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Can't get the links to work at the moment - will try later!

Coming down

Well, it has been a good few days back at home and lovely to be back with Rich and the kids. Don't seem to have seen many other folk though - you all seem to be leaving me to it but I'd love to see or hear from you! Everything seems to have run smoothly at home in my absence, thanks to everybody who helped along the way. They were all very well looked after and I think Rich only cooked once in the whole time.

I was quite emotional in the first few days, missing the sun and the kids and also being struck by the realities of what I had seen there in comparison to all that we have here. I am often reminded of things I have seen, or funny things that happened out there. I don't think the family has tired of my tales just yet, but it is hard not to keep talking about Mozambique rather than concentrating on the life back here. 

Church on Sunday was really good, and the first few songs were spot on - talking of Gods protection, of his presence in the darkness and wilderness, and of how he carries us through when we are weak. We all went upfront to share how we had changed and what we had learned - it was hard to summise. I know we are all changed people though. Today Phil returns to the Uk, so that is the whole group back home new. Dan stays out for a few more months and I look forward to updates from him. Several of the people out there have been suffering with Malaria and other illnesses which has made me realise how vulnerable we were, and that we were very lucky to have only had mild health problems. The ulcers are all now healed! 

We have posted several photo albums for you to take a look at, the links should be below.

i have plenty more if you want to see the lot.

Back with more tales soon. 

 

Back to reality

Just a quickie to let you know we are all home safely after over 24hrs of travelling. The flights were not quite s challenging as those going out, but still had a few fun times! However, all home safe and pretty well though exhausted. The welcome at the airport was amazing, and all the girls walked out in our sarongs and head scarves! I cannot believe the adventure is over, but am so glad to be home with my family again. Will update with more tales once I can focus on the screen!!

And so the end is near....

Well - this is it - the day we fly home. I cannot believe that the adventure is nearly over and that it is time to head back to the luxuries of England. It is going to be as big a culture shock going home as it was to come here, and I know it will be a struggle to adapt again to all the clutter at home. One thing I have loved about here is the simplicity of life. You live with so little and yet are blessed with so much. Everything becomes such a special thing. Take a balloon for instance - our kids have them all the time, and delight in popping them - they are ten a penny and no big deal. But give a child a balloon in Mozambique and an hour will be spent blowing it up and letting it go, squeezing and squeaking it, blowing it in their ear, their eyes, blowing objects along with it - the possibilities with an inflated balloon are endless.It is rarely tied into a knot as that would end it's uses. Even balloons that are long past their blowing up life are still played with by stretching and twisting into all manner of shapes. And it's just a balloon.....

Yesterday we had a great day shopping at the markets and stalls and then heading to the sea. The Indian Ocean is warm and it was so good to just head straight into the sea without jumping when it hit the wrong bits!! We spent a lovely afternoon relaxing and enjoying the sea, the beach and each other.It was a grand end to an amazing time in Mozambique. We watched the sun set over the sea, and it was a very sad time as I reflected on all that had happened whilst I have been here. I have learned so much, changed so much, trusted God more than ever before, my faith has grown ten fold and I have been so blessed and received so much from all my new family and friends in Mozambique. I hope we have given something to them too, but above all I think we have received from them. As I watched the sea and the sunset and prayed for all my family at home and here in Mozambique I knew beyond doubt that there is a God who loves us all and who has made this world with all it's beauty, barreness, richness and poverty and who has His hand upon us all. Some of you who are reading this may doubt, but when you see this world, see this land and it's people you can see it beyond all doubt.

So - today we head off to the boys for the last time. My pockets are loaded with tissues, gifts and the usual cameras. And my heart is heavy with the sdaness of having to say goodbye to them all. It will be very hard to drive away when really I am longing to stay with them. Several have asked to keep in touch and I have committed to ptray for several of them. At New Wine in the summer somebody spoke of how we have spiritual children as well as our own children and I now understand what that means. Although I may not be able to fit any babies into my suitcase (sorry to everyone I had pronmised one to!!) I will be bringing home with me 4 new spiritual children who I will think of all the time and pray for regularly.

I will write more once I am home as I still have many tales to tell so do keep checking back. But for now it is goodbye from Jocum Beira, and from the beauties of Mozambique. Until next time.....

Trying to do what the locals do!

Julia shows she can balance things on her head too!

