Well once again we are coming to the end of another month. The only difference is that next month will be my last. As of today I have 16 days until I leave Malawi and 17 days until I arrive in Canada. I have been trying to process and prepare myself for returning to Canada and just so I can prepare you all for my return and process what I will probably have problems with I though that I would write down a few of the things I think that I will have "culture shock" with:
1) driving - since Malawi was and British Colony they drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car. This made confusion for when I came here and I'm sure at least once I will get in on the wrong side of the car in Canada.
2) speaking English - since I wanted to learn Chichewa so badly I made a conscious effort not to speak English whenever I could, however, this is going to create problems when it comes to returning home. Two words I think will be the hardest for me to change: Zikomo kwambiri (thank-you very much) and Pepani (sorry).
3) wearing pants and skirts shorter than the knee - right now I am at SLC and since we are only Azungus I have been wearing pants (which I am started to get used to) and skirts sometimes. However, still when I show a knee I feel as if I am scandalizing the world.
4) shopping - here we don't really have any major supermarkets so I buy a lot of things on the road or at the market. I really enjoy this experience and I think that I will have a hard time with the lack of priority put on socializing in the shopping process. It will also be hard to not have certain items or certain items at such a low price.
5) time - GMT (General Malawi Time as we like to call it) is definitely a better time! I know that I will have troubles adjusting to the time change but also to the change of piority on time. In Malawi if we are meeting at 10 then I will try to leave my house sometime around ten. If I (or they) are 30 mins late that is standard and ok.
On the other hand there are things that I am very excited for! They include:
1) seeing family and friends
2) eating Ice Cream and other dairy products
3) the sun!!!
There are probably more things that need to go on both of these lists but I cannot think of anything else right now.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Running Crazy
Well Liz has officially left and is on her way to England so I am by myself for the next two weeks until SLC and then just after she comes back (SLC is our Spiritual Life Conference in which all the SIM Malawi Missionaries get together and spend time together). So far the month of June has been a little strange. I have been in Blantyre and most just working at Cure Hospital since Joseph is MIA. I have also had great opporunity to work on my Ethnography which I thank Gor for. On Monday I went to Running club with Liz and Ryan and after the run I made a comment that I will forever regret... "I fancy running Chilomoni Ring Road sometime." Now for those of you who don't know, Chilomoni Rind Road is a road that goes right around my house and has quite a few hills which makes running difficult. It is about 5km long. I have been avoiding it since I have been running, and for good reason too! However, after I made that comment Liz told Ryan and I ended up getting up the next morning (Tuesday) at 5:30 to do this run. During parts of it I thought that I was going to die, but after finishing I felt so proud of myself and that I really accomplished something. However, Yesterday I did almost nothing, just computer and book work in the house so I was feeling quite lazy today even after walking the hour back from Cure so I made the mistake of asking Ryan if he wanted to go for a run tomorrow. So it looks like I will be running again tomorrow morning. Another early morning... before I left Canada I never thought that I would be getting up early, not mention for running. I really am going crazy!
On other notes I have one week (next week) left of ministry and then I have SLC, a week of babysitting some MK's and then a closing week. Can't believe it will be so soon that I get to see you all. Wow!
On other notes I have one week (next week) left of ministry and then I have SLC, a week of babysitting some MK's and then a closing week. Can't believe it will be so soon that I get to see you all. Wow!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Give Me Money
Many times throughout my time here in Malawi I have been begged from. Sometimes politle by little children or older people saying, "Thandizeni, Mama, Thandizeni." Which mean Help me please. This has been very very hard for me but since I live in the area and we are encouraged not to help children stay on the streets usually I do not help them. Sometimes I give them some food or something.
Other times children use a phrase that for some reason almost all of them have learned even if they don't speak English and it is, "Give me money." This is said extremely rudely and I really don't like it. Even children that I have created relationships with will sometimes say it which hurts me. However, I hadn't heard it for a while until this morning.
As I was walking into town I had been greeted so nicely by the ladies on the way to town and then I passed by two elderly ladies and I greeted them and they smiled and thanked me continually. It was so sweet. At that point I was thanking God saying thanks for a great start to my day, when a guy (probably 18) came up to me and said, "Give me money." Very rudely. I was extremely shocked that in the same country that I was just praising God for how nice the people were my joy was shot down. It was really hard to not let it affect my mood, but I tried to concentrate on the good things that had happened this morning.
How do I deal with people that say things like that to me? I have been her over 4 months and I am still looking for a response!
How do I not allow it to affect my mood? Yes I know that it is just satan trying to get my down because God had blessed me and I was thanking him for it, but it still affects me.
God please help me to bring joy into other people's lives and not allow satan's attempts to affect me. Please use me for the six weeks that I have left however you want. Thank-you for this opportunity. Zikomo kwambiri!
Other times children use a phrase that for some reason almost all of them have learned even if they don't speak English and it is, "Give me money." This is said extremely rudely and I really don't like it. Even children that I have created relationships with will sometimes say it which hurts me. However, I hadn't heard it for a while until this morning.
As I was walking into town I had been greeted so nicely by the ladies on the way to town and then I passed by two elderly ladies and I greeted them and they smiled and thanked me continually. It was so sweet. At that point I was thanking God saying thanks for a great start to my day, when a guy (probably 18) came up to me and said, "Give me money." Very rudely. I was extremely shocked that in the same country that I was just praising God for how nice the people were my joy was shot down. It was really hard to not let it affect my mood, but I tried to concentrate on the good things that had happened this morning.
How do I deal with people that say things like that to me? I have been her over 4 months and I am still looking for a response!
How do I not allow it to affect my mood? Yes I know that it is just satan trying to get my down because God had blessed me and I was thanking him for it, but it still affects me.
God please help me to bring joy into other people's lives and not allow satan's attempts to affect me. Please use me for the six weeks that I have left however you want. Thank-you for this opportunity. Zikomo kwambiri!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Time is flying by!
Well I have officially travelled Malawi and I am now able to say that I have travelled all over Malawi!
I went down to Sorgin once again to live with Abusa and Mayi Abusa for another five days. I really enjoyed living with them and this time I was able to go with Mayi Abusa to do her ministry and I really enjoyed it! I was able to lead a ladies Bible study as well as pray for a couple of different families with different problems that I was able to go and show compassion and love. One family had a 13 year old girl that was quite handicapped for 10 years. They don't know why and it has been a huge strain on the family so I was able to pray for her, for what God's plan was, for the family and that if it was His will that God would heal her. I was also able to go and pray for a family. They were an older couple who had lost 2 sons and had therefore become parents again because they had to take in their grandchildren. This is very common in Malawi and quite sad. I also know of quite a few people who have taken in neices and nephews as well.
