Prayer Requests Jan 2012

Here's a quick rundown of prayer requests for this week. So you know what's going on with on and how we could use prayer.

In short, people are sick. People are pretty much sick here a lot. I think just statistically having over 40 kids, somebody is always going to be sick. But also, just with the lifestyle in general here people tend to get sick.

==> Right now we have three kids with malaria just because it's that time of year. The rain has come (finally) and there's more standing water around and these things happen. Usually they get stuck with a fever for a day or two and then the medicine kicks in and they're back on their feet in a week. It's still not very much fun, as routine as it is. (Average Mozambican gets it nearly two times a year).

==> Times when malaria can be really dangerous---when it's caught early and treated it's not dangerous unless you're really young or really old--- is when a normal case turns into cerebral malaria. That's the case for Pedro, a staff worker in the office, right now. You need to undergo an aggressive treatment and be under supervision of doctors/nurses and lots of rest. It also means that our office work has ground to a halt. Unfortunately for us as well as him, cerebral malaria is affecting the part of his brain that controls speech, so when we talk or try to ask questions what comes out is blabber and non-sense. It's a really scary disease and he can use a lot of prayer.

==> I'm sick and had a bad stomach ache for the last two days. I've just become accustomed to the fact that from time to time everybody's stomach gets out of joint here. I told the kids and they just kind of shrugged and said, "Yep, you're probably due for one."

More Kids Out and On Their Way

Having mentioned earlier in the week about a few of the kids that have left/graduated/moved on, I thought it be good timing to mention the most recent kids that have gone on their way. They are all going off to pursue extra-curricular studies a.k.a. vocations. In Nampula, that is a surer way to get work than earning a degree from a university (or even diploma from high school).

Their responses to the questions are in italics.

ISATY

Isaty is a very hard worker and very adept at learning with his hands. He wants to do a year long course in auto-mechanics. We basically told him him that we have full confidence that any skill he puts he hands to he is dedicated enough to learn it and master it.

Age: 18, came to the orphanage at 10 years old and in 2nd grade.

What will you be studying? Why? General mechanics because it is a service oriented job and I don't quite have the skills to do something academic.

What do you hope at the end of 2 years to be able to say? I want to be in Nampula and be close to my family. I want a job at a respected garage, not just as a call-for-hire mechanic.

What are your favorite things to do (at the orphanage)? What will you miss? Miss my brothers that are here and for everyone else as well as the work and projects that we do around here.

How would you like us to pray for you? For me to understand the subjects and stay healthy, as well as for my relations with my classmates and instructors.

ZAQUEIO

You might recall from this time last year about we mentioned Zaqueio in a group of kids that didn't leave. We had wanted to sent him to a trade school in Beira, but shortly before January rolled around he came down with a mysterious stomach illness that saw him do at least three stays in the hospital and the doctors were contemplating surgery. Because of that, he stayed around waiting the start of the next school year (Jan).

He is one of the best kids we've ever had. It kind and considerate to a fault, and takes initiative in helping others and with the maintenence and construction projects here.

Age: 22. Came to the orphanage at 15years old and in and 3rd grade.

What will you be studying? Why? Electricity. Its something that I like to to and enjoy doing it when we have work around the house. Its a trade that I picked up a while ago. I like getting shocked, it'll help me live longer.

What do you hope at the end of 2 years to be able to say? Its hard to say. I'd like to be back here in Nampula but it depends on the work and what jobs there are. I don't give much thought to other things like houses or motorcycles.

What are your favorite things to do (at the orphanage)? What will you miss? I'm gonna miss everybody, and especially all the work and things that come up for me. I like to work and I'm going to miss doing jobs around here.

How would you like us to pray for you? Mostly for my studies, and also for my health. Also, when I look at my life, I see this sickness that hit me last year. It hasn't returned, but it is in the back of my mind nevertheless. I want to thank you because, since that time when I thought I was leaving it has been a time of tension for me personally and I thank you fo the people that have prayed and prayed especially for me.

GABRIEL

Gabriel as well was about to leave last year to trade school. Unfortunately, he was only weeks shy from getting his drivers license (a big deal here) and couldn't finish in time to go. Now he has his drivers license and worked on on off as a professional driver during the year. Gabriel will be missed by all as he is extremely caring and helpful and looks after all the other kids here. He is going with the other to a trade school in Beira.

