Pulled over

New words,  We found out in Chokwe that “mulungo” means white person in Shangaan.  Interesting, now we hear it all the time when we are out and about!  It’s funny, even we stare when we see white people walking along the road outside of Maputo. 

 

One day I was driving with our friend, Alcides.  He hooted and howled when I went the wrong way down a split road.  I was in the left lane, only the wrong side of a divided section of the road!  It was just a short stretch, so I thought it was no big deal, but he kept laughing and saying, “I have a story to tell now!  Do you see how that guy is staring at us?” (He sounded just like my kids.)  Anyhow, we were going along and ready to turn down a dirt road.  There were some men on the corner and one said, “This road is closed to cars.”  I just kind of looked at him and half believed him because with the rain the dirt roads are pretty rutted and bad.  But then he said, “Actually, I’ve never talked to a white person so I just wanted to meet you.”  Then he took my hand and kissed it!  I said, nice to meet you and we went on.  Alcides said, “He’s a clown.”

 

We went on to buy some chickens from one of our houses and I heard them discussing the price and the word “mulungo” came up.  So I don’t know if I got a higher or lower price because of being a “mulungo.”  It seemed like a fair price so I paid it.  Steve says we are mulungos malucos (crazy).  I think he just likes the play on words, but half the time he can’t remember how to say it so then we have a good laugh.

 

Pulled over.  We got pulled over by the traffic police last week.  We have been here one whole year and not pulled over. Then is happened three times in two weeks.  We are driving a different truck and don’t know if that had anything to do with it or not.  The first time it was a random, point the finger and pull you over type of thing.   He asked for my drivers license and said, “this is not an international one and not good here” and we said “really? We have been told it was ok and you didn’t need an international.”  “No this is only good for your country” he said.  “So you can get a local one or international.”  Then he let us go.

 

The second time was my (Steve) “fault.”  We were behind a big semi and as we came around a curve I could see that the road was clear so I passed him.  What I did not see was two policemen about a km down the road who were standing in the middle of the road watching traffic.  Well there isn’t really much traffic anyhow so they pulled me over.  “Do I realize what I did?” they ask after they look at my US license (and make no comment about it not being international).  “No, I said, what is wrong?”  “You passed on a solid line so we need to fine you a million ($40).”  Not something I wanted to pay very badly. 

 

Then I had this thought pop into my head, I wonder if he would pardon the offense?  So after asking Rachel for how to say pardon in Portuguese I said, “can you pardon my offense?”  He said “can I pardon you?” and I said “yes.”  Then he asks, “are you suggesting or asking?”   I wasn’t sure what the difference was, but I said “I am asking.”  He asks  another question or two and hands back my driver’s license and we drive on, thankful. This week, I was looking at the road markings and realized that the white line I crossed  was the one for the other lane as you go into the curve and not for my lane coming out of the curve, I did pass pretty quickly after the end of my line, but it wasn’t a flagrant offense.  Maybe that is why he let me go.  Anyhow I have resolved not to drive so much like a Mozambican.  Probably a good reminder to take it easy. 

 

And again, #3.  This time we were traveling back from Xai-Xai going through the little burgs that have signs to slow down to 60 km.  Because we had been warned that there is a radar gun amongst the police force, and what town it is usually installed in, we are very careful to keep our speed at the limits in these areas.  Otherwise, they will get their million.   We came up on the town and I slowed down to the correct speed.  Sure enough there they were and they waved me over.  They say, “you were going 71”. I said “no that is not possible, I was watching my speed.”  I thought they said “you are lying.”  So I said no, no I don’t think so.  (Rachel says she heard him ask, “are you calling me a liar?”)  Either way the answer works.  I just kept shaking my head and quietly saying, “no, no this isn’t right” and after about 30 seconds he said “OK, go on.”  As we drove away, Rachel asked, “how many more times do you think you can get away with this (before they give you a fine)?”  I don’t know and I hope I don’t have to find out!

 

Feb 17

Our Friday night adventures include burning some marula jam.  I was cooking the juice and sugar, turned my back a few minutes and poof, it burned.  Marula looks like quenepas (small green balls with a pit inside) but tastes different.  I poked holes in them with a fork and cooked in water to get the juice.  There is fruit everywhere, laying on the ground so it won’t be hard to get more and try again.  Part of the problem is there are no recipes, it’s just experimenting and trying to see what works.  I do recall something about stirring constantly now.  No SureJell here either.

 

Work challenges continue on different levels.  Thankfully the HIV/AIDS coordinator in Chokwe got the volunteers together and straightened some things out.  They had misunderstood some key things (which we thought we had explained) and basically needed a talking to on taking responsibility and working together as groups and what the purpose of all this is to begin with.  Many are not doing their share but then want the same amount of money.  It’s better to have Mozambicans tell it like it is to their own people and we’re glad they are willing to.

 

In Macia some batches of chickens are dying right and left and we are pretty sure it is the feed we switched to right before we left in Dec.  The same kind of chickens went to Chokwe but they had different feed and were fine.  So, we need to talk with the feed producers but are having trouble getting through to them.  Apparently they have insurance and hopefully they will make it right with our people.  One group lost 60 out of 200.

 

Next week we will stay in Maputo since we have meetings Mon-Wed. and are also working at setting up the next training close by.  Jemane, our Malawian friend will be here for the meetings and will stay with us.

 

Steve preached at MICF two weeks ago.  Then he went to worship team practice and now it seems the leader is ready to give him  the leader job.  Rumor also has it that he is on the short list for elder candidate.  People come and go so fast from the Fellowship that they are quick to snatch good people up.  We’ll see.  We turned down the deacon position as we felt we could do the work without the title (and the meetings).

 

Enough for now, the adventures continue.

 

Love,

 

Steve  and Rachel