One of the exciting things that I was able to do while I was there was name a little girl. The last time I was in Sorgin a lady was pregnant and when I found out that she had had her baby I went to visit them. Through a series of events I was asked to name the baby. What a challenge! However, after some great discussion with Mayi Abusa I came up with three names and she picked one, Kathy-joy. After my mother. I think that it is so cool that I was able to name a baby after mom! During the naming process I was able to give a gift, and pray for her and her family! It was definitely a cool cultural experience.
After my week with Abusa and his family I was able to go for four days with the Sunday School Training team again which was really good. I really love spending time with them and I have created such good frienships with these Malawians and it was so nice to be able to spend time with them and we watched a lot of World Cup games together! haha definitely a good time! However, I realized that I would not like to have their job because I do not like having to live in a new place each night. After four days I was ready to go home and sleep in my own bed!
I was also able to go to a Malawian organized worship night (all night) and I really enjoyed it! We worship first in English, then 1/2 and 1/2 and ended the night/morning singing all in Chichewa! I really love it and made quite a few more Malwian friends! What a blessing!
Now I have four weeks of normalcy before I go to SLC (Spiritual Life Conference). It is organized by SIM Malawi for all the SIM Malawi missionaries. After that I have two weeks and then I am home! Wow how time flies!
I went down to Sorgin once again to live with Abusa and Mayi Abusa for another five days. I really enjoyed living with them and this time I was able to go with Mayi Abusa to do her ministry and I really enjoyed it! I was able to lead a ladies Bible study as well as pray for a couple of different families with different problems that I was able to go and show compassion and love. One family had a 13 year old girl that was quite handicapped for 10 years. They don't know why and it has been a huge strain on the family so I was able to pray for her, for what God's plan was, for the family and that if it was His will that God would heal her. I was also able to go and pray for a family. They were an older couple who had lost 2 sons and had therefore become parents again because they had to take in their grandchildren. This is very common in Malawi and quite sad. I also know of quite a few people who have taken in neices and nephews as well.
One of the exciting things that I was able to do while I was there was name a little girl. The last time I was in Sorgin a lady was pregnant and when I found out that she had had her baby I went to visit them. Through a series of events I was asked to name the baby. What a challenge! However, after some great discussion with Mayi Abusa I came up with three names and she picked one, Kathy-joy. After my mother. I think that it is so cool that I was able to name a baby after mom! During the naming process I was able to give a gift, and pray for her and her family! It was definitely a cool cultural experience.
After my week with Abusa and his family I was able to go for four days with the Sunday School Training team again which was really good. I really love spending time with them and I have created such good frienships with these Malawians and it was so nice to be able to spend time with them and we watched a lot of World Cup games together! haha definitely a good time! However, I realized that I would not like to have their job because I do not like having to live in a new place each night. After four days I was ready to go home and sleep in my own bed!
I was also able to go to a Malawian organized worship night (all night) and I really enjoyed it! We worship first in English, then 1/2 and 1/2 and ended the night/morning singing all in Chichewa! I really love it and made quite a few more Malwian friends! What a blessing!
Now I have four weeks of normalcy before I go to SLC (Spiritual Life Conference). It is organized by SIM Malawi for all the SIM Malawi missionaries. After that I have two weeks and then I am home! Wow how time flies!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Off Again
I just returned to Blantyre from Mvuu Lodge (a safari destination) where I went with another friend (Rebekka) from Germany. After much problems and trying to organize things we ended up goingn to Mvuu which was more expensive than we had planned. However, once we arrived we realized that God had planned our trip exactly for us. We both felt so blessed to be there and to be able to see the things that we did and quite frequently we broke into songs of praise! When we came back to Blantrye and looked at our pictures we were both awed at what we were able to see and had a hard time believing that it was real.
Now I am preparing to go to the village to live with Abusa and Mayi Abusa again and I am very excited! I will be with them until Friday and then I am home for a day and a half before I go out with the Sunday School Training Team again. My month has become very busy and I am realizing that it will go by very very quickly!
God has blessed me so much this month once again and I am just shocked that He does even though I do not deserve it. One song that Rebekka and I repeatedly sang was, "Our God is an awesome God!" What an amazing song when you sing it from the heart!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Month of June...
Well May has come and gone and June is here. The month that I have been dreading because it is when all the goodbyes start. Tomorrow two people that I have gotten very close to (Bob and Connie) and their son (Seth) are returning to the States and they are starting off the goodbyes. Then on Saturday two more of my friends go (one being Matty). I am really not looking forward to this, but I know that God will strengthen me and give me things to look forward to... like a possible Safari!
May was kinda a hectic month, but God taught me a lot about giving and again more about relying on Him. My contact with people has been quite bad recently because of this desire to stop always depending on people and learn how to depend on God. However, it is always a slow process.
I have also made some great attempts at using my Chichewa this month. I have become quite proficient at teaching Chichewa songs, and I am starting to teach memory verses in Chichewa and a little of my lessons. Because of this I have two verses memorized in Chichewa and I have read the story of the good Samartian in Chichewa far too many times (in order to figure out how to say the words properly). I have really been working hard at my language studies and Matty has helped to push me forward by working hard at his as well.
I will miss Matty a lot and because Joseph has been a little bit difficult lately, I will be focusing more on other ministries (Cure, doing another village experience and going with the Sunday school training team again). I am really looking forward to my new schedule and I think the variety will help me with Matty leaving. I have a feeling that this month is going to go by fast and I still cannot believe that I only have 2 1/2 months left in Africa. However, I know that when my time does come to an end I will be overjoyed to see family and friends. Nevertheless, I feel like I have finally found my own home and I will be very sad to leave. But I won't worry about that for another little while!
May was kinda a hectic month, but God taught me a lot about giving and again more about relying on Him. My contact with people has been quite bad recently because of this desire to stop always depending on people and learn how to depend on God. However, it is always a slow process.
I have also made some great attempts at using my Chichewa this month. I have become quite proficient at teaching Chichewa songs, and I am starting to teach memory verses in Chichewa and a little of my lessons. Because of this I have two verses memorized in Chichewa and I have read the story of the good Samartian in Chichewa far too many times (in order to figure out how to say the words properly). I have really been working hard at my language studies and Matty has helped to push me forward by working hard at his as well.
I will miss Matty a lot and because Joseph has been a little bit difficult lately, I will be focusing more on other ministries (Cure, doing another village experience and going with the Sunday school training team again). I am really looking forward to my new schedule and I think the variety will help me with Matty leaving. I have a feeling that this month is going to go by fast and I still cannot believe that I only have 2 1/2 months left in Africa. However, I know that when my time does come to an end I will be overjoyed to see family and friends. Nevertheless, I feel like I have finally found my own home and I will be very sad to leave. But I won't worry about that for another little while!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Half Way
Well it seems to me like I have been way too busy and have become terrible at contact. So I'll try and update you on what I've been up to over the past couple of weeks.
