The Trip To Beira

How could I begin to tell you of the beautiful and seemingly endless the land was that we crossed going to Beira. Mile after mile of unbelievable roads! Chuck holes soo deep some I'm sure you could take a bath in! Village after village, some clean with inviting paths leading here and there to different dwellings appeared busy and happy, others not so well kept with a lot of people hanging out watching the road traffic like it was the Super Bowl Games. It was pretty interesting. In the wide fertile valleys we saw many herds of Watusi cattle. Men and woman walking along the highway with hoes and things to take to market on their heads, some with pretty unreal burdens and they were moving right along. Charcoal, firewood, grass mats, water, laundry etc. There were single and double donkeys and watusi drawn carts. We saw a lot of artisans selling their wares along the road. Baskets, clay pots (wanted a closer look!) and fish carvings out of the local wood. Also Kanisu which is long lengths of a stick like reeds I believe bound together in bundles to form strong round lengths of building material. There were a lot of building projects of all kinds going on From the simplest mud huts to elaborate cement dwellings. Then of course all these interesting things were mixed up in with the miles literally of mangoes, coconuts, pineapples cashew, and all the flowering varieties of trees and plants I could not begin to tell you the names of. After a rainy muddy lot of kms we came to more chuck hole pavement and it was so funny. Boys of all sizes some way too small to be on the big highway alone would throw dirt out on the road pretending to fill the holes and beg for money for their help as you go speeding by (60- 120 km) and yes some of the trucks and buses full of people go that fast on the holes and consequently you see them broken down all along the way. Saw some big trucks with an axle dragging in the road or a wheel totally broken off. Bad wrecks are very common, and we saw plenty! Can't wait to send pictures of huge log trucks overloaded tied on with ropes! From what we saw there could have been a lot more casualties except for heavenly intervention. People walk and bike all along this road day and night too. We stayed over in Maxixe (masheesh) the toilet barely flushed with added sink water no shower and lots of mosquito’s waiting for us. Maxixe is on a bay across from Inhambane. They ferry people over continually. It was neat to see sailboats in the sunset. We were glad we brought our mosquito nets. We have a problem in this country. We are way too tall for the beds. The nets make this space even smaller and if you're touching you get bit. Poor dear sweet Brundee!!! After all the travel all cramped up he could hardly stretch out and rest. But we did have some delicious pineapples for supper and then off to sleep. It might have been possible IF the whole town didn't party under our window all the night long. Some of the music was so reminiscent of the Ra Ra Voodoo bands of Haiti I spent a lot of the night praying. Next morning we were happy to find all of our things safe on the truck and pushed on to Beira. We passed through more bad roads then actually had some good highway and made good time for awhile. Because it was New Years Eve every village or town we passed through was killing a watusi or a pig. In one place I saw two tiny girls daring each other to touch it. Some of the heads still dangled in the tree where they were butchered next to the skinned carcasses being readied for barbeque. It was quite a village affair. We saw so many fruit markets! All the colors of the fruits and the brightly dressed sellers made it a very pleasing sight. In some places all they had for sale was mangos. I laughed thinking how hard it would be to choose between sellers 20 baskets of identical mangoes from whom and which mangos to buy? Guess you could buy one from each! Bruce bought me a beautiful bunch of ladyfinger bananas and one at the end of the bunch was yellow… So I picked it off and peeled it and then heard an African man say “no it’s green” in perfect English, but I had already bitten and much to my chagrin he was right! It would be 3 more days before we enjoyed the bananas. We all had a good laugh over that one. We ran out of fuel and had to unload tools and fill up with the tanks we brought just in case by then it was almost sundown. Where we stopped I couldn't describe. African huts dotting a rolling landscape of sections of shoulder high green corn with smooth beaten paths between and palms trees at the honey time just before sunset. Finally we arrived in Beira in the dark and the celebrations had already begun. Our friend Miguel found us and took us to a safe quiet hotel right near the beach. And for the first time even at home in Matola we had a quiet sleep. A few fireworks but then quiet. Everything was closed on New Years. So no food no parts! The boys got a lot done at the new church servicing the vehicles. Changing the huge Samil tires then going over the trucks and making the plan and parts list. The Maranatha church here is so nice. The hotel kitchen