I have been keeping a 'thankful list' and my goal is to document 1,000 things I am grateful for from around the world, and in my own heart, among my friends and family… The list documents the ways I see God's incredible movement, great revelations, or things as simple as a refreshing smile or new taste.
So, these are 56 'gifts' from Malawi, to share with you:
1. Random currency exchange on the side of the road (gotta love Africa)
2. Lunch: Rice and mutton (ie goat) with avocados
3. Our crazy introduction to Johan & Marie… hardcore.
4. Life under the stars in tents. Beautiful.
5. Setting up my tent on the top of a hill between mountains, water, and sand
6. Getting over the feeling of dirty feet in the bed
7. Bargaining to buy some African trinkets at the market
8. Going pee in the bushes
9. The sound of waves beating the shore
10. Tending goats and donkeys
11. Blessing a family by buying all the children mendazi bread
12. Laundry services
13. The distant blue mountains of Mozambique over the lake
14. Thunder and lightning
15. The way all the Passport girls walk around barefoot everywhere
16. Gerhard saying, "I just love you guys…"
17. Those Lakeside hotel swings and cold sodas
18. Buying some avocados, tomatoes, and onion – mixing them in with my rice
19. Sand dunes
20. Zaneeka's love for that donkey
21. Meeting Grace and Simon, Raphael, Jon, and little Miracle
22. Painting in Johan and Marie's 'library' to help them out
23. Marie secretly making Monica and I a fresh cup of Mzuzu Coffee
24. Sunscreen
25. Carrying my own water from the well 1/2 mile away for a bucket shower
26. Text from Mom and Beth saying the baby is healthy & it's a boy!
27. Cleaning behind my ears
28. Cheap motola rides
29. A big, clean blue towel at Livingstonia Hotel
30. Sitting down with Miranda and her father, Phiri, from Zambia
31. Singing lots of songs with the kids at Teacher Rose's school
32. Sharing a tent with Claire
33. Leading 'accapella' worship with World Race & Passport
34. Playing 'netball' against Ashlee (the Animal!)
35. Night of Prayer
36. My well-loved Teva sandals getting repaired by Eva
37. Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade packets
38. My awesome tent with loving words written on it from Seattle friends
39. Bonfire on the beach
40. Ice Cream Den… best place ever.
41. Kirby's baptism in beautiful Lake Malawi
42. Passionfruit Fanta drinks
43. Bike Taxis, aka "dumpers"
44. Cannonball competitions into the pool on 'off day'
45. Kingsley and Morris at Livingstonia
46. Late-night guitar sessions
47. Jack the Donkey
48. African kindness. "Moodi bwanji," "Didi bwino, Kiyeenu!"
49. Holding hands with little African children
50. Getting a free ride down to Mpatsa Lounge after church
51.Coconut cookies
52. Caroline's 'goodbye' present (thanks, Caroline)
53. Scrubbing the black out of my fingernails
54. Our van rolling backward, and Karen yelling, "The car is moving! I don't know what to do, there's a child in my lap!"
55. Laughing about sheema made with breast milk
56. Sleeping under the stars with my rainfly off