Matty (a guy from Ireland) has come to Malawi for six weeks to work with me and doing some schooling requirements as well and I am enjoying having a partner in crime.
I have gone up to Lilongwe and area (for those of you that don't know that is the capital city) to do a Sunday School Training trip with some Malawians. We went around and taught pastors, elders and church members how to teach Sunday Schools. Now you might be thinking like I was, What on earth do I have to teach a Pastor?! But thankfully God has shown me that I do have soemthing to offer and has actually taught me an incredible amount in the process even though most of it was in Chichewa.
After that trip I went to Salima (a village) to visit some friends and see their ministries. While I was up there it was one of the girl's birthday, so poor me I had to go to Lake Malawi again. haha It was actually a really nice time. Then I came back to Blantyre.
Once I got back I was feeling quite exhausted from the trip and the devil took this opportunity to try and knock me down by playing up my homesickness and attacking me spiritually. It was quite hard, but I'm out of it now thankfully and better for it!
On Sunday I hit the half way mark! Can you believe it?! I definitely cannot. I feel as if I just got here! And yet i miss home quite a bit as well.
Today I had the opportunity to go visit EMCoM (a Malawian Bible College) and sit in on three classes (1 English, 1 half English half Chichewa, and 1 Chichewa). I really really enjoyed it and wish that I could just go to school here! I learned so much!
The weather here has been quite miserable which is really sad. Matty says that it reminds him of home (Ireland) which means that we have had cold weather, fog and rain. Not too pleasant. I have been sitting wrapped in a blanket drinking hot chocolate and french vanilla in the evenings trying to convince myself that I really am in Africa and not Ireland! I'm now preparing for almost 2 months of straight normal work. How boring! But I know that God is going to teach me a lot and that it will probably be good for me to have some stability in my life. Thanks again for all your prayers and support!
Matty (a guy from Ireland) has come to Malawi for six weeks to work with me and doing some schooling requirements as well and I am enjoying having a partner in crime.
I have gone up to Lilongwe and area (for those of you that don't know that is the capital city) to do a Sunday School Training trip with some Malawians. We went around and taught pastors, elders and church members how to teach Sunday Schools. Now you might be thinking like I was, What on earth do I have to teach a Pastor?! But thankfully God has shown me that I do have soemthing to offer and has actually taught me an incredible amount in the process even though most of it was in Chichewa.
After that trip I went to Salima (a village) to visit some friends and see their ministries. While I was up there it was one of the girl's birthday, so poor me I had to go to Lake Malawi again. haha It was actually a really nice time. Then I came back to Blantyre.
Once I got back I was feeling quite exhausted from the trip and the devil took this opportunity to try and knock me down by playing up my homesickness and attacking me spiritually. It was quite hard, but I'm out of it now thankfully and better for it!
On Sunday I hit the half way mark! Can you believe it?! I definitely cannot. I feel as if I just got here! And yet i miss home quite a bit as well.
Today I had the opportunity to go visit EMCoM (a Malawian Bible College) and sit in on three classes (1 English, 1 half English half Chichewa, and 1 Chichewa). I really really enjoyed it and wish that I could just go to school here! I learned so much!
The weather here has been quite miserable which is really sad. Matty says that it reminds him of home (Ireland) which means that we have had cold weather, fog and rain. Not too pleasant. I have been sitting wrapped in a blanket drinking hot chocolate and french vanilla in the evenings trying to convince myself that I really am in Africa and not Ireland! I'm now preparing for almost 2 months of straight normal work. How boring! But I know that God is going to teach me a lot and that it will probably be good for me to have some stability in my life. Thanks again for all your prayers and support!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
How Blessed Am I?
Today as I was teaching over 100 students about the good Samaritan and that we should love one another I become once again overwhelmed at the opporunity that I have been given! How blessed am I that I can teach God's little children about how much He loves them? So incredibly blessed! After I finished teaching those students, we went onto the next three classes! I taught over 500 students today and we were able to pray with them and teach them songs about how much God loves them... and it was all in their own language! It's overwhelming for me to think about how many children I am going to have the opporutnity to share the Good News with during my six months here. Take 500 students a day for 4 days every two weeks (the other weeks I do a returning session to children I teach every other week) time by 6 months! Wow what an opporutnity. God please use and guide me to tell these children exactly what you want them to know!
On another note, I can feel things changing around here. We are/I am going through a couple of changes here. Not only am I changing so much personally and spiritually, but I am also really really beginning to take ownership of this place (espeically since a guy from Ireland has come to work with me and I have been showing him around). As well, I am learning to become more independent with Liz being gone 3-5 days a week I have really been learning that my dependence is on the wrong thing. I have always depended on people and I am now learning to become more independant as I depend on the One who can truly sustain me! Other things that are changing include the weather. I am beginning to notice the fact that we do not have rain very often any more. Which means the beginning of dry season. The beginning of dry season is also really cold so I have been wrapped up in blankets and wearing socks! haha Not something I thought I would be doing in Africa! haha However, the second part of dry season becomes very hot so I should cherish this time while I can. The final big change that is taking place is a change of missionaries. There are a lot of missionaries that are beginning to count down their days. This is incredibly sad as I have grown to love all of them! However, I know that I will get to see them again!
On another note, I can feel things changing around here. We are/I am going through a couple of changes here. Not only am I changing so much personally and spiritually, but I am also really really beginning to take ownership of this place (espeically since a guy from Ireland has come to work with me and I have been showing him around). As well, I am learning to become more independent with Liz being gone 3-5 days a week I have really been learning that my dependence is on the wrong thing. I have always depended on people and I am now learning to become more independant as I depend on the One who can truly sustain me! Other things that are changing include the weather. I am beginning to notice the fact that we do not have rain very often any more. Which means the beginning of dry season. The beginning of dry season is also really cold so I have been wrapped up in blankets and wearing socks! haha Not something I thought I would be doing in Africa! haha However, the second part of dry season becomes very hot so I should cherish this time while I can. The final big change that is taking place is a change of missionaries. There are a lot of missionaries that are beginning to count down their days. This is incredibly sad as I have grown to love all of them! However, I know that I will get to see them again!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Adventures in the Outback/ Sick Week
Many of you are wondering what has happened to me that I have been MIA for three weeks, and as I was laying flat in bed unable to do anything I was wondering how three weeks had gone by so fast. Let me start from the beginning...
