to the place I belong

We have just returned from a long trip of relatively short duration to the northern nethermost reaches of the country.  We visited, taught, counseled, harangued, blessed and fed--and in general did what we always do.   But I noted a couple of very Mozambican things while observing the people:

1) If there is a purchase tag or label on the exterior of a piece of clothing--it is left on.  My guess is that since 99% of the clothing is second hand, the existence of a purchase tag is a very cool indicator that you got something new.  I noted an otherwise humble brother at church wearing a coat today with the sewn-on label on the sleeve.  Two months ago when I first saw him in it, I thought he had just missed it.  I've noted this even with plastic adhesive labels.  We westerners have our own foolish symbols of pride--this is just one that belongs to the Mozambicans.

2) Mozambican Mormons sing the hymns to their own tune--regardless of what the music says--often approximating the real music, but sometimes not.  We tried to sing with them today but we struggled--the keyboard was down so we just had folks singing from memory.  I now know what the scriptures were referring to when they say "the spirit of the Lord is grieved".  I was too.

In the Nampula branch, I extended a calling to a man whose name I subsequently presented in the Sunday service for a sustaining vote (a custom among us LDS).  I think that I deserve a little applause, for his name, which I almost successfully pronounced was Jose Carmona Bernado Nhanhecua (I was ok until the last one).

We travelled home today (to our home in the province of Zambezia as the sign says) in picture perfect weather, with perfect blue skies and 75 degree temps.  Many Mozambicans are wearing coats and shawls and complaining of the cold.

No explanation needed, I still like the efficiency of burdens on heads which keeps your hands free.  Burdens are wrapped in capulanas to keep them together.



Elder Delgado has always been one of Debbie's favorites.  He is going home to Cabo Verde tomorrow after an outstanding mission. We predict great things for this impressive young man.  The Osborn Literacy Foundation has pledged a little to his education upon his return.

We have had some sensational bananas lately.  We miss mangoes but love the fact that bananas are plentiful, citrus is in season (great tangerines right now) and pineapples are back.

This family we visited today in Nampula at the request of a couple or three people.  Debbie is a white woman and therefore considered to be an expert on all matters gynecological.  We drove into the poorest of neighborhoods and then wound our way through the back streets until we found the home.  Funny thing though, Debbie did happen to have precisely the insight needed here (I will spare you the details).  We had a good visit with this investigator family with eight children (including one with downs syndrome) and blessed this ailing sister.

Debbie felt like she desperately needed to connect to her Muslim roots and purchased this outfit in Nampula.  Far be it from me to question or criticize her sartorial instincts.

"The corn is as high as an elephant's eye" is a line that Rogers and Hammerstein obviously acquired through some Mozambican experience.  I have truly never seen nor imagined corn stalks this tall.  All we lack here in Mozambique is elephants.