Pepani, Pepani!! I am sorry that it has been so long since I last updated! I felt (and still feel) like I don't have a whole lot to say.
The past month since I last updated has been a tough one for me. I feel like the beginning of November was a lifetime ago. I have done a couple of 180's emotionally- from wanting to stay here for the rest of my life to wanting to go home tomorrow, to being very apathetic about the whole situation. The emotional roller coaster has left me a little drained and without words to say. So pepani! I will do better next time.
Let's see, what have I done this past month.... Despite some difficulties getting off campus/ out of Lilongwe due to fuel issues, it seems that I have been able to get away quite a bit. In the beginning of November I traveled up to Northern Malawi to visit a site where some friends are thinking about starting an orphanage. Northern Malawi is amazing. There are trees EVERYWHERE! And I LOVE trees!!! The contrast between central and northern Malawi is overwhelming. Trees are virtually non-existent in the central region (where I live) due to deforestation. It saddens me to know that that is what Malawi is supposed to look like. It is a shame it doesn't look like that anymore.
Last weekend we truly took advantage of the fuel shortage and traveled around best way we know how- via hitching/ walking/ bike taxi-ing. Some friends of ours live about 20 miles away and agreed to let us spend the night at their farm to get some much needed time away from Lilongwe. We decided to make an adventure out of it and set out on foot with the hopes of finding a ride as we went on. My dreams came true when a truck stopped to pick us up. (It has been a dream of mine to travel a longer distance (longer than the three miles I have already traveled in the back of a truck) standing up in the back of a pickup truck.) You see people doing it all the time here, and whenever someone would pass me in the back of a pickup I would get jealous. So now I can say I have done that too. :-).
I also embarked on my first bike taxi adventure. Bike taxi's are a common means of transportation here in Malawi, and one which I had never taken advantage of. On the way back from our friends farm we took a bike taxi for the entire 4 mile stretch of dirt road to the tarmack. It was an interesting experience to say the least. The three guys that were taking each one of us seemed to be racing- my guy lost. While it was fun to be able to sit and watch the scenery go by, I am not sure how many more bike taxi rides I will partake in. I felt very lazy sitting there while I made someone else do all that work or carting me around.
I am sure that I will have many more adventures to update you on in the coming weeks. I am planning on taking holiday and traveling to go stay in a village with some friends for a few days. This will be the first time that I will stay in a village for more than a night. It will also be the first time I will stay in a house without running water and electricity. I am excited to experience life as many people living around me experience it. (Or at least more so than I experience it living in the gated walls of ABC). I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season! Merry Christmas and safe travels to all those who are traveling this season!!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
T.I.A,
T.I.A.
This Is Africa. The past couple of weeks have been quite “african”. The “africanisms” seem to be following us around everywhere. And I LOVE it. Disclaimer- no part of this is in any way a complaint... I have it so much easier than most of the people that live here. I am so privileged.
You learn to appreciate little things when everything around you doesn't seem to be working. The slogan of the company that provides power to Malawi is “working towards power all day everyday” (or something to that affect). Lately it seems like it should read “working towards power for a quarter of the day...some days...). The constant switching on and off of the lights while in the pharmacy makes it feel kind of like a disco, but it is in no way, shape or form conducive to counting meds. But, like I said, there is no complaining coming out of my mouth (or hands, as I am typing). It just makes me marvel in the fact that there are millions of people in this world that survive day in and day out without power. This weekend I had the privilege to eat at a friends uncle's house. His uncle's wife cooked for all 8 of us by herself.... on a coals. The thought of cooking for eight stresses me out as is, let alone doing it without a stove or oven. People look at the lives of people that live in third world countries as trivial, but I see the opposite. I see how trivial our lives are. If the infrastructure in America (or other western cultures) were to collapse and we were forced to live the way people in third world countries live, would we even be able to survive? No, it is definitely not their lives that are the trivial ones.