Exactly three weeks ago I was told that my village experience was finally organized and that I would for sure be going to a village (nobody really knew where) for a week to live with Henry and Ethel Sumbulero. I was given a shopping list, a list of things that I should bring and an amount of money to take for my time there. So on Sunday night (March 28), I went to bed thinking that this would be my last night sleeping in a 'bed' for a while. However, the next day when lunch came and went, and the car was still int he garage getting fized, I knew that it was going to bed anther day. So the next day I was ready and waiting at 10 am which came and went so I called Thomas (the man that Liz, my roommate, works with- he was giving me a ride down) to see what had happened. However, he was unfazed and told me that he would arrive at 11:30 so I waited again. At 12 I called him again and got 1:00 for the next leaving time. Finally, at 2:30 he arrived, we packed me up and started on our way. I was so happy to be going that I decided to forget the fact that I was a day and a half late. Nevertheless, through this God did teach me about being patient because Thomas was so late (although Malawians are usually late, never this late).
When we finally arrived at Sorgin (the village that I was staying at- I didn't find out the name until I left) it was almost dark (5:30ish), and we unloaded my stuff and Thomas drove off. At that point I was left clueless as to what to do as both Henry and Ethel had vanished (I still wasn't sure who it was that I was staying with) and I didn't know where I was. So being me, I decided to play with the children that had gathered around the azungu (white person). For a couple of hours I played futbol (soccer) with the children, tried to ask them questions in broken Chichewa and enjoyed listening to them singing songs (I even taught them the one song that I had learned in Chichewa). During this time Ethel had spent her time cooking (I don't know where) and had produced a delicious meal which we ate. During supper, Henry (who I later learned to call Abusa- pastor) began asking me some very difficult theological questions. I was clueless as to why he was asking me these questions until he finally came out and asked how I could be a second year Bible College student and not be ready to preach (he later asked me to preach on Easter Sunday which I declined). Following our hard conversations I was able to shower (bucket of water and cup) and then went to bed (a cement floor with a bamboo mat on the ground plus a very thin mattress that I had brought). That night I had an awful sleep (because it was so incredibly hot) and was happy to get out of bed at 6 when I heard them.
This ended off my first day and I did not know how I was going to be able to last a week until I began to actually get to know the family. Ethel took me under her wing and I was able to really get to know her life and participate in it. She took me to her meetings, let me help with the cooking and cleaning (which you're not supposed to let a visitor do), taught me how to carry a baby on my back Malawian style and encouraged me to every day try to carry a little more water on my heard. Amayi (what I came to call her) taught me a lot of Chichewa and her children were patient with me and waited until I had figured out how to properly say a sentence to them (or correct enough that they could figure it out). The women of the village also took me in and taught me words, how to make sentences, many songs and when we went to welcome a new baby they encouraged me to join in on the singing and dancing (that one took me a while, but when the azungu finally danced with the baby they all rejoiced because I had honoured them to try). Soon I became a part of the family, they started calling me Anti Keti, instead of Azungu, and even added me in their family song. Every night the children would sing and dance and towards the end I was able to join in with them and they were really excited, the whole village knew that Anti Keti had dance and sang in Chichewa!
As I sat in church on Good Friday, listening to the choirs sing, I was awed at the beauty of their voices and how they sang with their hearts. After church Abusa asked me if I liked the choirs and I said yes, at that point Amayi joined in and said, "Well then you will sing with the women's choir on Sunday!" What a challenge that was! I had to learn three new songs, in a different language, and the dances that went with them, I practiced all day for two days and when Sunday came, I did not feel ready. However, I went up there and did my best and the church seemed excited. I asked Abusa later whether it was a good thing that I had sung with them and he said, "Yes! When you sang with the women it showed that you cared. You honoured us by trying to worship our Saviour with us!" At that point I knew that it no longer mattered what I looked like when I sang or whether I made a ton of mistakes, it only mattered that I tried.
On Sunday night after I had sung and danced with the children, I was laying on a bamboo mat outside with Gracious, Omega, Christian (3 of my 4 host siblings) and some other children from the village talking, singing and thinking: I don't ever want to leave. I feel like I finally fit in. I have found my family and now in two days I have to leave. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the last two days as much as I could! I even carred 20 L of water on my head my second last day!
Regardless of how much I tried to make it not come, Tuesday eventually came and I had to pack up and leave. I knew that I had been blessed to come out for a week and live with a family that took me in as family. The goodbyes were hard, but I decided then and there that I would return. Then Abusa and I got in a minibus and came back to Blantyre.
Wednesday (April 7) was spent trying to organize my ethnography and everything that I had done, but I als went to visit my missionary friends who I had missed. I talked to Ellie (a missionary from Germany), and asked her whether she still wanted to go to Mangochi (a town that used to live in) because she had asked me to go earlier in the week when I was still in Sorgin. We then made quick plans and left the next day. On Thursday we travelled and also went out to the village near Mangochi where Ellie used to live and I got to see the village that was her home for her first seven months in Malawi. Friday we went to Lake Malawi and went snorkling and relaxed. That night I started getting sick and on Saturday we just sat around because I was not feeling very well and she had to clean the house. Sunday we travelled back and that night Gill and Liz took me to the hospital to get checked out. The doctor said that I had gastrointestinal problems (stomach bacteria) and my symptoms showed that I could have malaria as well, so we had some tests done. Allo the tests came back nedgative, but we were told that that does not mean that I did not have malaria because my malaria meds can cover up the fact that I do have it. So I was given all my prescriptions and sent home. The next day I was feeling weak and very cold (which was very abnormal) but just relaxed until later in the evening. I had decided that I wasn't feeling very good so I began getting ready for bed but then became very sick and began having terrible stomach pains. So we called Gill again and I was rushed to the hospital. Upon arrival I got sick again and they grabbed me a wheelchair and took me into the ER which was quite interesting. After an assessment the doctor gave me a shot, some medicaitons and sent me home. The next 3 days that followed I was flat in bed and did not feel human. However, on Friday I woke up feeling a lot better and I cleaned the house and did laundry and even went to games night. Then on Saturday morning I got up and went to language lessons and I think that I am finally getting bakc to my normal self. I am still feeling weak every now and then and I do not have as much stamina as I used to, but I know that within a week I should be perfectly fine.
So I guess that is how three weeks managed to slip by so quickly. It's hard to believe that I have been living here for over 50 days and almost two months! Thanks for your prayers over the past three weeks and throughout my entire time here. Please continue to pray for my health and strength as well as my Chichewa. God Bless!
