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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