After three days of plane rides and layovers we finally made it to Malawi. We had a nice night of tenting in Malawi before we headed for our ministry cite in Chipata, Zambia. Our buses arrived in the morning and I was shocked to see the size of the buses. They warned us that we were going to get closer to these people than we have ever experienced before; I thought they meant emotionally but I have never been so close physically to so many people. There were literally huge packs, day packs, 3 men, and 11 girls squeezed into 6 seats like clowns in the hot weather for a bus ride that lasted over two hours. When we finally got to the border we were told we couldn’t talk, smile, or laugh or else we would be detained for at least two hours. I put on my border face as we sat for hours waiting for 46 people to get there exit and entry documents accepted. We piled into another van and headed directly to church. We met our contact and some of the people we will be working with. I met a 9 year old boy named Sante who made a rough day much better. It was nearly 10:00pm before dinner was served, we hadn’t ate since 8:00am; I don’t think I have ever been so hungry. After dinner we were able to set up our beds. 16 of us girls set up our mats in a room barely the size of my bedroom. There were three girls per mosquito net and the body heat accumulated quickly! There were cockroaches crawling around and I tried not to think about it as I laid my head down to sleep. However I woke up in the middle of the night to a cockroach crawling across my stomach. I didn’t sleep much after that.
Morning came and it brought a new beginning with it. However I couldn’t help but feel down. I miss home and my family. We had an orientation with our contact, Johan and Martha, which helped remind me why I am here but it also terrified me. Tomorrow we start door to door evangelism, I have never done anything remotely close to this so needless to say I am nervous.
I have felt in a slump since I left home but tonight God showed up in a very strange way. We walked to Martha’s house for dinner. Outside they had chickens awaiting their fate for tomorrow’s dinner. After we ate our first traditional Zambian meal (Shema aka cornmeal, cabbage, and beans) using our hands as silverware; it was time to put these hands to work. They asked if we wanted to watch them sever the chicken’s heads off. A handful of us got up and slowly crept outside. I was surprised I was one of them. I couldn’t help but laugh as their mouths opened and shut after its head was cut off. They asked if we wanted to help pluck the chickens. Again, surprised by myself I volunteered. Kristy also agreed to give it a try. As we began plucking the bloody chicken we broke out in laughter. All of the negative emotions were released from my body and mind as I was overcome with laughter. Taking a chance and allowing myself to live in the moment and dive into the culture let me bond with the people and experience joy for the first time since I have been on the World Race. God revealed himself to me tonight through getting some chicken guts on my hands and it was exactly what I needed! Thank you Jesus!