Exactly three weeks ago I was told that my village experience was finally organized and that I would for sure be going to a village (nobody really knew where) for a week to live with Henry and Ethel Sumbulero. I was given a shopping list, a list of things that I should bring and an amount of money to take for my time there. So on Sunday night (March 28), I went to bed thinking that this would be my last night sleeping in a 'bed' for a while. However, the next day when lunch came and went, and the car was still int he garage getting fized, I knew that it was going to bed anther day. So the next day I was ready and waiting at 10 am which came and went so I called Thomas (the man that Liz, my roommate, works with- he was giving me a ride down) to see what had happened. However, he was unfazed and told me that he would arrive at 11:30 so I waited again. At 12 I called him again and got 1:00 for the next leaving time. Finally, at 2:30 he arrived, we packed me up and started on our way. I was so happy to be going that I decided to forget the fact that I was a day and a half late. Nevertheless, through this God did teach me about being patient because Thomas was so late (although Malawians are usually late, never this late).
When we finally arrived at Sorgin (the village that I was staying at- I didn't find out the name until I left) it was almost dark (5:30ish), and we unloaded my stuff and Thomas drove off. At that point I was left clueless as to what to do as both Henry and Ethel had vanished (I still wasn't sure who it was that I was staying with) and I didn't know where I was. So being me, I decided to play with the children that had gathered around the azungu (white person). For a couple of hours I played futbol (soccer) with the children, tried to ask them questions in broken Chichewa and enjoyed listening to them singing songs (I even taught them the one song that I had learned in Chichewa). During this time Ethel had spent her time cooking (I don't know where) and had produced a delicious meal which we ate. During supper, Henry (who I later learned to call Abusa- pastor) began asking me some very difficult theological questions. I was clueless as to why he was asking me these questions until he finally came out and asked how I could be a second year Bible College student and not be ready to preach (he later asked me to preach on Easter Sunday which I declined). Following our hard conversations I was able to shower (bucket of water and cup) and then went to bed (a cement floor with a bamboo mat on the ground plus a very thin mattress that I had brought). That night I had an awful sleep (because it was so incredibly hot) and was happy to get out of bed at 6 when I heard them.
This ended off my first day and I did not know how I was going to be able to last a week until I began to actually get to know the family. Ethel took me under her wing and I was able to really get to know her life and participate in it. She took me to her meetings, let me help with the cooking and cleaning (which you're not supposed to let a visitor do), taught me how to carry a baby on my back Malawian style and encouraged me to every day try to carry a little more water on my heard. Amayi (what I came to call her) taught me a lot of Chichewa and her children were patient with me and waited until I had figured out how to properly say a sentence to them (or correct enough that they could figure it out). The women of the village also took me in and taught me words, how to make sentences, many songs and when we went to welcome a new baby they encouraged me to join in on the singing and dancing (that one took me a while, but when the azungu finally danced with the baby they all rejoiced because I had honoured them to try). Soon I became a part of the family, they started calling me Anti Keti, instead of Azungu, and even added me in their family song. Every night the children would sing and dance and towards the end I was able to join in with them and they were really excited, the whole village knew that Anti Keti had dance and sang in Chichewa!
As I sat in church on Good Friday, listening to the choirs sing, I was awed at the beauty of their voices and how they sang with their hearts. After church Abusa asked me if I liked the choirs and I said yes, at that point Amayi joined in and said, "Well then you will sing with the women's choir on Sunday!" What a challenge that was! I had to learn three new songs, in a different language, and the dances that went with them, I practiced all day for two days and when Sunday came, I did not feel ready. However, I went up there and did my best and the church seemed excited. I asked Abusa later whether it was a good thing that I had sung with them and he said, "Yes! When you sang with the women it showed that you cared. You honoured us by trying to worship our Saviour with us!" At that point I knew that it no longer mattered what I looked like when I sang or whether I made a ton of mistakes, it only mattered that I tried.
On Sunday night after I had sung and danced with the children, I was laying on a bamboo mat outside with Gracious, Omega, Christian (3 of my 4 host siblings) and some other children from the village talking, singing and thinking: I don't ever want to leave. I feel like I finally fit in. I have found my family and now in two days I have to leave. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the last two days as much as I could! I even carred 20 L of water on my head my second last day!
Regardless of how much I tried to make it not come, Tuesday eventually came and I had to pack up and leave. I knew that I had been blessed to come out for a week and live with a family that took me in as family. The goodbyes were hard, but I decided then and there that I would return. Then Abusa and I got in a minibus and came back to Blantyre.
Wednesday (April 7) was spent trying to organize my ethnography and everything that I had done, but I als went to visit my missionary friends who I had missed. I talked to Ellie (a missionary from Germany), and asked her whether she still wanted to go to Mangochi (a town that used to live in) because she had asked me to go earlier in the week when I was still in Sorgin. We then made quick plans and left the next day. On Thursday we travelled and also went out to the village near Mangochi where Ellie used to live and I got to see the village that was her home for her first seven months in Malawi. Friday we went to Lake Malawi and went snorkling and relaxed. That night I started getting sick and on Saturday we just sat around because I was not feeling very well and she had to clean the house. Sunday we travelled back and that night Gill and Liz took me to the hospital to get checked out. The doctor said that I had gastrointestinal problems (stomach bacteria) and my symptoms showed that I could have malaria as well, so we had some tests done. Allo the tests came back nedgative, but we were told that that does not mean that I did not have malaria because my malaria meds can cover up the fact that I do have it. So I was given all my prescriptions and sent home. The next day I was feeling weak and very cold (which was very abnormal) but just relaxed until later in the evening. I had decided that I wasn't feeling very good so I began getting ready for bed but then became very sick and began having terrible stomach pains. So we called Gill again and I was rushed to the hospital. Upon arrival I got sick again and they grabbed me a wheelchair and took me into the ER which was quite interesting. After an assessment the doctor gave me a shot, some medicaitons and sent me home. The next 3 days that followed I was flat in bed and did not feel human. However, on Friday I woke up feeling a lot better and I cleaned the house and did laundry and even went to games night. Then on Saturday morning I got up and went to language lessons and I think that I am finally getting bakc to my normal self. I am still feeling weak every now and then and I do not have as much stamina as I used to, but I know that within a week I should be perfectly fine.
So I guess that is how three weeks managed to slip by so quickly. It's hard to believe that I have been living here for over 50 days and almost two months! Thanks for your prayers over the past three weeks and throughout my entire time here. Please continue to pray for my health and strength as well as my Chichewa. God Bless!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Village Life...
Welll my life is once again preparing to have significant change, now that I am finally beginning to feel settled. I am preparing to go and live in a village with a Malawian family for a week and I think that it will be quite the experience. While I am there I will be writing my ethnography so it will not only be a rewarding experience but also one in which I have to do tons of research for!
