I’ve been living in Malawi for nearly three months now! There have been a few struggles that my team and I have faced and joke about everyday. So here are my struggles, as a white girl, in Malawi
Struggle 1 – When you learn what “African time” is. African time is real. #reallate
Struggle 2 – When people don’t think you can do anything because you’re from America #icanwashdishes #iknowwhatmaizeis #iknowthings
Struggle 3 – When you go outside and people from all over scream “azungu” at you (Chichewa for white person) #spotted #thatisnotmyname
Struggle 4 – When people find the need to touch and grab you through a window #notouchy #leaveroomforJesus
Struggle 5 – When you are told by your host mom that she is trying to get you fat #it’sworking
Struggle 6 – When the least greasy food you eat is the fries. We call it our “vegetable”. #rollzfordayz #iamacarb
Struggle 7 – When butter is actually medium fat spread #iCANbelieveit’snotbutter
Struggle 8 – When you’re packed in a mini bus with 22 other people #nomoreroom #notanotherperson
Struggle 9 – When you see the most attractive man in a store and don’t know how to respond #abductorgoals #teamjoke
Struggle 10 – When you buy a kitten on the side of the road and it turns into a devil cat #crackatheblackcat
Struggle 11 – When you don’t remember when the last time you actually washed your hands with soap was #cleanlinessisnotnexttogodliness
Struggle 12 – When you fall in the toilet because apparently toilet seats are not a thing here. #where’sthelifealertwhenyouneedit #longesthashtag
Struggle 13 – When everyone on your team wakes up in irrational rage because they just can’t #literallycan’teven
Struggle 14 – When becoming bald is a genuine concern because of the amount of hair you’ve lost #Baileygoesbald2016
Struggle 15 – When you have to post multiple Instagrams on the same day because wifi is hard to get #whitegirlprobs #isthatreallyastruggle #itsanactualproblem
But hey, this is Malawi (TIM)! Malawi may be filled with silly struggles, but one thing that is not a struggle is finding beauty here: the mountains, fields filled with crops, children smiling ear to ear. It’s all so beautiful!
I had a rough second month in Malawi, spiritually and culturally, but God has done nothing but redeem this place for me. What I thought would be the worst month turned into such a precious time. I was able to explore Malawi, meet new people, be part of different ministries and grow closer to my team. I will be leaving Malawi on a good note, which is a blessing!
Thanks for reading through this silly blog! (:
Much love,
Bailey
