Week 1: Edited Highlights

I was well warned about the many frustrations that daily life in Malawi can bring. The most frustrating thing for me has been not being able to get on the internet to keep my blog up to date. There is no wi-fi at the Fisherman's Rest, and even when there is wi-fi available sometimes the internet just isn't working here. Never mind; my frustration is as nothing compared to the daily struggles of the people here in Mbame. As well as doing a blog I've kept a journal. Perhaps the best way to bring you up to date is for me to write a memory or two from each day since I wrote my first post.

Monday 26th April

It's been raining since we got to Mbame on Saturday. And foggy. You can't see a thing! Very unusual, I'm told. Today is a Rest Day, and I'm glad it is. I'm tired after yesterday, and didn't sleep well. Had breakfast at the Tea-House and then sat and read there and drank Malawian coffee all morning - a fine way to relax! Damien and Emily came for me after lunch and we went up to Blantyre to change money into the local currency Kwacha. The Kwacha is so low in value these days we just about needed a carrier bag to take it away with us! Later we went to a really nice Italian restaurant and discussed events so far. We were all in pretty good spirits; I certainly was when Emily refused to let me pay my part of the bill! I like Emily.

Tuesday 27th April

In the morning Emily and I went to the Mbame Chief's house to meet Steven, the Session Clerk. From there we walked out into the chief's fields to watch the harvest being brought in. Everything is done by hand - there are no machines of any kind. We saw Maize being harvested, as well as later seeing how it is stripped and the corn laid out to dry. It's not been a good harvest this year because the rains came much too late. This means there may be food shortages later in the year - a big concern. We also saw cassava being harvested and, would you believe, monkey nuts - which, I have to confess, I didn't realise, grow underground! Emily and I tasted them. They were delicious; not dry, but oily and sweet - yum! For lunch we'd been invited to an elderly lady's home. Her name was Mrs Chumah. She is 95. When I took her hand I felt I was touching living history, as she is a descendant of Chumah, one of David Livingstone's most loyal servants. She was overjoyed we'd come to see her. I'd been practising my Chechewa and greeted her with 'muli bwanji' (hello - how are you?) but didn't get the expected reply, 'ndili bwino' (I'm fine thanks). This was because she speaks Yao and not Chechewa. Ach, ye cannae win! On leaving, I prayed for her, and that was a special moment for us and for her. Later I preached at the Nansembe Prayer House, and was welcomed, as before, like royalty. I preached on 'Unity' based on Acts 4:32-37. Outside, after the service, a huge bunch of children ran up to me and starting singing a song about joy. It was wonderful; what a noise they made as they sang and danced. It's hard to believe these folk are Presbyterians! After a meal in the dark, in someone's house, lit by only one gas light, I was taken home. I lay down on the bed at 6.50pm and feel asleep. I woke at 9, got into my PJ's, back into bed, and slept until 8 the next morning.

Wednesday 28th April

Today I am shown round Mbame school - fantastic! The children welcome me so politely as I enter each classroom. Some classes have 90 children. Despite that the quality of the education seems pretty good. Later I met with the head-teacher and some of his assistants and they answered my questions about the school and about education in Malawi. I asked them if they were short of any resources. They said they had not had any jotters or pencils this year from the government. There is no money to buy them. Therefore, the parents have to supply them which, for some, is a big expense.

Thursday 29th April

This morning I preached in Mbame at the Mvano service. 'Mvano' is the Women's Guild. On arrival, they welcomed me with singing, outside the church. I was then invited to go into the church and they came in behind me singing more songs. Today it is warm and sunny and the fog has finally lifted. I preached from Luke 8:1-3 about the women who followed and supported Jesus. When I said that 'my wife is the most wonderful woman in the world' they cheered and clapped! Sadly, women are not always well treated in Malawi and life can be especially hard for them. After the service I spent half-an hour as, one by one, they all came up and insisted on being photographed individually with me! ha ha! Earlier, as we had passed the school on arrival, the children all waved and shouted to me. The Mvano service started bang on time (Malawi time - about an hour late) so, at play time I had about 100 children on the church steps and led them in a quick game of 'Simon Says' - wonderful and hilarious! The children are just fantastic and I intend to bring home at least three in my luggage!

Friday 30th April

Today is a much needed Rest Day. I sit at the Tea-House and write my journal. The weather is beautiful; sunny, with puffy white clouds, very warm but bearable because of the light breeze coming up the valley. I'm looking down over the Shire Valley towards the Shire (Shee-ray) river and the mountains of Mozambique. After a walk round the FR Nature Reserve (animals spotted - three butterflies and a large wasp) I go for my first swim in the pool - fantastic! So refreshing, great view and I got it all to myself. God is good.

Saturday 1st May

Today is one of the best - Church Sports day! Guess who is the guest of honour? We had races for the boys and girls of different ages, then a play by the Sunday School (hilarious!) then a net-ball match between the older girls and another team. The finale was the football match between Mbame village and another local village. Before the match I was introduced to the teams lined up on the pitch (think Champions league pre-match hoopla) and then both teams gathered together to pray! Mbame have recently changed their name to 'Scotland', a decision that they may regret. It was a fantastic game with a great atmosphere. Each team had about 100 supporters with them, and each time a goal was scored the pitch was invaded. Unfortunately, 'Scotland' lost a goal in the last minute and lost 3-2. I turned to Damien and said, ' Just like the real thing then, eh?'

To be continued .....