let us it to make our dinner (lentils and rice) we were thankful. Got up early Sabbath am to go to the Portuguese SDA church just around the corner. My they love to sing. We recognized many of the tunes so sang along. Especially the children liked to listen to our strange words and I would catch them staring and smile and they always smiled back. They had a men’s group, oh my! Could they sing! All most as good as the old accapella. The lesson study in English thankfully was all about the fruits of the spirit and how we can do nothing without Christ. About not just knowing the right things but doing them through Christ. The importance of being connected to the vine. All very thought provoking and in the light of Jesus coming soon and being fit for the master to use to reach the lost. Then church. We happened to be sitting by a door by a room with windows but they closed it while the pastors prayed before coming to the front. We sang and sang and at one point I was so hot I thought I surely was going to pass out. Finally they opened the door… I have never before sat and done nothing and had sweat running down my back. Then they had a dedication of new church workers for the year with thankyous to the ones from last year and all in the front of the church with the Union President giving the ceremony. It was all very important. This church has 700+ members. Then they had the Dorcas woman’s group give a special music first what a blessing to have Jesus in my life. This they sang as they gathered from where they sat all over the church. It was so beautiful. Next a song in their native tongue equally as nice but even harder to understand. The sermon was by their new pastor and 20 minutes long about being like Paul in that all that mattered to him was the gospel of Jesus Christ. From Acts 2 end of chapter. After church we cooled down. Ate raw lentils (story all in itself) and decided at the advice of Miguel to enjoy a walk along the beach. We decided to drive then park and walk. As we drove we felt that we maybe shouldn't go walking. We kept looking for a good place and then got stuck in some soft sand. Bruce and Brundee hurried and put it in 4wd (hubs) as 5 drunk guys saw the opportunity and came running to "help". Bruce finally got it into Low and out we drove with 3 still on the back. While we were on the sand he tried to get them off. No luck! So carefully we drove back towards safer ground and lo a police station complete with policeman bearing AK47. We pull in front of him. The thugs climb down and come to our window bewildered with hands out. Bruce smiled said thanks and we drove away. Quite an experience. I don't care what anyone says about how safe it is here, Beware take care. Everyday we sense God looking out for us in special ways and in the evening our hearts are filled with praise to be safe together… We came back to the hotel and took a 1 block stroll to the beach (forget the lighthouse) and then around the park in our round about. There was a huge tree. Brundee got pictures must be ancient. We were out of water half of Sabbath. But Sunday came at last. Stores don't open till 10:00 on Sunday. Thirsty can't wait. What a let down. The shoprite here is dirty hot and so crowded. But there is water and peanut butter and jam and bread?! Scary! Got a hot plate so we can cook the oats and beans and rice I brought along. So we're in business again. Boys got a lot done today but will be glad when the parts store opens tomorrow. At work there is a huge rubber tree. Makes the best shade ever, can't wait to show you. My Grandma Ella had a rubber plant! (her pride and joy) Every Friday I got dust and wax the leaves then wax the mop and wax the living room floor. I wish she could see this tree. She wouldn't believe it. Well, I’ve rattled on and on and never so much as mentioned what I really am writing for. Thats you back at home. Carrie and Brandtley and my onliest Teagan, my forever and ever Eden and Kailah that gettin big girl grandma loves so much. And Brandon and Mel oh I think of all the fun we had together in Hawaii glad we have those pictures with us. And Brett and Tenae and Valyncie how I wish your mom and dad could come surprise me like they use to at Leoni and I could see for myself all the cool things you can do now. I'm so pleased with you! And Mom so glad you're praying for us and praying with me for our families. We so appreciate the prayers of our friends and neighbors too! We pray for all of you everyday and think of you more often than that. They really needed the guys help here and by God's grace Maranatha built over 352 churches by November last year. We saw many out in the bush along the drive to Beira. At this point in Mozambique we are close to Zambia. And we wish we could go on to Zambezie province and see the Munguluni Mission. Check out the map too as to how close to Malawai we are. Too bad we have to go back to Maputo. On our way home we will stop and see the South African friends the Paul’s in Chomoio and do a little exploring and spend the night then head home from there. Its Brundees B-day tomorrow and I can't do a thing about it. (Sighs........)

