A Little Insight-Part 1

Hello friends!!!

Who is very behind on blogging? This girl! Sorry about that but the internet has been evil not been my best friend these past couple of weeks, but I do promise to make up for it over the next few posts. I wanted to be able to give an insight to my world here in Lamego. This first post will all be photos of the stuff you know you are wondering about. Photos that answer the typical questions of, "where do you shop, how do you sleep, do they have a McDonalds, (this is a definite no and I am okay with that!) etc." 

But first, let me update you on the team's life here. Everyone is doing well. Language learning is going strong for all of us newbies and even though some moments are harder than others, I continue to be thankful that the Lord brought me to a place that doesn't speak English. We are all getting to know each other better and are building a team bond. When you have moments of language flubber, encouragement, and stories that cause full on laughter, bonds are bound to be formed. We all are ready for the rest of the team to be here!!! Praying for ya Bruzas and Lills!!!

I have started full time homeschooling. The program is new to me and I am learning a lot. Sometimes I feel like I'm back in school and am the student. I continue to work with my student Fatima. Recently I witnessed when life is harder for her. And to be honest, I didn't like it one bit.  But what does God do in these moments? He uses them to display His glory. Through both Karis and Fatima, I was reminded of forgiveness and letting go of bitterness. To not harbor on the thoughts of others, but to look to our King and find our worth there. I pray friends that she would know how beautiful she is and that God has a purpose specifically designed for her. I can't wait to introduce all of you to her!! Seriously, you'll love her!!!

The families in the team are staying busy. Robert (team leader) continues to work on the house of another family that will be coming to join us soon, as well as working on the "kinks" in the Fuller's house. When he's not doing that he is investing in the lives of the men here in Lamego or taking the boys hunting. Karis (the wife/team leader)..well...it's a long list of things she has going on. One moment I'll walk out of my house and she's working on someone's tooth (she's a dentist) and another moment she is sitting out with some ladies deep in conversation, or is working on something to make our time here even stronger. 

The Fullers are getting settled in. All of their luggage, minus one bag, has made it and they are now making their house a home. Their daughters were so excited to show me their school room, as well as their new book shelf. **Insert side note: these two girls are wonderful. I was reminded this week how children trust and adjust. Their world here is normal to them now after such a short time. Childlike faith!!! To have watched this process over the past couple of weeks has been a humbling experience in how I should be trusting my Heavenly Father in what He is doing while I am here. 

Thank you to everyone who have been sending such sweet message over the past couple of weeks and for your prayers. Never enough words to say how thankful I am for them. 

Please continue to pray as the other team members are fundraising hardcore and for those of us that are here. That each moment is seized and that our focus would remain on making His name known. 

Phew....now here's to a little insight to Life in Lamego (Part 1)

My fancy electronics

Shower!

No mosquitos for this gal!!

Gotta have my coffee

Water has to be filtered

Dryer-always set on high heat

Neighborhood roads

Rush hour traffic

personal alarm clock

My broom is cooler than yours

Feet stay stained around here

Worship instrument 

heading back from getting water at a well

Roadside restroom anyone?

fast food delivery

"Ginga-bread" man's house (see what I did there)

Market

The bakery

Need popcorn for a movie?

Convenient Store

Grocery store

Well there ya have it folks!! Be on the look out for Life in Lamego (Part 2).

Love from Lamego,

Ashley 

Testing, testing, 1,2,3...-Week #4

Good evening from Mozambique!

Well folks, the weeks are getting busier and it is about to pick up even more. I start my first day of homeschooling tomorrow. Many have asked what I am doing in Mozambique. What brought me here. The main purpose is for me to homeschool the missionary kids that are here on the team, specifically the team leaders, but as more of the team arrives it is my hope to spend at least 1-2 times a week doing a co-op of sorts while the parents are in various forms of training. 

Along with this I am slowly starting to work with children in the village that have special needs. I am already meeting with one girl and hope to add 2 more students very soon. 

The "first reason" of me being here is what kept me busy this week. Along with language learning I have been administering a test every day to one of the team leaders' sons. He was a trooper let me tell ya. It was intended that we meet every day during the week only, but unfortunately I got a small stomach bug on Wednesday night and so that put me out of commission on Thursday and he had to finish his testing on Saturday. What person ever likes testing, let alone a kid on a Saturday. I am extremely proud of the hard work he put into this week and through this testing it does give me an idea on the areas that we will focus extra attention on. 

