They are little three wheeled vehicles about as powerful as a golf cart, but they can get the job done.
So when we needed a lift to the baby dedication on Sunday afternoon, we called Ercilio, our National Team Leader, and he hooked us up.
Our driver Cuarta arrived right on time and off we went. Kathy and I along with Chelye our newest CRI staff member.
There is exactly enough room for one driver in front and 3 average sized people in the back seat. So off we went...
Praise God for our ever improving Portuguese. It's so great to be able to initiate conversation and begin to build relationships with the Mozambicans we live amongst.
We were enjoying our ride laughing and having a blast. Cuarta was quick with a smile and had a great laugh, but you could see he was also taking his job seriously.
It was at that moment when we noticed something was not right. So we pulled off the road and saw that the left rear tire was flat.
Without missing a beat, Cuarta had his "official" taxi driver shirt off and the front seated lifted up. Tools in hand he began to loosen the bolts on the tire.
There we stood, enjoying the moment and taking pictures.
I wondered how he was going to actually remove the flat and replace it with the good tire. Just then Cuarta stood up and looked around to see who he could flag down for help.
I jokingly said "I'll bet I can lift it up"...so I did, not quite enough to slip the tire off, but then Kathy jumped in and we lifted the taxi up!!! A couple of grandmothers from Iowa..who would have ever thought...
Even Cuarta was impressed! He said in Portuguese, "I thought I needed a man to help but you women can do the work".
This all took under 6 minutes and we were back on the road. Actually, we arrived at the baby dedication about 15 minutes early....and then waited another 2 hours for the celebration to actually begin!
Just another day of life in Mozambique! Thank you Jesus!
3 comments:
: ) I love the pictures! And the story. Of course 2 Iowa grandmothers can lift a taxi! Thanks to your friend for the pictures!! Love and miss you both!
You are both so MUCH MORE than grandmothers from Iowa!! Personally, I would have left the pictures out and just told everyone you lifted a taxi! The story would have been WAY more cool that way!! :)
Thanks for keeping us all up to date here at home....it truly means the world to us! Love you Val!
p.s. Hope that lifting didn't cause any undue internal pressure......
Thanks Val. I really enjoy the pictures. It helps to see what is happening & gives me an idea who the people are. The man with his baby on his back is great, so glad that they were blessed to have another. If I ever have a flat tire when you get back home I will know who to call. Love you both. Be well. GOD bless you both.
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