10 Things I Love About Living Here

I did a previous post about things that drive me crazy, so I really must balance it out with a list of things I like about living here in Mozambique. There are many more things than I list, but these are the first things that come to mind.

1. I really am pleased at the life my children live here. When I compare their lives to those of American children, I can see how much more physically active they are, enjoying a lot of fresh air and free play. They don't worry about what toys they have as compared to others, and they are not subject to all kinds of marketing which make them discontent. Their requests are generally simple, like ice cream or watching a video. It is a more old-fashioned existence, and children here are expected to be helpful around the house and to be respectful towards adults. They also are learning a lot of valuable life lessons and meeting people from many different countries and walks of life.

2. I like living in a warm climate (having spent my teenage years in South Florida) year-round. Of course, during four months of that year it is rather TOO warm, but in general I prefer that to experiencing a bleak, freezing winter. I like having one wardrobe all year, augmented only by a few things, and wearing flip-flops and lightweight clothing. The palm trees waving in the breeze warm my heart!

3. There are so many interesting people here. In the expat/missionary community especially, I am always meeting fascinating people who have experienced all kinds of places and things. I really could spend all my time hanging out with these folks, but have to limit my interaction. Many of the Mozambican folks I meet also have interesting backgrounds, and the history of this country is astonishing.

4. I love being able to walk into any pharmacy and buy prescription drugs for myself and for others. If I know I have bronchitis, I don't have to schedule a doctor's visit to get confirmation, but can start taking antibiotics. I know that this makes all the doctors out there shudder, but I appreciate the freedom to buy and use what I need.

5. Even though it is often frustrating to speak another language, I do enjoy the challenge of speaking Portuguese. I just wish I spoke it better, but I like learning new words and the sound of all those rolled r's and nasal tones. It is a beautiful language and everything sounds more exotic!

6. We really do eat healthier here. Although once a month we might get french fries to eat with some roasted chicken, most of the time we eat home-cooked meals made from fresh ingredients. Of course, just like anybody else we long for those deep-fried fast foods, but they are really not as available here as in America so we are forced to eat better.

7. As a person who enjoys thrift store shopping, it is constant distraction to me seeing so many used items for sale. There are little stalls set up alongside the roads with clothes, sheets, towels, shoes and tablecloths of all colors and styles. I enjoy going to the sunday market and looking through the piles of things that have come out from America in bundles. I rarely buy things, but it is fun to look for those little "treasures" that can be had for just a couple of dollars.

8. Ok, this one is totally frivolous, but I love driving the big truck. We have a 1994 Toyota Landcruiser, which is a huge vehicle that you have to climb up into. It is turbo diesel and has tons of power. I like the fact that it is very safe to ride in (especially considering how the traffic is here) and that it has the power to pass those crazy taxis. But mostly I just love being up so high and bouncing around all those potholes in comfort, with all that engine power available. You should see that thing crawl through the mud or other difficult spots.

9. We spend very little time watching tv or catching up on news. When I think about our time in America, I remember the constant bombardment of advertising and news stories, and the allure of tv shows. The tv shows are so good that you just get sucked in, and now, from a distance, it astonishes me how much time Americans spend talking about tv shows. We do watch the movies that my cousin sends out, but are not tied to a tv schedule and are not pulled into programming, or have to listen to news that is not really newsworthy (like why Cate Blanchett cut her hair, etc.).

10. The vivid colors around me really are a feast for the eyes. The ladies especially are just beautiful to look at, with their colorful wraps and lovely skin. It amazes me how people who are living in such poverty keep themselves so neatly and beautifully dressed. I love the brightly painted buildings, the tropical flowers (though they are few) and the palm trees silhoueted against the blue sky. We do miss the deep lush green of the grass and trees at home, the rivers and forests, but the beauty that surrounds us is of another kind.
-Cami

Toby Turns 7!

Toby turned 7 years old on April 25th, and we had a wonderful party for him on the following saturday. I don't mean wonderful as in "oh aren't we so great" but wonderful in that such great kids came and we had such a wonderful time! We had 25 kids, which is a whole lot of kids, but luckily we have a big yard, it didn't rain, and my parents were here to help out a whole lot. We had "team meetings" before the party, to coordinate everything, and it went off without a hitch. My mom commented that if you had that many children at a party in the USA, you'd have some problems with fighting, or children who misbehaved. But all the little friends here are so pleasant and they were a joy to entertain. Here is a photo of some of the friends who came. Toby was in his element, as he loves to have friends around, and actually was very eager to change the date of his party once I told him he could have more friends at it if it was changed. He is no wallflower and is always in the middle of any social interaction.


Here's another photo of Toby. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments this past year. The biggest one is learning to READ! He reads fluidly and joyfully, and we hope that the love of books continues his entire life. He is also doing very well in math at school, which is encouraging to his math-challenged parents. He loves going to school and it is a blessing to have him at a Christian school with children from many countries.



This year, Toby has done all kinds of interesting things, like learning how to snorkel (and doing so with enthusiasm and skill), going horseback riding, climbing a local mountain, going on a safari boat ride and game drive in Malawi, shooting down the (small-homemade) waterslide repeatedly at our annual conference, writing to his pen pal in America, and learning to care for our animals. He's learned lots of verses (thanks to his school) and expressed a desire to be baptized this year! He is often very helpful with Ben and frequently he and I exchange looks of frustration or amusement over Ben's head. He tries to help his little brother in all sorts of ways, and we see him trying to be a good friend to others as well. Toby is a joy to us and we are so thankful that God blessed us with him. - Cami

Putsey and Poppy On the Move

I haven't written for quite awhile, and that is because I was busy enjoying the visit of my parents April 6 - May 12th. Here is a photo of them with the boys, on our trip out to the coast. Ben and Toby hadn't seen them for over 2 years, and last time they were with Ben he wasn't even walking yet, and now he is 3! That is a hard part of being here, having the kids away from their grandparents. We feel so grateful that they were able to come, and they brought with them many gifts, and hearts ready to serve both us and our colleagues. My mom did about a thousand loads of laundry and my dad fixed all kinds of things. But the best part was seeing them interact with the kids.

During their visit, we took a trip north to see some of the work our AIM colleagues are doing, and we also took a trip east to spend 3 nights at the coast. We visited Ilha da Mozambique, which has an old Portuguese fort (and the oldest European-built structure in the Southern Hemisphere) and then went to Nacala where where enjoyed staying beside the bay and snorkeling. We rented a 12-foot fishing boat, which took us (by sail power) across the bay to enjoy some turquoise waters and beautiful coral reefs. Toby is snorkeling easily now, though he has not yet learned to dive down and then to clear his snorkel. We plucked starfish off the bottom of the sea (there are thousands!) and the kids enjoyed looking at them in the boat.

My parents helped us in so many ways, and it was very sad when they flew off back to America. We hope it won't be another 2 years before we see them again. - Cami