray for him now instead of with him.  I'm not proud of that.  And I'm not sure what made it more intimidating because he was on his way to church.  I can assume he would have welcomed prayer.  It's giving me something to think about. 

And pray about:  Lord Jesus, make me more like you!

(It just occurred to me that many readers might find it strange that I would offer to help a disabled stranger on the street, perhaps offensive.  But here in this culture, strangers do help each other with things all the time.  It's one of the most beautiful parts of this culture and one I am still learning to incorporate into my life.)

(Another paranthetical thought: these photos are of the actual street, the flat part of it, but were taken some time ago.  So they just serve to give a small idea, not the whole picture!)

There's still enough winter weather lingering around here for a cat nap!

This is one of my cats, Puss Puss, whom I didn't name by the way.  I always give that disclaimer.  I even tried to start calling her CousCous but I've never managed to get in the habit!

It's quite warm here during the day usually but still chilly at night so I've got these throw blankets on my bed.  I left them rumpled today because I didn't want to disturb my kitty from her cat naps!  I did however want to join her.  Sadly, I wasn't able to.  Another day perhaps!

And then there were 29!

 

Remember little Jose' whom I just wrote about a few days ago?  Well, sad for me but happy for him, he is going to live in another dorm on the center today. 

He is only four years old which makes him too old for the Baby House but too young for my house. 

Vella's house was established with kids like him in mind, but she's also taken some special needs kids so we all thought she had a full plate.  She came to me this week and asked if I knew why he was with me and not her and I said I didn't except perhaps everyone thinks she's full.  Well, the upshot is, he is going to live with her!  It's wonderful really because there are now 7 boys total, instead of my 30, and he'll get lots more one-on-one attention and care.  I think he will just blossom there!

We will miss him though, especially Feliciano who he plays with every morning.  But, he's only about 50 yards away so we'll still see plenty of him!

 

Here he is with his new little brothers!  They are very excited to have him, want to know when his birthday is and make sure Vella tells the kitchen that they need more food now!  Such practical things on little boys' minds!

 

Please pray for little Jose' that he will thrive there, physically and emotionally!

(Ps: Just practicing with the photo collage at the top!)

I love Soup!

On a blog I read, the writer asked "what's your favorite part of your kitchen?"  And although my kitchen is nothing to brag about, I love it, even though it's tiny, tiny!  But I replied that my favorite part must be my CrockPot, perhaps because it took three years to get permission to have it!

 

Here's my kitchen in all it's glory, just a little section of the wall in the main room.  I'm standing in my bedroom taking the photo.  Behind the door is the sink, that's all you don't see.  There is a round table just out of the photo to the left.  See the spot between my trusty crock-pot and the blue cutting board in the dish drainer?  That's my counter space!  In this photo, there's a loaf of bread filling the space!

Anyhoo, back to my love of soup!  Soups are one of my favorite things to eat so therefore, the CrockPot (or slow-cooker if you prefer) is one of my favorite things to cook with!  It's still winter-enough around here that I can eat soup with abandon!

This was last nights soup:

Zucchini Soup with Oven Croutons

(rumored to be Katherine Hepburn's favorite recipe!)

I had to show off my CrockPot in the photo too!

 

I did add a dollop of sour cream but it sank right into the soup, leaving only a teensy bit of cilantro for garnish.  I knew I didn't have enough zucchini and I guess that's why it turned out a bit thin but still spicy and delicious!

Because I love my CrockPot so much, you might guess I have a fav cookbook to go with it.  Here it is:

"Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Recipes For Two"

What really caught my eye was the line on the back that says "showcases fresh, wholesome ingredients rather than relying on packaged, convenience foods." Oh good!  Because we don't have too many packaged, convenience foods here so I thought I might actually be able to make most of the recipes.  And indeed I have!

And, because it's for two, I always have just enough for some leftovers or to invite over a friend!

The soup for tonight?

Cauliflower Soup!

"Served with French bread (which unfortunately I don't have!), this is French peasant food at it's most elemental!"  I love that description!

