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.....