I'm In Seattle

I found a great way to meet chicks in airports. Practice juggling. They will flock to you. Unfortunately, all these women will be around the age of 35 and ask you if you do birthday parties for their kids.

If the title wasn't a giveaway, I've made it through the long trek back to Seattle. The three months I had in Mozambique flew by incredibly fast, and it definitely sucks to have left. The kids left a huge impression me and they will in no way be forgotten nor will it be the last time that I see them, that's for sure. The last day I was there it felt like somebody had died. The whole day folks were just kind of moping around and shuffling their feet when they walked. And then leaving, I think Christina described it best by saying my final day in Nampula was like a "sad wedding". My mom said it sounded more like a funeral as I felt like the head of a reception line to everybody paying their last respects.

While it does suck to have left Mozambique, I'm trying to focus on the positives. I had a hot shower last night that was pretty dang sweet. I'm able to do some hard core brainstorming and planning for the orphanage uninterrupted.

It is very hard to sum up a take-away from my experience, or to boil it down to answer something like "So, what was it like?" or even "what was the best part?" because there were so many different experiences that it is hard to boil it down to just a snapshot. The best snapshot I can give you is that it was absolutely amazing and the best part was knowing in full confidence that for the whole time I was loving the kids and serving Jesus.

After a gruelling 2 days (or one, or three, time changes are confusing) I'm managed to make it all 13,000 miles from Nampula back to Seattle with only 1 complication. Good for me because I've had my fair share of excitement this trip, but bad for you because it means crappy story telling. The only complication I had ranks in at a B3 on my new Werle-Bungle Scale. So far it goes from 0 to 9. Here's a summary of the Werle-Bungle Scale:

B0: No problems

B1: Broken Shoelace

B2: Overly aggressive haggling from venders/shopkeepers

B3: Any thing involving police

B4: Vehicles breaking down

B5: Tornadoes bearing down on my house

B6: Stuff involving police to a greater degree of stupidity

B7: Snakes, electrocution, witch doctors, etc.

B8: Malawi

B9: Loss of water for extended periods of time

When I got to Johannesburg for my connection flight to Paris, I asked a guide/porter for directions to my terminal to check in. He starts to grab my bags. I hang on to them and am VERY adamant that I only want directions, I do not want him to carry anything. He says, that's not a problem and he can take them. I say very explicitly that I have to U$D, no Euros, to Rand (South Africa), and only Meticais (Mozambique). He tells me that he does not need to be paid, he only wants to help.

After five minutes we make it to the terminal, he hands me my bags and says, "And now something for a tip..."

I replied, "You want a tip, then listen next time when I tell you I have no money and don't want help." He left looking offended and confused only to return 30 seconds later with a policeman. The policeman inquires of me, "This man says you refused to pay him for his services."

After I told the police officer what transpired, word-for-word, I asked him very politely (read: with a heavy mocking tone directed towards the porter) what the problem was the policeman turned and started scolding the porter in some language I didn't understand. He then told me that he was sorry for the confusion and I could be on my way.

And this is a totally unpaid plug, but Air France will feed you like its freakin Thanksgiving dinner and I highly recommend them for all your intercontinental travel needs.

So what now? There is still more to tell! Stay tuned for continued updates on what life in Mozambique was like and a little bit better look at just what exactly going on on the other side of the world. Warning: what you read may shock you! ...ok... Not really, but thats about the most exciting teaser I could come up with. We'll hit topics like fashion, education, kids stories, the orphanage itself, and much more.

After I run out of ideas for updates I'll probably make things up for 4 or 5 posts. Be sure to keep tuning in to read about the time Neil Armstrong came to visit, or the day I helped deliver triplets, or when I protected the orphanage from child abductors, or when beat up a drunk guy (teaser: one and a half of those things is true).

And as the updates are rolling in, you can also find out about the ever exciting live in the city of Seattle and what I'll be up to next.

I want to especially thank everybody that helped out during my time at the orphanage. After getting travel costs paid for, we were able to fundraise $1500 for the kids there (it goes a looooong way, I promise). And everybody that was thinking of me and praying for me I need to thank you equally as much. There was a lot of crazy stuff that happened, and I know that Jesus was definitely looking out for me during my time there. For everybody that sent me emails or sent phone calls to my parents to say you were praying for me it was appreciated so much more than you know.

And while I'm back in Seattle, you can always check for updates on what is going on at the orphanage on Victor and Christina's blog (link on the left).