On the menu for tomorrow night?

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Yep, without the tortillas!

(Many thanks to my trusty immersion blender without which none of these soups would be possible!)

Here's Little Jose'!

This little guy, Jose', is feisty!!!  And although he IS little, his name is because we already have a "big" Jose'! He came to us in late June when his  GREAT-grandmother (I couldn't believe it!) brought him to us to ask if we would care for him.  He was living with her because both his mother and his grandmother had already died.

She was trying to care for him but is elderly herself and he is quite sickly and needs a lot of care she wasn't able to give.  So we've taken him into our home and hope to give him all the care and attention and love he needs.

Please pray with us that Jose' will quickly feel at home, that any lingering illness will quickly be healed and he will feel content and secure here with us!  And pray for his teeth!  I don't know if you can see in the photo but they are rotten!  He needs healthy new teeth to come in! (That makes two new Jose's in one month, both with horrible teeth! Strange.)

Introducing Zeca!

Zeca has arrived in our home as well!  He came while I was in the US,  in late July.  His little sister and his two nieces, who are twins, live in the Baby House.  The twins are quite malnourished and needing a lot of care but thankfully, Zeca is healthy and well-fed and seems age-appropriate in his development. 

Zeca even knows how to write his name!  For six, in first grade, that's quite an accomplishment here.  I think this boy is quite clever!

He has been so polite and helpful and all the boys seem to like him.  Whether because I've encouraged them to, or because of his personality, they are always inviting him to play, and tagging along with him with their little arms around each other.  So cute.

I'm really enjoying Zeca living here with us!  Please pray that he grows to be all that God created him to be!  And for his little nieces to grow healthy and be restored to where they should be!

"Sometimes I hate this place!"

Did I just say that out loud???  Did I even just think it?  What a horrible missionary I am!  And now I'm admitting it to the whole world - what's wrong with me?

"Sometimes I hate this place!"  I said it three times in a row on Monday of this week.  Did I say it because of seeing another small child pick through the garbage for something to eat?  No.  Because of hearing about yet another young girl used for a man's pleasure?  No.  Because another person I know has died from lack of proper medical care?  No.  All good reasons, those, to "hate" a place. (perhaps)  To feel such frustration that a place drives you crazy.

No, it was none of those good reasons that caused me to say three times, out loud, "sometimes I hate this place." 

It was because I was inconvenienced.

Because things didn't go my way.

Because I didn't get what I wanted.

Because, if you must know, the shop owner wouldn't take my card to pay for phone credit and the ATM machine wouldn't give me any money.  That's it.  That was enough to cause me to not only lose my joy but disparage a whole nation!

As I walked to my car, repeating this over and over, I felt God stop me in my tracks with conviction over my selfishness.  I had recently read yet again that we are to take every thought captive to Christ.  Well, this presented a great opportunity to live out this Scripture.  So I sat in my car and repented of this ridiculous behavior.  Then I asked God, "what's really going on here?  why am I so upset?"

I think it was because what I was overwhelmed by, as I have been time and time again here in Mozambique, is a loss of control.   I couldn't control these situations and it left me feeling vulnerable and therefore angry.

I was irritated that the shop owner wouldn't take a card for a semi expensive purchase.  Nothing I could say would sway him.  In my true capitalist nature I thought, "well, I won't give you any of my business in the future and we'll see how you like that!"  But I was powerless to change his mind and accomplish my goal.

I did give in and try the ATM but twice, it took my card, my PIN, asked if I wanted a receipt, then spit back out my card and said my transaction was being processed but no money ever came out.  I did this twice.  That would be about $240!!! This happens to people so often here, they don't get their money yet they are charged for it and there is no recourse.  The bank here says "deal with your bank in the US" and the US bank says "it's nothing to do with us, deal with the bank of the ATM."  So THAT left me feeling REALLY out of control! 

This whole "no recourse" thing is what I often find the hardest.  I'm usually able to take things into my own hands and try and resolve something.  Not here in Mozambique, that rarely works here!