Fantastic sunsets

Day ??, and still going

Another good night but all very tired today. Ju is staying at the hotel to rest and everyone else is heading off to namatanda. I've decided to get dropped at Dondo as I can't face the thought of 3 hrs in the chapas (bus) and 2 hrs with no shade or loo!! I have a face full of ulcers so eating is hard, but drinking lots. I cannot believe I have nothing for ulcers given the size of my medicine bag to cover all eventualities. god has a sense of humour in giving me something I have no treatment for, and at least it is keeping me quiet as it hurts to talk!!
It is another fabulous day today, thoguh I think there may be a storm tonight. I think it is prayers on the beach again tonight which i look forward to.
Have a good day all.
Coz x

still here!

Hi all, no time tonight sorry, but just top let you know I've had another amazing day. Finally got to the boys at lunchtime after trips round DIY stores to get paint. Had lots of fun playing again, and boys sending numerous messges from my phone so sorry to anybody who may have got a random txt from me - I dread to see the bill!
We had tea at pastors house tonight which was a good experience. And tomorrow it's off to namatanda to visit the field that the boys farm. Early start so better go!

Sunday services and afternoon strolls

Wow - what a day! today we went to Pastor Bongas church (did I do it right Jez??) and had a great time in the service. I did puppets with Julia - a new recruit for the team - yippee! And we taught them Allelui allelui Praise ye the Lord with them all jumping up and down in their seats. It was very amusing! One amusing part of the serice was when a chicken was brought forward for the offering - and duly despatched to the chicken graveyard ready for lunch. A true representation of where we were and of what the people have to offer. Some folk just offered empty hands to God when they had nothing else to give.
Then we went to Bonifaces church for lunch which was right in the centre of a village. The villagers cooked for us and we were served a banquet - it was very humbling to have them serve us with bottles of coke and Fanta and provide so much food from their limited resources. It was a relief to then see all the villagers come to the church after we had eaten to eat the vast amount that was left. We talked with the villagers and then travelled back to the Base, all very quiet and reflective. Everyone is very tired today . We went for an amazing walk around Beira too. Right down to the beach through a shanty town, around the port, past shops, houses - you name it, we saw it tonight. all the sights and smells of the town. an amazing experience and one I will treasure.
The tiredness is taking its toll on us girls - we are gettting very giggly at the most simple of things. At last nights prayer meeting on the beach I was in stitches when Vicky pointed out Pastor Bonga was wearing a blockbuster video shirt, obviously ex.staff uniform. Although it was very funny, it also reminded me of how incredibly grateful they all are for anything they are given. No striving for labels, or embarassment about the cheap labels they are wearing, but just an imense gratitude for anything and everything that they have. What a lesson we all have to learn there.
The people of Mozambique are so lovely, and so welcoming. I have many new friends here, and am so lucky to be here with these people. I am amazed at what I am doing, and coping with, and I know that it is because of the strngth that God is giving me. As I sat infront of my plate of food at lunchtime, fearful of what I may be about to eat and the consequenses of that, I was reminded of the verses that say "I can do anyhting through christ who strengthens me". And how true that is - I cannot comprhend how I could be doing this in my own strength, but with God at my side, and with all the prayers of you at home, this is turning into an amazing and peacefilled experience. Thank you so much fr your continuing prayers for me and all the team. and thank you , Lord, for bringing me to mozambique. Ate Logo (see you later! ) and cioa for today xx
Oh, Dez - yes, the songs went down a storm, though not sure they entirly understood!

Coming to you today live from an internet cafe, another first for me! 25mtc for 30mins which is bout 12p!! So much seems to be happening, and I struggle to remember it all! Yesterday, Friday, I opted to go back and visit the boys at Inhamazua and they were really pleased to see the team again. We spent the morning playing with frisbees and rugby balls, and the boys taking lots more photos. We had taken our own lunch that us girls had bought in the morning from a street market , bread, tomatoes, mangoes, bananas and water. We were very pleased with ourselves for getting it!! We also had a bit of the maize mash and beans that the boys were eating, but it didnt feel right taking food from them.I had watched it being cooked on the open fire earlier and was amazed at the strength of the lady bashing away at the huge pans.
Before I go any further can I apologies for the state of this typing things just arent in the same place and lots of punctuation marks are not even on the keyboard!!
After lunch Dave and I took photos of all the boys next to their names and ages so that we can make a book of each of them. There were some real characters who played to the camera! I gave the book from the children at Net Connect to Simao and he shared it with the boys.
Now, dont tell Rich but I actually did a spot of painting too. It was great fun to get the boys helping as we painted the boundary wall white. I also spoke with a lady who lives in the corner of the site via Samiguel and she asked me to take her photo which I very gladly did. I offered to paint her house too, but she dedclined!
They all loved the parachute that Net Connect had sent and made up some wonderful games.
The time is going very quickly and today were are having a bit of time off. Tonight we head to the beach for a meeting which is supposed to be very exciting and an amazing experience. I can-t wait to see the sea.
Things are going very well, though night is lonely in my room alone, although the spiders are quite good entertainment. I cannot wait for a clean shower and fresh loo!!
Keep sending the comments I love reading them all. And dont forget to check the other blog casa reom.blogspot too.
Love to all. C xx

what we came for....

