Lucky! This HIV patient had a mattress instead of a mat.

HIV positive previous school teacher

We had a very interesting day today.  We were invited to learn more about an NGO started by a Baptist preacher (man standing to the left).  This picture and the following ones were taken in the community of Moamba, about 65 kilometers from Maputo.  There happens to be a high concentration of persons with HIV in this district.  According to the social worker I asked the population of the district is 17% HIV positive.  This NGO (called COASA) is trying to offer them better nutritious foods grown locally.  This keeps them feeling better and more likely staying on the medication they need which is supplied by the government.  They have about 2 1/2 hectares (7 acres) in cultivation with only 3 people to work it. 

Machamba (Garden)

Irrigation is available, but it does not give them enough.  Sweet potatoes, squash, chard, are grown to give to the patients.  Tomatoes are grown as a cash crop to help pay expenses.  When the crops are ready to be harvested they take what they need from the fields and deliver them to the sick in the community.  There is an American Baptist missionary that has been in Mozambique for 11 years that is giving them some help with "kits" of personal care items.  The local hospital provides the medication and some nursing care at the homes, but is extremely understaffed and does not have the transportation to do much. This organization makes regular visits to pray with them, deliver fresh food, and let them know they are not forgotten.  (Sounds like HT and VT to me).

Teril feeding cake to HIV patient

We made 5 visits.  We were invited to pray.  There was a wonderful spirit there.  We also met with hospital personnel and learned more about their needs.  I am not sure at this point just what we can do for them that will fit within the guidelines we have; but we will consider possibilities.  One of the challenges is that we are encouraged to work with organizations that have a successful track record.  This one is too new and is having trouble coming up with a solid plan to be sustainable.  We want to use the welfare services in a way that will make the most impact and is sustainable.  We will see.  But I was touched by the efforts of these people to look after their own.  Here are some more pictures of the day.

baptised ministers, social workers and us

All these people were hauled in two trucks to the visits

 

 

 

HIV house made of tin. "HOT"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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(Teril) I have never been inside a Mozambiquan home before today.  The first home had more than one room and was very modern in comparison.  The others homes were just one room.  The only one that could stand up was the School Teacher.  The others were confined to their beds which were just mats on the floor of their one room.  I was glad to see some had nurses assigned to fix the food we brought for them to eat.  They definitely needed help to just get a drink of water.

The picture of all the people standing in a row all squeezed into the two American's trucks to go visiting these 5 people.  Not even the government official used his car to transport people. We had produce in the beds of our trucks with people sitting all around going from place to place.

The blind gal was so engaging.  She was jolly and so happy we came to visit her.  She loved the cake.  Two of the ladies were afraid of the cake.  They don't do much sugared sweets here.  If you do get a cookie or a cake, it is never sweet enough for me.  The lady I fed a piece to nearly choked on the spot with all that sugar.  She needed a glass of water immediately.  We talked afterwards at the hospital and that was mentioned as a difficulty.
 I hope we can partner with the hospital.  In that way we may be able to indirectly help COASA and a lot of other people as well.  We will see.  We have a phone number for the doctor we met today.

Community of Moamba

Community of Moamba

 

 

Impaputo Project nearly finished

Before wash

Washed walls

Painted but needing name replaced

Here is the sequence of events and what the same wall looked like and looks like as of Friday.  They are still finishing all three buildings.  What a difference.  Can you see why the colors were chosen as they were?  We hope this will help them maintain the clean look of their buildings easier.  They have really claimed this project as their own.  We hope it is finished by Christmas this week.

The instructions on how to paint were an important part of the project.  Because we were not willing to pay for a painter and they did not have the cash, they decided to learn to paint themselves.  JMTrading, who provided the paint ,was willing to train the people at Impaputo School to paint their own buildings.  There were 5 steps to be taken.  1.  wash the walls.  2.  Sand the walls  3.  Wipe the sanded material off the walls 4.  fill the holes with massa. 5.  Roll the paint after 4 hours of dry time for the massa.

We had more than 50 people out to help in all these stages.  I was very glad to see the school children there as well washing, sanding, patching, and painting.  This is one of the Welfare Principles.  The Project needs to be "owned" by them, our partners.  We are not in charge.  They are.

The day we were there to help wash, the 5th grade class was there to wash the walls.  There were a few 7th graders too.  One little girl brought her baby sister on her back to help.  Cute and amazing.  How much washing of walls do you think she got done?

 The Impaputo School Committee had to be there to be trained when the guy bringing the materials showed up because it is an hour from Maputo where the materials came from.  The materials guy would not come back out here just to train at a later date.  These Impaputo School Committee who had promised to learn how to paint waited two days at the school for the delivery.  They were still there when it finally was delivered.  We were there too.

Being trained how to paint

These are dedicated parents who want to work with the school for their children.

