Sorry for the Delay!

Hello All, sorry that I’ve delayed writing – it takes time to reach any of the internet cafes and time is sometimes something we do not have. All shops close from 12 – 2 , the hottest part of the day, and our classes usually extend until 330, sometimes beyond. We, women especially, should not be out of the base after dark and definitely not alone! So, as the nearest internet (available at the moment) is a 10 min walk, I haven’t been there until now. I have been to the beach three times though – it is just across the road and is gorgeous. Whenever we visit the beach the village children (those who do note live on the base but come visit everyday) tag along, hanging onto your arms and asking your name – I’ve had t learn basic Portuguese very quickly. What else can I tell you? When I arrived I sprayed my mattress, mozzie net and bedding with an insecticide called permethrin (harmless to humans). I have had three nights alone in the house I live in which is now filled with 8 people and there is still room for two more – the toilet didn’t work and the water stopped running the day after I arrived but it is back up now. UFriday I tried eating with my hands for the first time and enjoyed the food more that way!! It is very hot food though and burns your fingertips unless you let it cool down a bit ( and I use hand sanitizer first).
Almost everyone is here now (all 150 of us) from all over the world – South America, USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Iceland, Netherlands, Africa, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. After spending the first two days with about 17 people, it has been a bit overwhelming. Funny, as I sat writing what I wanted to say on my porch I was being paranoid about mosquitos, though I can’t say that I’ve seen a single one since my arrival. I am wearing DEET right now and I’m sure my parents will be glad to hear that I haven’t missed an anti-malarial pill yet=).
The sun rises at 5 AM, which means that at 505 you have birds chirping, dogs barking and a kid playing the harmonica. Earplugs are my closest ally in the night.
Nothing is as difficult as I expected except maybe the bathrooms! – they don’t clean up too well and the shower leaks everywhere (we also get poisonous frogs in our drain) – water on the floor turns the fine red African dust to mud. The houses have tiled floors and the windows, though glassless, are covered with screening and bars and curtains. I spent the first few days helping the staff set up, we sewed mozzie nets with holes, moved boxes of bottled water, and lawnchairs. I also helped serve the lunchhour meal to at least 400 people last Sunday – the villagers are invited to it every Sunday – the food even ran out and we almost have a riot! Quite the experience.
Town was another experience to remember. I went with three other girls in a taxi an hour before sunset – we only went to the main supermarket but did not realize it was a 10 minute walk from the centre of town where we were dropped off. I don’t think I’ll try that again unless it is a larger group. Town today is better and we have Mozambican with us who has helped us barter for our wares.
Haven’t seen nearly as many bugs as I thought I would and am quite surprised. I have heard that there are many more on the outreaches and that they are very big. The only residents in our house are small spiders and cockroaches.
The organization I am with houses, with three meals a day, about 200 orphans and feeds the village children that come (perhaps 100 or so more) once a day – the village children have homes to go back to every evening.
My transition have been very seamless. I feel born to rough it=). Our conditions don’t bother me and showering only twice a week doesn’t bother me. It is not as hot as I expected, unless your dancing like a madwoman under the church tent during egreca. The dancing and their singing is a wonderful experience (which I keep saying about everything!). The Mozambican pastor’s school at the base has class daily and they have music leaders that led our first meeting in song. They sang a capella in an echo format and danced for a long time – it is extremely fun and an honor to join them.
Nat, I have one thing to say – thank you for persuading me to bring crocs, my feet would not be the same otherwise. And the shakes have been a daily blessing so far as I hadn’t ventured to breakfast until a few days ago, I was sleeping in.
Health has been pretty good – I need more fiber in my diet though=). I have a small head cold at the moment so I’d love prayer for it.
That’s all for now, Ate Logo!!
Also, please forgive the spelling mistakes if any, I haven't time to look over what I typed.