Beira

Well we're on our way to Beira. Pray for us!

Rusks

The recipe is:
1kg (4 cups) of farina de trigo confomento (whole wheat flour? I think)
5 copas (cups) fareb (bran)
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
Mix these dry ingredients then add the following mix
500 grams (2 cups) butter
2 copas (cups) brown sugar
500 ml (16 oz) amasi (sour milk)
Bake at 180 degrees Celsius 45 minutes. Cut and then continue drying to toast. Cool and store in airtight container.
Well I did what I had praying all the while cause I didn't want to waste any food. My first try:
4 cups flour
5 cups ground flax seed meal
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
1 cup coconut oil
1 cup agave
2 cups sprouted almond milk (using 1 cup sprouted almonds and water to the 2 cup line)

Lonely

Did the laundry. Exercised. Somehow I'm lonely today. Yesterday Daddy caught the 2 guards? with 2 big bags of mangoes and made them bring them to the house and called Sammy (a Maranatha friend that speaks ok English) and made him tell them that they were not to take the fruit from this place. They tried to split it with Dad but he said no. It just wasn't right. They didn't like it much. Then we are to go overland to Biera and Drew had purchased fuel on David’s request for this trip and had it put in the garage. I was here the day it came and they packed it to the garage. Brundee and Dad both saw it too. Well its gone and now we have to find out where. Sammy was suppose to show up at 8:00 this am to get to the bottom of it, but never showed.
Hey I made a neat recipe called Rusks. I guess when the pioneers settled this area they made it because it didn't spoil in the humid climate and would last a long time.
It turned out and is very delicious. Kind of addicting Brundee said. So we can take it with us on the overland with trail mix and beans and rice and get the fresh stuff along the way. We will be gone for 5 days at least OUT THERE. Should be interesting. I will take some Portuguese bibles with me. Pray that our things here will be safe while we're gone. Drew won't be back for a few more days.

Christmas

Well it’s Christmas and laundry day! That is why the pictures are so glamorous. We had raw coconut pudding for our gourmet specialty for the holiday. It was a job as the pictures will show, most of the work being done by the mighty mango and coconut picker Brundee himself. The coconuts were harvested and washed Christmas Eve. And first thing Christmas morning the work began. We feasted on fresh pineapple and coconut with coconut milk for breakfast. Christmas dinner was fried potatoes with cucumbers and then the pudding! mmMMMmm! Brundee finally got a moment to walk around and take a few pictures of where we live. The picture of the Toyota Land Cruiser with the brown box on top will be our next home on the road. God has been so good to us. We have not been sick and have had such good food to eat, we have been safe on the roads and at work. God's marvelous grace! Enjoy the pictures and hopefully there will be more soon. You mean so much to us and we pray for you each day. Have a wonderful Holiday! Ours was good.

Happy Holidays!!!