The new experience that I had this last week was waiting in a queue for petrol. (A queue is just another meaning for a line- and a word with way too man vowels in it. Petrol obviously is gas). I am not going to lie, I enjoyed every minute of the 12 and a half HOURS that I waited to fill up the car. My fellow queue-rs were not so happy. Waiting in a queue for me was a novelty, something that I can appreciate doing because it is not the life that I have to live. For the next six months I might have to wait for gas, but when I go home, I can enjoy the convenience of gas stations in a functioning country. Waiting for gas here is an experience, and one I will accept readily because it teaches me yet again how blessed I am, but its no more than that- an experience. It is not a way of life for me. It teaches me never again to get frustrated waiting the fifteen minutes that you need to wait even in the longest lines at Costco.
All the things that have been lacking lately in Malawi- electricity, petrol, water, coca-cola (ok the coke shortage is annoying, but nothing more than that and I think most people realize that)- have taught me that the things that I thought I needed to survive were just blessings. Life goes on with or without them. It's up to us to decide to go on with it or to sit and complain about it. There are very few necessities in life- things that you absolutely need to survive- and all the “T.I.A.” moments lately have been showing me that. There is nothing you can do to change some of the things around you that aren't working, all you can do is take it in stride and roll with the punches. There is no use in getting upset over it, but it would be a lost opportunity if you didn't take a step back and use the experiences your a part of to realize the blessings that you have in life.
This Is Africa. The past couple of weeks have been quite “african”. The “africanisms” seem to be following us around everywhere. And I LOVE it. Disclaimer- no part of this is in any way a complaint... I have it so much easier than most of the people that live here. I am so privileged.
You learn to appreciate little things when everything around you doesn't seem to be working. The slogan of the company that provides power to Malawi is “working towards power all day everyday” (or something to that affect). Lately it seems like it should read “working towards power for a quarter of the day...some days...). The constant switching on and off of the lights while in the pharmacy makes it feel kind of like a disco, but it is in no way, shape or form conducive to counting meds. But, like I said, there is no complaining coming out of my mouth (or hands, as I am typing). It just makes me marvel in the fact that there are millions of people in this world that survive day in and day out without power. This weekend I had the privilege to eat at a friends uncle's house. His uncle's wife cooked for all 8 of us by herself.... on a coals. The thought of cooking for eight stresses me out as is, let alone doing it without a stove or oven. People look at the lives of people that live in third world countries as trivial, but I see the opposite. I see how trivial our lives are. If the infrastructure in America (or other western cultures) were to collapse and we were forced to live the way people in third world countries live, would we even be able to survive? No, it is definitely not their lives that are the trivial ones.
The new experience that I had this last week was waiting in a queue for petrol. (A queue is just another meaning for a line- and a word with way too man vowels in it. Petrol obviously is gas). I am not going to lie, I enjoyed every minute of the 12 and a half HOURS that I waited to fill up the car. My fellow queue-rs were not so happy. Waiting in a queue for me was a novelty, something that I can appreciate doing because it is not the life that I have to live. For the next six months I might have to wait for gas, but when I go home, I can enjoy the convenience of gas stations in a functioning country. Waiting for gas here is an experience, and one I will accept readily because it teaches me yet again how blessed I am, but its no more than that- an experience. It is not a way of life for me. It teaches me never again to get frustrated waiting the fifteen minutes that you need to wait even in the longest lines at Costco.
All the things that have been lacking lately in Malawi- electricity, petrol, water, coca-cola (ok the coke shortage is annoying, but nothing more than that and I think most people realize that)- have taught me that the things that I thought I needed to survive were just blessings. Life goes on with or without them. It's up to us to decide to go on with it or to sit and complain about it. There are very few necessities in life- things that you absolutely need to survive- and all the “T.I.A.” moments lately have been showing me that. There is nothing you can do to change some of the things around you that aren't working, all you can do is take it in stride and roll with the punches. There is no use in getting upset over it, but it would be a lost opportunity if you didn't take a step back and use the experiences your a part of to realize the blessings that you have in life.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Love
So this is more of a 'blog' and less of an update. Know that when I was writing this it was just as much for me as for anyone else. Although the questions and commands in this can be applied to anyone, for me to truly believe them they must first be applied to myself. I have been talking a lot about love lately, and last night I had to stop and really think about what I was talking about. What is love? These are some of my thoughts on it. I don't claim to really know what I am talking about or have all the answers. Take this as you want... right or wrong, these are my thoughts on the subject.
