Many Hats In Maputo!

Hello Friends,

Yesterday was another great work day in Mozambique. I was able to wear many hats. My day started out as the computer expert. Networking 12 computers, installing software, downloading printer drivers and setting up the security was my task for the morning. Then I put on my auto repair hat and tracked down the battery draining culprit of a Toyota Condor (similar to a diesel 4 Runner, affectionately named the "Demon Car!") I am still in process of completing the repair (better described as disassembly of the alarm system!) Tomorrow, I will put on my electrician's hat to repair a 240v circuit and switch. Later in the day I begin to install a complete sound system in the OMS seminary's multipurpose room. This is where I installed a 10 foot projection screen in a concrete wall last Saturday.

All of this work is absolutely wonderful and fulfilling. They have such great need and very little help. The simplest of tasks become very challenging, because either parts are not available or they are outrageously expensive. Everything takes an inordinate amount of time, for example, I need to purchase conduit for the sound system. First, I need to draw a picture of conduit or find an example of what I am looking for. Then I go to the "hardware store". I say that very loosely (the stores are very different)! When you enter the "store" you are greeted by a long line in front of the counter. Of course I don't expect English to be spoken, so I sign and show the picture. Then the "helpful" hardware man brings my picture to some one in the back, and I move to another area, stand in a long line to pay for goods I am not sure I will receive or know if it is even conduit! After about an hour and a half, then I make it to the front of the line, pay for the goods and wait, of course in a totally different area! Finally, some one comes forth, with what they have interpreted is what I wanted and shows me, and as luck would have it... it is not the correct item! OK, back to the first counter to repeat the process once again! You can spend a whole afternoon trying to purchase one item! ARGH! Welcome to Maputo!

Though at times things can be frustrating, it is very interesting to see how our countries and cultures differ.

Jerry

Maputo at last!

We made it! Along with all five bags! A real miracle. Thank you all for your prayers concerning our bags! Many folks on our flight didn't get any of their bags. We waited an hour or so for our visa. Ann, Dave and Larry, from OMS, met us at the airport. Dave suggested that we "act like we own the place" and walk right past the customs office. We followed Dave out of the airport and skipped customs altogether! Larry and Susan Weil offered to house us and have been taking good care of us all day, including a tour of Maputo which is on the Indian Ocean (the boys put their feet in the water) and a tour of the school where we will be working these next three weeks.

We are doing well, a bit tired, but happy to be here. We miss you all!

Cathi

Johannesburg

We arrived in Johannesburg yesterday in the late afternoon, and promptly got in the wrong line for Passport Control/Baggage Claim, stood there for over an hour, then were sent to the correct baggage terminal only to discover that our bags had been checked all the way through to Maputo, after watching the near empty carousel go round and round without our bags. (In Portland, we had been told that we would have to get our luggage and go through customs in Johannesburg…) Customs was a breeze; one man asked to see “the lady’s passport” and asked me to pronounce our last name and chuckled because he didn’t want to try saying it. Then he waved us through.

By now it was 7:00pm, we took a taxi to the Baptist International Missionary Services (BIMS) Guesthouse. It was great; just what we needed, clean, safe. The hosts, Thomas and Denise Brown met us in the office. Wish we could have visited with them longer, but we were all walking zombies at this point. Even before showering or dinner, Micah fell asleep. Jerry and Jess bravely walked a couple of blocks to…McDonalds! Our first meal in Africa-chicken nuggets! Our nice taxi driver, Albert, offered to come back and pick us up this morning at 6am! And he was actually early! We got to the airport in plenty of time. On to Maputo...

Cathi

On Our Way!

Here we are in the Frankfurt airport! We are in the middle of a long layover...14 hours! The good news is that we only have 3 hours left before we depart for Dubai, the next stop on our long journey to Maputo. Thank you so much for all your prayers for our safety. (Please continue!) The boys, all three, are playing hacky-sack right now.

Thanks to Sally and David for taking us to the airport!

Note to the Book Babes: used the Starbucks card to send us off at the Portland Airport yesterday morning! Thank you!

Cathi

Von Voyage Prayer Send Off

DSC_0017
Originally uploaded by carolfoasia

We were so blessed by the wonderful send off from our dear church family and friends. Wow!

The Mad Dash!

Dearest Friends:

The mad dash is on! We have six days left before our departure date. All of the loose ends are coming together, we have the "mock" packing of our bags scheduled, and our tickets in hand, visas, passports, and ipods almost uploaded. Now, we need to finish packing up the apartment, deliver our vehicles to their babysitters, and make a hotel reservation for our last days in Corvallis.

We have been overwhelmed by the out pouring of love by all of our friends and family. We are leaving Corvallis in that "party mode" that so typifies our lives. THANK YOU for your love and friendship! You will be in our thoughts and prayers.


Jerry

Book Babes

Book Babes
Originally uploaded by jcvonrtw

My dear book loving friends gave me a Bon Voyage party. I will miss our meetings very much, but will attempt to keep up with the books being read!

Cathi