Dear Family and Friends,
We've been in Africa since Dec. 4 2009. The trip Portland, D.C. Dakar, Johannesburg, Maputo was crazy and seemingly endless but we finally arrived. And thanks to answered prayers got all of our luggage over the next week. My clothes were the very last to arrive which was a test of my patience. Good thing for the one outfit Bruce got me in the gift shop of the hotel at Joburg.. I wouldn't have had anything to wear to church.
We live in a 50s home built by the Portugese on a lovely grounds with mangoes coconuts tangerines oranges papayas lichi pineapple and pomegranate…What’s on now are coconut and mangoes compliments of Brundee. Maranatha’s guards seem to think it is their job to pick all the fruit they can to take with each day when they go. So one day the tree is hanging full and the next empty. Brundee and I caught on to this and made substantial harvests and today two days before Christmas I put 4 Gallons of mango in the freezer. The first day I went to the local Shop Rite who do you think I saw? Santa Claus. And as I was shopping I listened to strangely familiar Christmas tunes howbeit with Portuguese lyrics and a definite African twist. Its so strange. It doesn’t look or smell or feel like Christmas except for the traffic. If I could tell Santa what I wanted It'd be a washer. It kills to do greasy jeans. And they don't come too clean either.(but a good Speed Queen is ONLY 900 to 1200 US$ here) Anyhow I don't speak his language. Ha! There is so much interesting history here. At one time Maputo was the tourist capitol of Africa. Our first Sabbath afternoon we toured the city a little. There is a grand old park with a house made of metal. It was built by the man who made the Eiffel Tower. Nobody could ever live in it its too hot but its really neat to look at. The park was from the 30s and the plants and ponds terraces and outdoor theatres were something to see. One area with huge pillars was totally covered in a flowering vine whose branches were immense. Someday it may bring the supports down. It was gorgeous. It seemed as though every park bench had a cozy couple on it. Other than the mosquito’s it was a great place for courting and proposing. But the thing I remember the most was the huge flocks of bats. Fruit bats laying low in the trees in the heat of the day. They are in our yard too and when they come out at dusk they are soo noisy. Bruce’s first assignment was to go overland hundreds of kilometers away to fetch 2 Samil trucks. One broken down the other a roll over. What a trip and what adventures he had on the way. Brundee's first job was welding windows and doors for the school addition in Maputo. The shop is in a gated very roomy area with well made buildings and a well. Mango trees here as well. So the workers have worship at 7 am and go to eating mangoes and visiting with each other walking slowly over to get drinks breaking for the free lunch to continue the same. The children stop by to gather the bowls of mangoes dad knocks down for them to take home or to market...until the boss shows up then how the sparks do fly and the area buzzes with activity. When the boss goes home its back to the drag until closing then switcho changeo on go the fancy street clothes. Out come the ipods and people are moving out. Its interesting to observe. And don't set your gloves or safety glasses down for a minute. They won't be there. Bruce is proposing some spread sheets for tool check out to teach the workers accountability. It is a privilege to have a good job. But the best thing is the example of your own life of course. We will be here a couple of months and then moving on to Malawi. We had to go to South Africa for parts and tools and the popup tent for our overland cruiser… It was such a beautiful drive. A man plowing fields with Watusi cattle. The huts and kraals for the animals at night so pretty in the landscape. Then of course the not so pretty tolls, borders, and customs. Out of Mozambique and into South Africa. The scenery really changed to mountains of rocks stacked up jungle growing all over them. There were miles of banana groves. Fruit markets along the Highway and side roads. The rivers were full up. I guess one of the SA sports is taking kayaks down the swollen rivers and over the falls. In Nelspruit were all kinds of stores and a huge mall with the logo Everything In One Place. Too true cinemas food courts groceries any kind of salon spa treatment anything. What drives people world round is love of the world lust of the flesh and the pride of life which can be found anywhere but is really obvious in the cities. In Nelspruit SA Brundee and I had our first experience with?? We were in a parking lot waiting to meet up with dad. Brundee had just gotten back from the restroom. He told me lock the doors arm the car keep the windows up. It was sooo hot so I had them down a little. Well as I said he just got back and someone started jumping on the back of the vehicle and shouting I see something trying to get Brundee to get out of the car. We relocked the doors and rolled up the windows except for the one behind Brundee. He didn’t know I opened it. He honked and shouted heah! And the man ran up to his window yelling to get out so he could show him something wrong with the truck. He saw the open window and could have grabbed him or his backpack. We took like a shot with him running after us with a buddy. We almost hit a car pulling out into the road in our haste to make our escape. We went down a short block and crossed an intersection and parked in a secure parking lot of a store we had been to earlier. Waiting there we watched them try to rob another pickup at the KFC. One guy checked out the parking lot and waved to the other and he came and would have taken stuff but the owner was behind the truck. Bad guys. On the way to the shop we pass by a beautiful garden area. Here is where you find the poor hard working people (who are really the richest happiest). The huts are tiny but spic and span and the gardens immaculate. I forget the name but they are raised rectangles that go on for miles and the people hand water weed and grow all kinds of greens and potatoes and who knows what all. It is beautiful and peaceful in contrast to the city its next to. As for me the first few weeks have been like living in a hostel or flophouse as volunteers are transitioning out of the country to new places. But now it is just us and the office in one corner of the house. The accountant will be back in another week or so from holiday and is moved in temporarily till he moves on to Biera. I asked for the maids to not be underfoot so I can get more settled and have more freedom in the kitchen and so the groceries we buy don’t walk off. It was hard there for awhile. There’s a history for them and I am a big change. Poor people I asked for the wise as serpent harmless as a dove wisdom from God. I came to give of myself and find myself in a peculiar position of being taken from which is different than giving. I do love these people but don't care for their habits. Africa is a beautiful country and I have only seen a drop in the bucket. Can't wait for overland and animals. Pray for us. This is the worst form of malaria in this area. There are real dangers. God has been so good to us. We love and miss you all and pray for you everyday. Jesus is soon to come and we want to do as much good as we can while we can. I never thought we would get a call to Africa. I guess every kid at one time or another wanted to go over the sea and be a missionary in Africa. It’s very far from all that we love most in this world. Hate to miss a minute of our families and those adorable grandaughters but we are excited to be here and help keep the work moving on. Pray that we will make a difference and be a blessing.
Love,
Bruce & Tanya
Brundee