This week we also continued language learning. My brain is growing folks and I'm thinking I'll need to keep earplugs in so none of this information falls out. As hard as it seems at times, it is the most wonderful feeling the moments I can communicate with the people here and it going beyond just a greeting. I continue to be grateful for the grace given and the laughter that comes from learning a new language. 

Prayer Requests:

~My fellow team members as they are fundraising. 
~language learning and that we would all continue to grow in leaps and bounds in this area.
~School starting up tomorrow. That we would have a very productive term. 
~Presidential elections are starting soon. Pray that the people of Mozambique would ask the Lord for wisdom before they vote and that He would have in office the best leader for this country. 


Enjoy the photos!

Love from Lamego,

Rebecca

Language Learning-Week #3

Good afternoon!

This past week has been a busy one for the team. We have spent the week working on language. Language in Lamego is....Cisena!  Each morning we met up and our brains were filled to the max (at least it felt that way). We learned their alphabet, the different way to form our mouths to say letters, and foundational tools that will help us move forward in our learning. Karis (wife of the team leaders) headed up this week and she has been wonderful. Each of us had a language helper that was from the village. They were very patient with us and we all had quite a few laughs as we tried and tried and tried to pronounce everything correctly. We even taught our language helpers a few words in English. I am thankful that through this, seeds of friendship have been planted. I am thankful that we were out of our comfort zones. And I'm thankful that we are living amongst a people group that doesn't speak English. It is one more way that we are having to rely on the Lord, asking Him to build these relationships and for Him to receive the glory for this. We will all continue with having language helpers. Although this week seemed like "alot" at the time, it has only spurred each of us to get out there and learn more.

This week I have begun to work with a young girl named Fatima. At a later time I will "introduce" you to her, but for now just know that she is wonderful. At first she was very shy but this past Thursday's session she began to show a bit of her personality and she has spunk folks. I will work with her 2x/week until January, when she will hopefully go back to school here in Lamego.

Lastly, one of our assignments was to find certain places in Lamego. It's a big place so because of this, I have been able to do some more exploring of Lamego.  I have also had the chance to meet friends of Karis' who have graciously welcomed me to their village. This really is the best part. Faces are becoming familiar and saying hello is becoming sweeter because of it.

Thank you to everyone who has sent messages of encouragement and who are praying. I appreciate them more than I will ever be able to share.

Prayer Requests:
*For Fatima, that she would gain strength in her hands and that she would know Jesus.
*The Koehns: their oldest is about to head back to school in Kenya.
*For the language that I have learned-may it stick. And may I continue to grow in language.
*For friendships. I have met a few ladies that I am hoping will become dear friends.


Love from Lamego,

Ashley  Rebecca

Life on my front porch!

My language helper, Eugenia.

Xikola (School)

Xpitali (Hospital)

Gombe (River)

Week #2

Hi friend!

Week 2 has finished up here in Lamego and I'm pretty sure it went faster than the first. I have gotten fully settled into my house and have slowly made my way over to my place for my meals instead of hogging all of the Koehn's (team leaders) food...and by slowly I mean maybe I've only done two meals on my own ha! But it's really not my fault. If Karis wasn't such a good cook then I would actually cook for myself. ;D

Highlights of the past week:

*Picking up The Fullers. This is the first of three families that are a part of the Lamego Team. The family consists of Trey & Ashley, their 2 daughters Hannah & Noelle, and another little one that will be here in December.

*Turning all of the paperwork into the government so I can get approval to stay here the full-term.

*Exploring the big market in Beira (the city that we fly into and go big grocery shopping).

*Taking a shower! I'm "bucket-bathing" it these days, but I stayed one night in the city that had a warm shower. Hot showers are a blessing folks, one that I am not often enough grateful for.

*More language learning and meeting more folks.

*Meeting with a girl named Fatima and her mom. I will be working with Fatima 2x/week helping her build strength in her hands and building on basic skills. (I am really excited about this opportunity and will introduce Fatima to you soon.)

aaaand lastly....

*eating a field mouse (well parts of 2 field mice). Karis and I were visiting the home of a wonderful woman and they were cooking field mice, which are in season right now. Karis began to speak to the host lady and even though I don't speak the language I knew exactly what she was doing haha. My thoughts were confirmed the moment another young lady went to get a plate and put 2 mice on it. They were cooked fully through and were quite salty but Karis and I finished both of them off and even though it really wasn't that bad, I politely declined more. Sometimes that's life in Africa!

Prayer Requests:

This past week the Lord has pressed John 10:14-18 on heart.

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.  But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves Me, because I am laying down My life so I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down on My own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from My Father.”

