Musings

Sometimes.

Sometimes when I'm off campus (not often enough, these days), I see shabby, slanted mud houses inhabited by barefoot kids and bent women and I think about how hard it is to see such poverty. Then I realize it's not hard enough. Even though this poverty is just a stone's throw away from my front door, I live as American a life as can be imagined in Malawi--no diseases, thank you, Malarone; normal food, thank you, Chipiku; shoes, clothes, and sunglasses; books, movies, and internet. There are some interesting challenges, but none that inconvenience me to the point of hunger or pain. Yet those are some of the defining aspects of my unknown fellow Lilongwe-residents' days. And I am not shocked or bothered enough by it. I teach my well-dressed students, come home to a well-stocked kitchen, and know that if I listened closely enough, I might hear cheerful campus kids playing somewhere nearby. It's lovely. But it's not representative of this city. It's not all of my life here.

Sometimes I think about how sickened I am by selfishness and callousness. Then I am sickened when I think of how selfish and callous I am, and shame on me, because I'm here, in the tenth poorest nation in the world, typing on my MacBook with chai tea in reach. There is so much I could do. Be not alarmed; I have found some opportunities, and fully plan on finding something that I can participate in while teaching.

Pray for me, praying friends. Pray I wouldn't try to get comfortable here. Pray that I would not be satisfied with only doing my job (as much as I love and value it), but that I would seek to assist and love anyone within reach. There is so much need.

Girl Meets Lake Malawi, or, There and Back Again

Today I was introduced to Lake Malawi, which from henceforth I may refer to as the nonpareil body of water that has brought this country fame, a place of beauty and splendor par excellence.

See? Oh how I wish I were a better blogger, writer, and photographer so I could ensure your understanding of how fantastic this place is. Sigh. Look at that sand. Look at that sky. Look at the water! 

Here are some of the dear friends that brought me along. Yep, we're all in black and pink, except for the young'un. 

That's Lizard Island down yonder. Guess what lives there. 

Here's a shot from the rocks we walked to, climbed up, and nearly slid down. We walked to this place twice. The first time, we spotted a python sunning himself in a crevice; we were dazzled by his designer skin; we were incredibly creeped out by his immense size. The second time, I brought my camera along. 

No more python. But the view up on the rocks was lovely.  

We did wonder where the snake went as we climbed higher and higher.

Here behold a fisherman in a dugout canoe.

Here behold our walk back to our spot on the beach. 

We had lunch at the restaurant at Livingstonia, a beautiful resort right on the lake. At the table beside us, a solitary customer left his place unattended too long. It was overtaken by a non-solitary monkey. 

These guys (see below. not the monkeys.) cracked me up all day. Their laughter is catching. Their compliments are adorable: "Oh, Barb, I like your swim costume." Their antics are endearing. 

After a good long week of being busy, sitting in the sun, feet covered in sand after a swim, reading a great book sans mental lesson planning was probably the only formula to make this day yet another best day ever. 

did that sound overly optimistic and positive? It should have. 

In other news (and now let my tone take a turn for the serious), on our way back today I witnessed the Nyau for the first time. This sub-culture/cult in Malawian village life imprisons people in fear and darkness, the former apparent in the faces of the women I saw running from the freakishly dressed Nyau. These men have secret rituals and initiations, and they cover themselves with odd combinations of rags and animal masks before they dance around the village scaring people. Tradition in the village says that these people are actually spirits and not people at all, which gives them the liberty to do as they please with the villagers. It was disturbing and tragic to see. I thought of the hope prophesied in Isaiah 9:

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

There is hope in darkness, because that is precisely where light shines.

Good Reads, or, An Update of Sorts

I highly recommend to anyone interested in missions--and by "interested in missions," I really mean anyone reading my blog--the reading of missionary biographies. I'm currently reading Give Me this Mountain by Helen Roseveare, which was suggested to be by my grandma (thanks Grandma!), and I have been astounded by the story of this woman's conversion and growth in grace. Where I am in the book, she hasn't even gone to Africa yet. In case you don't have access to a copy because you live in a country without bookstores (haha. that is I, not most of you), or have already read it, let me recommend a few others for you:

• If I Perish, by Esther Ahn Kim
• Shadow of the Almighty, by Elisabeth Elliot (prepare to be dazzled)
• Evidence Not Seen, Darlene Diebler Rose
• The Woman with the Book, about Gladys Alyward, by someone whose name escapes me
• Peace Child, by Don Richardson, which I'm currently reading with my ninth graders
• The Savage my Kinsman, again by Elisabeth Elliot
• Beyond Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot (if you haven't already, please consider reading everything written by Elisabeth Elliot)

I love reading these books. These are people who spent their lives obeying the Lord, whether that meant missions in a country far from home or going to prison for Jesus' sake. God revealed Himself to them with amazing examples of grace and mercy, supplying their physical and spiritual needs in the most awful circumstances. And the best part is? We serve the same God. Maybe we aren't going to be imprisoned. Maybe we won't spend two years with indigenous Ecuadorians sans electricity, water, and walls. Maybe we're called to something that looks utterly different, like teaching on a safe, comfortable, Christian campus in Malawi (again, that would be I). We are still called to love and serve the same God that performed miracles in places far away. He still reveals Himself with that same grace and mercy to us in the everyday and ordinary.

In other news, this week was marked by my first shopping trip [almost] on my own. Actually, I wasn't on my own at all. I relied very heavily on the sense of direction and driving skills of my housemate, who has lived in Malawi on and off for several months now. At any rate, we had a great morning running to different stores--including a fun farmer's market, where we bought lovely crafts and vegetables. I also finally made something in my kitchen (my housemate also cooks pretty much all the time. I finally made cookies. And Mexican rice.) and gave my classes their first quiz. I went out to the village with some other teachers and had lunch in a very generous Malawian woman's home. Who in America has people over and welcomes and feeds the strangers they tote along with them? There are so many things here that simply aren't done at home, or at least not done very often, or at least not done very often in New Jersey. 

My housemate and I also hosted our first get-together of the teachers on campus. Have I mentioned that my housemate cooks? She fed us all homemade pizza and cookies. I helped too. I grated the cheese and sliced the peppers. I tell you, she's amazing!

Ready for a photo? Here is my KitchenAid and the cookie dough. Oh. You don't see the KitchenAid? That's awkward.

Here we are on our shopping trip. I didn't take photos of the farmer's market because I felt like such a tourist already. But here we are within the confines of the car we use from ABC. Did I tell you we had a great time? I bought a cute chitenge apron. Come over when I'm home for Christmas and I'll wear it while I make you tea and cookies. With a KitchenAid.

Finalmente, I can tell you I currently love teaching here. I know not what challenges lie ahead that may change my current paradigm, but right now, I love getting up in the morning and heading to my classroom. My classes are a great mix of students, some impossible and some incredibly sweet, and many in between. I love seeing them every day and trying to be the best teacher I know how to be for them. That may sound a little, well, airy, idealistic, impractical, sentimental, and overly optimistic, but just now, it's true. Just so you know! 

If you find a great missionary bio that's not on my list, alert me to its existence! 

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?