The Sparrows at Matola

We have arrived in Maputo!

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On to Maputo

We're packing our essentials to get ready to leave at 10 for Mozambique.

Saturday and Sunday and we had up to 19 learners For our workshop on vicarious traumatization. People representing orphanages, churches , outreach ministries, and so on. Aside from the teaching, lots of great networking and encouragement took place. A lot of people saw more clearly the need for self care and community.

The main challenge for the day will be crossing the border into Mozambique. There are lots of "unofficial" border guards who like to rummage thru your luggage and vehicle. Pray for safety please.

We will likely be without internet for 2 to 3 days. I will blog soon as I'm able.
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At the end of the day

What a day we have had today! I am beyond tired but my heart is full. We had 29 learners for our course on resilience, again mostly the same young adults that hung out with us yesterday. We started with one of those spontaneous moments where I asked the group what the best SiSwati word for resilience was. This led to a great roar of conversations, laughter and arguments until they arrived at "kuvuselela" "bouncing back". So today we taught on kuvuselela!

So many of the folks were stars in the workshop-
Duncan and his humour and ability to lead the group. Khumela 6ft4 with his all expressive arms and legs with more than a dash of drama, all applied to the content and spirit of the workshop. Sue with her spritely wisdom. Bubu with his enthusiasm and mildly goofy presentation. Phinda, a quiet 19 year old who is intent on becoming a psychiatrist. He gave bright and insightful answers and reflections. He also has incredible balance and grace in some of the movement exercises we did for grounding. Enoch is one of youth leaders who lives at Litsemba. He has both humour and depth, often serving as translator when English and SiSwati were having a clumsy dance with each other. I could go on and on. I will miss these young adults.

Saturday and Sunday Sandra and I are teaching here at Betor House on boundaries, resilience and vicarious traumatisation. Yay! No bumpy bakkie rides for two days.

Our next adventure after that is to drive out to Mozambique to teach and serve at a ministry for women in prostitution. I'm glad to be going as a team. This is new territory for both of us.

Full schedule. God is good. Time to go sleep.

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Daantjie days

We're just beginning the third of four days at Litsemba Center in the township of Daantjie Northeast of Nelspruit. The past two days were spent helping at the first-ever health clinic run out of the center. In the first day we saw 19 children. The second day We saw 30 children and and 11 adults. It would be probably larger today. As the word gets out.

Its now the end if the day. We taught 35 to 40 people in the morning on Motivational Interviewing and 29 in the afternoon on helping people who are suicidal. The largest group were SiSwati youth leaders in the schools. There were a few older adults as well. Most of the folks got something out of the sessions. And a few were brilliant. And only a couple played on their cellphones...

Anna the physicians assistant was kept busy all day seeing children. The first two days I helped her with dispensing meds, consulting with some, and praying with folks.

Tomorrow Sandra and I teach on resilience.

Please pray for our energy, my infected thumb and continued team unity (which has been good so far).

Thanks!
Stew
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The most beautiful gas station washroom in the world

We have arrived in Nelspruit. We have a simple comfy room at Betor House. We have had a lovely day of hanging out with our team. And some great reunions including dinner with everyone at our friend Heather Stephens' home.

And wifi internet here at Betor!

On the way here we stopped at a large petrol station restaurant. We were warned by our Afrikaan copassenger to bring our cameras.

So there we are standing at the urinals. (I know TMI!) in front us is this glass wall looking out on this scene. Hope this photo shows up. Cape buffalo and rhinos grazing in the lowveld.

Now, you may be wondering (especially you Joanne Hatherly intrepid investigative reporter)- did I actually take the picture while peeing? Well no, that would be um... Indiscreet. I'm also not that coordinated. It was taken from the restaurant patio. I did however comment while relieving myself that I have never seen such beauty while peeing in my life. There was an awkward Afikaans chortle from the man at the next trough. I think he was Afrikaaner because I of course did not look.

Prayer please. This is 0430 and I have been awake since 0100. (can you tell?) it is a rather peaceful insomnia but there is a long day ahead. I also have a cut on my left thumb that has become infected and sore. Thanks.
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safe and sound in johannesburg

We are here! Nestled in for the night at the Protea O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel. A little stiff from being crammed into three different aircraft over fifteen hours. Thankfully we had the chance for exercise between flights. Have you ever seen the Dulles International Airport in Washington DC? We are thankful for the shuttle bus to another terminal and then a train to the third terminal and ALL the walking within these terminals, happily decorated with frequent Starbucks in case your strength should fail.

We are just here for the night to rest before catching the Citibus to Nelspruit tomorrow. We have met Susan and Anna who are on the team wth us and are staying at the hotel as well. in spite of very tired brains we had a good conversation and a very lovely meal. I will definitely stay at this hotel next time.

Now to Skype home and then sleepy by.