This last week, I stayed with Irma Julia in her house in Kongoloti!
I was very thankful for the opportunity to live in this community, so that I could learn more about building relationships based on love and respect.
I was able to learn more about culture, practice the native Changana language, do daily chores...such as cooking, and learn more about the challenges and blessings of life here.
I have so much more to understand and I hope to never stop learning...but most of all, with understanding, I hope to love Mozambicans with God's love in Jesus Christ.
I was able to learn more about culture, practice the native Changana language, do daily chores...such as cooking, and learn more about the challenges and blessings of life here.
I have so much more to understand and I hope to never stop learning...but most of all, with understanding, I hope to love Mozambicans with God's love in Jesus Christ.
Irma Julia and I standing in front of the church and preschool in Kongoloti
Julia is the leader of the women's group at the church and she also helps out at the preschool.
I told the kids that I was going to be preparing their lunch this day...rice, potatoes, carrots, and...chicken!
Julia (left) and Maria (right) in the kitchen area
"lunch"
Irma Julia holding lunch
Mama Henriquetta and I
It was very good to begin building relationships with the women who serve at the church here. As I got ready to prepare lunch that day, Mama Henriquetta helped me to tie my head scarf to keep my hair out of the way and keep my head warm. The weather this week was quite cool.
I've eaten many chicken meals, but I've never prepared one from beginning to end. Irma Maria helped me to take the first step by killing the chicken (with a knife through the neck).
Then I plucked the feathers and cleaned the bird.
A neighbor of Julia's, Mama Amelia and her grandson, stopped by, and we posed for a rather strange and morbid picture as we grinned whilst holding onto the dead bird.
Two plucked chickens ready to be cut up and cooked.
Chickens cooking in the big pot with oil, onions, tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, and carrots.
And finally the finished product...the blue plate special!
During my time in Kongoloti, I was able to go to the local market to buy food to prepare for the week, work with the ladies doing the cooking and cleaning for the preschool children, take part in evening house groups, make home visits with the women's group to sing, pray, and console many families who were suffering from illnesses, receive lots of visitors in Julia's home, go to an early morning prayer meeting, attend a woman's baby dedication ceremony, and observe...listen...learn...and love much. I was very tired after the week was up, but I thank God for this opportunity!
