bits of my weekend

Early Saturday morning a group of friends decided to go on an adventure. Our destination - the island called Xefina.  It is rich with natural beauty and quite desolate with the exception of a few shanties and the occassional visitor (like us).

Xefina island is visible from Maputo city, but it takes a boat to get there. From the beach we hired a fishing boat to transport us to our destination.

Here we are, piled in and all smiles at the start of our weekend adventure.

This little boy was also a passenger on our hired vessel. He was so cute I couldn't resist taking a photo.

This is our captain. He had a bit of trouble managing the boat at the beginning. A fellow passenger asked him in Portuguese if he knew how to operate this vessel. I think she said, "is this even your boat?" Turns out it wasn't, it is his uncle's. He was obviously a sea man in training. This fact added a bit of risk to the already planned adventure. A local pregnant momma helped this young man right the vessel and get us on our way. The depths of strength and knowledge of Mozambican women never ceases to amaze me.

When we reached the beach, as with every beach that I have seen in Mozambique, the scenery was beautiful! We set up camp ready to enjoy a wonderful Saturday of rest and relaxation.

At some point in the past this was part of a fort when colonized by the Portuguese. The ruins appeared to wash up on shore. It was fun to explore and imagine what it must have been like back in the day.

We were the only ones there as far as the eye could see.

The sounds of the ocean waves. The blue of the sea and sky. Sunshine on my skin. These are the things I will remember fondly about Mozambique...very fondly.

I hear on Saturday that some of my friends in the US experienced the first snow of this winter season. That is hard for me to imagine. Soon, that will be my reality.

What did you do this weekend?

Just Sheri, enjoying a few days of sunshine with friends before returning to cold America

daily dilemmas

Today, I just wanted to highlight some of the dilemmas we encounter daily living overseas in a country where rule of law is thin at best.

Here are the events of the past week: (this is just a sample of one week, imagine what happens in the course of years!)

I have a friend who took her car to the mechanic. When she got it back they had exchanged her new battery for an old one and the documentation for her vehicle was missing. In the same week, that same friend experienced theft two more times, but from individuals she knows - some she has known since 2006.

One of the Mozambican staff went to an auto mechanic to get her tire fixed. They offered her a new tire at the cost of nearly $200USD - yes, for one tire. When she said that is too expensive. They offered her a discounted "used" tire for a cost of $50USD. She asked where they get the "used" tires. They said they take them from government or NGO vehicles that come in for service.

My Portuguese teacher told me that she was paying a young man to clean her car. He stole the wiper blades, the whole thing not just the rubber part. She says casually, "they can't do that again, I have glued them down."

Today, I was asked by the HR director what to do about a staff member who has not showed up to work for a few weeks. As I continued to ask questions I learned that she is HIV-positive and the treatment is not working. I asked about her health benefits as we pay quite a significant amount of money to the government every month for the equivalent of social security to cover illnesses. For all the money we pay, there remains very little options for this woman to receive the support she needs because of the weak government infrastructure. Where does that money go? I have my suspicions when I see the cars that government officials drive and the homes where they live.

These are dilemmas, yes. Unfortunately, they happen all too frequently. But, I find in the face of all this a larger dilemma.

It is hard to maintain any trust in humanity. I am constantly trying to ward off bitterness, coldness and indifference.

Suggestions are welcome.

Just Sheri, witness to greed and not liking what it does to my own heart

The depths of my vanity

Once upon a time I had good hair. It was soft, shiny and would fall nicely. I could wash and go and it looked decent.

To be honest, I never really thought much about my hair. It was just on my head and did it's thing. I noticed a difference between a good and bad haircut, but then that was the end of my thought process about that topic.

Not anymore. I have become obsessed.

The days of not thinking about my hair have come to an end. I have invested hours trying to figure out how to regain the former glory that once was a top my head.

Since moving to Africa my hair has been on the decline. At first it was just stiff and generally dull. Then dull went to straight-up dry and brittle. I still have those days, but now on the days when it isn't dry and brittle, it looks as greasy as if I hadn't washed it for weeks. I wash my hair everyday. I use the same shampoo. The change baffles and frustrates me...

