Busy Day!

Today we went to an orphanage in Mozambique. We had to travel some really bumpy roads to get there. I thought we were 4-wheeling - especially when we gunned it through a huge puddle just praying we wouldn't get stuck. The farther we went on this dusty and bumpy road, the more I wondered what we would find when we got there. I really was surprised when we entered the orphanage. I've been in other orphanages in 3rd world countries and this one was the best I have seen. It was clean and the kids seemed happy. Scott and I spent all the time in the 2 year old and under rooms. I walked in to see rows and rows of cribs and little 2 and 3 year olds standing, sitting or lying. Most of them were so quiet - just staring at us. They really didn't cry - until one of the workers left the room. They were all so darling. Of course they couldn't understand a word we said, but a smile goes a long way. We had so much fun talking, or playing little hand games with the kids. Scott found a little guy and rubbed his back and the little guy looked like he was in a trance. You could almost hear him say "Ah, dude, don't stop!" There is nothing more precious than when a little one wraps their hand around your finger - and they did not want to let go. Next door was the infant room and it was lunch time. I got to feed a chubby little Giovianni. He was so playful - trying to knock the spoon out of my hand and then grinning! It was all I could do to feed him, and the gal next to me was feeding four of them at one time. (I am really out of practice!)

And of course - being me - I found the kids with CP, hydrocephalus and autism - they are there - just like at home. Lynne has been coming to this orphanage for a few years, but hasn't been there for a while. She was pleasantly surprised to see some of the older kids who she knew as babies - grown up and talking to her! I loved going, but at the same time left with a heavy heart - lots and lots of little babies. Most if not all of these babies were HIV positive. Some were true orphans, and some were there because they were sick and their families could not take care of them. They did not allow any pictures of the orphanage - which is too bad because you would have fallen in love with the little cuties.

I did take some pictures of the crazy traffic here. LA's stop and go freeway traffic is nothing compared to the city traffic here in Mozambique. We had to go to the grocery store and it took about 20 minutes just to get in the parking lot! I've included some pictures so you can feel my pain! Also, I took some pictures on the way to the orphanage of some typical housing and the vendors that line the streets. Check out the gal carrying the pineapples. I'm thinking this might be the way for me to be able to carry all the stuff I cart around when I have to do my trainings! I can just imagine what people would say as I'm carrying my computer and projector on my head!