I have been warned about all that looms in the village, so I am asking for prayer during this next week and I prepare to live on the Malawian food, without electricity, a working toilet, running water and possible a shower for a week. I'm sure that this will teach me a lot about how the true Malawians live, but I also know that I will probably want a shower quite badly by the time I return home.
After I get back and will once again have my computer I will for sure put an update up about my experience and I will try to include some interesting stories. So stay tuned....
I have been warned about all that looms in the village, so I am asking for prayer during this next week and I prepare to live on the Malawian food, without electricity, a working toilet, running water and possible a shower for a week. I'm sure that this will teach me a lot about how the true Malawians live, but I also know that I will probably want a shower quite badly by the time I return home.
After I get back and will once again have my computer I will for sure put an update up about my experience and I will try to include some interesting stories. So stay tuned....
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Oh How He Loves Us
Written March 17/2010
The last couple of days I have had off because the Malawian I work with was sick. They were great days to spend with God and with the language just learning and being taught by the creator. I spent a lot of time in music as well as in His word, however, today after I had gone out teaching and had eaten lunch, I felt unsatisfied and didn't know that to do. While I was reading Little Women, I ended up falling alseep and woke up just as the rain was beginning to fall. The rainy season here is almost over and so it has been dry and hot the last couple of days and the rain was just like a quenching cup of water in the desert. As I was sitting there I began hmming "How He Loves Us" by David Crowder Band, so I grabbed my computer and thankful that I had the song on my computer, play it. I eventually put it on repeat. I sat and watched the rain for a little but realized that I was not content just sitting, watching and smelling this beautiful rain, so I got up and went outside in the rain (contrary to Malawian culture). Standing barefoot in the grass and then mud, I was so happy and content that I was consciously trying to feel the rain on my face and hands and the mud between my toes and with that my heart began to be filled with joy. The song playing in the background was very fitting. Thank-you God for your quenching rain and even more so for how You can truly quench each one of us. You are the living water and I am so thankful for You. Just like humans cannot live many days without earthly water, I believe that I needed this reminder to always remember how badly I thirst for Him. I also realized that if I had an overflowing jug of water in a desert, I would not just keep it all to myself, but rather, I would share it with those who thirst just as I do. Therefore, I have renewed vigour to share the Living Water with everyone who thirsts for Him with me! Oh how He loves us!
The last couple of days I have had off because the Malawian I work with was sick. They were great days to spend with God and with the language just learning and being taught by the creator. I spent a lot of time in music as well as in His word, however, today after I had gone out teaching and had eaten lunch, I felt unsatisfied and didn't know that to do. While I was reading Little Women, I ended up falling alseep and woke up just as the rain was beginning to fall. The rainy season here is almost over and so it has been dry and hot the last couple of days and the rain was just like a quenching cup of water in the desert. As I was sitting there I began hmming "How He Loves Us" by David Crowder Band, so I grabbed my computer and thankful that I had the song on my computer, play it. I eventually put it on repeat. I sat and watched the rain for a little but realized that I was not content just sitting, watching and smelling this beautiful rain, so I got up and went outside in the rain (contrary to Malawian culture). Standing barefoot in the grass and then mud, I was so happy and content that I was consciously trying to feel the rain on my face and hands and the mud between my toes and with that my heart began to be filled with joy. The song playing in the background was very fitting. Thank-you God for your quenching rain and even more so for how You can truly quench each one of us. You are the living water and I am so thankful for You. Just like humans cannot live many days without earthly water, I believe that I needed this reminder to always remember how badly I thirst for Him. I also realized that if I had an overflowing jug of water in a desert, I would not just keep it all to myself, but rather, I would share it with those who thirst just as I do. Therefore, I have renewed vigour to share the Living Water with everyone who thirsts for Him with me! Oh how He loves us!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
exalting Somebody
Well this week has been busy and not all at the same time! I have started to get really involved in ministry and I have begun to become involved in the language as well. It's crazy to think that I have already been here 3 weeks and that I have less than 5 months left here! How fast time flies!
Today I went to Cure Hospital for the first time to actually help out and it was really great! Thanks for all your prayers! Kayla (another short termer) and I went there and played games with the kids and just tried to spend time with them. It is still hard seeing them, but putting a smile on their faces is so rewarding! I really think that I am going to enjoy this. However, I am still glad that it is only for 2-3 hours at a time because otherwise I don't think that I would have the energy to continue. Kayla and I both depended on each other to get through this and I will be sad the times that she cannot come with me.
God has sent me some great friends and two of my friends who came down to visit went back to their village 3 hours away. I already miss them! However, I now know that I can go and visit them in Salima as well as in Germany and Switzerland when our terms are over! Plus, since there are 11 different nationalities on our team, I will be able to go and visit a lot of people!
I have to praise God with the contentment that He has given me. I am usually happy to be here (except when I get a little homesick) and GOd has just been teaching me and helping me to understand the world a little better. I have been reading Elisabeth Elliot's book Shadow of the Almighty about her late husband Jim Elliot and I am just awed at this amazing man. One phrase that he wrote while in college struck me and I'd like to mention it:
" Missionaries are very human folks, just doing what they are asked. Simply a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody." Jim Elliot
It's that just an incredible observation? But it leave me with one thought, why can't we all be a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt the One Somebody that matters?! I think that I am going to try to make this a new goal of mine for each day.
Please pray for my ministry here as well as my strength to continue when the times get hard. My sanity also needs prayer since I will be spending a lot of time alone when Liz leaves for her medical trip Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
Today I went to Cure Hospital for the first time to actually help out and it was really great! Thanks for all your prayers! Kayla (another short termer) and I went there and played games with the kids and just tried to spend time with them. It is still hard seeing them, but putting a smile on their faces is so rewarding! I really think that I am going to enjoy this. However, I am still glad that it is only for 2-3 hours at a time because otherwise I don't think that I would have the energy to continue. Kayla and I both depended on each other to get through this and I will be sad the times that she cannot come with me.
God has sent me some great friends and two of my friends who came down to visit went back to their village 3 hours away. I already miss them! However, I now know that I can go and visit them in Salima as well as in Germany and Switzerland when our terms are over! Plus, since there are 11 different nationalities on our team, I will be able to go and visit a lot of people!
I have to praise God with the contentment that He has given me. I am usually happy to be here (except when I get a little homesick) and GOd has just been teaching me and helping me to understand the world a little better. I have been reading Elisabeth Elliot's book Shadow of the Almighty about her late husband Jim Elliot and I am just awed at this amazing man. One phrase that he wrote while in college struck me and I'd like to mention it:
" Missionaries are very human folks, just doing what they are asked. Simply a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody." Jim Elliot
It's that just an incredible observation? But it leave me with one thought, why can't we all be a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt the One Somebody that matters?! I think that I am going to try to make this a new goal of mine for each day.
