In your own words, what is your definition of nutrition? I’m assuming you all came up with a simple response describing healthy foods and good eating habits. This is one of the open ended questions we have been asking outgrowers this week and most cannot give an answer and do not understand. Here is one thing I have learned in Mozambique. Nutrition is a luxury. Hot water is a luxury. A washing machine is a luxury. A shower is a luxury. A toilet is a luxury. Now in the U.S. these are basic goods and luxuries consist more of a fancy car or a big screen t.v. This is where we are WRONG. Are we this way because our standard of living is higher? Where did we loose sight of the big picture? The people here live simply. They live day to day with hardly enough food to get by yet there is a sense of luxury here. A sense of wealth. They love in a way I cannot put into words. Let me tell you what their luxuries are. Family. They measure their wealth in their family. I think we can all learn a little something from this. It is easy to take advantage of the fact that we live in a 1st world country that allows us to live with these basic “luxuries” that are denied to so many people around the world. We think we deserve these things that apparently add value to our life but we don’t. We don’t deserve anything. So instead of counting your blessings as materialistic things look around at your family and feel the richness. Most people in Nampula do not live past 55, 60 if they are lucky. Do not waste the time you are given on this earth to live a comfortable life. Live a life that gives to other people. GIVE YOUR LIFE TO OTHER PEOPLE. Tell me a better way to truly satisfy your soul. We are lucky enough to live in a country like America so lets give our lives to those who were not blessed in the ways we were. This week I had a powerful moment that made me know my dad was with me. Before coming to Mozambique my mom syd and I went to the dollar store to get toys to give away to the kids here. My mom saw a hotwheel car that was a Camaro (My dads favorite car). This may be silly but I had been putting off all week giving away this toy because I had a feeling I was meant to give it to a kid that really touched my heart and I would just know it was meant to be. In honor of my Dad I wanted it to be special. We were in a village this week and I met a boy who was really shy. I told him my name and lucky for me Jessica is a very popular name here and all the kids love to say it! Haha. All the kids were following us from house to house and during the second survey I had a group of kids around me (including the shy boy who wasn’t so shy anymore) and we were drawing pictures in the dirt. This boy who had warmed up to me was drawing different things and pointing to them around the village. It was incredible. Language wise we could not understand each other but looking in his eyes I understood him and he understood me. With out words we were communicating. The next picture he drew was a car and in that instant I knew it was meant to be. After the survey was over I gave him the yellow Camaro and I could tell it made his whole world (little did he know it made mine as well). As we drove away in the truck all the kids chased after us and I saw the boy holding the car high running after us. I left that village with tears in my eyes knowing I would never see him again. Knowing he would never leave that village. I will never forget the friend I made that day sitting there drawing in the dirt that day. I left a piece of my heart there with him and whenever I am having a bad day I will remember that smile and find peace. (He's in the above pictures in the blue shirt) Thanks for listening friends.
Lots of love from the ends of the earth and back, Jess
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HIIIIIIIIIIII. So I know this is REALLY hard to believe but wifi is a rare thing to come by in Mozambique Africa. But if I’m being honest I don’t mind being absent from the social media and technology world. Let me catch you up on the past two weeks (if possible). I’m not even sure where to begin because SOOOOOO much has happened. Two weekends ago we went on our first weekend trip to an Island off the coast called Ilha. Mozambique never fails to surprise me. From mountaintops to ocean waves this place has it all!!!!!! Ilha was about a 3-hour bus ride away from Nampula and when we arrived we were all in for a surprise. The hostel we were staying at was AWESOME!!!!! It was super edgy and each bed had its own mosquito net because all the windows were open and the bathroom didn’t even have a roof on it! Speaking of roofs this place was made out of complete stone and there were benches carved into the roof with pillows and tables. It was the perfect place for everyone to hang out and talk about life. Because here is the thing we have all experienced so much life here. The things I’ve learned from my “classmates” on this trip are things I’ll always hold in my heart. I got to hear my now friend Elliot’s story which was really cool. I think its amazing how we all have our stories. All the parts of our life put together like puzzle pieces to make us into who we are. Elliot and I sat on the roof for along time that night talking about the questions we have for God, our fears, and our thoughts about Mozambique. Elliot’s heart is huge and I am so fortunate to be making friends with someone with such a passion for the world and loving people. So the next morning we went on sailboats to another island and I have never in my life seen water so clear and so beautiful. I saw all my favorite shades of blue in the waves. When we got to the island we all jumped in the water off the boats and all my clothes got wet (I didn’t mind). Unfortunately for me I stepped on coral and it got stuck in my foot haha. Ooops. Don’t worry (I’m talking to you Grandma) I got it out!! Or I should say we because it was defiantly a team effort. All part of the adventure right? After getting the coral out of my foot we all explored the island and collected sea shells, which is like one of my favorite things to do hehe. I actually found a shark tooth wahoo!!! We spent a few hours on the island and then went back to ilha for lunch. After lunch me, Em, Joe, Caleb, Mat, and Dr. Nalley walked around and found this little hut bar on the beach. We sat and listened to the waves and learned more about eachother. I LOVE LEARNING ABOUT PEOPLE. And let me tell yall the people on this trip with me truly change lives including mine!!! That night we went to dinner at a nice restaurant and then went back to the beach to look at the stars. I saw many shooting stars but I can’t tell you what I wished for cause then it won’t come true…. Hehe. We could see the milky way which was truly phenomenal. Ilha was an incredible experience to say the least!!!! Thanks for reading friends and fam. I miss you all!!!! From Nampula to you I send my love mwah!!!
Jess |
AuthorHi I'm Jess!!! I have a soul for traveling and loving people. All kinds of people from all conners of the world from all walks of life. I've left pieces of my heart all over the world. This is my safe space to write all the things on my heart. I hope you find some comfort and encouragement in the words on these pages. Thanks for reading friends (: Archives
July 2016
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