To reach a port, we must set sail.

My first sailing experience was not so philosophically motivated as FDR's quote may suggest, but it was nonetheless diverting and lovely and memorable. Yesterday I joined the Ms, along with a few other ABC families, on a day trip to Kamuzu dam, the location of our water supply and the only sailing club I've heard of here yet. 

The day was sunny and bright and very still when we arrived, but the wind picked up after our picnic lunch, so out we went. There were also rowboats, which we made use of as well, but I must say I soon developed a great appreciation for wind power. 

This guy was ready to head out.  

This one sailed his hammock-boat over stormy seas, using a funnel (I think) as an oar. 

You're welcome for the pictures. I'm sorry I have no evidence of my newly developed, but nonetheless enviable, sailing skills...er, not really. I did not sail, but went along for the ride. It sufficed for the time being. 

And as we left, there was a sunset to make your heart soar. My phone camera did it absolutely no justice, and I can but give you a glimpse of the glorious Malawi sky.

Just as a post script, since I'm loading pictures anyway, here's a picture of my princess bed! I've had a love-hate relationship with this canopy. Ha. I mean treated mosquito net. I hate when it touches my head getting out of bed in the morning. I love that it keeps the mosquitos from giving me malaria as I sleep. I hate the way I can't make my bed properly because it always has to be tucked in all the way. I love that it keeps the spiders off my face. I hate how it keeps me from ever sitting and reading on my bed during the day. I love that it keeps geckos from settling in my pillow. See? Love-hate relationship. It's great. 

With that farewell.

"Sail, not tie at anchor.

Sail, not drift. "

An Unabashedly Christian Education

I must be honest.

I was something like nervous about teaching in a Christian school. Throughout the course of my teacher training, I observed, tutored, and taught in public schools, while attending a public university. Perhaps it sounds odd, after attending a K-12 Christian school, that just 4 years in a secular setting would have such an affect. But it did.

However, after today, Day One, my almost-nervousness is lessened. I so heartily appreciate my Christian education, and I'm so excited to be teaching in a Christian school. We opened the assembly with prayer. I have to include "Spiritual Integration" in each lesson plan. We have spiritual emphasis week sometime next year. I have Psalm 19:14 posted above my white board, a reminder to me as much as to my students as we start studying language:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer."

To market, to market

Sorry, patient friends. I meant to post this days ago, but got a little sidetracked. Pretend you're reading this last Thursday, ok? 

For my immediate family members, prepare yourselves for a little repetition.

Yesterday part of our orientation exercises included a two hour scavenger hunt of the Lilongwe open market. I should say string of a thousand markets. The stalls went on and on, across the road, behind buildings, through clusters of huts; if it hadn't been for my thoughtful and protective group members and guides, I would probably still be there, lost and wandering and taking it all in.

I wish I had the time to watch Blogger load some pictures so I could show you all. I will be telling you instead. Here goes.

We had to find the Lilongwe Red Box, which looked like a salesman with a bucketful of pirated movies, as well as the Toll [or Troll] bridge, which was a few thin logs attached with crooked planks spaced about 8 inches apart and swayed reassuringly with every step. We bought chitenge and learned how to use it as either a skirt or baby carrier. We also had to buy a chicken, which was selected, paid for, plopped in a recycled plastic bag, and given a hole for its head (it was alive, in case you didn't get that). I could have bought anything from artistically arranged piles of dried fish to unidentified phone batteries to Tupperware. I was so utterly fascinated.

Now. I cannot pretend this astounding place was picturesque. It wasn't. It was grimy and crowded and smelled, well, different from Garden State Plaza. I don't want to emphasize the dirtiness on the Internet, so suffice it to say that it was there. And it wasn't easy to stomach.

My favorite part could have been the chitenge market, which had tables laden with every printed design you could imagine. Florals, animals, solids, stripes, scanned photos of the Malawian president--anything could make it onto chitenge material. It was amazing.

Now, it is Sunday again.
As much as I appreciated the village church last week, it was wonderful to worship at an English church today, to hear the Word preached and sing in my own language. How thankful I am for God's provision of each place of worship!

Please pray for me as I begin school tomorrow. We have a school assembly, so I will only be meeting my homeroom students. All 6 of them. I cannot wait!

At Home in Malawi

Muli bwanji!

Today is the one-week anniversary of my arrival in Lilongwe. It took a few days to have wifi in my house, and my phone is not working at all, so please pardon my lengthy lack of communication. But here I am. My house is fantastically roomy, cozy, clean, and cheerful. I love it. I share with only one housemate just now, but it is possible that more teachers will come in the future. We have two more bed and bathrooms, so we feel a little overly wealthy with space!

The day after I arrived, I checked into the academy and toured around a bit. Certain delays from different areas meant I couldn't get any curriculum material quite yet, so I had until yesterday to look around and get to know Malawi.

On Thursday the Ms took my dad and me to Liwonde National Park, where we camped breathtakingly close to hippos and elephants. I'll share my pictures at some point, fear not. The following day we toured the park in our car and later took a boat safari to check out some rather large crocodiles and more hippos. I would share photos now, but internet is s-l-o-w and I'm sorry, but I haven't got the time! (the time, the time, who's got the time?)

On Sunday I attended a village church plant of the CCAP. Visitors sit next to the pulpit, just so you know. Their music is fantastic--they sing in parts, sans instruments, and each group or choir gets a turn to sing.

Today orientation begins, so I am off! I haven't met many teachers, so I am looking forward to getting to know them this week.

Please consider praying for me as I prepare for the first day of school on Monday. There is still much to do, with little time, but the Lord has kept me healthy and enthusiastic so far. There is also so much to be thankful for.

ok, one picture. These creatures were my favorites. This poor little guy has a broken leg, and struggled to keep up with his mom.

Finally, if you want to see pictures of my visit to my friend's village ministry, please email me or talk to my mom. I won't be posting pictures of anyone on the internet without their permission, and, well, how do you get permission from 300 kids?