Where exhaust pipes grow on trees

My first few moments in Mozambique, I thought that I was seeing some really cool street art. A sculpture made out of Exhaust Pipes...what a sweet idea! However, by the next few mmoments of my stay in Mozambique, I realised this was no masterpiece placed in the city to make it look pretty, but a source of income for the people. Everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE there are things for sale on the side of the road: car parts: wheels, rims, hub-caps, bumpers, doors...clothes: lines of pants hanging up, t-shirts, jeans, even underwear...furniture: wooden bed heads, leather sofas...food: mainly fruit and veg.

I also realised within a short time that what I would consider to be rubbish, was another man's treasure. Every few miles there would be an incredibly aweful smell and you would look out of the window and see piles and piles of rubbish by the side of the road. A lot of the wares being sold by the roadside began their second life as rubbish.

This is how people make a living. Not all people in Mozambique, but a lot of them.

I had an absolutely incredible time.
My heart was stolen by the children in the Center and outside of the Center.
God blew me away with his love.
I had an experience that is simply too deep for words. I think that there isn't a way to explain it, but I know that it will play out in my life this side of Mozambique.

It stunk, I was hot, there was sand and dirt everywhere, I slept on a nasty bed and I loved every minute of it!!!

It's good to be back in Brazil. I am dreaming and wondering where God will take me next. But for now, the time is right to be right here. I am peaceful, more than ever and I am full of love.

Here are some pictures for your eyes to enjoy:


Carmina: the one who stole my heart. She is 4 years old. She doesn't speak yet, and she can't walk yet. She had Meningitus (sp?) as a baby. She smiles all the time and her face lit up eveytime I walked into the room. She didn't need to say anything, she stole my heart with one glance of her eyes.


Rosa and Ruti. Ruti has the most personality I have ever seen in a 3 year old, and man can she dance!! this picture was completely spontaneous and one of my favourites!!


Sam at the beach. We took 25 babies and small children to the beach for the morning...it was a lot of fun!!
Oh yeh...and we went to South Africa for the day on Safari, that was cool!

Raquel and I in Portugual: the beginning of our semi-nightmare trip home...but that's another story!

I still miss you all and love you very much.

MWAH x