Please pray for my ministry here as well as my strength to continue when the times get hard. My sanity also needs prayer since I will be spending a lot of time alone when Liz leaves for her medical trip Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
A God of Compassion and Love
Well over the last week God has been continually giving me a compassion and love for His children and he has been showing me that my time here in Malawi is not going to be an easy feel good trip. Today I was hit with the reality of the work that I will be doing in the Cure Hospital here and on Sunday he gave me compassion for the children of a small community.
On Sunday I went to a new church called Mpemba and I feel in love with the children there. However, my heart broke seeing the clothes that they were wearing and I wanted to at least be able to sew their clothes back together (especially since winter is coming).
Today I went to visit Cure Hospital to try and figure out my schedule of volunteering there. Cure Hospital is a facility that believes in loving God’s children and therefore they perform surgeries and provide FREE treatment for children under the age of eighteen. Now this is not cheap so they have a lot of volunteers as well as rely A LOT on support. Also, they have a private section of the hospital that provides care for anyone, but they have to pay (a very small fee) to have treatment/surgeries which also helps to support the children’s side. Grace (a volunteer) told me that it would be really easy for us to be able to just send in money and feel like we have helped then (which it really does help), but that if we volunteer our time and build into their lives it is way more beneficial and difficult and being there I can see how hard this opportunity that God has given me is going to be. Please pray for me because just seeing the children I have a hard time keeping my emotions in check. It is so hard to see them and not feel sad or angry about the situation that they are in. It makes me want to sit and cry but also bring tons of joy into their lives at the same time. I have a feeling that I will be doing the later a lot there and the former quite often at home.
I know that for sure in six months, but also before that, that I will be changed by this experience and that God has brought this opportunity into my life to teach me and help me grow.
Please pray for how God is going to use me but also for me to be able to have the strength to keep going when I’m working with sick children.
*As I was struggling with this opportunity God sent me the song He Sends His Love by Point of Grace and I have realized that I need to stop being upset by these circumstances and just let him use me to love his children.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
SURPRISE!
First of all I want to apologize to those of you who I confused when I posted the last blog. My brithday is on the 3rd but when I posted my blog it was still the second at home (third morning here).
So yesterday after I wrote the Blog about the contentness God gave me, I went home and had a great nap! haha then I was invited to go the movie theatre to watch Planet 51 with a missionary and her children (I know weird to think about going to a movie in Africa). So anyways I went with them and when I got home Liz (who plays the flute) and I gathered around the piano and played some music which was great! (the piano is actually Stephanie's and she's moving out on Saturday so I will no longer have that =[ Then since Stephanie had offered to make supper Liz, Stephanie and I had supper together for the first time which was really nice. Stephanie apologized that it was only Liz and her and I was happy that I just wasn't by myself.
After supper we started doing dishes and Stephanie kicked me out of the kitchen telling me that I wasn't allowed to do dishes on my birthday so I went into the living room to play some more piano when Gill (Short Term Cordinator), Ruth (a missionary that teaches at the college) and the two new missionaries from Switzerland came in. I assumed that Gill had brought them because she usually tries to take the new Short Termers around when they first arrive and they had arrived earlier that day. Anyways, at that point I saw Seth (a MK) walk in and I was a little confused why he was at our house but just figued that he came with the guys. At this point people began flooding into our house and I finally put all the clues from the day (people trying to get me out of the house, the banners that said Happy Birthday, the cook asking how to spell my name, etc.) together. Needless to stay I was both surprised and overwhelmed! Stephanie and Liz looked to be pretty pleased with themselves!
We had cake, (three cause our cook made two and I had made myself and cake just incase that day as well) and play pictionary and just enjoyed eachothers company. At about 8:15 when everyone left I asked Stephanie if I could use her dial-up connection in the house to try to get a hold of my parents (she had warned me that skype didn't work with the dial up but i tried anyways) and I was able to have a quick video conversation with them which was amazing! I know that that was a gift from God!
All in all my day was amazing and I felt so love and blessed to have so many people in my life! God truly blessed me and showed me how it doesn't matter where I am He will bring people into my life who care about me and love me! I am so blessed!
So yesterday after I wrote the Blog about the contentness God gave me, I went home and had a great nap! haha then I was invited to go the movie theatre to watch Planet 51 with a missionary and her children (I know weird to think about going to a movie in Africa). So anyways I went with them and when I got home Liz (who plays the flute) and I gathered around the piano and played some music which was great! (the piano is actually Stephanie's and she's moving out on Saturday so I will no longer have that =[ Then since Stephanie had offered to make supper Liz, Stephanie and I had supper together for the first time which was really nice. Stephanie apologized that it was only Liz and her and I was happy that I just wasn't by myself.
After supper we started doing dishes and Stephanie kicked me out of the kitchen telling me that I wasn't allowed to do dishes on my birthday so I went into the living room to play some more piano when Gill (Short Term Cordinator), Ruth (a missionary that teaches at the college) and the two new missionaries from Switzerland came in. I assumed that Gill had brought them because she usually tries to take the new Short Termers around when they first arrive and they had arrived earlier that day. Anyways, at that point I saw Seth (a MK) walk in and I was a little confused why he was at our house but just figued that he came with the guys. At this point people began flooding into our house and I finally put all the clues from the day (people trying to get me out of the house, the banners that said Happy Birthday, the cook asking how to spell my name, etc.) together. Needless to stay I was both surprised and overwhelmed! Stephanie and Liz looked to be pretty pleased with themselves!
We had cake, (three cause our cook made two and I had made myself and cake just incase that day as well) and play pictionary and just enjoyed eachothers company. At about 8:15 when everyone left I asked Stephanie if I could use her dial-up connection in the house to try to get a hold of my parents (she had warned me that skype didn't work with the dial up but i tried anyways) and I was able to have a quick video conversation with them which was amazing! I know that that was a gift from God!
All in all my day was amazing and I felt so love and blessed to have so many people in my life! God truly blessed me and showed me how it doesn't matter where I am He will bring people into my life who care about me and love me! I am so blessed!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Happy Birthday to ME!
