Somewhere in Time

Rather than referring to the old movie by that title (featuring the lovely, if aging, Jane Seymour, with whom I was wildly infatuated for many years):this post title refers to the so very different concept of time that is possessed by our Mozambican neighbors.  Perhaps they have it in common with the rest of the third world--but if so, I belive Mozambicans carry it a bit farther.  Time means nothing here.  The committment to be somewhere or do something at a certain hour is just something of an advisory notice of general intention--to be fulfilled only if no other events of any kind occur in the meantime.  Case in point: I had found a carpenter (carpinteiro) to build us a couple of tables.  They generally set up shop next to the road where you can see them working and their finished products on display.  This guy was a few miles out of town and we stopped and talked, negotiated and finally struck a deal.  Tables were to be done on Wednesday.  We returned three times, finding him absent on the first two, and finally this morning found him there and intending to start on the tables sometime soon.  I have not yet fully adjusted culturally to this phenomenon, and I ripped  up our oral contact.  I found another carpenter who sseemed to be a little more reliable (and closer to our home as well) and struck a new deal later in the day.  We will see how this one works out.  When we make appointments to meet people, sometimes they appear, and sometimes do not.  We visit people at an agreed upon hour, and generally, if we are on time, we are wayyyyy early.  We will adjust in time.  We do however, start church on time--and many people show up on time for that--but many others arrive toward the end.

The drive out of town to the fired carpenter was not without its benefit however, there is a very small and very very rural market closeby to his shop--that sells the best and sweetest bananas (And I bought some corn cob as well).

The bananas above, are over ripe by american standards--Two months ago, I would have never considered purchasing a banana as far gone as these appear to be.  Here, these bananas inside are not over-ripe at all, (despite their haggard appearance) but are firm and sweet  and delicious inside.  I would draw a parallel here: though I may look a bit haggard and past my prime...

 The picture on the right above is of rural life just outside Quelimane, if you expand the photo you will see a man tilling his field with a hoe--a pretty common sight.  The photo on the left was taken today on the streets of Quelimane and is from our niece and nephew's movie, Napolean Dynamite.  I am very concerned that that Jared and Jerusha Hess, who live on the edge of starvation, may not have received their royalties from this one. 

This picture is of Quelimane trash pickup.  Custom has people dump their garbage on the street in (perhaps) designated general areas.  Then once a week or so, a bunch of guys with shovels come by with a big truck and gather most of it up.  In truth, you could have far worse systems than this--for instance, having no trash pickup at all.

The above are just details of life and living--interesting perhaps but not terribly important.  Our work is slowly unfolding before us.  We are trying to help individuals grow and get better.  We are trying to help strengthen and grow this tiny little gospel seed in this very remote and challenged part of the world.  We feel pretty comfortable going around now and meeting with people and trying to help and make things happen.  We love our local young missionaries who likely look after us more than we do them.  We are trying to expand the church organization a bit here to meet their needs a little better.  We have called a sister to head an organization of the women, assisted by Debbie, and another, an organization to teach the children, assisted by Debbie.  Both, sort of prepariing the way for a fuller gospel program in time.  We are starting some more classes for members and investigators in the evening--and are joining with the young missionaries in a broader initiative to teach a one of the local groups of fake lds (who we have decided to refer to as Zoramites rather than fake lds--if you aren't lds, the reference will escape you, sorry).

I was sent an picture tonight of the snow covered view from my old office in Fairbanks where the temperature now hovers at about -40 I was told.  Yes, it is miserably hot and humid here--but I am ok missing -40.  Best to you all.