December 3, 2014
Malawi
We met the head chief and 14 local chiefs as well as the
community development committee and the education committee. The level of
organization they have in Dzoole (zoo-lee) Village is incredible. The head chief said that we are no longer
Americans but we are one of the community now while we are here and if we come
back. We are most welcome here they kept
saying. I felt so honored. The landscape here is incredible. Mountains in the background with rolling
hills, valleys, and trees along the way.
The rolling hills have been plowed and you can tell the whole ground is
waiting with eager expectation for the rains to come. They plant maize, soy, and beans as their
staples. They have cows, goats,
chickens, pigs, pigeons, and rabbits as livestock. The village encompasses a very large amount
of land. Mike, one of the locals with
us, said you could walk about 30 minutes (their speed, so an hour American
walking speed) just to get to the edge of their property.
We visited the school on our walk today. There are so many kids! They are all out of school today because of
the funeral later on. I can hear them
building the coffin right now at the ‘carpentry shop’ just next door. We get to go to the funeral today, it should
be very interesting. The head chief
asked us to pray for the community while we are here. He said we are free to go into any home, I’ve
never heard of such favor and honor. He said
having missionaries here is part of their community development plan and that
it is his goal that everyone living in his village goes to heaven!
I can see God’s love for me in the details of this month: no
electricity, no running water, an agricultural community, candlelit dinners, warmhearted
people, smiling faces, an amazing culture of honor, the freedom to do as we
want (which to me is freedom to do as the Holy Spirit leads), amazingly
beautiful landscapes, and local food prepared by the locals themselves. It’s just such a unique, authentic experience! The head chief said we were one of them and
that God had sent us here, which He certainly did. I have no idea how anyone would have found
this place and connected it to the World Race but God Himself.
