Almost another week done!
Our journey to the Mozambique border was uneventful - the mountains in
this corner of Malawi were lovely and the road really good.
We were able to buy our entry visa at the border (I'm always a bit nervous
about this due to past experience!) and it didn't take too long to
complete formalities at customs.
Once across the border the road surface changed completely - such
potholes!! Mozambique definitely gets the prize for the biggest and best
potholes! This really slowed us down but Mollie coped as Stephen
negotiated the whopping holes! Along the way we were flagged down by a
white person so, thinking he was in bother we stopped. He just wanted to
know what we were doing!! So we had a nice chat with him and went on our
way! He was a missionary with the Menonites. Our overnight stop was in
Tete - and very hot it was. We actually stayed under the suspension bridge
over the Zambezi - impressive. Next day was more of the same - prize
potholes! We had one of the biggest scares driving along today. A young
lad ran out in front of us and only he stopped short of Mollie we wouldn't
have been able to avoid him. A real heartstopping moment. Thank God no
harm done.
The counryside in this part of Mozambique is colourless and has been
scorched for miles. This leaves a burnt smell and a misty appearance so
photos are not great. One of the funnier sights was children throwing
sand into the potholes as we approached and then begging for money for
their efforts! The children beg along the roadside a lot. That evening
we arrived in Chimoio and walked into town to have something to eat. We
met an American lady who knew John Wickes - the guy who runs Kedesh where
we were heading!!
Next day we arrived at Kedesh.
Life has been hectic since and the heat and humidity is draining. John
has a great relationship with the boys here and the place runs smoothly.
We are sharing a mud hut with Heather - an English OT who is here. The
amazing thing is there is electricity, running water and wireless internet
in her hut!! I'm using her computer to write this! Thank you Heather.
We have met many other folks who work near here or who are passing through
- bit like ourselves! There's never a dull moment.
One of the boys has taken the responsibility of guarding Mollie very
seriously! He sits in her most of the day and sleeps in her at night - as
do some of the other boys too! They have put a matress on the roof and
sleep up there! He has also washed her inside and out so she looks very
well! They are a hoot!
First day we discovered a blocked drain in Heather's house. Stephen dug
down to a septic tank which had a blocked pipe and cleared it - now there
is a 'man-hole' to make access easier another time. For the last couple of
days he and John have been working at the water/pump system which is
giving problems. They are still at it. I have been cleaning, washing,etc
and today 'helped' the boys make bread - they really don't need help!
They do all their own cooking - rice and cabbage for lunch; rice and beans
for tea - and they love it! Last night we took John out for a meal to a
lovely Chinese resturant in town. Evenings are busy too - Wed. was Bible
study and tonight is fellowship meeting.
This is a great place and we are so pleased to be able to help John. Not
many could do what he is doing and the boys are a credit to him. He is
available 24/7 for the boys.
It's not the easiest of places to live - there are hundreds of ants
everywhere you look and of course, mosquitoes abound - I can still vouch
for that! Despite all this God's love is evident and it is a happy place.
Thank you John and Heather for allowing us to join you for a short time -
we have enjoyed our stay.
Soon we will move on again - only one more border to cross but still
approx 1800mls to CapeTown!
Once again thank you all for your interest and prayers. Do pray for
Kedesh and the boys who live here and of course for John and Heather.
Love
S&H
PS - guess who's back? Suzi!!