Well I have realized that Malawians definitely have it right having March 3rd be a national holiday! haha Actually it is maryters day but I have really enjoyed pretending it's just because of me! Over the last couple of days I have really been settling in, but today more than ever I am content to be here. I was a little afraid because last year when I was in Guatemala I had an awful brithday, but so far today has been great! I was able to sleep in and then I walked into to town to check my e-mails and doing some work. Luka (our cook/maid) said Happy Birthday to me this morning and then asked me how I liked spending my birthday in Malawi! haha so far I have really enjoyed it! On my walk into town I couldn't stop smiling because the sun was out, the birds were chirping and I just felt great! Once I made it into town, Connie invited me to come over to her house to use the internet and then proceeded to give me a piece of cake! (it was absolutely delicious! Probably cause she is a great cook! [She's from Mississippi!]) This morning my roommate Liz gave me a card and two presents which was just lovely (as she would say!). My other roommate Stephanie has offered to make supper tonight and I am quite excited! All in all I feel like today is going to be a great day and I just feel so blessed and loved!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Jet Lag
Well I am completely exhausted and I thought that I would be able to deal with the jet lag a lot better but apparently all my travelling has not taught me a whole lot. I have been consistently waking up between 4 and 5 in the morning and then crashing at about 4 or 5 in the evening. This is created some problems because all of the dinners that I have been attending have been in the evenings, which is hard. So if you could pray for that that would be greatly appreciated.
Life here is so laid back and I have really enjoyed it so far. We have tea and scones in the afternoon so I kind of feel like I am in England, especially since I live with two ladies from the UK. Being single here surprisingly isn’t as bad as I thought it would be and I am not restricted all that much except for after dark (which is understandable). Tomorrow I will start walking to the compound and where ever I need to go as Gill (the short term co-ordinator) thinks that I have had enough time to get used to riding and just need to get out there. The only problem is this means that I need to buy an umbrella at the market today as it rains a lot right now.
Today I am also going to the market and stores for the first time to buy my food, and any other house things that I need. The hospitality of others has been great and I have really appreciated not having to worry about cooking yet. However tomorrow I am looking forward to cooking! I am trying to go out of my comfort zone and learn a little bit of the language and since we have a gardener, cook/maid and security guard (not ever day and not all the time) I have the opportunity to learn a lot from these men.
Anyways I am enjoying my time so far and look forward to getting involved in ministry next week. God bless you all!
Note: it is now two days after I wrote this post and some new things have happend. I went shopping and am finally feeling like this is going to be ok. I'm even starting to call it home which is good. I have meet a lot of nice missionaries and there is another girl here my age from Germany so it is nice to be able to hang out and talk. Last night the short term missionaries all hung out and spent time together and that was great! I have been picking up accents depending on who I am sitting next to and last night I went from a southern accent to an English on to whatever I happend to land upon. In Malawi we have missionaries of 11 different nationalities so we definitely have a lot of cutlure shock within the group! Today I was able to go to the market and actually got to sleep in to 6:30 which was great! I have also made it past the 4:00 wall so I am hoping that I am finally getting aculturized (if that is a word! haha). We are also hoping to pick up my guitar today since it has not come yet.
Thanks for all your prayers and support
K
Life here is so laid back and I have really enjoyed it so far. We have tea and scones in the afternoon so I kind of feel like I am in England, especially since I live with two ladies from the UK. Being single here surprisingly isn’t as bad as I thought it would be and I am not restricted all that much except for after dark (which is understandable). Tomorrow I will start walking to the compound and where ever I need to go as Gill (the short term co-ordinator) thinks that I have had enough time to get used to riding and just need to get out there. The only problem is this means that I need to buy an umbrella at the market today as it rains a lot right now.
Today I am also going to the market and stores for the first time to buy my food, and any other house things that I need. The hospitality of others has been great and I have really appreciated not having to worry about cooking yet. However tomorrow I am looking forward to cooking! I am trying to go out of my comfort zone and learn a little bit of the language and since we have a gardener, cook/maid and security guard (not ever day and not all the time) I have the opportunity to learn a lot from these men.
Anyways I am enjoying my time so far and look forward to getting involved in ministry next week. God bless you all!
Note: it is now two days after I wrote this post and some new things have happend. I went shopping and am finally feeling like this is going to be ok. I'm even starting to call it home which is good. I have meet a lot of nice missionaries and there is another girl here my age from Germany so it is nice to be able to hang out and talk. Last night the short term missionaries all hung out and spent time together and that was great! I have been picking up accents depending on who I am sitting next to and last night I went from a southern accent to an English on to whatever I happend to land upon. In Malawi we have missionaries of 11 different nationalities so we definitely have a lot of cutlure shock within the group! Today I was able to go to the market and actually got to sleep in to 6:30 which was great! I have also made it past the 4:00 wall so I am hoping that I am finally getting aculturized (if that is a word! haha). We are also hoping to pick up my guitar today since it has not come yet.
Thanks for all your prayers and support
K
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I'm in His hands
Well if I didn’t know that I was in His hands before I definitely do now! God has continued to show His love and guidance in every aspect of this trip! On Feb. 22 when I said goodbye to my parents I was really upset and sad and I felt alone. However, God knew how I felt and meet my need for comfort over and over again. When I was in line waiting to get on the first plane (Calgary to London) the computers shut down and had to restart so we were waiting for a while. Behind me was an older couple and we started talking and just having someone to talk to rather than just sitting there crying was great! Then when I got on the airplane I felt alone once again. Thinking of going on a nine hour flight with no one that I knew around, going to a place that I had no idea what it was like was terrifying. However, after a couple of seat changes (a mother wanted to sit her daughter and new grandbaby, and then two friends wanting to sit together) an older man ended sitting beside me. He sat down and started talking asking questions of where I was going and what I was doing and when I said that I was a missionary, he paused and started laughing because he is a missionary too! From then on we just clicked and had a great conversation! He noticed that I was a little bit upset and told me that he would be my dad for the trip. What a blessing! When we got off at London her pointed me in the right direction but had to run because he had a quick connecting flight that he had to catch. At this point God brought back the first couple from the airport to show me the rest of the way. God definitely was in control with that!
Then I had another 11 hour flight to South Africa and when I got off there was no one going in the direction I thought that I should be going, but I went that way anyways continually telling myself that I was in God’s hands and that He was going to take care of me. Needless to say, He did. I found my way around the airport and actually meet a lady working in a store (I bought water) from Malawi which was really cool. God has just continually showed His guidance and love throughout this whole trip. I think that God made this trip a long one so that He could teach me not only that I have to be strong and courageous, but also first and foremost to trust Him.
Then I had another 11 hour flight to South Africa and when I got off there was no one going in the direction I thought that I should be going, but I went that way anyways continually telling myself that I was in God’s hands and that He was going to take care of me. Needless to say, He did. I found my way around the airport and actually meet a lady working in a store (I bought water) from Malawi which was really cool. God has just continually showed His guidance and love throughout this whole trip. I think that God made this trip a long one so that He could teach me not only that I have to be strong and courageous, but also first and foremost to trust Him.
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