Since getting back to Moz we have settled in back home but our home has to settle back into us. We always have lizards living in our house (as evidenced by the lizard poos and eggs we find). We don’t mind them and they are a welcome creature in comparison to rats and roaches. We have noticed one particular lizard that seems a little put out that we have returned. Normally when we encounter one, they scurry to a hiding spot. I guess we were gone long enough that this gecko thinks he owns the place and will walk across the room, pause, look at us, and then continue on its way. One morning I was taking a shower and he stared at me the whole time. When I flicked my hair back, I guess I scared him because he jumped from the wall of the shower, causing me to jump from the shower. We are still friends.
There is a tortoise living on the property that we are keepers of. It doesn’t require much effort, it just enjoys the protection of living on our property. Since we’ve been back it has been staying in our backyard. Even in dry season, it seems to find enough to forage around for a meal. I have enjoyed watching it move across our yard and find myself trying to find it when I go out. I brought it some wilted lettuce leaves just for fun.
Our bathroom window has reflective glass so we get birds coming to defend their territories from themselves at our window. Dave set up the GoPro to catch them in action. We have seen many collared sunbirds attacking or admiring themselves in our window.
For a few days we also had a female puffback attacking the window. We never did catch it on camera, but we did see the male puff his back, exposing the white patch of feathers that give its name, in the lemon tree outside our window.
Some friends staying on the property discovered an injured hammerkop. They are frequently at our property and sometimes nest here or next door so they are a normal sight and are such fun to watch. The kids named this one Thor (get it?), and unfortunately it was unable to use its legs. He didn’t last long, but they gave him some love and comfort in the meantime and it gave us a chance to look at one up close.
Since we've been back there have been several sightings of genets on our property. One evening we caught a glace of one on our roof. The camera on the phone at night doesn't do it justice, but definitely a cool cat-like creature that one doesn't see very often. We often hear things on our roof that sound larger than rats, so I'm wondering if it has visited our house several times.
Our property’s electrical system is connected to our
neighbor’s property and they have a big generator that provides power when the
city power goes out. One evening we were
having a “brown-out” where the voltage gets so low it can ruin electrical
appliances. We shut off the city power
and switched to the generator. The
generator started having problems and it had to be shut off. The next day, Dave and one of their workers
spent half the day working on it and were able to get it fixed. This week our power was acting wacky again and then went out. We found out they had a fire next door and were scared to reconnect to the city's power until it was fixed. Once again Dave and a worker from next door were able to get it repaired. Around here you either need to be a Dave or have a Dave! So grateful for him!
The shop being built on the back corner of the property, formed by shipping containers as the walls is coming along. They are putting in a pit to be able to work on cars which will be a huge help. Driving through the rain and puddles wreaks havoc on our vehicles so this shop will be a blessing. This will be a great place to stage other projects as well.
Our YWAM neighbors have several projects to help with the refugees fleeing the conflict in Cabo Delgado, the province to the North. Over 300,000 people have fled the area and many of the displaced people have fled to other cities where they have no family, no job, and must start over. YWAM's project has provided mattresses, pots, buckets, soap, beans, rice, oil, and other staples. They have had routine food distributions at their community center which has given them a chance to minister to these people. Many of the kids in my martial arts class weekly go and help sack and organize the food being given out.
