Different roads to the same destination...

This week I had a very interesting conversation with one of my expat friends during our early morning walk. She is from Indonesia and though her English is limited and my Indonesian is even more limited (OK, non-existent!) we manage to carry on some profound conversations. This week, she was explaining how her Muslim faith guided her to pray 5 times a day and to fast on designated days. I explained that as a Catholic, I prayed, although not specifically 5 times a day, sometimes less, sometimes more. I also explained that Catholics also have fasting days during the year. She nodded her head as if to indicate that she knew all about it and quickly added the following: "We are traveling on different roads to reach the same end, God". I smiled...it was so true. Our previous conversations have consisted of great stories about our family, our children, etc. We've shared stories about similar experiences in our lives and moments when we are so grateful for the blessings we have received. We are thankful for those beautiful birds we hear singing each morning on our walks, the monkeys we hear in the distance across the river...and those moments when everything seems "all right with the world". We also see the smiling faces of the local Soyo people as we pass them on our walks and we initiate or answer their "bom dia" greeting. They have a much different and difficult life than we do, despite the fact that we all share the experience of living in Soyo. Many seem to be quite content and God has a big presence in their lives as well. I get this impression from the masses that I have attended at Mpinda (see video below of one of the most recent uplifting celebrations of mass) and from observing the religious names of markets and small businesses in town...Bom Jesus...Deus. The insightful statement made by my friend is so true..."We are traveling on different roads to reach the same end, God". With all of the discord in the world today conveniently mislabeled as "religious" differences one can only hope that this simple statement with so much meaning can make it to more and more hearts each day. OK, enough of the soap box...back to "Life in Soyo".... where, as expats we are given the opportunity to acknowledge differences, try our best to accept them with open minds and hearts, and many times learn from them. The key words here are "try", "open minds and hearts", and "learn"...

In the last month or so, we've had a few events occur which could be considered "exciting".

• First, we were told that I had to leave Angola unexpectedly due to an expiring visa and a "not so speedy" process for renewal. We diligently made flight reservations for my departure, only to be informed 2 days before leaving that I could stay in country while the renewal process progressed...exciting! :-) Five weeks later, (yesterday) my visa was renewed. 
• The power/water outages that had subsided earlier this year, popped up again when "improvements to the system" were made. Luckily, these outages only persisted for a couple of weeks. 
• The summer/rainy season has made its exit. It is easy to detect the start of the new winter season as cooler temperatures and cool breezes in the mornings and afternoons prevail. Weather-wise, this is the best time to be in Soyo. The early morning walks are very pleasant and the evenings are very amenable to outside activities. As I was writing this section, Orlanda, our housekeeper, asked me if I was "cold" as I am sitting on the back porch with my laptop. I smiled and said "nao" (no) it's "muito bom" (very good)...I would have said "delightful"...but I was not quick enough with my translator...I should have said..."encantador". It's around 85 degrees F and a I can feel a slight breeze. That is cold for Orlanda. :-)

Living near the Congo River is an experience, but going for a boat ride on the river is even better! A few Sundays ago, we took a ride on Soyo's version of the "African Queen", a boat named "Miss Tuffy". The planned itinerary was to travel on the river to observe the scenery, but also to see the Ponta do Padrão historic site. Ponta do Padrão is said to be the place where Diogo Cão, the Portuguese explorer, placed a padrão (stone cross) to claim the land for Christ and Portugal in 1482. This landmark was placed near the mouth and estuary of the Congo River where it discharges into the Atlantic Ocean. Little did we know that we would get more than just a ride down the Congo that day. Once "Miss Tuffy" approached the landmark area, we were told by the boat captain that permission had to be obtained by the local village soba, (village elder or chief). We reached the beach near the village and were led through the village to meet the soba and obtain his permission. Once the soba gave us his permission, he and his entourage led us to the sacred site where the original Ponta do Padrão was erected by Diogo Cão and his crew. At the site, a small ceremony took place. Everyone in our party was invited to sip wine, dance to chants and observe the blessing of the site, which consisted of sprinkling wine on the wet, marsh-like ground. Shortly after the ceremony, we were led to new site of the cross, Ponta do Padrão. After many picture opportunities, the soba showed us (by entering the water) the meeting point of the Congo River and the Atlantic Ocean. The pictures below document our experience. A trip to remember for a lifetime!