Love. What is it? Love is an emotion that so captivates us as human beings. But what does it mean to truly love someone? Not the gushy tripping over your own words because you are head over heels for someone romantically love, but the love for your neighbor, your “brother”, your “sister”, the love for Christ and the love that Christ has for you. What is this kind of love? How do you define it? How do you practice it??
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a verse that kept coming to mind tonight when I was thinking about love. Now I know this verse is (in my opinion) one that is overly quoted in the romantic scenario, I think that it is completely overlooked as applied to any other facet of our life. It reads: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Take a moment and think about this verse. Meditate on it. What would our lives look like if we took this to heart. If this became the golden rule of our life? What would the world look like if everyone walking around practiced this as the foundation that we should build our lives around. (Well the foundation apart from Christ alone.)
Love is patient. How often do we rush people along because we feel we have something better to do. We don't take time to ask people how they are doing because we have to run and grab a coffee before our next meeting. We honk our horn at the old woman driving slowly rather than patiently driving behind her, enjoying the scenery that God gave us. We rush through our lives not looking around, not caring who we are passing by. Not caring who we are missing, what person we are overlooking in order for us to get our next foot in the next door of life.
Love is kind. This one seems sort of self explanatory. But how often are we kind to those that it benefits us to be kind to. I know I am guilty of it. It's easy to be kind to those who are kind to us. It is easy to be kind to those who can help us. But what about the beggar on the side of the road. What about the child sitting at the restaurant next to you who won't stop screaming. Love is kind. To everyone. All of the time. There are no exceptions. Love does not know boundaries. It does not know the walls that culture has put in place. The kindness of love should transcend all divides that society might happen to put in place, that we might happen to put in place.
Envy. Pride. Boastfulness. Have you ever had a day where you have not felt or participated in one of these things? Because I haven't. To truly love someone else you need to humble yourself. Now there is a word for you- humility. That is another lofty word that is worth defining. The dictionary says humility is a noun- it says it is the modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance. I believe humility is so much more than this. I believe humility is impossible without love. Without compassion. Those things that you envy- are you worthy of them? Are any of us worthy of them? Isn't the only person who is and was ever worthy of any of the splendor and glory of this world Christ Himself? What do we have to be proud of? To boast about? We are constantly falling short of what we are meant to be. We can do nothing on our own. In order to love someone don't you have to first realize this? It doesn't matter if you are black or white, rich or poor, you are still unworthy. Nothing you do will ever measure up to something that is worth the grace that we receive. I think it is only in recognizing this in humility that we can start to love people the way God intended us to love them.
Love ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS hopes, ALWAYS perseveres. Not sometimes. Not when it is convenient. ALWAYS. Stop for a second and think about that. Think about always protecting those around you. Protecting them at any cost. Putting your life before theirs. How different would our world be if instead of worrying about how we were going to make that next thousand dollars, we worried about how to protect those that live on less than a dollar a day. Love always trusts, hopes, preservers... always. No exceptions. How glorious would our world be if we lived this out. There would be no need (if there is one anyway) for war, for guns, for fighting. If we lived this verse out love would always persevere. It would always come out on top, and the world would be an amazing place because of it. Think of how much less suffering there would be. How much less hurt there would be. Think about all the things we could accomplish together if we lived in a community that loved each other, loved our neighbors, with the love that is described in this verse.
Love is a verb, not a noun. It is an action word. Go live out a life full of love. Go live out a life full of THISkind of love. Live out a life where this kind of love is applied not just to our husbands and wives, not just our mothers and brothers and sisters- our blood, but a life where this love is given out to the broken and destitute, the oppressed and the impoverished. The needy. The poor. The lonely. The homeless. Go out and live a life of love- this kind of love- to EVERYONE around you. Do it. I dare you. See how it will change your life.
Love. What is it? Love is an emotion that so captivates us as human beings. But what does it mean to truly love someone? Not the gushy tripping over your own words because you are head over heels for someone romantically love, but the love for your neighbor, your “brother”, your “sister”, the love for Christ and the love that Christ has for you. What is this kind of love? How do you define it? How do you practice it??
