Merry Christmas!
We didn't get Christmas cards in the mail, but we wanted to take a moment to send our friends, family, supporters, prayer warriors, and encouragers a note of thanks! We probably don't say it enough, but you are an important part of the work we do here and we just want to use this blog to help communicate that!
Living in Mozambique can be difficult during the holidays. It is often 100 degrees outside and we hear the usual sounds of the call to prayer from the local mosque instead of Christmas carols. We know we won't drive to be with family for a nice meal on Christmas Eve, wear an ugly Christmas sweater, or watch our nephews and nieces open gifts up in excitement. Sometimes there is an element of homesickness (but don't start feeling sorry for us... we are going to make homemade ice cream and celebrate with friends who have become family!).
To make it feel more festive, every year I put up my Charlie Brown Christmas tree. You see, I'm not much of a decorator and I am a Peanuts fanatic, so the combination is perfect. I can handle one ornament! But I also like what this tree stands for. I probably don't have to tell anyone the plot of the holiday special that has run since 1965, but let me summarize. In an effort to stave off the commercialism that has taken over the holiday (and because he has a soft heart), Charlie Brown picks out the infamous gangly looking tree for his Christmas play. After being mocked by his friends for picking out the miserable tree, he asks if anybody knows what Christmas is all about. Linus, ever the theologian, goes center stage and quotes from Luke 2:8-14:
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.
No matter where we are in the world, we can celebrate this. We don't need the lights, the tinsel, the sweaters, or the family get-togethers to celebrate the birth of our Savior. So with that, "Merry Christmas" from Mozambique!
2017: The Beautiful, the Normal, and the Weird
Our newsletters and posts often highlight some cool flights and events that we think you might be interested in. However, frequently the weird and beautiful moments never make the limited space of a newsletter. We thought we would give some of those pictures and videos some screen time. Some are just normal aspects of life here in Nampula, while others take our breath away (in good ways and bad).
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| Sunset view from the hangar |
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| Fueling the plane in Niassa |
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| Coast at Inhambane, Mozambique |
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Cool coastal features from the air
Landing at Catembe Airstrip in Niassa (fast-motion)
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| Grabbing lunch on the street in Juba, South Sudan |
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Paying for dinner in Juba with a crazy exchange rate...
like paying in nickels! |
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