Yesterday saw one of my dreams come true - we went in the back of the open truck to see the boys. It was great fun driving along with the sun beating down and the wind blowing you everyway possible. We saw some fantastic sights along the way - the true Africa. All methods of transport, women and babies, things carried on heads, things built up and falling down. It was great. The boys were very happy to see us and we spent an hour or so just chatting and playing. They loved the cameras and the balloons - they took many photos themselves and loved to see their work! Back at the base we had a lovely tea and then later the team went to the cafe for fanta and pastries.

I had a room mate last night too - Emma - who is meant to be staying at the Base with her sister for a few days. However, the rats are too much to cope with and as I have a spare bed she came and kept me company which was really good. She's having a sleepover tonight too.

Today we went out to Dondo to meet the babies and it was a very moving experience, but the true reason for me being here. They just wanted to be cuddled and talked to. They all climbed into the truck when we arrived and had great fun jumping around and climbing over the sides. I took my scruffy dog puppet and some finger puppets along too, which they loved, although some were a bit unsure about scruffy when he got a bit friendlier with them! I'll take more puppets along next time we go.

We've just come back from a trip to Shoprite - shopping at last! We went to buy new plates, cutlery etc for Dondo, and ended up with quite a few extras in the trolley for the children. It was good fun, though a spot of too many chiefs and not enough indians took over occasionally as we made decisions on what to get.

We loaded the trolley, put it in the truck and then realised why you see so many trucks with people hanging on the side - we couldn't all fit in!! We managed it, and have now left it at the base ready for a trip to Dondo tomorrow.

It has been a great experience so far, and I am learning by the minute. Being able to blog and email is so good, and I am very grateful of having such a lovely team here. I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds.....

Live from Beira

I'm here!!! And what a journey it was. God looked after us well inspite of bumpy flights and thunderstorms. My faith has grown ten fold already. The first flight to Dubai was great and I was amazed by the onboard facilites. We watched the take off on the seatback screens, taken from 2 cameras mounted on the nose and underneath of the plane. It was absolutely amazing, and really made that actual leaving quite exciting. The gin helped to settle the nerves, and the flight was really quite fun. However, the second two I prefer not to dwell on!! The highlight of the flight to joburg was the sunrise about 90mins after take off which was amazing - to see the sun above the clouds in such glorious red colours. I was reminded of what I had said to the children about us looking at the same sun and moon wherever we were, and I thought of them safely asleep at home.

We arrived at Beira at about 5.30 Beira time - we're 2 hours ahead of you. We were picked up by Pastor Bongo and Boniface. One slight panic was when they discovered the needles and syringes in my case and wanted to confiscate them. Boniface talked them around and convinced them I wasn't a druggie! We eventually got the passports back complete with visas, though it did take about an hour. I now have 3 stamps in my passport - very exciting!

We went to the base - the main centre, and met the staff and had a meal of rice and chicken then Simao and Boniface took us up to our hotel, now aptly renamed by us as "Fawlty Towers". Camping at New Wine seems like luxury now!! We also went to the shop to buy water. Once at the hotel it all seemed just a bit too much, so I decided bed was the best plan for me, so left Vic and Ju to it in their room and went to bed. I knew lots of folk were praying for me as I slept really well and was woken at 7.15am by the girls who were fully dressed and heading for breakfast!! Ooops!

This morning has been spent sorting out money, phone cards, skype etc, and I'm hoping that later we will get to see the boys. Just had lunch of spaghetti, rice and stew (think it was goat) which was actually very nice. Vicky and I braved a trip to the shop to buy drinks too which we are very proud of!

So - so far so good. Thank you for all the prayers and love drifting out to me. I'll try and blog again later to let you know what the rest of the day has held. xx

And we're off

So this it it - today I go. It has been a very emotional weekend but the kids are now all safely at school and I am about to get in the car. The case is still too heavy, but lets just pray!
Thank you all for all your love, cards, support, prayers and general help - I am overwhelmed by it all.
I shall miss you all, but look forward t othe next stage of the adventure. hope to blog later from Dubai!
Lots of love.
Coz x

Weight-ing and updating.

Firstly, welcome to the new blog - hopefully this will be easier for you to read and to post onto. Please do post messages - I need your support and cheery messages every day. I've transferred all my previous posts so those of you who are new to this can start at the very beginning (it's a very good place to begin.....)