We are impressed with the School Administrator.  He has been there every time and has taken charge along with the School Committee Chefi.  One of the things the School administrator plans to do is put in electricity for lights.  He plans to have reading classes in the evenings for parents who have never been educated.  This will serve several purposes.  Besides helping the community in education, it will light the school at night which will keep down vandalism at the school.

We have 5 open projects right now.  We feel we have work to do.  The suggested maximum projects open is 5.

hard workers

Cute

Excited about the project

Two are in Beira, a plane ride away.  The others are all with schools, paint, desks, electrical, refurbishing, textbooks.  The two in Beira are Major initiatives with representatives from Salt Lake that we work with.  Both are at hospitals, one with vision and the other Helping Babies Breath.  I am excited to work on them too.

We are off to our Mateque Refurbish project.  They are receiving their first shipment of materials after working with them for 5 months.

Washing walls at Impaputo

Here we are washing walls at the Impaputo Primary School.  Paint should be delivered this week.  We will show you pictures when the painting is done.  This project is our first to get started.  We are grateful to see it progressing.  These kids were fun!  We had to show them how to wash the walls.  Once they got the hang of it, they did OK.  Most of these students were 5th graders with a few 7th graders.

Community Chefe in the center

After washing walls, Titos, the school director (on the far right) took us for a walk in the small community next to the school.  He wanted to introduce us to the community Chefe (Kind of like the mayor of the town but not exactly).
I don't know how old she is but her great grandbaby is strapped to her back.  She was so warm and friendly.  She spoke very little Portuguese.  The language of the community is Changana.  Titos explained that after the painting, one of their goals is to install lights in the classrooms so they can be used in the evenings for adult literacy classes. Most of the parents of the children work in the banana fields and cannot read and write.  We liked his idea of using the school for that.  We may be able to partner with the school again in the near future.

Three varieties of Mangoes

Went shopping in the market with Vanessa, one of our interpreters.  She helped us pick out some fruit.  I (Stan) didn't care for the green ones.  They were hard and not juicy.  But the other ones when they softened up, were really good.  By the way, the green one always stays green hard or soft.  The yellow one is very much like the variety in the Philippines. They call the other one pink mangoes.  
The other fruit we had never tasted before is called Lichi. Amazing!!! This fruit has a skin on it that you can easily peel off.  Sometimes it cracks off and sometimes it comes off all in one wind.  It doesn't taste like anything I have ever tasted before but it is delicious.  Inside the pulp is a large brown smooth seed.  I (Teril)strung them on a thread interspursed with popcorn instead of crancberries for the Christmas Tree.

Peeled lichi fruit showing the seed.

The picture shows the size.  They are about the size of very large acorns and the seed is big but they have quite a mouthful of wonderful, juicy, sweet pulp.  I can't say it taste like ...to give you a comparison, Because I don't know what it tastes like.  It is unique.  It is really good.  They don't sell them in the store that we shop in but they are everywhere on the streets now.  This is why we had Vanessa go shopping with us.  She would know what is good and what is not.  We bought a kilo yesterday.  I believe they need to be eaten today.  The pulp inside is very much like a peeled grape except that a very large smooth brown seed is inside.  The pulp separates from the seed very easily.  You can buy lichi juice in the stores.

Our Christmas Tree

This is a picture of our Christmas Tree with a Capalana Tree Skirt.  We went shopping yesterday for a capalana material that was with Christmas Colors.  We found this one.  It is perfect.  Our little tree is loaded with homemade ornaments with all our kids, their spouses, and their children's names on an ornament.  That makes 51 ornaments on our little tree.

We were without water for about 2 1/2 days.  If you know and plan for it you can manage, but things start getting rough when you run out of clean clothes.  Anyway, we are doing fine.  We are loving our mission. Learning so many good things about ourselves, people, and welfare principles.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is definitely the answer for the salvation of the world in any way you want to define it.  Love to all of you.

Missionary Cantata practice

This is about a third of the total missionaries in Maputo area practicing our Christmas Cantata.  President Koch wanted a special something for Christmas day for these missionaries.  He asked that it not be a "free for all".  He wanted missionaries that could really perform.  That was quite a feat to find someone who could play the piano and who could sing solos since I don't know the missionaries and their talents.  The Zone leaders gave me a list of possible participants.  Wow!  What a great group of missionaries.  The pianist plays much better than me and the singers all took solos and can harmonize from playing their part one time.  What a joy it has been to work with them.  Pres. Koch wanted to make sure the participants were a good cross section of the missionaries from the Zone.  An hours worth of music is quite a feat but I think we have a very spiritual Cantata that will be wonderful for the missionaries on Christmas day.

