I cannot believe it is already month 7 on the Race!! This is an exciting month because A) we are in Malawi and B) We have four new additions to our team, Avery, Jessie, Aimee and Kirsten. These girls are doing something called Exposure, so they get to experience a month with current World Racers and do ministry alongside us. We are staying in a town called Npunga, which is south of the Capital, Lilongwe. I am living in a tent with two other girls inside the house and others have beds or are also on the floor. We are surrounded by the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. We are in the middle of mountains and sugar cane fields. Also, our hosts for the month are Papa Gama and Mama Rosie. These are two of the most selfless and sweetest people you will ever meet. Papa Gama is busy planting churches and having meetings all day while Rosie works hard cooking all of our meals, doing laundry, killing chickens and cleaning. She has the biggest servant heart out of anyone I’ve met.
Not only are we living and experiencing a real Malawian lifestyle, but my favorite part of it all is walking outside the gate and having kids run up to you and want to play. When we walk down the streets, we often here “Azungu! Bo!”, which means, “White person, Hi!” Many of these children are coming from homes without electricity, running water, or even enough food to eat for the whole family. Yet, they exude such joy and love for those around them. It is such a refreshing and positive culture. It is not only the children who are friendly, but the youth and adults are welcoming as well.
So, what are we doing for ministry this month?
This month, we have the mornings off to do whatever needs to be done. I have absolutely loved this because I have gotten to wake up, dive into the Word and get to worship the Lord in His mighty creation. He has spoken so many messages and words to me in these past 2 weeks about the people of this country and who I am in Him. I have also gotten to hike mountains in the morning and spend time with our translators, Gladson, Gift and Michael. In the afternoon, we hike to whichever house we are going to share a Word with. We normally have 1-2 people share their testimonies, someone to preach, pray and then we sing and dance alongside the Malawians. It is a fun service and I look forward to going to ministry every single day. I even got to preach at one service about how God has changed my heart so much on this Race, which I will write about in my next blog.
I am just so in love with this village, country, our hosts, lifestyle in Npunga, the ministry here and getting to serve alongside my teammates. Thank you, Jesus, for all of the experiences I have had so far on this trip. Some have been extremely hard and humbling, while others have been supernatural and breathtaking. No matter what the season you are taking me through, I thank you for it and welcome it. Because I know that you are constantly chasing after my heart and know what is best for me. You know what will bring growth. You know what will bring brokenness. Either way, I trust you, because you are with me. I feel it here in Malawi; and, looking back, I can see your presence every step of the way.
