the colors of poverty

One of the first things that stole my attention upon my return to South Africa, which I've never taken note of before, were the clothes I saw hanging on the clothes lines in the townships.

They waved in the breeze, gingerly expelling their moisture as they showed off their colors. The dye was still present, the colors still radiant. There was red, there was bright pink, magenta and blue. This simple observation tells me that these clothes are new, new enough to maintain their hues. They haven't yet been washed in the stream of dirty water, been manipulated against a ragged rock to mimic an agitation cycle and they surely haven't been wiped overhead beaten on a rock to wring the water out; they haven't been worn and washed until the threads are bare and the holes out number the amount of covering surface area.

Conclusion: there's enough money around these parts to buy new clothes--periodically at least. The color is still in.

It doesn't take long once you get off the beaten path a bit, walk down a dusty trail and there's very little color. The mud huts are just that, mud. The children are dirty, from mud. The clothes are torn and dirty, from mud. The color of almost anything is the color of the dust of the land. The washing's been done in muddy waters in dirty places. In some areas there is no color left. No pretty pinks for your daughter to dress in. No baby blue to bring out your eyes. No red leather shoes to perfectly accessorize those favorite jeans. No color, just brown and worn.

These colors don't flap in the wind, they lay on top of rocks, on tall grass or on top of small bushes. No summer breezes of radiant color catch your attention in these parts. The colors are stripped, as are hopes and dreams. The colors of poverty represent the hard life-- a life stripped, of much.

This is what I noticed.

we are here

Nope, I didn't get married and fall off the edge of the planet. We have just arrived back in Chimoio and we're busy settling in. Nede's back to school and Chad and I have been busy making this house our home. Activities have included unpacking, shopping for a washing machine, and most importantly RAT HUNTING! So far 2 down. The little rascals made their way into our bathroom through the sewer and a new hole they chewed in our CEMENT bathroom floor! I know, how? My saying holds true-- Everything's bigger in Africa! 

More soon. I have so much to share, I have been writing some, just haven't gotten it up here. I'll summarize by saying that the last 2-3 months have been just amazing-- so full of blessings, we're in awe of all that God has done for us and of his faithfulness when we don't see the way! Thank you to all who have shared in our wedding celebration-- whether physically present or from afar we feel the support of so many and feel deeply blessed by you! All our love! xoxo