Amy Terpstra

Kids’ favorite things about moz.

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:51:41 +0200

we have been in Mozambique now for about 2 1/2 weeks now and the kids already have many favorite things about living here. it is a great encouragement (and confirmation) to us when they thank God for letting us live here and that they have had a great days. our container is set to arrive in about 2 weeks and the kids have done a great job playing with the few things in their suitcases and with the toys our teammates lent us.

no car seats

“forts” on beds            
flips everyday            
drinking water              
playing w/teammates

the ocean           

7. light switches             8. new fridge                9. sweeping everyday                10. playing with friends             these are just a few of our favorite things. each day is an adventure and full of many fun new foods, games, words and experiences. my goal is to give you a glimpse of our life, regularly, through pictures.

I’m not a hut person...and that’s ok

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:20:22 +0200

I find myself in conversations daily about going to Africa and there are always many questions. here are some of my favorites with my answers (actual answers and the ones I give because it's fun)!

- Are you taking your children with you?
* (sometimes I jokingly give this answer) No, I'm done with them-would you like them?
* Yes, we are taking our children. We are a family and have been appointed as missionaries
together.

- How will you get your food?
* jokingly, sort-of: Dave will have to hunt for our food everyday and the rest we will buy from the market along the side of the road.
* There is a grocery store. Dave is not planning to hunt, however, the items in the store vary daily, as will as the hours they are open. we will probably buy produce along the side of the road and soak it in bleach/water.

-Bleach/water? Isn't that bad for you?
*Not as bad as getting a parasite! The bleach/water solution is a very specific ratio and you really don't taste it...very much!

- MY FAVORITE- Are you going to live in a hut?
* Dave and I are not hut people.
We will be in the capitol city in Mozambique and are planning to have a house. We might not have glass windows but that might be more practical in the long run. There are many missionaries, in many parts of the world and we feel that right now, God has called us to Maputo, Mozambique.

Mixed Emotions

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:36:00 +0200

i never really understood what people meant when they talked about feeling the highest of highs and the lowest of lows..at the same time...until Africa. Africa has become this place where i feel more at home, more energized and more broken that i have ever felt. there have not been a huge number of times in my life that i have heard God speak more clearly than times involving Africa. for the past two years, i have fought so hard against the idea of going and living in Africa. i have a wonderful family, an incredible church and the most amazing friends-why would i leave? why go now?
i am just as excited as i am sad to be going; more sad to leave the people i love than anything else. people have surprised me though. in the amount of encouragement and support that i have been shown what i have shared about Africa. i have been told that the excitement and passion i have for Africa is contagious and is very clear when i am asked about Africa.
at the end of the day, i want to do what God has called me to do. i am done fighting and am ready to go. God has called me and my family to do His work in Africa. this became clear to me when i visited Mozambique, Africa last November. i knew i would be coming back the moment i stepped off the plane in Maputo, Mozambique and felt like it was home.
when i stopped fighting with God to stay here and opened myself up to the possibility of moving; i felt a sense of purpose for my life. some might say "peace" but i felt a purpose to use everything i have done and learned in my life to help the Mozambican people. there are times when i feel pretty sad and overwhelmed at what i will need to do in the next year but then i see pictures of my trip or read our teammates blog of what is already happening and feel excited for the future. it is not everyday that God is so clear and so specific...i have to go and i have to go now!