Architecture and Fruit Shopping

Last night was a rough night for me due to a headache, so I skipped our morning Portuguese lesson.  Mom and Dad went on their own and had a good time learning the alphabet.  After they came home and we had lunch, we went out to run a few errands: looking for a tire, cloth for an embroidery lesson Mom will be teaching tomorrow, and also some fruit.  

I love taking pictures as we drive around the city.  I try to be sneaky when I take photos, so that most of my subjects are unaware.  I also enjoy taking photos of the architecture here.  This city is a mix of styles from the various groups who have run the country.  I love the oldest buildings.  I wish I could see what they would have looked like when they were newly constructed.  

Dad buying fruit from his favorite vendor

Fruit Market 

The more functional buildings aren't quite as pretty!

This last picture is of an old building that is home to a few different families now, as you can tell by the laundry hanging on the second balcony.  I think there are shops on the lower level.  

There are more difficult sights than the architecture.  On the way to the fabric shop for Mom's material, we saw a man crawling on his hands and knees across a fairly busy street.  He wore knee pads on his knees.  He was crawling because he only had his right foot.  Once we reached the store, I saw a second man on crutches, also missing a foot.  There are so many examples of how life is difficult here.  Not even a week into being here, it is still overwhelming.  There are so many different types of help needed, one doesn't know where to start.  

I started reading a new book while Mom and Dad were at their language lesson.  The first chapter reminds the reader that God has a unique and creative plan for each of our lives.  I'm so thankful that I don't have to create a plan for the people of Mozambique.  My creativity would shrink in the sight of the challenges they face.  But there is hope here (and I don't mean me!), and where this is hope, there is possibility.  There is a proverb of sorts which says, when the world says "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."  I think many Mozambicans will keep trying one more time until something improves.