As Gabriel was preparing to leave, he was being very quiet and avoiding everybody. At first we thought it is because he's naturally shy. Later, we discovered it was because he was trying to remain hidden from the rest of the boys. You see, on their soccer team, Gabriel is the unofficial coach. He's also the unofficial treasurer, so all the money the boys win from barnstorrming and waging on their games stays with him. It wasn't till he was about to leave for the bus station that someone remembered he had all the soccer money and they hunted him down to get it. It was a pretty amusing sight.

Age: 22. Came to us at 14years and in 6th grade.

What will you be studying? Why? Auto-mechanics, but possible electricity also. They are jobs that I would be happy doing and can see myself doing for a living. Also, will help with my commercial drivers license.

What do you hope at the end of 2 years to be able to say? I want to have work, and want to be using what I learned and not having to work a job in the streets.

What are your favorite things to do (at the orphanage)? What will you miss? Goofing around with others, and my friendships because I've been here as while have many great friends. I'm gonna miss playing soccer too.

How would you like us to pray for you? This last year kind of felt like I was wandering. Since I lost the chance to go last year I have been confused and doubting. Pray that I would find a home in this schooling. Also, pray that this would open up tremendous opportunities for me, much more than I can imagine now. Also, for friendships that I will be making there to be constructive and real. Simply, though, I just want to say thank you. I don't have sufficient words. Also to thank our family here who have passed these years with me.

GIZELA

Gizela has been one of the girls in charge of taking care of Dorca the last severaal years. She has also been very intentful with reaching out and reconciling with her family. She has a younger brother who lives on the other end of town that is being raised in a muslim home. She is very active in inviting him to our church and talking to him about Jesus.

Age: 17. Entered the orphanage at at 10 and never having attended school. Her mother simply refused to enroll her.

What will you be studying? Why? In Beira I will be taking a culinary program and maybe also beauty school if it fits my schedule. Beauty because I like it a lot and culinary because its a fun skill and if I can use it to work.

What do you hope at the end of 2 years to be able to say? I want a lot of money, want a chance to live in and visit other countries, want to have my own house and a good husband. I'm joking in all that, but in the least I want a job and a chance to help other people that don't have anything, like I did.

What are your favorite things to do (at the orphanage)? What will you miss? I'll miss playing in the band. Also, gonna miss all the other girls here a lot.

But not the boys? Ummm.... hahaha maybe I'll miss them too 

How would you like us to pray for you? I want to pray for success, for God to open doors for me to be able to make it. Pray for me to always remember and follow God and remember my family here in the orphanage.

This is going on the internet, so anything else you want to say? I only have thanks. Especially for Victor and the people that have raised me and protected me here at the orphanage. Also, thanks to the missionaries and cooks and people working here, to continue with joy and faith and for God to keep helping you. I know you all get tired a lot, but you do it because you love us. Also, to the people that help us a pray for us and support us, I have this life and this chance because of you, so thanks.

ALBERTINO

Albertino (the devious looking one on the right, standing next to our office worker, Pedro) is not a kid here. He's far to old (23) to be admitted to an orphanage. But he, like many people have needs. He lives down the hill from us with his brother.

They both work for us in some capacity. His brother works in the construction. As for Albertinho, he started coming by asking for work or jobs or things to do. Eventually, because jobs don't exist in Nampula, we notice that he too is an honest man of good character (all though still very goofy and immature at times) and because of all the help that he was giving us we started helping him out with food and clothing. He has a seventh grade education and a great work ethic and was a good influence being around the kids in this respect. Him being here the last 6 months though was primarily a chance for us to minister to him, take him to church, and influence his attitudes towards women and sex and marriage. (How a man can afford three girlfriends when he himself doesn't have a job I'll never know.)

The kids also know him as not just Albertino, but also Vieira. The first month working here he wore his only shirt, a soccer jersey with the name "Vieira" on the back. Because nobody bothered to ask what his name was he became known as that.

We are helping him out by sending Albertino to Beira with the others in order to learn a vocation. He was still undecided between electricity, culinary, or refrigeration and air conditioning. He'll be picking this week.

REGINA

Hopefully you all remember Regina. Last year she finished teacher's training and, since funding was scaled back, she along with many of her classmates were not placed in schools. (Here, you get placed into a job for teaching. There is no competitive hiring/selection process). This last year, she continued in school and finished twelfth grade. (Remember, after grade 10 you can get certified as a primary school teacher, which she did). This December after the school year finished she found out she got placed in a teaching job, finally.