A wish list of sorts

My holiday wish list… I know I am just dreaming!
jean capris
khaki capris
black capris
Dads flip flops
4 big bottles of yummy shampoo
hand sanitizer
Ziplocks gals, quarts, pints
earth science natural lichen deoderant(me) mine broke and fell apart in the dirty
natural misquito repel (someone said citronella ?
a package of scrubber sponges
20 flour sack (fast drying) towels
nail buffer 4 sided
3 Emergen-C lemon lime
disposable gloves
hair bands loved the one I had stayed put (broken now)
music cds old acapella, cadets, 2 piano hymns 1 bluegrass(my house)
waffler iron
Pam cooking spray
Pampered chef citrus juicer on porch and garlic press
chop and go from Pampered chef
my tiny food processor
mosquito tents for over king bed 2 the nets here have insect rep in them makes you ill
6 flat sheets, 3 comforters, 3 duvets, 3 pillows and 6 slips
pictures, egw, bible, concordance
psyllium husk
agave
maple syrup (dad)
cinnamon, ginger, clove
medjool dates
organic corn chips crushed and bagged
graham crackers crushed and bagged ( recipe for crust)
recipe for almond coconut crumble
tortilla press and recipe for flour and corn tortillas
spelt, wheat
2 picodagillo 2 chili con limon
more liquid limes
olives chopped
2 enchilada sauce
6 pizza sauce
tomato sauce and roasted garlic paste (Contadina I think)
plastic jug green and red sauce
Rawvolution bars
lara bars
barley green
barley green cleanse
freeze dried beans and soups
freeze dried strawberries pineapple cherries and blueberries, fruit salad, tropical and raisins
freeze dried fruit powders any flavors
last but not least a couple miracle bras....... if that’s not toooooooo much to ask.......
I know, I think its hopeless!
Well that is just a few things…ha ha smurk laugh ha ha smurk laugh snort! It was a blast just writing it all down!