We arrived before Youngson so went ordered some doughnuts (Steve claims they are the best in Beira, and in my limited experience, I have to agree) and found an empty table in the outside eating area. Youngson showed up a few minutes later along with his wife Elizabeth and son. They ordered, and Steve and Youngson discussed some church business.
Youngson then went to the Mozambican version of the DMV to get the forms needed for renewing the vehicle licenses. While he was gone, Steve checked out some tables a man was selling. He ended up buying three and took one back to the Land Cruiser (he had the other two back at his house).
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| Steve's Land Cruiser |
When Youngson returned, Steve and he filled out the forms. Then Youngson called a friend on the inside to see if they would be able to get the licenses today. They were too busy so Steve would have to return another day. We talked some more with Youngson and Elizabeth. Youngson asked about my boss, Jonathan Lloyd, (they were good friends when Jonathan was a missionary in Malawi) and was glad to hear that I worked so closely with him.
A little while later, we parted ways and Steve and I headed back to his car. The man hadn't brought the tables yet so Steve decided to use the bathroom while I waited in the car. As I sat in the car with the windows down, I noticed two men walking by on the opposite side of the car as me. They were looking at Steve's bag that was sitting in the middle seat. I made eye contact and they continued on their way. A few seconds later, another man approached my open window. He was trying to get me to look at some trinkets he was selling. The first thing was a gold-colored pendant. I politely said não (pron. "now". No.). Something in the way he was trying to get me to focus my attention away from the car made me suspicious. About this time I noticed the same two men who walked by a few moments earlier eyeing Steve's bag. Realizing what was going on, I clutched Steve's bag in one hand. After telling him I wasn't interested in his first item, he then tried to sell me "diamonds" in an old film canister (if you can remember what they look like :) ) which looked more like dirt. Once again I said não and turned to smile at the two men on the right. The man on my left continued to try to sell me things but I sat there refusing to acknowledge him until he finally left me alone.
A little while later, we parted ways and Steve and I headed back to his car. The man hadn't brought the tables yet so Steve decided to use the bathroom while I waited in the car. As I sat in the car with the windows down, I noticed two men walking by on the opposite side of the car as me. They were looking at Steve's bag that was sitting in the middle seat. I made eye contact and they continued on their way. A few seconds later, another man approached my open window. He was trying to get me to look at some trinkets he was selling. The first thing was a gold-colored pendant. I politely said não (pron. "now". No.). Something in the way he was trying to get me to focus my attention away from the car made me suspicious. About this time I noticed the same two men who walked by a few moments earlier eyeing Steve's bag. Realizing what was going on, I clutched Steve's bag in one hand. After telling him I wasn't interested in his first item, he then tried to sell me "diamonds" in an old film canister (if you can remember what they look like :) ) which looked more like dirt. Once again I said não and turned to smile at the two men on the right. The man on my left continued to try to sell me things but I sat there refusing to acknowledge him until he finally left me alone.
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| Notice the roll of TP on the dashboard. This is an essential item to keep in your car in Africa. |
Another few minutes (Note: When I wrote this entry, I apparently tried to create a new word by combining another and few to get "Afother", but let's get back to the story.) passed and the man with the tables showed up. Steve showed up shortly thereafter and helped the man load the tables into the car. Then we returned to the house. The tables made perfect end tables for the couches in the living room. Chris made macaroni and cheese for lunch. Afterwards, I took a nap.
I awoke to a dark house with no one inside. I could see people sitting on the veranda so I went outside. Outside I found Steve and Chris talking with Melanie. I pulled up a chair and noticed the somber mood of everyone present. Steve disclosed that someone had just played the sickest April Fools' joke imaginable on them. They had received a call telling them that one of the young pastors had taken rat poison in an attempt to commit suicide. Chris explained that this is a fairly common form of suicide in Mozambique. You can buy small vials of it on street corners throughout the city. Fortunately, the rumor was just that, a rumor, but the damage had been done. Steve was able to make contact with the pastor and confirm that he was indeed okay and had not tried to commit suicide. Despite the good news, the situation was hard on everyone.
I awoke to a dark house with no one inside. I could see people sitting on the veranda so I went outside. Outside I found Steve and Chris talking with Melanie. I pulled up a chair and noticed the somber mood of everyone present. Steve disclosed that someone had just played the sickest April Fools' joke imaginable on them. They had received a call telling them that one of the young pastors had taken rat poison in an attempt to commit suicide. Chris explained that this is a fairly common form of suicide in Mozambique. You can buy small vials of it on street corners throughout the city. Fortunately, the rumor was just that, a rumor, but the damage had been done. Steve was able to make contact with the pastor and confirm that he was indeed okay and had not tried to commit suicide. Despite the good news, the situation was hard on everyone.
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