What was I left with?  Relying on God.  Sound familiar?  Praying.  Ring a bell?  I had to simply pray and trust God that the money wouldn't be gone from my account and that if it was, he would somehow cover it.  I had to pray that I would find another way to buy the phone credit I needed.

I had to yield to God once again that he would take care of my needs when I couldn't take care of them myself.  This is one of my greatest lessons from living in Mozambique.  I'm pretty sure there will be a few more tests of this nature ahead!

This may sound a bit absurd to the reader, that I would make such a big deal out of not being able to get money or phone credit.  I agree - it IS absurd!!  Shouldn't I be mature enough that these little things don't send me over the edge?  Yet, it's often the little things that do.  The little things are where I need the most refining.  I'm not about to go murder anyone but I would slander a whole nation in my mind with my words and thoughts. 

I thank God that I CAN trust him, with every need!  I thank God that he is faithful to convict and refine me.  I am thankful that my tantrum lasted only five minutes instead of five hours and that I listened to his voice calling me deeper. 

I am thankful that when I am not in control, HE IS!

And I am praying that in his kindness and grace, he will make me more like him so I don't freak out every time something doesn't go my way!

A Death in Mozambique

"Mana Laura, can you come?"  My phone rang at 5:00 am on that Friday with my darling Pedro asking me that question - could I come?  He could not wake up his grandmother.  There is no 911 here, no ambulances to call to rush someone to the hospital.  So they were calling me, who lives 45 minutes away, to come to take her to the hospital, another 30-40 minutes away. 

By the time I arrived, it was only to take her body to the morgue.

Pedro's grandmother died that day and it was one more death in Mozambique.  As the photo below will attest to, there are many deaths each day in this country.  The workers at the cemetary dig many graves, side by side, waiting for the days' funerals to begin. 

But this death was different for me.  This was Pedro's grandmother.  And since his mother lives in South Africa, this is who he lives with, who takes care of him.  An already difficult life just got harder.  And a family mourns the loss of their mother . . . grandmother . . wife.

This is the last photo we have of her.  It was taken about two weeks before she died.  Along with Pedro, her son Raymundo is in the photo, as well as her other grandson, the baby, and two step grandchildren she was also caring for. 

Pedro's  mother has been living in South Africa with her husband, where he works.  She has returned to be with the family for now but I'm really not sure what the future will hold.  The talk seems to go back and forth between her returning to SA or staying in  Mozambique.   

I miss Pedro's grandmother.  Pedro does too.  Please pray for him and his family that the decisions they make now will be in line with God's plans for their lives.  That Pedro and the other children will have a safe home, well protected and well cared for. 

The next row of graves expected to be used that day.

Pedro's mother and I laying flowers on the grave.

This is Pedro's mother with her youngest daughter.  And my darling Pedro, praying during the service at their home after the funeral. 

My little cousin Jared got married!

Well, he's not so little anymore!  This is him with his fiance Nicole, two nights before the wedding.

There was lots of family there, here I am with my cousin Mark.

 

And my cousin Maureen, mother of the groom.

 

Me and my cousin Donnie.

My Auntie Norma!  I can't believe I didn't get a photo with her :(

Me and Jared, one of my favorite people in the world!

 

Jared and his lovely bride, Nicole.

Off to begin their new lives together!

 

The quintessential wedding shot.  Click on it to make it larger and see the cute kids on the left.  It looks like Judah is proposing!

After seeing this place I thought, I'd like to marry someone from Washington so I can get married at the same place!  It was stunning!

I'm so thankful for this opportunity to celebrate with my family the marriage of Jared and Nicole, two godly, loving, caring young people who are so blessed to have been able to join their lives together!

Mazel Tov!

Going shopping!

Where do YOU go when you need a few fixings for salad for 35 people?  Albertson's, Safeway, Winn-Dixie, Publix??

We go to the local market, about half a mile or so, more or less, up the road from our center.  You can buy just about anything at the market, and for usually cheaper then the grocery store in town, our Shop Rite.

