the following is excerpts from my fellow World Race staffmate, Jimmy’s, blog. He and his World Race team first connected with Jaco and Maria, the South African couple that is hosting me and my Real Life team, last summer. It has been great hearing about his experience there, and getting to know a little bit about what to expect. Reading this makes me excited to hop a plane with my team and get there already!!
4:30am in the distance is heard a series of drum beats of unknown meaning or origin. The sun rises shortly thereafter and the African day begins. The people of Vilanculos rise and retire early by nature (and necessity due to firelight being the only source of illumination available).
Squad A is living on the grounds of a church led by Pastor Laura. The church was demolished in the recent cyclone and the congregation has been busy at work dedicating all their free time and resources to rebuild. At any given point in time, wooden shafts can be de-barked and large tree trunks can be cleaned in the same fashion.
The church is home to a community of individuals many of whom are still ambiguously related if related at all. Children run everywhere, many of whom have been orphaned but are cared for by the village of people. The children are happy and mesmerized by the group of American’s now living nearby. They stay as late as possible to watch how we do everything and engage with us whenever is permitted by our hosts.
Music fills this culture like none other I have ever seen. The repertoire consists of many spirituals and a series of upbeat choruses. The acapella refrains echo in natural two and three part harmonies in an incredibly beautiful blend of voices. The style is for one individual to lead and somewhat improvise as the chorus chimes in in complete unison to follow. The children know their own set of music and complicated dance routines and love performing for us on a regular basis.
The African culture has been unbelievably hospitable. We have realized that there is almost nothing that won’t be done for us should we ask including rides into town and around the area and water should we need it. It is an insult to offer compensation unless it is presented as a gift.
We are living almost directly on the Indian Ocean on the Mozambiquan coast. We have discovered that Vilanculos is a known hot spot for Marlin and Barracuda fisherman so South Africans and other tourists are not uncommon to see around town. Despite the remote nature of the town, it is surprisingly familiar to many foreigners.
Team LO and us have set up camp with the Rudolph family here in Vilanculos and are having a great time living in community. Jaco, Maria and their two children Rudo and Maggie are South African and have lived here in Mozambique for the last four years. Prior to Mozambique they were in Namibia and believe with all their heart that God has called them to the mission field.
Their lives are truly inspiring! They are industrious, friendly, hard-working, passionate people who have chosen to live in their little reed house and dedicate their lives to the people of Mozambique. They have chosen to spend quite a bit of time investing in the lives of two sets of orphan villages. The village of Tamane has 23 orphans that survive due to the food and affects provided by this family.
We have spent our time since leaving Pambara slipping into various roles that come with living in community. Some cook, others clean, the boys build, the girls sew, it has become one big happy family. I have been blown away by the faith of this family who live month to month using their generator to power their house and take hot showers when God provides the money to support such luxuries. The children attend school some days during the week but learn the majority of their academics through Maria’s homeschooling efforts. They host an English church service in their home and spend their days serving churches, schools, community leaders, orphans and others in need.
Jaco has bought into the Jesus Film project and has copies of both the Jesus Film and The Passion of the Christ in Portuguese and Xitsua (the local dialect). He has been blessed to start literally dozens of churches through the showing of these two films. We will be participating in one or two of these efforts before leaving Vilanculous. Today, some of us will be delivering blankets and sleeping pads to the Tamane orphans. The boys are continuing construction on some shower and bathroom facilities that will be used to serve short-term mission teams that visit Vilanculous and the various projects Maria has put us to are a tremendous blessing to their family.
We cook together, drink coffee in the mornings together, ration our hot water together. It’s true community and I love it. Pray for LO’s and 61 as we continue our ministry here with the Rudolphs and share God’s truth with the people here in Vilanculous.
Our orphan friends in Pambara,Mozambique
Mozambique is beautiful, the people are friendly and God is very apparently present. Praise God for Africa!
