It is 3 AM.
Startled, I just woke up to the rainfly on my tent flapping loudly. A horn is blowing in the distance, but it sounds like it is right outside my tent.
I had been having a dream about our campsite being attacked by a cannibal tribe. Waking up to all of this noise made me panic for a moment. I thought the horn was the battle cry (haha)… And then I realized it is the same horn that sounds every night at 3 AM… for what? I have no idea.
I take a deep breath, but I struggle to get any fresh air with the dust blowing around in my tent. There is no way to prevent it from getting in right now… the wind is just too strong and the sand not strong enough to keep my rainfly pinned down. I cover my nose and mouth with the collar of my shirt and try to get some sleep.
Three hours later, I am waking up to have quiet time before breakfast and find my stuff covered with a dusting of dirt, including the laundry that I just washed yesterday (bummer), and my face is black. I look for a somewhat clean piece of clothing to wipe off my face. As I clean up a little of the dirt from my stuff, I hear other people waking up and talking about their night and how dirty everything is.
It is the windy season here in Malawi, and we had just had our first real experience with it. Let’s just say that most people repositioned their tents and found bricks to hold their rainflies down after that night.
For the first time on the World Race, I feel like I am on the World Race. This is the kind of living I had expected to have all 11 months. Instead, we have been spoiled with electricity, running water, and beds (or at least buildings to stay in) most months.
The past 2 weeks, Ryan, Thomas, and I stayed with 2 of our teams at a ministry called Zehandi. Honestly, it was probably 2 of my favorite weeks of the entire Race.
We camped in black sandy dirt (yep… we were always covered in dirt)…
Made our food over charcoal grills…
Had to take shifts to charge electronics at the contacts house, hand washed my clothes, and did not have running water.
Now, there have been many times on the Race that contacts have not had running water, but it was always delivered to us. Not this time! We lived like the locals, walking to the local well for all of our water.
(Photo by Dan Matundan)
The well was 800 meters away… So, there and back was about a mile. We each were required to carry 20 liters a day for water to flush the toilet, along with any water we needed for cooking, drinking, laundry, or bathing.
(Photo by Jaime Floyd)
If you want warm water for a bucket shower, you fill this in the morning and let it sit in the sun all day.
Most people would use the lake (Lake Malawi was only about a kilometer walk away… it was an amazing view) for bathing and laundry, just so they did not have to make the extra trips for more water.
(Photo by Jaime Floyd)
(This is the sunrise view from my tent)
But, even with all of the water we already carried, we still needed a lot more. The ministry we are helping with is construction… which requires quite a bit of water to mix the concrete or mud. We actually had people who would walk back and forth for water all day to keep the work going. Without the constant supply of water, no work could be done. They would walk there and back 6-7 times a day carrying a total of 150+ liters! (A crazy
good workout!)
(Photo by Dan Matundan)
The well was one of my favorite parts about this ministry. The women and the children that we would see as we waited for our turn at the well, and the fun times we would have there made carrying all of that water worth it. There was a huge language barrier, but it was fun to dance with the kids and have them teach me the language by drawing pictures in the dirt.
(Photo by Dan Matundan)
(Photo by Jaime Floyd)
(Photo by Dan Matundan)
The World Race teams are working with a South African couple, Johan and Marie. They had so much wisdom to share with us over our time there. I learned a lot, and if I ever came back to the field long term, I would want them to mentor and teach me.
And, there is also 6 individuals from South Africa there helping right now as well. The team is committed for a year. It was super refreshing to be with the team… Always nice to meet new people our age.
The vision for the land they live on is incredible. They have lived in Malawi for 3 years, but have only had this land the past year I believe.
Let me just say… I BELIEVE. I believe that what is to follow is an accurate description of their vision. Instead of saying I believe after every statement, I just want you to know that I am writing this out of the best I can remember what we were told.
With that being said… They have so much planned for their ministry. The Lord has given them a great vision for what He has in store and has confirmed it on many occasions. They live among many Islamic villages, and want to reach these people.
Right now, the only thing finished on the property is their house.
(This is their house for a family of 5)
The team is there working on the Bible School. In the future, there will be dormitories and staff/volunteer housing as well. The first volunteer house is already under way with the team being committed there a year, they are hoping to be moving in soon.
The Bible School when we arrived…
… And after about 5 days of work. This is how it looked when Thomas, Ryan, and I left.
The other project our team is working on is a chicken house. Eventually, there will be 7 of these. They are starting a chicken project to reach out to the villages. When Johan asked the Lord how he was going to reach out to the Islamic villages, a chicken project is the vision the Lord put before him.
They also have a netball court on the property. Netball is somewhat similar to basketball, yet very different. It is a woman’s sport, and Marie and one of the volunteers, Anelle, use this as a ministry to reach out to the area woman.
Other areas of their ministry:
The guys play soccer with the local youth.
They have a lodge where other missionaries come for rest and recharge. It is right along the beautiful Lake Malawi.
There is also a boat ministry in progress. They have an old boat that is being fixed up over time. Lake Malawi is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide. The boat will eventually be used to send people out to tribes on islands in the lake to build relationships and teach them about the Lord. Crazy huh!
The future plans also include…
-An orphanage
-A training center: Volunteers will come in and teach about different skills. All teachings will be Biblical in principle.
-Fruit trees and a vegetable garden: These will help with food for the orphanage and school, and also be showing the community how to affectively grow and manage these crops.
Oh… and their 13 year old daughter bought a donkey to train and use at a home for handicap kids. It will be like the horse therapy in the States, but it is very rare to find horses in Africa.
Again… this is all I BELIEVE Statements. I tried my best to get their vision and plans right.
It was very hard to leave that ministry. As I said before, it was one of my favorite places on the Race and living as I thought I would be all 11 months.
This ministry has a website if you would like to find out more or get in contact with Johan and Marie:
There are only about 2 weeks left before I will be home again. Crazy how fast this year has been flying by! Please keep me and my squad in your prayers as we are preparing for our transition home. It is strange to think about being home again. Don’t get me wrong, I am really excited about seeing my family and friends, but the end is bittersweet.