The team met this morning for breakfast and to weigh our suitcases. I scraped through just, but was somewhat embarrassed when everybody elses cases seemed to weigh about 10kg less than mine! Even more so when I worked out most of my excess weight seemed to be my toiletry bag! Anyway, we were able to get virtually all of the extra stuff into peoples cases and bags so there is a whole load of very exciting things going off to Beira. Thank you to everybody who has donated goods or money to
cover the things we are taking with us - it will be a great blessing to everybody there, and to us as we share gifts and supplies with our friends in Beira.

I also found out this morning that Dave has set up a casa reom blog so I've put the link to that on here too so you can read both and check the stories tie up!

More later I expect - off to the cinema now.

Did it!

Well, today I finally managed it. I packed the suitcase. And it's only 3kg over which wasn't too bad until I remembered I was supposed to be leaving 5kg of the 20kg allowance for "stuff" we need to share out between the team when we meet tomorrow morning. Ooops!!
I figure I am already carrying a parachute( don't ask!) and extra gifts from Net Connect, the group I run for 7-11yr olds, plus lots of tea, hot chocolate and biscuits so I'll be let off I'm sure. Won't I....?

Today has been a bit emotional as it is finally starting to sink in. I've had lots of good wishes, and cannot believe that I am now into the final weekend before I go. I had a lovely bedtime with Stef and Toby with lots of cuddles and chatting. I'm just trying to give them space to talk if they want to and ask questions about it all so it isn't all squashed into an emotonal Sunday night and Monday morning. Oscar still seems oblivious to it all!

Me and the kids are going to see Ratatouille tomorrow as a treat whilst Rich is out on a ministry day in Bracknell. We've got team meeting at 9am to sort suitcases, then puppet practice for Family Service on Sunday, then can enjoy the rest of the day together.

3 more sleeps then - better go and knock another one off ready for the weekend. Night!

Getting nearer

Well, it didn't go well! The suitcase is still empty on the floor, surrounded by piles of clothes and general "stuff". However, I have now managed to clear the lounge and work through half of the paperwork pile, so some progress!

I cannot believe that this time next week I will have had a full 24hrs in Mozambique and be spending my 2nd night in Beira. I cannot begin to imagine what I will have seen and experienced, but I know my eyes will have been opened and my heart changed already...

I tried to explain it to Oscar today and he was very excited about the prospect of lots of friends playing with him and having tea cooked by lots of family and friends. He knows mummy is going away to play with lots of other boys and girls, but I don't think he really understands that mummy will not be here at home. He likes the promise of a present too!

On the subject of presents, mum and I had a lovely time in Rugby today getting a few bits and bobs. I warned her that it would probably be African Christmas gifts this year, and so she conveniently found a pair of slippers for me to buy rather than facing the prospect of a grass skirt or a drum!! Very wise mum!!

We had small group tonight too, which was great, and it is encouraging to know that we will be well prayed for whilst we are apart too. It is fab to have such lovely friends to be open and honest with, and who will listen to all out rantings and worries. Thanks guys - luv ya!!

So, 5 more sleeps (or restless nights...), plenty more lists to complete, and still the challenge of the suitcase....

5 days and counting....

It all seemed like such a great idea 10 weeks ago. A challenge, a chance to escape, step outside my comfort zone and all that. Hmmm. With 5 days to go I'm beginning to wonder.

It all seems a bit too close for comfort now as we prepare to embark on this big adventure. And I say we, because it is a full family adventure. It may be me who gets to fly off to Africa but there is much planning and anticipation back at Mason HQ too, where there has been military planning for Operation Mozzie. There are plans for food, childcare, school pick ups, after school drop offs, emergency phone numbers, who needs what when lists, what to do if lists, how to do the washing instructions, this is how to bake a spud sheets..... and so it goes on. All in a bid to ease my conscience about leaving the family behind.

They, however, seem incredibly relaxed about it all. Maybe it is the excitement about finally being able to have a kebab without me eurghing and screwing up my face in disgust. Perhaps it's the thought of some real home cooked food rather than the freezer junk we seem to have been living off for the last x weeks. Or the prospect of being able to take it in turns to sleep in dads bed (after all he will be lonely...). Any how, whatever is keeping them chilled, I'm glad. I hope it last through to 8.45am Monday morning when we have to bid our farewells.

So - on to tonights challenge; working out how to fit 4 suitcases worth of toys, nappies, parachute (don't ask), balls, lollipops and a few clothes into one small case with a total allowance of 20 kilo's.

Hmm - I'll let you know......