A few of the participants in the Nativity musical of the Maputo Stake

With only one week of practices, we put on a performance that was fabulous.  Pres. Koch said the missionaries could only attend if they had an investigator and then only for 2 hours.

Let me tell you about this event.  The President of the stake is Pres. Castanhiera.  His wife is the Public Affairs representative for the Stake.  Sis. Castanhiera asked one of our missionary couples, the Kimballs to be in charge of a Stake activity to promote the church, a Christmas Nativity.  Sis. Kimball worked very hard on this activity and was talking to me about it for weeks before I heard anything at the Stake Choir practices.  Stake Conference music took precedence up until one week ago.

Our Stake Music practices last a very long time.  I blogged already about them.  Well, last Sunday, our practice started at 2:00.  I had been called to be the pianist.  Bro. Maia was called to run the music for the Nativity.  (He helped me with the song I sang for my father's funeral in September.)  I did not have the music he planned to use but sat at the piano and played with his music in front of me.  The Stake Choir was asked to sing O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night and Angels we Have Heard, Far Far Away.  Bro. Maia had an difficult arrangement for O Little Town of Bethlehem and some fun things for the others too.  We worked from 2-6:30 Sunday with the announcement that we would practice Tuesday from 6-8 and Thursday 6-8 pm before we performed Saturday, once at 3 and once at 5.  I couldn't believe the improvement we made.  You would have been impressed.  The spirit was so strong.  The music was so angelic.  It was amazing.  One set of  missionaries did bring a investigator.  After the first performance that investigator committed to baptism.  Another Convert was baptised that day and was confirmed today.  We have been sooo blessed.

Sommerschield Primary Sacrament Presentation

Last week, I was asked to play the piano for the Sommerschield Primary.  That was something, never having practiced with them.  Those children sang their little hearts out.  Cute!! Cute!! Cute!!
[Stan]
Teril has told you about the Christmas programs.  There was a wonderful spirit that attended the performance.  You can't help but feel the spirit when you speak, sing, and think on Christ and the marvelous events surrounding his birth and life.  This performance was put on by the stake.

Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus and sister missionaries

Teril has mentioned the program she is working on for/with the missionaries.  Here in Maputo it will be performed Christmas Day along with other activities and food.  The same thing is being planned for Beira (which we will not attend) and in Swaziland.  Pres. Koch invited us to go with them to Swaziland next week so we will be there for their program.  I am looking forward to visiting there.  I hear it is a completely different experience.  English is spoken, the climate is cooler and higher in elevation.  We will be there for 3 days. 

We are so excited about getting approval for the Mateque School project.  As soon as it is officially open we can contact the vendors and get the materials ordered and delivered.  When we met yesterday with the school council a couple of them still seemed to be rather reserved or maybe "cold" would be a better description.  As we talked about the project and what is going to happen and when, the president of the council said, "Please do not be offended if we do not seem as animated as you.  We have had other missionaries/organizations come and take pictures and make promises for help, but we never did hear more from them."  I assured them it was really going to happen.  Then we reviewed the principles of welfare and told them that even if no one showed up to give them anything, they could still accomplish anything they wanted as long as they were willing to work together and sacrifice for the good of the school.  I reminded them of what they already have accomplished with little or no help from outside sources, including the government.  In fact, the reason the Church (Sister Petersen and I) were there and willing to partner was because of this commitment we saw in the community.  I think they are starting to get the idea now that they really can accomplish something better for themselves and their children.  We are talking about 1500 students now and will grow to over 1700 next year and they have so little to work with.  We are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this effort.  It is important for them to see themselves as capable of achievement; being self reliant.  We do not want them to become dependent on outside help.  One of the requirements for our help was to put together a plan to take care of the school property, which includes much of what the church will be helping to provide.  I am pleased with what I see them putting together in maintaining the school. 
My language is improving.  I can understand most of the conversation and am able to get my ideas across all right.  We still use an interpreter on a regular basis, however, because when it comes to dealing with money, products, vendors, time frames, expectations, contracts, etc. I do not want there to be any gaps in the communication.  It feels good to be able to participate in a class at church and know what is going on.  We love all of you and are grateful for your support.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the true answer to every problem.  Overcoming our own pride is usually the biggest obstacle.  When we do that we can move forward in love and harmony. 
Love, Elder Petersen, DAD, and Grandpa

