Science Update...

Please see the post under the Africa pictures for an update on our science projects.



Thanks!

Pictures from Mozambique

At long last, we did find a way to upload our pics from the camera. (It took all of about 5 seconds...) Anyway, I've picked some of my favorites to post, and that took a while since I think there were between 500 and 600 to choose from! I'll try to talk him into posting here soon so he can tell his own story.

These are not in any particular order. Above is an example of a thatched roof which is the material of choice.

Above is a termite mound, pictures of which I've seen before, but somehow, it's different when you know your husband took this crazy picture.

Picture of an old church - just thought it was a really good picture. I think this is on Ilha de Mocambique, but I'm not positive.

Again, great picture he took while in Nacala.

This is the place he stayed while in Nacala (about two hours away from Nampula on the coast). So, I guess mosquito nets get folded up when you make your bed...pretty nifty.

I love this picture - the rolls are spice packets.

Another picture of a market in Nampula. Nampula is where we will live. It's the second largest city in the country with about 1/2 million people.

Dug out boats back on Ilha de Mocambique.

Another picture on Ilha - notice the folks carrying things on their heads. I wonder if I can learn that??

Granite outcroppings on the outskirts of Nampula.

I had to include the picture of the goats. We're hoping to have one/some. You can only get powdered milk so that would give us some fresh, plus I'd really love to learn to make goat cheese.

Just one of the many pictures of georgeous flowers he was able to take.

In a previous post, Todd mentioned the bicycles with charcoal piled up high - it's a little hard to see, but that's what this boy has on his bike.

More charcoal and bicycles.

Can't go to Africa without taking a picture of a baobab tree.




Since there was no order above, I thought the least I could do was finish with a great African sunset.

Weather and Things Inside Our Mouths

I actually wrote this LAST Friday, but I'm just getting around to posting it...

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Emma and I have still been having fun with our science class every day. She loves learning anything about the world around her. Last week we made a weather station (thermometer, barometer, pressure gauge and rain gauge) and have been monitoring it every day. We were so glad to finally get some good wind yesterday...it has been very still around here; truly the dog days of summer! We also got some rain last night so we have something to report on the chart we're keeping.

This week we've been learning about bacteria and fungi. In one petri dish we are seeing how dirity our kitchen is (I may or may not report back on that one!) and seeing how antibiotic ointment works. In our second dish we are seeing whose mouth is the dirtiest, mine or Emma's; again, you may or may not find out the results. Today, we learned about yeast and are waiting for our rolls to rise. I've never made yeast rolls so really hoping they turn out edible.

Okay, and just a note: the rolls were terrible! We learned a mighty important lesson about old yeast - it doesn't work! I've got some fresh in the freezer so we're going to attempt this experiment again!

Blogging Etiquette...A Question for the Pros

Okay, when someone posts a comment to your blog, is it appropriate to post a follow-up comment, or should you send an email? I'm just not sure!

Thanks,

Home Safe and Sound...last Friday

Todd did make it home right on time Friday. The girls were so thrilled to see him, and so was I. He didn't get much rest that day but did get a little caught up on Sat and Sun, and I don't think going back to work today was too rough on him. As for promised pictures...the software for the new camera was left in Africa. I think we're going to take the memory card to WalMart, have a disc made and upload from there. We'll hop on it quickly because he really did get some great pics, and I haven't even seen them all.

Thanks so much for praying for him. Words cannot express how glad I was when he called from Atlanta, and I knew he was safely on our continent!

Oh, and my camera's USB cord did make a trip to Africa so I'll try to post pics of our weather station soon.

Last Day

We just got to talk to Todd before the girls went down for a nap and as his last day in Mozambique was coming to an end. He gets on a plane to Johannesburg, South Africa, tomorrow and will spend the night there. On Thursday he flies direct from there to Atlanta and then home by Friday at noon. Makes me tired thinking about it.

The girls are excited because he was telling them about the gifts he's gotten for them. There are presents for me, too - I am getting two Mozambiquan (sp?) skirts which I can't pronounce or spell yet. I hope they come with tying instructions! Thanks Todd and Jan!

On another front, Emma and I have been working on science stuff this week (It was a little too much to fit into the regular school year so we're doing it now before she realizes there's such a thing as summer vacation.). Yesterday, we made a wind vane, but there has been no wind the last two days to measure - we're hoping for some by the weekend since it's supposed to rain. Today we made a thermometer and tested it out in hot and cold water. Way fun! I have pics but can't find my USB cord for the camera...it was going to TX, but I took it out of my stuff, or so I thought, when I realized I couldn't tote the computer along. Very random stuff, I know.

More from Mozambique

I got a chance to talk to Todd tonight and get caught up on what he's been up to half a world away. I think the girls are really starting to miss him so, if you think about it, please pray for them (and Mommy) that we can hang in there until Friday. My great friend Amy is taking the girls for me tomorrow so I can have some Mommy time, and Nanny kept all three Friday night (I cleaned the whole house - such fun!) and Emma and Aubrie Sat. night. I think I'm starting to catch up a little from our trip - the drive back home from TX really wore me out!

Here's a sketch of what Big T's been up to:

Last Tues/Wed - He went to Nacala (on the Indian Ocean). He got to ride into the bush where they saw three or four villages where there is no evangelical work being done; there is hope to start work there soon. He was also very excited about getting to ride on a dirt road that became a walking trail (that they drove on anyway) which dead ended into the Ocean. Very much up his alley! They stayed on the beach at a place called Bay Diving where they slept to the sound of waves under their thatched roofs and mosquito nets.

Saturday he was back on the coast but this time in Angoche. The trip there was about 250 kilometers (going to have to re-learn that metric system...ugh) on a dirt road. They drove through a Koti area, and all I know about that group of people is that they fish for their livelihood. In addition to the Koti the Makhuwa people also live there, but they are separated from the Koti by a mountain.

Sunday he got to attend a local church which had a concrete floor and concrete walls with a metal roof. Pastor Fernando preached - the sermon was in Portuguese and Makhuwa. Todd said the music was great with about half African music and half hymns which were adapted to the African worship style. Lots of drums and other instruments; I can't wait for the girls to experience that!

He said to let everyone know that another highlight of the trip has been getting to visit with some missionaries who previously served two years in western Moz. Apparently, they have lots of crocodile stories...people getting yanked out of moving boats by these massive creatures. Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle, please.

It's already Monday morning for him so he just has two more days in-country before he'll begin the long trek home. Please continue to pray for safety, health and that God will continue to confirm in us that this is God's perfect plan for our family.