The Lord of the entire universe knows me. He knows me..phew. He knows the people of Lamego. He sent the King of Kings to lay down His life for His flock. How beautiful is this truth! But we must be willing sheep. To trust and to know that our Shepherd is good and that He will take care of us better than we could ever ask or desire. That is a lot to chew on folks.  We've been given this truth, we know it, we accept it. But what of those in Lamego? Do they know? Do they accept it? Please pray that they would and that their desires would be to cultivate a relationship with the Lord.

*Pray for the Fullers as they get settled into their new life here in Lamego.
*For the other team members as they are hardcore fundraising to come to Lamego.
*Language learning this next week as it will be in full swing. That all of our brains would be like sponges.
*Pray for me as I start my work with Fatima. That our time would be productive and that God would give her strength in her hands.
*For the team leaders, Robert & Karis. Their lives are fully about making His name known amongst this people group.


Enjoy the pictures!

Love from Lamego,

Ashley
P.S. While here I am going by Rebecca (which for those of you that wouldn't know, that is my middle name.) Ashley is already hard for the folks here to pronounce but along with that, there are two of us Ashley's here. So it was decided that I would go by my middle name.

Week #1

Hello friends!

Life here in Lamego. This past week has flown by and I have a feeling that that will be the case these next months.

This past week has been an introduction to all that I'm going to learn while here and it has been wonderful.

Here is some of what this past week has entailed:

-Exploring the village and meeting my neighbors (whom I hope become my friends quickly)

-Getting to know my team leaders and their family. I seriously hit jackpot here folks. They are incredible people and I have already learned so much from them.

-Learning a bit of Sena (the local language). Everyone keeps telling me that I'll learn it easily by May. I'm thankful for how gracious the people are and I know that through language learning relationships will be built.

-Getting settled into my house

-Setting my classroom up-I'll start teaching at the end of this month

-Meeting some of the children with various special needs that through time I will get to invest time in.

-Annnnnd eating lots of fruit! Mmmmmm!!

Prayer Requests:
*More of the team arrives tomorrow. Please pray for safe travels as we head to Beira to pick them up and for them as they make another flight. And that all of their items arrive.

*Building of relationships and that opportunities would be seized.

*Pray for the people of Lamego. That they would know Christ deeply.

*For Robert and Karis (team leaders) as they have been working their tails off prepping for all of us. That they would feel cared for. And for the work they continue to do amongst the Sena People. In the future I'll have Karis be a guest blogger on here so you can get a real insight on the work they have been doing here since 1998.


Thank you for the continued support from everyone.

Love from Lamego,

Ashley

(Enjoy the pictures!)

View outside of my front door

My House!

 

Bedroom

Living Room leading into classroom

Classroom (Before I set it up)

My wonderful kitchen

Don't mind the facial expression. An entertaining comment was made when the photo was taken.

Foxy-girl! 

I'm Here

Botadi!!! (Good afternoon)

Even though it is morning for my Texas peeps, the day is halfway done here in Lamego. 

Wanted to give a quick update. I hope to post a blog every Sunday or Monday, full of beautiful Lamego life, so check back weekly. 

All 3 of my flights went smoothly and it totaled out to be 23 1/2 hours of flying. That combined with layovers and driving out to the village, it took my 3 days...phew. But I'M HERE!!! 

Sunday afternoon, before heading out to the village, we stopped in Beira (pronounced Beta) for lunch, a quick look around-this will be the city we go into to stock up on items, and so I could email family that I had made it. Next we headed out to the village and I unpacked at my new place and got settled in. 

Monday was exploring day. Karis (the wife of the team leads) took me around Lamego and I met lots of faces. I was also taught a few words in Sena and everyone that I have met is just convinced I will learn Sena by the time I leave.. we shall see! 

Today, I went out to the house that belongs to the Fullers. They arrive next week and I will get to be working with their two little girls and meeting their new one in December, as the wife Ashley, is expecting. I finished unpacking and organizing and my place is quickly feeling like home. 

The rest of this week will consist of going through school items, setting up my classroom, and soaking up as much as I possibly can.

My future blog posts will have pictures but sorry there are none this time. I'll post lots on the next one to make up for it. :D

Thank you to everyone that prayed and encouraged during this time. Seriously friends, you have no idea how much that means. Until next time. 

Love from Lamego,

Ashley

Prayer Requests:

*to fully settle in quickly

*that my brain would be a sponge as I attempt to learn some of the language

*for the people that I will encounter. May I love and care from them well and learn many things from them.

*the Fuller family as they prep to head this way from Kenya

*the Koehns (the team leaders) and the work they continue to do amongst the Sena People.