Regina is heading out to the district of Angoche over on the coast. She is living in a community on the beach, but is about 40km (24miles) from the main town/electricity/roads/doctor. It is is the bush for sure. As she put it, she came from the bush and is returning to the bush, so it's nothing new for her.

Regina was in the first group of kids to come to the orphanage after every relative she was sent to live with ended up dying. Here brother Lazaro is also from the orphanage and is starting his second year of university.

I didn't get time do an interview like the rest of the kids, she has been busy the last month going back and forth moving stuff and taking care of paperwook at her new school. She's about a three hours away straight by car but transportation in the bush can be tricky sometimes. In spite of not having a lot of time, she did ask for prayer for three things in particular.

1) She is alone where she's going. There is only one person she knows, and he's a classmate of hers. 2) Living is harder out there and she knows it. Hopefully after several years she will have seniority to transfer back to Nampula or the district her family is originally from. 3) It is also a different culture, one that is not so welcoming to newcomers. It is heavily populated with muslims where she is going. She wants to find a good church and good community of friends to help with this transition.

Have a Coke and a Frown

If this country were to ever revolt and overthrow the gov't, I would completely understand. You see, here in Mozambique, we don't have stock tickers and 401k's and 18 month t-bonds and Standard and Poor ratings to gauge our economic strength, we have prices. Prices are so fixed on a vast majority of goods that when they are raised it usually makes the national news for days at a time. In 2010, the gov't attempted to raise the price of bread. It would have made a hoagie-sized loaf go from 5 mets to 7.5 mets. The city responded with four days of rioting. People died and the gov't nixed the price hike.

Here in Nampula, on January 1st the price of a bus ride across town went from 5 mets to 10 mets. IT DOUBLED! The effect, lots of angry people pleading to ride for only 5 mets and in about 8 trips this year, not once have I been on a full bus. This is vastly different from before when I don't think I ever rode on an empty bus. Ridership is way down.

But that I could deal with. For me, it is the difference in paying 20 cents or 40 cents for a bus ride. The thing I could not put up with is my coca-cola.

I love coke, and I'm so glad that it's the only thing available here (and Fanta orange). There are only two choices for pop here. It's incredible simple. Coke or Fanta. And a year ago at this time, a case of 24 bottles of coke (trading in your old bottles) cost me 180 mets.

This price increased little by little until coke plaster official signs and billboards across the country saying the official price is 205 mets. I was fine with that, actually. It was an increase, but a standard one. And then everybody knew the price was always the same because it was plastered all over the city.

Then last week I went to buy a couple cases of coke for the kids. To my surprise, a case of coke now costs 250 mets. For those of you keeping track at home, thats just shy of $10. After being steady for about six months, the price of coke just jumped by 22%. It also means that in a year's time, coke has increased by almost 40%. And, just to rub it in the nose of doubters like me, the new price is actually printed on the bottle cap. It adds insult to my already injured wallet.

Not that this is really hurting my wallet, because I don't often buy coke, and I can always not buy coke, this could start hurting my wallet. So now when you read the news about the coca-cola riots in Mozambique and don't hear anything on this site for a week or two, I hope you'll be smart enough to figure out where I am.

In Which the Kids Give Back

I can't really call them kids, because they're men now, but yesterday we got treated to something special thanks to these two.

Last year at this time we sent these two kids (along with about three others, all from the orphanage) down to Young Africa Vocational School in Beira, south of us.

Carlitos (left) had finished 12^th grade and Felex finished 11th. They both did six-month courses; Carlitos in accounting, and Felex in refrigeration and air conditioning. We helped them find internships up in Nampula which they performed for three months and at of the start of November each got hired as full-time, salaried workers in the same places they interned.

You don't know how much of a blessing it is for them to have paying, SALARIED jobs, especially Felix, who for AC repair is typically work only when someone calls you to do a repair job. Instead, he's out working at a chicken farm and slaughterhouse, making sure the fans keep the coupes cool and the fridges keep the slaughtered chickens frozen until shipping.

They still come by after church almost every Sunday and to visit, get in a game of soccer, and have dinner with us most weeks. After all, they're still family and we miss them. Its also great for the other kids to see great examples like these two, both of whom studied hard, have a great work ethic. Its also a blessing for them to be making money.

And as a way sharing that blessing with us, they decided to throw together a special meal yesterday. And by throw together, I mean planned for weeks and did it in style.

