Portuguese in Africa

This past Sunday Lisa and I took our first 3 hour trip up to Maputo, Mozambique. Jumbo and Kriek and Pete and Jill Johnson asked to go up and see this amazing, historic and beautiful country…

As
we crossed the border everything changed; the landscape, the people and
the spirit. Swaziland has beautiful mountains, jagged rocks, and
although it is getting much more violent here, the Swazi’s historically
are a gentle people. When war broke out in South Africa in 1750’s, one
of the brothers of the Zulu tribe, instead of choosing death, ran to
the mountains and the Swazi nation was born.

Mozambique
on the other hand was and is birthed out of tribal war… in their recent
history and for 26 years they fought, killed and stole. If you would
have taken the drive we took on Sunday in the late 80’s early 90’s you
would not drive alone. People would wait at the border of Swazi until
there were enough cars and vehicles to try and make the two hour drive
to Maputo without being hijacked, shot and/or blown up. You could feel
the difference in the air.

As
I listened to the history of this nation from Jumbo and Pete on the
drive up and saw the vegetation, landscape and the faces of the people
change 100% from what Swazi is like, I was on edge. It just felt
uneasy, not as safe… I quietly prayed in the Spirit for most of the day.

As
we pulled into Maputo I was pulled over by a police officer standing in
the middle of the road. He told me I was speeding and wanted me to pay
a fine – As we talked with him for over 10 minutes, trying to convince
him to not ticket us, he asked for my documents. I handed him my
passport, (Pete told me after to never give them your passport, they
keep them) and I handed him my American driver’s license. The officer
then asked what my sur-name was, I said, “Black” He asked again, “what
is your sur-name” I said, “I am one of you, I am a Black Man! My last
name is Black”… he said, “Oh, you are Black, ok no ticket today” and we
drove off!

What
an educational, fun day we had in this Portuguese speaking nation. It
really is amazing; Portuguese signs, language, and food. It looks and
feels much like the middle of Mexico. Lisa and I will be praying for
and eating the bread from Mozambique the rest of our lives! Forever
changed, once again.