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a verse that kept coming to mind tonight when I was thinking about love. Now I know this verse is (in my opinion) one that is overly quoted in the romantic scenario, I think that it is completely overlooked as applied to any other facet of our life. It reads: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Take a moment and think about this verse. Meditate on it. What would our lives look like if we took this to heart. If this became the golden rule of our life? What would the world look like if everyone walking around practiced this as the foundation that we should build our lives around. (Well the foundation apart from Christ alone.)
Love is patient. How often do we rush people along because we feel we have something better to do. We don't take time to ask people how they are doing because we have to run and grab a coffee before our next meeting. We honk our horn at the old woman driving slowly rather than patiently driving behind her, enjoying the scenery that God gave us. We rush through our lives not looking around, not caring who we are passing by. Not caring who we are missing, what person we are overlooking in order for us to get our next foot in the next door of life.
Love is kind. This one seems sort of self explanatory. But how often are we kind to those that it benefits us to be kind to. I know I am guilty of it. It's easy to be kind to those who are kind to us. It is easy to be kind to those who can help us. But what about the beggar on the side of the road. What about the child sitting at the restaurant next to you who won't stop screaming. Love is kind. To everyone. All of the time. There are no exceptions. Love does not know boundaries. It does not know the walls that culture has put in place. The kindness of love should transcend all divides that society might happen to put in place, that we might happen to put in place.
Envy. Pride. Boastfulness. Have you ever had a day where you have not felt or participated in one of these things? Because I haven't. To truly love someone else you need to humble yourself. Now there is a word for you- humility. That is another lofty word that is worth defining. The dictionary says humility is a noun- it says it is the modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance. I believe humility is so much more than this. I believe humility is impossible without love. Without compassion. Those things that you envy- are you worthy of them? Are any of us worthy of them? Isn't the only person who is and was ever worthy of any of the splendor and glory of this world Christ Himself? What do we have to be proud of? To boast about? We are constantly falling short of what we are meant to be. We can do nothing on our own. In order to love someone don't you have to first realize this? It doesn't matter if you are black or white, rich or poor, you are still unworthy. Nothing you do will ever measure up to something that is worth the grace that we receive. I think it is only in recognizing this in humility that we can start to love people the way God intended us to love them.
Love ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS hopes, ALWAYS perseveres. Not sometimes. Not when it is convenient. ALWAYS. Stop for a second and think about that. Think about always protecting those around you. Protecting them at any cost. Putting your life before theirs. How different would our world be if instead of worrying about how we were going to make that next thousand dollars, we worried about how to protect those that live on less than a dollar a day. Love always trusts, hopes, preservers... always. No exceptions. How glorious would our world be if we lived this out. There would be no need (if there is one anyway) for war, for guns, for fighting. If we lived this verse out love would always persevere. It would always come out on top, and the world would be an amazing place because of it. Think of how much less suffering there would be. How much less hurt there would be. Think about all the things we could accomplish together if we lived in a community that loved each other, loved our neighbors, with the love that is described in this verse.
Love is a verb, not a noun. It is an action word. Go live out a life full of love. Go live out a life full of THISkind of love. Live out a life where this kind of love is applied not just to our husbands and wives, not just our mothers and brothers and sisters- our blood, but a life where this love is given out to the broken and destitute, the oppressed and the impoverished. The needy. The poor. The lonely. The homeless. Go out and live a life of love- this kind of love- to EVERYONE around you. Do it. I dare you. See how it will change your life.
Monday, October 3, 2011
I'm tired of thinking of "creative" titles for these blogs....
Not only am I tired of thinking of creative titles, I am also tired of proofreading... my apologies.
I haven't written in a while, and feel as if I should. I need to make sure that I remember my time here. I need to make sure that this doesn't become routine...and monotonous.