[Stan]
We have had our bout with internet going out.  It is difficult to get our work done without it, not to mention no contact with family and friends.  But then they get it up again and it is OK for a day or two.  Power and water are also intermittent.  Be grateful while you have have it; it may be gone tomorrow!
Thanksgiving was really nice.  Teril wrote about that in the previous blog.  Along with our projects (which I will mention later) we are working on the Christmas Cantata that Pres. Koch assigned us to put together and see that it happens.  It will be performed in 3 areas; Maputo, Beira, and Swaziland.  This is for the missionaries only and they will be performing.  There is good talent here and it should be a nice program.  We will probably only attend here in Maputo, although it may work out for us to go to Swaziland.  We will see.  It seems so strange to be planning Christmas in the hottest part of the year. 
Our projects are moving; albeit, slowly.  That is just the way things happen here.  But we are excited about getting approval on a second project that we have talked about for some time.  It is the Mateque Elementary School (Escola Primaria de Mateque).  I believe we posted some pics of this early on.  The issue we are dealing with now is the drastic drop on the metical; about 20%.  Not only does that make it challenging to budget for projects, but it makes the vendors anxious thinking they will not now get a fair price for the bid turned in earlier.  We have assured them we will be fair and account for that, but it is still difficult. 

Dinner for 10

Recently we were invited by the stake public affairs specialist to attend a dinner for 10.  We did not know what that was, but we were told to come prepared to share some about what we do and about some of the projects that the church has and is doing in Mozambique.  So I prepared some info.  When we arrived at the Radisson there was a very nice set up and a great meal provided.  People from the community leadership had been invited to come and learn about the church.  Apparently this is a common and frequent event (Dinner for 10) for public affairs.  I did not know.  Now that I understand it we will come prepared next time with photos and a better explanation. 

pictures everywhere

eating thanksgiving dinner

Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Mozambique of course.  However, there is one missionary that was very insistent that we have a Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving this year.  Thanks to him, our President, Pres. Koch, gave the go ahead for this Thanksgiving dinner.  The person in the front of this picture is Naldo, our first interpreter.  He has too many hours with us so passed off the Interpreting to his brother, Benildo.  Benildo is two people down from Naldo at the table.

The decoration on the table is the famous, Acacia blossom.  I have been told that Maputo is the city of Acacia trees.  I have sent pictures of this tree before in the blog.  Aren't they beautiful?

Acacia blossom

This yellow pedal is striking within each set of pedals in a cluster of blossoms.  The trees are covered with these blossoms right now in this beautiful spring weather.

This picture below shows Elder Christiansen.  He is the reason for Thanksgiving.  His part of the dinner was the potatoes.  He had an interesting recipe that he followed.  You know, that is what makes Thanksgiving special.  The traditions people bring to the dinner.

His recipe is as follows.
10 lbs potatoes boiled till soft
1 cube butter
1 pint of sour cream
3 eggs
1/2 lb cheddar cheese
Mash the potatoes, butter, sour cream together.  Beat the eggs and mix into the hot mixture.   Top mix with grated cheese. Salt and pepper to taste.
They were delicious.  This picture is of his second

Elder Christiansen

plate of food with the drum stick in hand.  Elders can surely put away the food.  All these elders ate and ate and ate.  We are very thankful that Elder Christiansen wanted Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving Dinner was served at the Mission Office.  It used to be the mission home until they moved the President and his wife to another home.  There are still the office worker missionaries that live here upstairs.  It has a thatched roof and is two stories.  It is a nice place that we will have the Christmas Day celebration for the missionaries as well.  They are moving a piano in for the Cantata that I have been asked to conduct.  I am glad for that.  These little Casio keyboards have a lot to be desired when it comes to accompanying or for real quality sound.

Sis. Koch's turkeys and my dressing

Sis. Kimball is one of the other Senior missionaries in Maputo.  She and Elder Kimball serve as the office missionaries.  Sis. Kimball dropped off two turkeys to Sis. Koch's house.  Sis. Koch does not like turkey and hadn't ever cooked turkey before.  She had quite a tell to tell about her first experience with turkey.  They don't do Thanksgiving in Brazil either.  However, the turkey was most delicious; a sign of a great cook.  She said the wings and thigh and drumsticks just fell off the carcass so she put them in another dish and just served the breasts with fruit around it.  Doesn't it look pretty?

Pile of food

 Sis. Kimball did the fruit salad.  She put every kind of fruit she could find.  The only odd thing in there was the mangoes and they added a wonderful taste.  I suggested we put whip cream in it.  That is how I like it.  Ummmm!

My part of the Thanksgiving dinner was stuffing.  I was asked if I wanted to do something else.  I said I wanted to make a berry pie.  I went searching for the ingredients for my part.  There is no stuffing mix.  I looked for bread that I could use for stuffing.  I found some and tried a recipe that was similar to the one I knew my mother used.  The first trial for stuffing came out dry and unflavorful.  I was glad to have a week to try a recipe.  On THanksgiving, the dressing was perfect.
The pie, however, was a different story.  We looked and looked for berries, fresh, canned, frozen, anything.  Nada!  No berries except Strawberries.  Strawberries are too hard to make sure they are clean so we stay away from them.  I changed my mind about berry pie.  There is no shortening anyway.  We made apple crisp instead.  It was delicious.