to catch you up on my days!

Sorry I have not written in a couple days! I will try to catch you up on what I have been doing though.
A small overview:
Saturday we were asked to do leadership training. We were also asked to split up the group and travel to two different churchs. So Kristin and I went to a church in the Maputo district and we were pretty nervous because we had no clue what to expect and how we were supposed to train youth leaders. We rode with president of the Seminary, Margarita. On the way there she relieved our nervousness because she told us that she was leading it. It was definitely an adventure getting to the church because the rodes were very small and her truck was not the easiest to maneuver. We were 30 minutes late to the church (which is common in African time) but we were only late because we could not get down the streets easily because they were so small. It was definitely a memory. When we got there Kristin and I introduced ourselves to the group while Margarita interpreted and then we were done. Haha We sat and listened to leadership training for 3 hours. After we left we were relieved that we didn't have to take charge of that, but also at the same time we were wondering what the purpose of us being there was. I started praying about it and I read a devotional and it was talking about God's plans. It definitely hit the spot. It was talking about how His plans are infinitely bigger than our own and if we allow him to have control then he will work in us and through us. Even though I may not make a huge impact here, but I know that God is working in me if anything.

Sunday: We went to church in a hut! Before church began we went to Sunday school outside under a tree (the flies loved us.) The Sunday school was really interesting because they would read scriptures about people being persecuted and then they would ask, "How would the Christians in America react to this?" We would sit there as Dave translated and then would answer the question the best way possible. They would look at eachother as if it was not the correct answer and then question us more. It is hard for them to understand our answers because our cultures are so very different. It was a bit challenging because people sometimes think that Americans have all the answers, and that is definitely not the case. They really want to know about our culture and how we do things. After SS we went to the hut for church. It was this small hut that ended up holding about ninety people for three hours. It was definitely an experience. The whole service was in Shangaan (a native language here) so we didn't understand one word of the service, but it's so good to see people that are so different than us on the outside, worshiping the same God. Sunday was also "Mother's Day" at this church. Mother's day is just on whichever day each church feels like having it here... so it was yesterday! The Mom's all marched in with a dance they all do here... and did a drama as well. It was so fun and I was trying to imagine Moms in thes States doing the same thing. We were so hot and ready to leave by the 3rd hour, but it was good! We're still adjusting to the length of the services here in Mozambique! After church we went back to the Restrick's and ate a great meal of roast, gravy, mashed potatoes, cauliflower and cheese, mixed veggies, and popovers. It was so good, and reminded me a little of home! After this great meal, Dave took the four of us to the beach!! Which turned out to be only about 15 minutes away! It's amazing that it's only fifteen minutes from here, because it's more rich and touristy. The Indian Ocean was beautiful. It was a very strange feeling to think we had our feet off the tip of Mozambique, into the Indian Ocean.fter walking the beach, we went to this park-like area to get an icecream cone! It was such a nice treat. Also, we were not the minoritites there. It was nice to not be stared at for once.

Yesterday We are making blankets for an orphanage that a man recently started here (we visited it earlier). It's a place that 'street children' are allowed to come and live. They have many needs, but one need is simply bedding... so Rhoda has gotten out all her spare fabric and batting and we're going to sew away! We're hoping to take these blankets on Saturday and show the Jesus film for children that night as well! This project should keep us busy until Thursday.... then we begin to paint a church!

Today: We made cookies for some of the students here and it was really fun to see their faces when we gave them some. We are also still working on the blankets and books Rhoda left.

Anyways that is all for now. I am missing home but I am also enjoying my time here and the people.
Hope you all are having a great week!
Kaylee


There are many different things that we have experienced. One of these is the driving. There is no rules here in Maputo about driving and it is a bit scary. They also are the most bumpy roads, and there are no lines so it makes things interesting. Along the roads there are countless children with bare feet playing, almost every woman has a baby on her back and a huge container of some sort balancing on her head. Dirt covers everything and makes up the "roads" here. There are always goats along the roads and many dogs too. There are numerous pick up trucks, which have probably around 25 people loaded in the backs of them.. I am thankful we haven't had to take part in that yet! I pray so much when we are riding along but thankfully Dave is a very safe driver. There is a continuous smell of burning trash because the city sets there trash on fire at a huge dump. The smell is especially bad in the mornings. I do miss nature because we don't see it much at all. We have seen some green fields when we have travelled to the different churches but that is about it. We will see more of the bush when we go to Kruger and Swaziland next month (which I am super excited about.) People are all so free here and not ashamed of anything. For instance. when we went to see the Indian Ocean we saw a lady bathing. It was interesting to say the least. Nobody is ashamed of what they have, or what they don't, but they only want to share with you. That is really refreshing.