This weekend was great. Sitting downtown in India Town(a busy part of town that we have been spending a lot of time in) just drinking a coke and passing time chatting is an experience I will treasure forever... and one that I need to do more often. When you are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of India town, it feels as if you are a part of it. It feels as if I am truly living in Africa- well I am truly living in Afica, but from day to day I live in the American bubble in Africa. Looking around I feel like this is my home. This is where I live and spend my time. My eyes are opened to the world around me, and I can't help but smile. Watching the sun set over the market filled with vendors and buyers, smelling the fires of Africa, the rubbage in the streets, the smells of Malawi, all whilst drinking a coke out of a glass bottle- it's an experience I wouldn't trade for the world. I want this to become my home. I want the people who spend their days in India town to recognize me. I don't want to be the novelty mzungu. I want to be one of the regulars. I want to blend so I can help... so I can love... and they can love me.
Eating where Malawians eat is another experience that I love. Now I know even the "Malawian" restaurants I got to aren't exactly where most Malawians eat, it's still a little pricey, but it's a good compromise. I am still a little nervous about getting sick at certain restaurants. I get nervous that the chicken on my plate might be the one that I saw earlier that afternoon being carried- dead, skinned, and feathered- by bicycle under the blazing sun with no refrigerator. I want to blend as much as possible... but that doesn't mean that I am comfortable with dysentery. While it's nice to occasionally go out to our favorite Indian restaurant in town, I have found that for the most part I enjoy eating the less expensive traditional fare.
Saturday I went back out with the Chisomo girls. This week we had our first game (or at least the first one since I have been playing with them). I wish I could say it went well...but we got schooled. By little boys. We played the boys under 12 team, and they kicked our butt 3-1. Let me tell you, those boys are good. They have obviously been playing their entire lives. They know how to pass, to keep their head up, to trap with a direction, they have soft touches on the ball, they play as a team.... all things that we are lacking. Hopefully with a little more practice we can learn these things. Maybe we should call the boys back and have them teach us. Talk about being humbled. I am a good 11 years older than their oldest player... getting schooled by little boys on the soccer field is not something I want to participate in daily. Regardless of the win/loss/embarrassment, it was a great time. I feel like I am starting to build connections with these girls. I want to be friends with them, not just teammates. I hope the more I show up the less weird it is that I am from a different background, country, culture. I hope that we can erase those lines and build new ones. Ones that cross the cultural divide and bond us as friends.
I pray that God gives me compassion. Helps me relate to people on their level, not mine. Helps me see them as people, as friends, as equals. I pray that God humbles me and shows me that everything I am doing is for Him... not for me. I pray that God helps me realize that all that I do is to glorify HIS name, not mine. I pray that everything I do I do for God... to show His love and His amazing grace. I pray I do this all for His will, and because He has led me to where I am.
I haven't written in a while, and feel as if I should. I need to make sure that I remember my time here. I need to make sure that this doesn't become routine...and monotonous.
This weekend was great. Sitting downtown in India Town(a busy part of town that we have been spending a lot of time in) just drinking a coke and passing time chatting is an experience I will treasure forever... and one that I need to do more often. When you are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of India town, it feels as if you are a part of it. It feels as if I am truly living in Africa- well I am truly living in Afica, but from day to day I live in the American bubble in Africa. Looking around I feel like this is my home. This is where I live and spend my time. My eyes are opened to the world around me, and I can't help but smile. Watching the sun set over the market filled with vendors and buyers, smelling the fires of Africa, the rubbage in the streets, the smells of Malawi, all whilst drinking a coke out of a glass bottle- it's an experience I wouldn't trade for the world. I want this to become my home. I want the people who spend their days in India town to recognize me. I don't want to be the novelty mzungu. I want to be one of the regulars. I want to blend so I can help... so I can love... and they can love me.
Eating where Malawians eat is another experience that I love. Now I know even the "Malawian" restaurants I got to aren't exactly where most Malawians eat, it's still a little pricey, but it's a good compromise. I am still a little nervous about getting sick at certain restaurants. I get nervous that the chicken on my plate might be the one that I saw earlier that afternoon being carried- dead, skinned, and feathered- by bicycle under the blazing sun with no refrigerator. I want to blend as much as possible... but that doesn't mean that I am comfortable with dysentery. While it's nice to occasionally go out to our favorite Indian restaurant in town, I have found that for the most part I enjoy eating the less expensive traditional fare.
