Welcome to Africa!

After starting our trip at 2 am on Sunday, May 31 to go to Washington Dulles Airport, flying through JFK, then to Johannesburg, South Africa, we arrived safely in the beautiful country of Malawi on Monday, June 1..my bags, however, did not.  I'm hoping to have them sometime on Wednesday. 

During our time in Malawi, we are splitting our time among three global worker family units--Doug and Barb, Jonathan and Becky and their two children, Micah (6) and Rachel (3), and Earl and Lois.  When we arrived yesterday, Doug and Barb greeted us at the airport and treated us to a nice, refreshing drink of youngberry juice and chocolate cake at a local cafe, Café Grazia.  Once we arrived at Jonathan & Becky's home, we spent the remainder of our day playing with their children, visiting, eating, and trying to stay awake as long as possible (to help our bodies adjust to the new time zone).  Becky helped us out with the staying up later by introducing us to a couple of games -- "Suspended" and "10 days in Africa."  I'd like to say I blame my jetlag on my lack of expertise in the "10 days in Africa" game, but that's not really the case.  I am just really the worst at games of strategy...but even more so dealing with jet lag!

On Tuesday morning, Doug came over early in the morning to get in an early morning run.  Fortunately, Becky and I can wear the same clothes...even the same shoe size!  She hooked me up for my morning run.  What I thought was going to be a 3 mile run, ended up being a 5 mile run--but it was with a great running buddy and in beautiful country!  At one point on the run, we were running past a group of children walking to school and they started giggling and running with us.  Thanks to Doug for capturing that moment on film.  I love running in new places! 

Jonathan and Becky's home in Blantyre is on the campus of Evangelical Bible College of Malawi (EBCOM). Jonathan is an instructor at EBCOM which serves about 100 students.  Now, if you were like me, I'm sure you are developing a picture in your mind of what this campus might look like.  And, if you are like me, what you expect is not what you get!  You can read more about EBCOM on their website.  Most students at EBCOM are studying to become pastors, or are already pastors, or other lay leaders in their church. 

 

Some of the students' children

Tuesday morning, we did some grocery shopping at the local Chipiku and Shoprite stores, as well as a new store called, Game.  Game is operated by Wal-Mart, but does not sell clothes or groceries.  However, like any Wal-Mart at home, they have many check-out lines with only 2 open!  After some lunch, we spent some time playing with Micah and Rachel, as well as a tour of EBCOM.  On Tuesday afternoons at EBCOM, they have vocational clubs:  green club, gardening club, carpentry club and sewing club.  These clubs are designed to help the students to learn new skills that can help them to sustain themselves and their families during times that their ministry cannot sustain them.  It was great to see these clubs and to see students eagerly learning new skills. 

Shops along the street

Sites along the road

 The Green Club was making briquettes out of paper. These briquettes are used instead of charcoal for cooking and other needs and are just made of paper soaked in water for a week then squished tightly together by hand, removing the water and drying for weeks in the winter or as fast as a few days in the hotter months.  They were also making mats and bags out of the plastic grocery bags (that we all have way too many of!).  They crochet them into things--pretty cool!

Sewing Club

Green Club, making briquettes

Bags made from plastic grocery bags

Gardening Club, staking LOTS of tomatoes

Later in the day, we visited another friend here and their ministry involves teaching women sewing skills.  This ministry started in 2014 and had nine ladies in their first class.  They will be graduating this Saturday!  You can find more about this ministry on Facebook at "Tiyamike Sewing."

Love the plaque and all that this ministry means

Today was a day of seeing a lot of empowerment.  Seeing people learn new things to help themselves have a more stable life.  It was a great day!

Tomorrow we will travel to Mangochi with Doug and Barb to visit with them and learn about their ministry which is about a 3-4 hour drive. We will be back in Blantyre and EBCOM on Friday afternoon/evening.

Thanks for your prayers as I continue to visit our friends here!