Lake Malawi. Forecasting what’s coming below. 🙂
Hello all!
Many updates.
1. I GRADUATED!!! I now have a Bachelor’s in Behavioral Science, which I am excited to put to good use. I loved WMU, and God did so much work in me through a great group of people that I met there. It was amazing, but now that time is over. I am an adult! Yay!!!(?)
2.Because I am now a graduate, I have 4 months to put preparation in full swing!! I plan on continuing reaching out with support letters and fundraising. I also have a job for the summer to help earn more money for the trip.
3. Based on the amount that I have committed, I need only about $4,000 – $5,000 more to have $15,500. If you have been interested in giving or have an amount that you have said you would give, now is the time as the date that we launch is coming. Help is still needed, and I appreciate every little bit so much.
4. I’ve had the opportunity to talk with people who have done the Race before. They were so helpful and informative, and I thought our discussions would lead to me being intimidated by the idea of what I’m getting myself into, but on the contrary! I am SO excited to go out and share the Gospel with those in other countries. Whatever we do, whether building churches or working with trafficking victims, that is what I want first and foremost – to share the Gospel.
Because my time is now so focused on the race (and since launch day is coming up, 4 months!) I will be writing weekly updates on this blog. I’m going to research each country and share the information on this blog so that you all, friends and family, better know how to pray for our trip and the countries that we go to.
So, first off – MALAWI (or the Republic of Malawi)
Malawi’s flag
Often called the “Warm Heart of Africa”, supposedly because the people are friendly.
According to The Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net), Malawi, like many African countries, is stated to be predominantly Christian with Christianity as the official religion, although Islam is also high and both are intermixed with traditional religious practices. The breakdown is as follows:
Population: 16,204,000
Unreached: 61,000
Population who is Christian: 74.02%
Also similar to many African countries, the official language is English. Yet it is home to 29 people groups. The people of Malawi trace their roots back to Bantu origin, and some prominent languages are Chichewa, Chiyao, and Chitimbuka. The Chichewa form the largest population group.
Here is a greeting in Chichewa:
Hello = Moni
How are you? = Muli bwanji
I am well, thank you = Ndili bwino, zikomo
Malawi is identified as one of the least developed countries according to the Human Development Index. A huge problem is AIDS, and 10.8% of the population is living with HIV. This may contribute to a life expectance that is 54.14 years.
If you find an old map that says Nyasaland, that’s Malawi under British rule. Malawi has been an independent country since 1964.
Malawi is also a country based on agriculture with a focus on tobacco as well as tea and sugar. It has a subtropical climate, is partially covered in forests (although it used to be completely covered), and is home to Lake Malawi as well as the Shire Highlands.
The Shire Highlands.
Also, the “ok” sign is taboo. Don’t use it.
A big part of Malawian culture is dancing, including the Gule Wamkulu, or Big Dance, a ritual dance of the Chewa people involving masks. So here’s a picture.
Email me with any questions you have about what we are doing in the coming year. [email protected]
Please continue praying for us in our preparation for this trip. Prayer request: that when we are overseas we CONSTANTLY have the opportunity and the boldness to share the Gospel and help spread the Gospel, using our time effectively and wisely and completely open to God working through us at all times.
