Monday, April 9, 2018

Luaha 'The Jungle'

This week and the last 12 days have been a bit of a mad dash that have felt more like 3 or 4 days... Very long days, but still only a few, not 12 days for sure.

We had planned on spending a week in Maputo to get organized, do laundry, get supplies, make sure the office was in good shape and then go to Luaha.... But due to some other needs we decided to switch and go straight to Luaha (Nampula).... Sorry Elder Stevens and Elder Thornton, you guys got this!

This meant my 5 days of packed clothes weren't going to make it, and I didn't have a washing machine, so, I hand washed all my clothes. Why not. That's always a fun experience. I am super glad that washing machines are a thing.

Anyway, after a day or two in Nampula we headed out with two members from Nampula as our guides, the Nampula Zone Leaders (Elder Chugg and Elder Cordy). We were told the drive would be around 8 hours.... I wasn't feeling great so I switched out of driving and 2 hours later we had arrived. Way way ahead of schedule. The Luaha group welcomed us with singing and hugs. It was great. We had a welcome meeting then got to setting up our tents, the kitchen thingy and checking out the area. After lunch, still feeling awful I went to take a nap around 14:30....... and woke up at 23 :) It happens. Still feeling sick I quickly wrote in my journal (gotta keep that promise) then fell sleep again.... Until about 11:30. Yup, a solid 20 ish hours of sleep. I finally was feeling 70% though!

That day we mainly just explored the area, talked with members and enjoyed nature. There was a group of members who traveled 50 km (31 miles) to meet President Senna and have him officiate a wedding. The stars in Luaha were incredible because there is no energy, lights or anything for miles and miles and miles. Beautiful at night, super bright. The members just live day by day farming and eating and working and sleeping--repeat day after day.



The following day I woke up and got going on the day because 'Hey, lets try and climb that mountain before the baptism' seemed like a great idea..... So we went off to check out the river then try hiking a bit. The river was a bit busy with people bathing and washing clothes so we moved onto the hike. This however took a TON longer than we thought and by the time we got to the first main ledge it was 10 minutes until the baptism (not that like anyone in the village has a watch or a phone to tell time), and Elder Cordy was half dying of his allergies so we headed back though the jungliness to the village.



Once we got back we got all ready for the baptism, took photos and started the walk to the river. The baptisms was the 'dream baptism' look for an African mission. Lots of people all dressed in capulanas, river for baptisms and singing in dialect on the way back. It was great.



That night there was a wedding of two of the people who came 50 km to get there, it was nice, lots and lots of xima and little fried dough thingies.



Sunday was an interesting church meeting as each of us did 2 of the confirmations for the baptism and all the talks were translated into the dialect. I also was asked to bear my testimony, which got translated. That is a weird experience. The English native speaking Utahan speaking portuguese to get translated into dialect. Its a mess for the brain.



We drove back on Sunday and flew out Monday morning at 01:00 (Thanks LAM for pushing back our flight 9 hours. Love you and your customer service!). We got into Maputo at about 3 am and I got to take a real shower. Ah showers. Magical thingies. Now we have a few days to pack, make purchases and get ready to leave on Friday to catch a Saturday early morning train to Marromeu (avoid wrecking another Toyota truck).



Thanks for all those that emailed me. Another long email, crazy week!

Elder Howell





















 Happy Birthday Hannah!


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