Arrived in Pemaba

We've arrived in Pemba, Mozambique to Iris Ministries Base. We are doing wonderful and loving being here. It is an adjustment to live without some of the conveniences but JH Ranch community living has prepared us more than most. We have enjoyed meeting new people who are eager to serve and learn from all different cultures. We have also enjoyed our runs in the morning along the ocean.

This base hosts about 200 children. Also on this base are the 120 missionary training students. Nearby is another Iris base hosting about 200 Mozambiquan pastors being trained.

Most of our classmates have arrived. The majority are from the USA but also included are 17 Russians, 10 South Africans, 4 UK, 2 France, 2 Canada, 4 Australia, 2 Switzerland, 1 Uganda, 1 Hong Kong, 4 China, and more.

The base is on a hillside overlooking the Indian Ocean. Our housing is about a 300 yard walk to the beach. It is hot here but fortunately we get a refreshing ocean breeze.

Our housing is about a 600 sq ft building with a tin roof. Within this is 3 rooms hosting Allison and me and 7 more female missionary students. Water here is a precious commodity and not something we are guaranteed to have. We keep a 55 gallon drum filled at all times in case we need water for showers, toilets, etc. Everyone sleeps under a mosquito net for comfort and prevention for malaria. Fortunately, I have not found the mosquitos to be bad having only put on bug spray once just to do it.

The food has been ok. In less than a week I have had rice and beans for the majority of the meals. Fortunately we came during a time of celebration and had chicken twice with rice which evidently is a really big deal. Breakfast consists of a glass of tea and a roll. We are able to go to town to the market to purchase some fruits to supplement our diet.

The people are very friendly but communication is difficult not knowing Makua or Portuguese. Having had some Spanish is very helpful for communicating a few things. We are being paired in our school with pastors from the Mozambiquan pastor school to facilitate cross-cultural learning. Worship with them is a fun experience. It involves every part of your body moving as all the songs have movements to them. Allison, enjoys this. I do too but I am still trying to clap and sing at the same time.