Saturday I went back out with the Chisomo girls. This week we had our first game (or at least the first one since I have been playing with them). I wish I could say it went well...but we got schooled. By little boys. We played the boys under 12 team, and they kicked our butt 3-1. Let me tell you, those boys are good. They have obviously been playing their entire lives. They know how to pass, to keep their head up, to trap with a direction, they have soft touches on the ball, they play as a team.... all things that we are lacking. Hopefully with a little more practice we can learn these things. Maybe we should call the boys back and have them teach us. Talk about being humbled. I am a good 11 years older than their oldest player... getting schooled by little boys on the soccer field is not something I want to participate in daily. Regardless of the win/loss/embarrassment, it was a great time. I feel like I am starting to build connections with these girls. I want to be friends with them, not just teammates. I hope the more I show up the less weird it is that I am from a different background, country, culture. I hope that we can erase those lines and build new ones. Ones that cross the cultural divide and bond us as friends.
I pray that God gives me compassion. Helps me relate to people on their level, not mine. Helps me see them as people, as friends, as equals. I pray that God humbles me and shows me that everything I am doing is for Him... not for me. I pray that God helps me realize that all that I do is to glorify HIS name, not mine. I pray that everything I do I do for God... to show His love and His amazing grace. I pray I do this all for His will, and because He has led me to where I am.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Another full heart :-)
This weekend I was blessed in so many ways. I was able to go out to do outreach in a village not once, but twice. I am brimming with joy and my heart is full after this weekend.
Saturday morning I was able to go out with the Chisomo Idea and help coach underprivileged boys and girls in soccer. We went out with the intentions of coaching just the girls team, but this being Malawi, plans changed a bit and we were able to interact with both the girls and the boys. The Chisomo Idea is an amazing organization that provides a soccer academy for the underprivileged. As I was looking around watching both the boys play soccer and the children standing on the sidelines watching, I realized something amazing was happening here. The Chisomo Idea was teaching the boys (and girls) not only how to play soccer, but to be role models. The boys were learning self-esteem and confidence. They were learning responsibility. It was so cool to watch the faces of the little ones not yet old enough to play. They were gleaming with the joy of the possibilities to come. They were itching to be old enough to put on a scrimmage jersey and take up with the team. It was amazing knowing all that comes with putting on that jersey. The boys were looking forward to something- they were looking forward to a better and brighter future. One that not only contains countless hours of practices and scrimmages, but responsibility, hopes, and dreams.
The girls were just as inspiring. One girl (who reminded me of myself when I played soccer all those years ago) showed up dolled up in a fancy dress. I thought for sure she was going to be one of the “typical girls” (at least the stereotypical American girl... which, might I add, is not so typical) who is scared to get dirty and break a nail. Boy was I wrong. She was all over the field, slide tackling her teammates, slamming her body into her opponents and the ground in a sacrifice to get the ball. She had spunk. It was amazing to watch these girls come alive on the field.
It's incredible how God works sometimes. I remember the last time I walked off the soccer field my senior year of high school very well. I cried like baby because I knew it would be the last time I played soccer. And so far, I have been right. But here I am, in Africa, showing kids love- God's love- through this amazing sport that dominated my life and heart for 13 years. I couldn't help but smile and laugh at how blessed I was (and am, because I hope to continue to work with the Chisomo Idea) to help out.
I was also able to go out to a village this morning, where I had the opportunity to go to a village (“local”) church. When I was leaving in June last year, I was upset with myself because I never made an to opportunity to go out to a village church. It was an amazing experience. The worship was extraordinary. There were not one- not two- but three choirs. Even though everything (except the sermon, which was given by one of the ABC professors) was in Chichewa, there was no translation needed for the worship. The intensity in which this church was worshiping God was awe-inspiring. You could feel His Spirit there with you. The church was not only packed with people, but full up of God's Spirit.