I have researched the problem on the internet and came to the conclusion that it is hard water that has caused this tragedy. The suggested solutions are to rub beer or lemon juice on my hair. I hate to admit it, but I tried it. It did stop the greasy look, but it only succeeded in causing more damage. I told a friend in Germany about my dilemma. She told me to stop it. I listened, but am still discontent.

My current strategy is to wash my hair with a bottle of filtered water. Yes, I am wasting a precious, life-giving resource for vanities sake. I admit it and I am not proud of this fact.

What has surprised me is how disturbed I am over my bad hair. It really bothers me - a LOT. I want my old hair back. I don't want to be disgusted anymore by the condition of my hair. I am learning something about myself. I am learning the depths of my vanity.

Lately, my mirror is providing a little glimpse in to some ugliness in my soul...

Just Sheri, attempting to overcome vanity

Because I've experienced this love, I can love others

In Christ Alone lyrics
Songwriters: Getty, Julian Keith; Townend, Stuart Richard;

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand...

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

What inspires you? On those horrible, no good, very bad days - what keeps you going?

Just Sheri, a life changed by the love of another

Everyday Heroes: giving a homeless man diginity

Over a year ago I had an idea to share stories of normal people engaging in acts of kindness. I called it "Everyday Heroes."  I wanted to draw attention to kindness because I believe that is what changes the world. I haven't been on the lookout for such kindness lately. But, a story was shared with me last week that reminded me how important this is. So, I am resuming the blog series and here is the second installment. If you experience random acts of kindness in your life, do share. I'd love to highlight them here.

Monday I was leaving work and a tall black homeless man was walking down the street. I recognized him from the Homeless Veterans Stand Down. Last time I seen him he was not homeless. This time he looked very down and out. He admitted that he was kicked out of his home and returned to using drugs (crack) and alcohol. He did not look good, his skin was really dark, his hands were rough and tathered from living out doors. He even said he felt like his hands were monkey hands and he could not look at him self in the mirror. I offered to give him a ride to a NA or AA meeting but he refused because of his appearance and smell. He said "look at me, I look terrible and have'nt bathed in two months." He turned around and the butt of his pants were completely ripped out and stained with mud and grime. I told him he could not be walking around looking like that even if he was homeless. So I convinced him to get in my car and I took him shopping at my favorite thrift store. He was in tears and could not understand why I was helping him. We found two pair of jeans, a new coat and a light jacket for warmer days. All for $20.00 bucks. It was a wonderful experience for both of us. Not just anyone would of picked this man up off the streets and even the store clerk and off-duty officer asked if everything was OK. We both walked in, me in my dress clothes from work and he in his torn up street clothes. He talked about how ashamed he was and I just encouraged him to be proud to be alive and to be given a fresh opportunity. Nothing really matters from the past but you can change today and if tomorrow comes you can do something different then as well. I still could not convince him to go to a meeting but he did tell me he had a treatment bed on Monday. I dropped him off at the local Quick Trip gave him $10.00 to last the weekend for food. With his dumpster diving and $10.00 he should make it. I made him promise not to spend my money on drugs and alcohol. Before he departed I asked him if we could pray together. I grabbed and held his callused hands and we prayed and we cried. He said I was an angel. "No Joseph, I am no angel but I beleive God put us together today for a reason and I am grateful." is all I said. I admitted to him my share of mistakes and he was quite surprised. We had something in common, family and personal battles with alcohol. I left him at Quick Trip on the steps in tears. He blew me a kiss and said he loved me and I just waved and said be safe out here.


I love this story. A simple act of kindness - a $30 and 40-minute investment in the life of another. And not just any other, but one who we encounter daily and usually just walk past trying not to make eye contact.

Will you help me be on the lookout for random acts of kindness? If you experience one. I'd love to know about it.

Just Sheri, inspired by someones willingness to serve another