Week 26~Fatima

Happy Sunday!

For awhile now I have been promising to introduce  you to my student Fatima. Well I think now is a perfect time to do so. Just be prepared for how adorable she is.  

Fatima is 15 years old. She lives here in Lamego with her parents, sister, and brothers.

When Fatima was in 2nd grade, she had a stroke and it caused for her to lose strength in her hands and legs. Not too much longer after this her teacher said she couldn't work with Fatima and so Fatima had to leave school.  

A little over a month into my time here, Fatima started coming to me for school. Our biggest focus has been gaining strength in her hands and learning to write, both tasks that have been tough for her. I am so proud of how hard she has worked though. She does everything I ask of her with the best attitude. 

When Fatima first started coming for lessons she was very shy and timid. Now her character has come out and boy is it a fun one. She has the best smile and loves to tease me. When we work on things together she will observe my work and I have to have her approval before we continue. Also, she has no problem in correcting me when I don't say something right in Sena. 

Fatima, sweet girl, I am thankful for the blessing that you are. Our King is using you to show people how to conquer obstacles and I am oh so proud of you! 

Headband- a gift from her buddy in Texas!

the Beauty in a rest

Hello from Lamego!

Phew, January is flying by. A lot has already happened this month so let me catch you up on all things. 

I am back in full swing with homeschooling. The beginning of this trimester is going better than the first, now that I am understanding more of what the program is like. 

In December, due to various reasons, my language lessons slacked off a bit. Thankfully, they have started back up and my brain is once again getting full. Something has to be sticking if I find myself thinking in Cisena instead of English. 

A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to go out to the field with my language helper to work. Folks, let me tell you this. If ever you want to gain an appreciation for the way the people here farm, just spend one morning with them. These aren't small fields and they don't use machines so the work is hard and it's in the heat.  As I was heading back from the field I saw young kids to elderly folks out in their fields working and it was then that I truly realized that the people here literally spend their entire lives doing this work. Incredible!  

This past week and a half were tough ones. My body got a good whoopin' with a few illnesses that put me in bed for a majority of the week. To be honest this brought on a lot of frustration. 

I can, for the most part, "be tough" and deal with being sick. But honestly, what made this all hard is that it kept me from being part of the village. I continuously thought "there is no point in this. Being sick like this is robbing me of my time here in Lamego." I know that may seem like a harsh or selfish way to put it but that's simply how I felt.

Folks, I have less than 9 weeks left here in Lamego. That's not long at all and this past week I spent a major portion of it cooped up in my house. No language lessons, no kiddos playing in my yard, no walking the village and taking photos, none of it. So last week made my heart hurt?  A lot. Because I was missing out on my village that I will have to say goodbye to in 9 short weeks.

But you know what I was reminded of recently? That there is beauty in a rest.

I received a devotional of sorts from a mentor when I graduated college and over the years I have referred back to it. The other night I decided to pull it out and look at that day's devotional. Here is what it said.

"There is no music during a musical rest, but the rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of our life, the music is separated here and there by rests. During those rests, we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song. God sends us times of forced leisure by allowing sickness, disappointed plans, and frustrated efforts. He brings a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that our voices must be silent. We grieve that our part is missing in the music that continually rises to the ear of our Creator. Yet how does a musician read the rest? He counts the break with unwavering precision and plays his next note with confidence, as if no pause were ever there. "  ~John Ruskin

 There is beauty in a rest.

I have read this at least 10 times over the past couple of days and realized that even though I have no clue why this rest period was part of my time here in Lamego, there is still a reason. Maybe it was to get me into the Word more than I have been or to have plenty of time to be in deep prayer for those that I know are hurting way more than I am right now. Or knowing my King, it could be these reasons and so many more. However, whatever the reason(s), I trust that my King designed it to be this way.

We all have moments or long periods of time where it is like this. Something is happening in our lives that we don't quite understand why it is "this way." Sometimes we don't ever fully understand it. But how often do we actually praise God for these times? Instead of praying earnestly to be out of them, we instead sit back and say to God "if this is what you are asking of me in this time, then I praise you for it." I can say that I do not often do this. It's like a cycle for me. I sulk or pout and even "argue" and it is when I finally hand it all over that I am filled with peace. What's incredible is that during these times, He never leaves me and is there to guide me...picking up as if there was never a pause. Something to ponder on. 

Lastly, I said goodbye to two of my Mozambique Brothers on Saturday. One of them (Sergio) is having surgery today on his legs and will be in Malawi, Africa for the next 3 months. The other (Manuel) has traveled with him to be of any help. Saying goodbye to them was the pits! Please be praying for Sergio as he spends the next months healing and for both of them as they will be spending a big amount of time away from home. 

Manuel on the left, Sergio on the right

My Mozambique Crew (minus a couple)

Here are a few more highlights of January so far.

I received 3 incredible care packages!!

Kids just out and about walking their Nile Monitor

Alrighty, I think that'll do it for now. 

Love from Lamego,
Ashley

2014~A Recap!!!

Happy 2015 from Lamego!!!

I had seen where a majority of my friends on Facebook had posted the Facebook “year in review” photo thing…what’s it called??

