XaiXai - my favorite party

This was the most unorganized party of the parties we attended, and I mean that in a good way. All of the parties were timed and the kids rotated between stations b/c of the number of children. This party only had 100-200 kids and we just let the kids do their own thing. The OCD teacher in me was worried about it, but we really got to interact with the kids more today b/c of it. You would meet a child and they would spend time with you where as before we worked with every child for just seconds, this way I actually bonded with certain children. I got to face paint, and actually hold babies so their siblings could enjoy the party. I held two little boys until they both fell asleep in my arms. I got to help plate the food for the children. I will never complain again about cooking for 4 mouths or cleaning up after. These women do this every day for hundreds of mouths and not with the modern conveniences I have. After the games had been played the children did a reenactment of the birth of Christ. Carol asked if I wanted to share about why we celebrate, of course I was all over that. BUT, man it was hard. Carol translated for me and every time I stopped talking, my brain quit and I had no idea what I was saying. It was then I decided I wanted to learn Portuguese. I could go on and on about this day, it was the best day, one that makes me "Africa"- sick, I want to go back so badly. I just wish you could all experience it, even for a day. It was so simple what we did, yet so monumental. Our kids here they get most of what they want and then some, yet this was it for these babies. A helicopter and some hair clips, meat only once a year. It was like heaven for them, and I got to be a part of it. I am sure they will not remember my face, but every day I remember a new face and I just cannot help but want to go back.

our final destination - XaiXai

After another incredibly long nkumbi (van) ride we drove to XaiXAi (where Celebration Church will be building a church) for our final party.  We stayed right on the Indian Ocean.  We opened our windows at night and awakened every morning to the sound of the waves.  It was so amazing.  These rooms had mosquito nets, so I could sleep in jammies.  God's glory is evident everywhere here.  XaiXai is on the ocean, but many of the locals do not get in the water.  Our driver, who was from Swaziland had never even seen the ocean before.  He was like a kid splashing in the waves.  Shileen, Carol, Patrick and I went to the ocean the first day.  There were crabs everywhere.  I actually caught two of them with my bare hands.   

It was so relaxing!  The beaches are different than in the Gulf, one there is no trash or oil, but the water does not gradually get deeper.  In the Indian Ocean it drops off pretty quickly so the waves are a lot more rough.  I got knocked down several times and I did not go that far in at all.  We had all of our meals with this amazing view.   

kids say...

When we were leaving the gym Monday night, LE saw this symbol painted on several parking spaces.  She said "Look Mommy, its me going peepee on the potty."

Christmas at PopPop and Gigi's

I do not want Africa to be over, so switching gears shifting thoughts back to states.  

We spent Christmas week at Ben's parents.  They went to South Carolina, so we had our own vacation home.  When they got home Saturday we opened gifts with Greg and Colleen.  I did not even notice my children were only wearing panties.  Bella has begun potty training and sleet, nor snow does not matter.  They want to wear panties!  I love to buy little boy's clothes, so Adom has "that aunt", he was more excited about the Happy Meal toy I had thrown in his gift than the shirts.  The girls got a puppet stage from Gigi and PopPop and Bella got a Thomas the train track.

Christmas at PawPaw & Mimi's

Christmas at my parents is such a special time for me.  I love that all 6 of us, and now spouses,babies, great-grandparents too all put down everything, football included and gather for a few hours.  My dad starts off by reading Luke 2 and then we pray as  a family.  Then, we pass out all of the presents and one-by-one we go around the room taking turns watching what each other receives and their reactions of what we gave them.  I love it, it is a time honored tradition that I hope we always keep.  I know some traditions get tiring, but I don't know for some reason we all respect this one and want to keep it going.

must be God...

I just finished an awesome incredible book that was recommended to me while in Africa, Bait of Satan by John Bevere. In the recommendation, my friend said; "there are two books every believer should read - The Bait of Satan and Hind's Feet on High Places." I put this on my C-mas list to my mom-in-law, but in a matter of 24 hours, the book came up again based on some issues Ben and I have faced (not towards each other). So, drove myself to Family Christian Bookstore and bought it. Let me say - this is a book every believer should not only read, but own to drag out every time they are hurt or offended. This book has changed everything in the past 2 weeks. Then, tonight as I am sitting down to blog about it, I have a notice that Erica over Haphazard Happenstances has recommended a book by the same author. He is a great author, easy read, but be ready to have your world changed. I will be heading over to Amazon to look for the next read soon. I did get 6 books for C-mas, so I am creating a new feature on my blog for what we're reading.

my team

I am no where near being finished telling you about Africa and how wonderful it was, but I have been really sick for the past two weeks and I am finally feeling a little better and decided to blog. I am not up for writing, so decided I would share some pics of my new Africa family. Top left to right - Carol Williams, Isaac Williams (missionaries in Mozambique), John Alonzo, John McClaughlin, Patrick Conti (Children's Cup missionary) Pastor Mel Stauber, Terry McCluaghlin, Shileen Karnes, June Moon, & Kevin Moon.

the road goes on forever and the parties never end

We drove through some of the most beautiful country side to arrive at the border of Mozambique. There were armed soldiers at the checkpoints. I saw several young men with amputated legs walking on makeshift crutches. Kevin told us this is the area where Princess Di had been raising awareness about land mines. The guards were very intimidating. I saw one particular guard who tried taking a bag from this one ladies stash of groceries. One of the amputees was going back and forth from Mozambique to Swaziland. We think he was smuggling items in his back pack. The guard told him to turn back after 3rd or 4th time, but he would not. The guard walked over and hit his crutch with his baton. So, if the mosquitoes don't freak you out the Ak-47's will. After what seemed like an eternity at the Swaziland/Mozambique border we finally cleared customs and had our visa to enter Mozambique.
We drove to Maputo to meet Isaac and Carol and get rested for party #3. That night, they took us to the one of the nicest restaurants in Maputo for dinner. I had prawns which were some of the best seafood. I have ever had. We got to spend some time getting to know everyone at this dinner and we had a blast laughing all evening.
Party #3 was at Carol and Isaac's care point which is also their church. It was a great set up and a great party. The hardest part for me was seeing young children carrying siblings on their back and not being able to fully enjoy being a kid at the party. It really broke my heart. I tried to hold a baby for a young girl, but the baby would have nothing to do with me. We tied lots and lots of balloons. The children feasted on fried chicken and rice. Each child got a bag of candy and the boys got helicopters and the girls got bags of hairbows and bracelets.