Life after 40 and MORE!
Turning 40 has simply made no difference in my life. I feel more fulfilled, more alive, more knowledgeable, and I am happier than I ever was 20 years ago! I am married to the complete love of my life, have 2 fantastic children, am facing one of the toughest jobs I have ever had, walk/zumba/exercise 5 (well, at least 4) days a week, eat nearly vegetarian (Khaya requires at least 1 meaty meal per week) and couldn’t be happier. Isn’t 40 the new 20? Or whatever Hollywood /CNN/Internet keep saying? Anyway….I am 40 now and proud of it! Jon says he is 41 and still feels 16 so he doesn’t know what the big deal is! =) Here’s some photos of my 40th celebrations with friends and the kids!
The month of January (well, besides turning 40 that is) has been a month filled with such newness. A new year – 2012! The kids started a new school year here. Khaya is now a 3rd grader with his new teacher, Ms. Kika. She is from South Africa and pregnant with her first child, due in March. He is loving the new challenges but mostly the new after school activities. He is testing out basketball, chess, speech & drama and board games. And Aly started 2nd grade with Ms. Ria. Khaya had Ms. Ria last year and she is also a lovely South African friend by now. Aly was nervous about having hard math this year, but after the first days she says, “This will be easy, peasy!” Khaya has started a new avenue and is loving gymnastics and Aly’s new venture is horse riding…she is a natural! So they are off to new adventures at the Maputo International School! Here’s the kids pics on the first day of school.
Work has started up again. Africa is all about her holidays! People take the Christmas holidays seriously!! So pretty much from the beginning of December until mid-January it is slow going. Alongside Osvaldo, our helper at our house, we have begun work at the CARAN project (if really interested you can check it out at www.globalministries.org) where there are 35 girls living, between the ages of 6-15 years old. Osvaldo is teaching English and I am doing a bit of English, math, crafts, cooking, and whatever else may come of interest! It is exciting to be with the girls with such a vibe, but challenging as well with my Portuguese! We have had several meetings about possible projects with churches in the city and it ranges from chickens, to copying shops, to preaching and teaching, from trainings to assertiveness! Jon begins teaching “Church History” and possibly another course next week at Ricatla Seminary (also can be found on www.globalministries.org) and he is excited about this amazing opportunity but also a bit nervous.
Here’s a photo of Osvaldo with the CARAN girls:
We also attended our first Mozambique wedding. Salvador and Esmenia Macule were wed on 28 January! The festivities began at 9:30am on this particular Saturday morning. First, was the civil service where a woman of the court pitched up, performed a quick 30 minute service with vows, rings and the signing of the legal paperwork. Couple exited and 5 minutes later a repeat service, only with all the religious implications and a full 3 hours+ long! The most exciting part was the gift giving was where the couple received a fully assembled bed in the church! They also received a microwave oven, dishes, pots and pans and cash! It was an honor to be there and to be a part of this occasion. They left in a car adorned with flowers to drive on to have celebrations throughout the day and through the weekend! Amazingly enough, they were at church the next morning at 8am!
We also were privileged this past Sunday to witness the installation of Rev. Maria as the new Synod Secretary of the Mozambique Synod with the UCCSA. I have been working with Maria for the last several months with English. She is a strong, capable woman who will lead the Synod over the next 4 years. She is the first woman of the UCCSA to serve in this capacity of leadership. VIVA Mulheres (women)!! Rev. Prince Dibeela, UCCSA General Secretary, gave the sermon and charge and it was a lovely service filled with encouragement, worship and laughter. It is on occasions like these that we are proud to serve in partnership with such amazing people!
Photos of Rev. Maria with Rev. Dibeela extending a hand of congratulations and a photo of Rev. Maria receiving her various gifts!
So that is that for our Mozi Musings…..
Happy Valentine’s Day for next week or as they say here
“Feliz Dia dos Namorados!!”
Tchau for now!!
