2018 NYAC VIM Mozambique: Getting into Markets and Mission [PHOTOS AND VIDEOS]

Annette Griffith writes:

Greetings from Beira, Mozambique.  We trust you are well. We are all healthy and happy to be with our friends in Mozambique.

We began Wednesday with a trip to the market to purchase food that our gracious hosts will prepare.  It is always an exciting adventure to go to the market!  Pastor Eurico, our VIM coordinator, wanted to take us to the western style grocery store similar to what we are used to, but both were closed - possibly because of the power outages which may have shut down the computer systems.  The challenge in the market is to stay together in the crowed conditions, but the beautiful display of local fruits and vegetables is well worth it.  The prices are better than the conventional store too.

Next we visited a local primary school where the principal is one of the members of Pastor Eurico's church.  We saw smiling children in overly crowded classrooms (about 65 per classroom).  They are happy for the opportunity to go to school and learn.  Quite a few have to sit on the floor for the lack of desks.  They greeted us with a chant hello and very curious eyes.  The principal gathered all the children in the courtyard and we each introduced ourselves.  All 650 or so welcomed us together with a chant welcome.  The principal will distribute our gifts of back packs, pencils, and crayons to those children in most need.

We then proceeded to the hospital to deliver medical supplies. The hospital director, also a member of Pastor Eurico's church, greeted us and introduced us to one of two doctors in the hospital.  This was not the main hospital but a triage facility that could handle smaller medical needs, maternity and selected those who needed more care to send them to the main hospital.  The hospital normally serves about 400 patients a day.

We had a wonderful lunch of fish, rice vegetables and fruit.  We were accompanied by the daughter of Pastor Julio, a previous scholarship student who now is a professor at the Methodist University in the southern part of Mozambique.  We gave her a laptop to help her with her studies as she pursues a doctor of medicine degree.

Tania, Julio's daughter, needed a ride home which gave us the opportunity to see the Manga UMC, Eurico's first church.  The building was recently enlarged to three times the size that we remembered during past visits.  It was a thrill to see that the church is growing so much.

We ended the day telling stories and going to bed early.  Most slept very well.  We were all exhausted from our full day.

Thursday we hope to walk the beach on the Indian Ocean.

Together in Christ,

Annette