You see, whenever I want to do a special meal for the kids, I usually wait until a day when we're going to eat chicken anyways, buy a couple extra birds so everybody gets a good piece, buy a round of coca-cola, and top it off with some potatoes for making french fries. I cheat.

These guys went all out, and it was the kind of meal that we could tell they had been thinking of and planned as saved for several month to be able to put it together. They bought EVERYTHING. They went out and bought 15 chickens, they bought an extra 20 pounds of rice, oil, salt, seasonings, garlic, 40 pounds of potatoes, lettuce peppers onions and tomatoes for making a salad, and (accidentally) enough pops left over for another meal. They didn't do anything half-way. They even got a guy from church that has a car to help out and drive the stuff to the orphanage so we wouldn't be bothered (though I'd have been happy to take them if they asked).

Everybody pitched in with the preparation and cooking and that night we ate GREAT. Everybody was stuffed and the older kids that all helped with the cooking get an “A” for effort and an “A+++” for execution. It was the tastiest meal I've had here in long time.

Before the meal they got to say a little thank you to us (that I am passing on to you, my readers) for all the prayers and letters of encouragement this last year in their training, interning, and working. As they put it, it was a chance to say thanks, share the blessing, and to let us know they won't soon forget the help they received and the family they left.

In Which We Talk On Phones

Communication happens at the speed of technology. (I should totally trademark that as a slogan.) Throughout history, technology has taken various forms: letters, telegraph, fax, email, whatever they're going to be using tomorrow. Maybe after the coming war with China we'll be reduced to sending messages by falcons.

Modern communication takes place, essentially, instantly. That's part of why they call it “modern”. You call somebody and can talk in real time. You can play video games and pretend to kill the Russians in Call of Duty and actually be playing against real Russians trying to kill the Americans. You can sit in the same room as somebody else and text back and forth instantly, and repeatedly, instead of walking over and actually talking to them. (Oooh that's right, 14 year-old girl demographic. You just got burned. I still love y'all, though.)

In Mozambique, communication happens at a different pace. Yes, there are cell phones galore here. No, it is not stapling a message onto a zebra and sending into the neighboring village. Infrastructure in Nampula largely skipped over installing land lines and just went straight to cellphones. That's actually pretty common in most of the third-world. Still, just because people carry cellphones doesn't mean they work. Also pretty common in most of the third-world.

The phones themselves, Chinese and hastily put together, have a short shelf life if any at all. It's not uncommon for people to buy phones and a month or three later have them stop working. But finding a good phone isn't the only difficulty you'll encounter if you want to talk here in Nampula.

The other difficulty is the networks. There are just two of them here, so there's not a lot of options for service. Reliability is non-existent for being able to send/receive calls as well as text messages. The trouble is there exists a paradox in how people view the reliability of the network. Even when the signal is strong and your meter is full of bars, you are no more likely to get service. Often times with a weaker signal the call goes without any problems. Lets throw some examples from just the last seven days.

Calls: Really, to be honest, they just don't go through all the time. When they don't go through phone will just ring and ring as if nobody is picking up, but in reality it can't find the other phone. Other times when you try to place a call it just goes dead and flashes a warning that network is not responding. Even though you have full bars there is no network. And yesterday, twice, I was sitting when my phone beeped and alerted me I missed a call. The call supposedly came five minutes earlier but my phone never rang. Than later in the day my phone beeped to tell me I missed a call. The only confusing part was it said the call came two days ago. I believe it.

Texts: Here, we call them messages, and they have a much higher chance of going through into the network. They also have a much higher chance of never making it to the recipient and getting stuck inside the network. Several days ago some visitors came by late in the afternoon to check out the orphanage. While we were talking my phone rang receiving a text. It was a message from these visitors, sent that morning, saying they were going to arrive at 3:30. I got the message after they had already been there for an hour. Later, I was in a staff meeting with Victor and Marta here. Then I got a text from Victor saying the meeting was going to start. “Pretty quick message, got here only a few minutes late,” I said to the others. Then Victor read the message and assured me that it was not a quick one. He sent it for the meeting that took place the day before.

Text are sometimes so notoriously slow that, after the events of the last week, I've started putting my own time-stamp on them. My time says when I sent it and differs from the one in the phone that says when it was received. This saves on the confusion when I get a text telling me to go somewhere in the truck to meet somebody, only to find out I'm three hours late.

And that is what its like to use a phone in Mozambique: Slow, spotty, inconsistent, unreliable. You may all now commence your AT&T and iPhone tethering complaints in the comments section below.