Greetings from "the Warm Heart of Africa!"

Greetings from “the Warm Heart of Africa!” This is what many have called the country of Malawi, and I couldn't agree more! Today I write to you from a place that is stunningly beautiful with its lush green landscape, delicious mangoes fresh off the trees, and hot and humid sunshine that feels like a warm hug to a Canadian who has been used to cold and snow for many weeks! And then there is the rain! I have never experienced rain like this before... pounding, driving, rushing... It is as if God is directly answering and blessing the prayers of Malawians for rain, for Heaven's gates to open and satisfy the crops begging for nourishment. 

There is JOY here. From the moment I open my eyes and crawl out from under my mosquito net and out of my room, I am greeted with “Good morning! Mwadzuka bwanji!” These are the first Chichewa words that I was taught. I found it so telling that in response I was not taught to say, “I am tired,” or “I am sad,” or “I am stressed.” Nope, I was taught to say, “I am fine.” My first week in Malawi has taught me that the people of Malawi are a happy people. When buying food, stopping for gas, working at the nursery with the babies, or just visiting with new friends, I am constantly surrounded by the sounds of laughter and singing and JOY. 

There is thankfulness here. All day long you hear it, “Zikomo, zikomo, zikomo... thank you, thank you, thank you.” People are so thankful for what they have. Ironically, they live with far less than many of us in North America, but they live each day with a grateful heart that shows from the inside out. Just the other day, the water “stopped” at the Crisis Nursery, and the electricity flickered and then went out. This meant that the nannies hauled water from a distance in buckets on their heads. This meant the toilet flushed by dumping water from a bucket down the drain, and the endless supply of diapers could not be washed. Yet still, sitting by the light of two flashlights, there was singing. Softly at first, and then with boisterous enthusiasm; the nannies with their lyrical Chichewa, clapping hands, and passionate emotion, and me with my almost as enthusiastic humming harmony... :) God is good, even when times are tough! 

To all my family and friends back at home wondering how I am... I am doing well! I have been taken in by a wonderful family here, and they are busy introducing me to all of the things I have “missed” out on in my Canadian life... fresh picked mangoes, plates of nisima (maize/corn), cassava, guavas, and much more! So far, I have been working at the Crisis Nursery in the capital city of Lilongwe. This “Ministry of Hope” takes in abandoned babies, and children whose parents are simply unable to provide for their needs. I feed babies, lend a hand to the nannies, change diapers, and cuddle children who need some love! These precious babies are beautiful, and prove to me every day that miracles can and do happen. Their stories of abandonment and need break my heart, but their smiles and giggles help to make it whole again... Every day I begin at 7AM (after waking with sun), and by the time I head for home at 6:00, I am tired, but happy! But, speaking of tired, I had better sign off, because another busy week lies ahead of me... 

Blessings to you all!