Miss Tuffy

Jeff signing the soba's log of visitors

Blessing of sacred ground

Ana sipping the wine

The soba's village

The villagers dry fish on stands throughout the village

Ponta do Padrão with the soba, Jeff, Ana, Alma, Kris, Cindy, Nyles, Craig and villagers

...and the Congo is to the right

The soba demonstrates that the Atlantic Ocean is to the left...

The mouth and estuary of the Congo River

On Mother's Day, we attended Mpinda mission church and once again, unexpectedly took part in a grand celebration. The mass was con-celebrated by the Archbishop and several priests from local parishes. We were asked to sit in chairs beside the make-shift altar next to the church. The crowds are so large for these special masses that the few wooden pews are moved outside under the mango trees and the large fallen logs are used as seating as well. We took many pictures and videos of the impressive choir. It is always such a joy to attend these masses. The fact that they last 3 hours really doesn't matter. The congregation is so engaged and are truly happy to be singing and praying. Quite an experience! This video allows you to "be there" with us:

We are now in the hiatus period for our projects at Mpinda catholic mission school. The first trimester has ended and the students entered their testing period followed by 2 weeks of holidays. The new trimester will start at the end of May and we are preparing a new schedule of activities. Here are a few pictures and videos from our last few weeks with the second and first graders below. The students are now actively engaging in dancing and singing for us at the end of most of our sessions. It is a gift for us!

Flower pots and smiles!

Proud display of the artwork

 

Mpinda class sings for us

During the Mpinda school break, we organized a lunch for ladies at Kinwica so that we could enjoy the changing weather and exchange stories. We always have hilarious stories to share about immigration, visas, home maintenance, etc. It's like group therapy. As always, we had a great time!

Left: Mary, Cindy, Joan; Center: Mo; Right: Ana, Tari, Linda

 A get-together with all of the spouses is always a treat. Mo and Pat hosted a "happy evening" at their Kimbumba home in April which featured pizza from Pat's famous adobe pizza oven that he constructed in his back yard with the help of his drivers. Pat also has a famous homemade pizza crust which is outstanding! Many of us have stated that it is the best pizza we have ever eaten. That is great news since the lack of produce and food in Soyo sometimes only allows us to dream about delicacies like Mexican, Italian or Chinese food! I am attaching some photos taken at the "happy evening" below.

Clockwise: Tari, Bhavna, Melania, Joan, Mo and Kris

Bernie and Nyles

Jeff giving Hadi tips on cooking the perfect pizza in Pat's oven

Left to Right: Tari, Melania, Mo

Pizza building crew, left to right: Ricardo, Hadi, Nyles, Rajeesh, Bhavna, Saiphin and the famous pizza dough man himself, Pat (in back)

Craig and Nate

Left to right: Saiphin, Bhavna and Craig

 In Kimbumba several expats have gardens in their yards. Some have gardeners, others tackle the job solo. We don't currently have a gardener. We are attempting to fly solo...we'll see how that turns out! I am limiting my attempts at gardening to marigolds, coleus, bougainvilleas and some herbs. With limited access to fertilizers and plant sources, I have had some success with plant cuttings from friends' yards and seeds brought from the states. The papayas are in season at the moment and our friend, Tari, has shared many of her papayas ("mamao" in Portuguese) with us. When you slice the fruit, it is like slicing butter, not to mention they are very delicious! I planted one of the seeds from a papaya that we ate a few weeks ago. This week I see that it is sprouting. I suppose that I will get to try out my hand at cultivating a papaya tree! I also acquired a cutting from my friend, Margaret's, mint plants...with a little luck, I may be able to make mojitos in a few months! :-)

Cindy, Ana and Tari/Tari's papayas

Well, that is all for now. Many spouses have been traveling home or on R&Rs and a few of us have been "holding down the fort". Next month is our turn to travel while others "hold down the fort". We will be taking a trip back to the states and we are very excited about it. We plan to spend time with family and friends and take time to relax. The big question is how we will feel when we step onto US land again. We know we will be glad to be back home with friends and family....the question is whether we will notice any substantial change in our perspectives or outlook on life. I suspect that we will.