Any who, I hadn’t done one, but on New Year's Eve, when it was coming close to 2015 here in Mozambique, I sat down and wrote out a lengthy list of all that God has done this past year on our journey together and I was overwhelmed with gratitude. So before I dive into 2015, I’d like to use this post to do a recap of 2014. And to say thank you to my King for the gifts He has given, the lessons & tough times He had me work through, the adventures He has allowed me to go on, and for the people He has surrounded me with. 

January:

Traveled to Alabama and hung out with my ginger- sister-friend! 

And was able to meet up with my curly-haired twin, who I hadn’t seen in about 7 years. 

February-March:

I started teaching a class at The University of Texas to adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. 

And took a selfie with a zebra!

April:

Started my last year in my 20s. 

as well as celebrated Easter with two wonderful families

May:

Did the Color Run 5k with friends….which folks, let’s get real. If you are gonna run voluntarily (which we didn’t even do that) you might as well get fun colored powder thrown all over you. 

and we surprised Momma Bear for Mother's Day!

June:

Traveled to Oregon.

&

Scratched off the number one item on my Bucket List- Seeing where The Goonies was filmed.

July:

Closed a chapter at Down Home Ranch which was really sad....

But, I started dating the most wonderful man out there and that makes me pretty happy!

August:

I moved to Mozambique, Africa

September-October:

Became adjusted to my life here in Lamego, began language lessons, started homeschooling, and began work with a student here in the village.

November:

I went with my team leaders to South Africa where I, in fact, got stuck in a traffic jam caused by elephants. 

December:

Went to the beach

Helped with VBS 

And joined these folks in wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

2014, you looked good! 

2015-I've got lots planned for you friend. Here's to new adventures, whoopsies, lots of laughs and tears, and sharing my King!

Love from Lamego,

Ashley 

Life in Lamego-Weeks 19&20

Happy Sunday from Lamego!!!

I have been in Africa for 20 weeks now. This is the longest I have ever been away from home folks...that's crazy. I remember when leaving my small town to go to away football games was the big adventure and now I am just bouncing around on another continent. Bonkers! Some days I feel like I've already been here 6 or more months and then some days I feel like I just arrived yesterday. Time is going quickly and there is still so much to do and to be learned. 

Now that we are back from South Africa and have gotten situated back into our lives here in Lamego, I am hoping to get back to my weekly blog posts. I will stress "hoping" because the internet doesn't ever agree with me when I want to post my photos on the blog. 

Let me catch you up real quick. I am on break from homeschooling for the month of December. This month the focus is on another son of my team leaders. Every morning he has physical therapy/school. Talk about a wonderful learning time for me this has been. I am learning so much about physical therapy. There has been a great deal of communication with my team leaders, lots of research on the internet, and trusting the Lord for wisdom on what would be some positive changes and additions for him.  It has also been a lot of fun. I get to be silly, sing a lot, do voice changes, and really just be all out ridiculous!! Thankfully, he loves it and we have a grand ole time! 

Alright so time to recap:

Week 19: Highlights

~I went to the beach!!!! I know, I know....I just came back from South Africa, which was a great resting period, but the oldest son of my team leaders is here on break. He attends school in Kenya at RVA, which is a school for missionary kids. He wanted to go to the beach while on break so we all loaded up and went to Savannah Beach, which is a little over a 2 hour drive from Lamego, for 2 nights/3 days. 

         I can't believe this was so close to me this whole time and I didn't know about it!!!

We had such a blast. Besides seeing a few people randomly, we were the only ones on the beach. We played a lot, got munched on by some mosquitos, and got sunburned. Fun fact, apparently no matter how much sunblock I put on in Africa, I'm still gonna end up looking like a lobster. 

~This situation is happening.

What started out as a pond project is now being called a pool. 

Then this guy appeared. 

The boys said it was an African Snowman. 

 ~Rain Season is upon us. It does help lower the temperature one day, but then the next day, phew, is it humid!! These curls of mine stay locked up tight in a pony tail. 

 Week #20: Highlights

~This past week I've been battling a yucky cold. It has kept me in bed a lot and as much as I love sleep, I really am ready to move on from it. 

~These guys are making a daily appearance. They are too cute for their own good. 

~I got to be a dental assistant to my team leader. Okay so I really didn't do much at all and I will spare you the details but busted up mouth + the Gospel being shared is interesting times. 

~VBS happened this week. On Thursday and Saturday, Karis spoke with some of the youth of Lamego and presented different stories from Scripture. I did some activities with the kids that matched the stories being told. 

 "Jesus is the Light" 

"The Good Shepherd" 

~this guy got his new home. Oh, if you don't know him, this is Changa. Changa is a bush baby that was found while some of the guys were out hunting. He was an orphan and so he has a new home with the Lamego Team and lives in my school room. 

 I would just like to say that the work put into making this new home for Changa was incredible.

Thank you Robert, Daniel, and Caleb. 

and lastly,

~look at what came in the mail.

Special shout out to my Momma Bear, Ollie & Coach, Corey, Brit, Cullen, Presley, and Harper. 

Merry Christmas,

Ashley