Dec. 17th

We have been given access to a microwave through the back door of the restaurant kitchen so that we can heat items for breakfast. This morning it is locked – so my breakfast is wet oatmeal and granola. It is amazing that adding some honey just makes it all okay.

As I scarf down breakfast I will journal some. The children in the room next door are dancing to American Hip Hop music – being half way across the planet does not make this music more tolerable for me. There is a strong breeze today and I am thankful Ernesto is late because my stuff is scattered everywhere ! I’m normally “spot on” ready but today my routine went astray and instead of getting organized I’m journalling !!

Cassava root and leaves are drying on a table in front of my window here in the motel room. It looks pretty suspicious but no one has questioned me about them. I am preparing them to crush and put into the soap we are to make. If I see Ofalia today I will give her the first soap book to begin reading about the “how to” then I will walk her through it. I am praying that Ernesto will be in agreement with this as I have chosen her to teach the women when I am gone.

By the time Ernesto got here I was ready and the oatmeal was fuel for the day, uncooked or not, my body needs it here !

Our day started off as normal, choir practice then we split off into our classes today I took the newly formed Art Class. Lorraine has interviewed all of the children to see where the “artists” are – there are many talented children here. There are about 13 in the Art class – I took them to Manuel’s yard under the shade tree and they all had free time to draw something from his yard. I did not have an interpreter with me so I spent my time handing out the 1 eraser and 1 sharpener they had to share. Richard was having piano class with his students and Lorraine started teaching dance and mime to the teenagers.

When Ofalia arrived to interpret I sent my art students to join Lorraine’s dance class, Richard continued music lessons and I took the women to Manuel’s yard and gave them my testimony. It was a continuation of the sermon I preached yesterday. I surprised myself by saying that I had built a wall and the Lord had to destroy it to rebuild me. I did not realize that about myself but it is true. When I finished speaking to them they spent much time in a conversation amongst themselves and then Ofalia interpreted to me that they appreciated me telling them my struggles because they did not realize that a white woman could suffer as some of them had suffered. It was good for them to know that in America everything is not perfect. The country of Nigeria (North of Mozambique) has a saying about America……

“It is God’s own country.”

Many people believe this here. They think that everything is perfect in America. Our pop culture floods their streets and the youth all have cell phones and dress as close to Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus as they can. They are listening to English words most of them do not even understand !! It is sad that they have such a distorted view.

Lorraine has given the women many teachings about her past and how she overcame such obstacles. She is the youngest child of her mother and the only one still living. She grew up in Detroit Michigan and her life was not easy at all. Today she came to the women’s class at the end to teach more on overcoming obstacles and choosing life and facing their lion, bear and giant !!!

At the end of this day Ernesto prayed for us as we are going to the beach for the day tomorrow. As he prayed I was reminded of the Old Testament teachings – he prays like an prophet of the Old Testament. His words are so meaningful and reverent that I don’t think God could ever refuse a request from him. I have never heard someone pray with such sincere conviction.

Sylvia