The SIL Center

For the duration of our time here in Nampula, Hillary and I are living on the SIL Center.  The Center is a collection of houses, dorms, offices, classrooms, playgrounds, etc. that acts as a sort of “home base” for the missionaries that work in this area.  They host linguistic and related workshops, house missionary families, communicate with the translation teams who are working outside the city, and probably many other things I don’t know about, too.  In fact, Rapale International School, where Hillary is teaching, used to be located on the SIL center, but because of growth has had to move to a new location outside of town.

The director of the center is currently on furlough, so Hillary and I are residing in his family’s house on campus.  We feel a little spoiled: our not-so-humble abode is actually the biggest house at the center.  We have running water (limited hot-water, even), a large kitchen and dining area, a shower, and more space than we know what to do with.  As of yet we have not noticed too many problems with insects or other critters, although we have been told we need to clean without ceasing or we most certainly will have problems.

our front yard- with a little loft for relaxing

Crime is a bit of an issue in Nampula, so the center is surrounded by a wall and a hedge of thorns.  There are some guards on duty here, and we have been advised to “limit” our wandering around outside after 10 p.m., as they let a few German Shepherds roam the campus during the night.

The community, however, is a very agreeable bunch of people.  Everybody that we’ve met so far has been extremely nice and happy to meet us.  Not everyone works for SIL, either, which has been interesting to hear about.  There are missionaries with Africa Inland Mission, Missionary Aviation Fellowship, New Tribes, and more- all doing some kind of work in the area.  All in all, we are both very excited to get to know the people here more and work alongside them as well!

~Mark