First day in Moz

From Kate: (5/28/14)

Today I again woke up at 4:45 to be ready at 5. It starts getting light around then. We went down to the warehouse to bag up 38 bags of beans. I was the 'sacker' and would put the bag under the chute after the guys pulled the other one away while the beans were still coming. It was stressful at first but I think I got the hang of it. I guess the corn comes out of the chute slower so it will be easier. The guys carry the bags on top of their heads and I am sure the bags weigh more than 100 lbs. next week we will bring in around 300 tons of corn--we will do around 200 sacks each day.
We had the normal breakfast of bread and tea. Then Brenda said I could go to the preschool class so I walked there, it's a short walk. As I got close to the center a little boy, who was around 8 years old, ran up to me, grabbed my hand and walked me in. He was proud to show me to his friends. They all gathered around and wanted to talk, mostly all I could get were names, most of which I already forgot. 
Then I saw the preschool kids sitting on the sidewalk eating their cookies. I greeted them with a "salama" which is the Makua greeting, they shyly smiled. I sat with them and asked their names and then we counted to 39-I couldn't remember 40 so we quit. I went to their class with them and we learned our colors. They have to know Portuguese by the first grade so that's what they learn in preschool. They get a little devotional at the end also.
After that a lady named Madalena called me, "mama!" And then I gathered that she wanted me to walk her home. She has very little vision so she needs a guide. She held my hand and then as we were walking back she proudly showed me her field that she plants crops in. I think she wants me help her cultivate it but I'm not really sure. 
We ate our normal lunch of beans and rice. I hope I continue to like that meal because I think that's what we get. After lunch I made up Hannah's bed, she will arrive any minute and I'm excited to have a house-mate. 
Then we went to meet the town administrator, the mayor and the police--all visitors in rural communities have to check in with these people-it's the law. The policeman said I was welcome to Balama and to eat a lot of peanuts-they grow a lot of those here and I guess they are proud of their peanuts. Then we stopped at the hospital to see Nilza--the case worker for Orphans Unlimited. She has malaria and has to be on an iv. We brought her drinks and then since a mother is supposed to be with her I offered to be it. Since she is 24 it's not realistic but oh well. She told me about the AWANA program that she organizes. She asked if I was coming, It is on Friday and I just can't wait! We prayed for her before I was switched out for a real mother and we hope she feels better real soon!
Thank you all for your prayers. I'll continue to update you all.

Katie