 

On this day, in addition to salad stuff, we went to buy three new "steras," mats for the kids to sit on.  We have to buy these every month or two as they get worn out.  Let's face it - the kids pick the strings apart that are holding the mat together! 

I wanted the boys to check to see that the quality was good so the vendor had to open them up for the boys approval.  I don't think they know a good stera from a bad one but they gave these two thumbs up!

"Who's that man in the photo with the boys?" you ask?  That's Joao Macamo who is WAY too big for our dorm but he is developmentally delayed and so we're just not confident to release him into the bigger center yet.  He still gets a lot of care and supervision in our dorm that he won't get in the older boys' dorms.  So, we have 28 little ones and one BIG boy!

This walk was our Afternoon Program for the week, during which they always get a snack so the boys decided on a little packet of crisps (just going with the flow - the British version is what came to mind, honestly!).  This enterprising young boy is selling them from a plastic bag around his neck, along with some toothpaste!  But we didn't need any toothpaste. 

(I had to ask permission to take all these photos, which he gave, but apparently didn't want to be IN the shot as he kept his head down the whole time!)

 

On to the salad stuff!  We bought our tomatoes and onions from this lady, who was surprisingly willing to be in the photo.  We bought our lettuce a little closer to home.  Again, I wanted the boys to pick out the best tomatoes, etc., which they made a grand show of but I don't think they REALLY knew what to look for!

Sticker shock alert:  I am in the US now and wanted to buy salad fixings for my birthday dinner.  I COULD NOT pay $2.99 for a tiny bundle of red leaf lettuce!  Nor could I pay $2.99 for the bagged stuff either.  When we bought our salad stuff, I paid .75 CENTS for a whole shopping bag full of green leaf lettuce!  In fact, I bought too much and there was enough for TWO salads for 35 people!

We had a fun time going to the market.  I wish I could take photos freely to give you the scope of it.  When I look at these photos, it looks perfectly normal, like home in fact.  I can picture how big it is, how I can buy oil in little plastic bags if I don't have the money to buy a whole bottle, can even taste the little donuty things the ladies walk around and sell.  Yummy!

Hope you've enjoyed this trip to the market with us!

 

Happy Birthday To Me!

A week late that is, I'm so slow updating my blog when I'm in the U S of A!  Don't know why, you'd think I'd have loads of free time for stuff like this.  But I get distracted by the library!  And movies.  And phone calls to friends.  And making cake.  Speaking of . . . .

I made myself my very first double-decker cake, a vanilla buttermilk coconut concoction that was so yummy!

Can you guess how old I am by that odd assortment of candles?

And you thought I didn't look a day over 41!

Here's my mom's cool neighbor Marla who hosted my little birthday dinner at her house.

Making a wish . . .

Did it!

Doesn't that look yummy?  I kinda wish I could have some right now but we ate it all. 

  

That was my huge piece.  Yep, I ate all of it!

Triple sifted flour - that's the secret!

Proud as Peacocks!

Room 3 had an absolute blast during the Afternoon Program last week, learning to spell their names with Playdough!  Some got a little help but most of them did this all by themselves. 

Jerome

Zequito

Pedro

  

Pai

Simois

 

Jose'

Daniel

I love their proud little faces and that obvious sense of accomplishment!  Way to go boys!

German Engineering, Part Two

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perhaps it took a little of that engineering to get all this stuff and the three people in this truck?  We came upon this vehicle as we were leaving Pedro's and since I had my camera out, decided to risk feeling a little rude and took a photo, I couldn't resist! 

This photo really should have gone with yesterday's post but I felt it deserved a post of it's own!

The interesting thing is, this truck has South Africa plates, Gauteng Province, which is eight hours away!  They may not have come all that way, but almost certainly are coming from SA, which means at least three hours traveling like that!

Now it makes sense why people seeking a ride get so exasperated when we say we have no room!

Can you see the little girl in the middle?  And is the man on the right literally thumbing his nose at us???  I hope the man on the left didn't lose his shoes!