Political Props: No-zambique
Life has been all over the map these days.
I wish I could say, “literally”…. But to my dismay that’s not true.
What is true is that we had completed all the necessary steps,
collected the necessary paperwork, packed up our bags, traipsed
through the exit line in the Malawi immigration office, walked across
the bridge to the Mozambique immigration entry office- all this to be
told that we could not enter the country. I’m sure the same questions
are running through your mind as are ours… Why not? No solid answer
has been found after a week of meetings with various officials. Other
than a good story of how C-Squad almost spent the night in-between two
countries (an interesting and unwanted “bucket list” item), we are
embracing more time here in Malawi, a country we all adore!
Malawi: Round 2
So where are we now?
Blantyre, Malawi, the hustling-bustling hub of commerce and former capitol city.
A fun twist in the story is that we are serving with the same ministry
we were assigned for Mozambique, just instead with the Malawi branch.
We are partnering with Life Child and have already enjoyed one full
week serving the local community through: kids ministry (hours of
jumping, running, singing, acting, praying), evangelism (reading the
bible with beautiful grandmothers), manual labor, juvenile prison
ministry (coming next week and very anxious), and cracking peanuts to
help the ministry’s income projects through peanut butter sales. Every
day is different and so beautiful!
My Mental Game
Here’s our overdue coffee date:
As I sit in my tent this week (the 5th month this year I’ve used my
“portable bedroom”), I honestly have to say to myself, “You’re living
in Malawi right now! You’re in Africa!” Because I am at the point now
where it feels so normal and comfortable living this crazy life where
the water goes out daily and we sing about Jesus every day. But then I
find myself daydreaming about my bed at home (my sleeping pad
currently leaks air and deflates every night), pondering what kind of
job I might look for (simple or serious?), looking forward to losing
all this “world race weight” sitting at my midsection (ugh.),
preplanning all the real-life coffee dates I am so excited to have
(have bullet points ready summarizing your year!), and imagining how
emotionally overwhelming it will be to step back on the dance floor
for the first time in an entire year (accepting the fact that I will
probably cry in front of everyone more than once). And it’s been hard
to hear that my pup we got for my 12th birthday might not make it. And
then to hear that my aunt is battling a severe illness and that the
prognosis is not entirely positive. Along with all the other events at
home, being disconnected has many challenges. But I am always happy to
know what is going on at home since that will always be part of my
life, too. This month marks the 4th month that I have been serving as
a team leader and, boy, there has been a lot of growth here. The
biggest lesson: true humility. I think this lesson is really
challenging to learn in America for many reasons and I am glad I have
gotten the chance to learn it in such a unique way. I mean, let’s be
real, I’m not perfect (never will be) and stumble over myself most
days. But then one of my new friends thanks me for something that I
never thought twice about doing and that’s when I realize that my
heart is changing to love others more. And to love them well.
Okay, I’ll wrap it up now. Today’s challenge: Give a prayer of thanks for all the people in your life. Then, do something nice for someone and don’t tell anyone- even that person. Seek no reward, compliment, or thanks at all. Just go love.