Today I learned what it means to really love those around you. Today I was shown how to be selfless. After Reverend Brown spoke, they informed us that they were going to give us a small gift. A procession line of women came to the front where we were standing and handed us gift after gift. We ended up getting a huge box of peanuts, bundles and bundles of onions, heaps of tomatoes, lots of peas, and a chicken- a live chicken. The average person in Malawi lives on less than a dollar a day-a lot of these people lived on less than a dollar a day. And they gave us more food than we knew what to do with. I have never been so selfless. I continue to be humbled beyond belief in Malawi. I wish I had the heart to be able to so selflessly give. I am learning so much from my neighbors here. They are showing me what it means to worship, what it means to be selfless, what it means to love your neighbor more than yourself. What it means to love God. It seems like the more I am here the more I am falling in love with this beautiful country and the beautiful people that live in it.
a picture of the gifts that they gave us (minus the skateboard)
Saturday morning I was able to go out with the Chisomo Idea and help coach underprivileged boys and girls in soccer. We went out with the intentions of coaching just the girls team, but this being Malawi, plans changed a bit and we were able to interact with both the girls and the boys. The Chisomo Idea is an amazing organization that provides a soccer academy for the underprivileged. As I was looking around watching both the boys play soccer and the children standing on the sidelines watching, I realized something amazing was happening here. The Chisomo Idea was teaching the boys (and girls) not only how to play soccer, but to be role models. The boys were learning self-esteem and confidence. They were learning responsibility. It was so cool to watch the faces of the little ones not yet old enough to play. They were gleaming with the joy of the possibilities to come. They were itching to be old enough to put on a scrimmage jersey and take up with the team. It was amazing knowing all that comes with putting on that jersey. The boys were looking forward to something- they were looking forward to a better and brighter future. One that not only contains countless hours of practices and scrimmages, but responsibility, hopes, and dreams.
The girls were just as inspiring. One girl (who reminded me of myself when I played soccer all those years ago) showed up dolled up in a fancy dress. I thought for sure she was going to be one of the “typical girls” (at least the stereotypical American girl... which, might I add, is not so typical) who is scared to get dirty and break a nail. Boy was I wrong. She was all over the field, slide tackling her teammates, slamming her body into her opponents and the ground in a sacrifice to get the ball. She had spunk. It was amazing to watch these girls come alive on the field.
It's incredible how God works sometimes. I remember the last time I walked off the soccer field my senior year of high school very well. I cried like baby because I knew it would be the last time I played soccer. And so far, I have been right. But here I am, in Africa, showing kids love- God's love- through this amazing sport that dominated my life and heart for 13 years. I couldn't help but smile and laugh at how blessed I was (and am, because I hope to continue to work with the Chisomo Idea) to help out.
I was also able to go out to a village this morning, where I had the opportunity to go to a village (“local”) church. When I was leaving in June last year, I was upset with myself because I never made an to opportunity to go out to a village church. It was an amazing experience. The worship was extraordinary. There were not one- not two- but three choirs. Even though everything (except the sermon, which was given by one of the ABC professors) was in Chichewa, there was no translation needed for the worship. The intensity in which this church was worshiping God was awe-inspiring. You could feel His Spirit there with you. The church was not only packed with people, but full up of God's Spirit.
Today I learned what it means to really love those around you. Today I was shown how to be selfless. After Reverend Brown spoke, they informed us that they were going to give us a small gift. A procession line of women came to the front where we were standing and handed us gift after gift. We ended up getting a huge box of peanuts, bundles and bundles of onions, heaps of tomatoes, lots of peas, and a chicken- a live chicken. The average person in Malawi lives on less than a dollar a day-a lot of these people lived on less than a dollar a day. And they gave us more food than we knew what to do with. I have never been so selfless. I continue to be humbled beyond belief in Malawi. I wish I had the heart to be able to so selflessly give. I am learning so much from my neighbors here. They are showing me what it means to worship, what it means to be selfless, what it means to love your neighbor more than yourself. What it means to love God. It seems like the more I am here the more I am falling in love with this beautiful country and the beautiful people that live in it.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
First day out in a village- Mobile Medical Clinic
Today I went on the first mobile medical clinic of the year. Mobile medical clinics are clinics that are sponsored by the Ministry of Hope. The Ministry of Hope is also the organization that runs Crisis Nursery, which I have written about before. (Maria, the baby that I wrote a blog on last year was from the Crisis Nursery). Mobile Clinics go out almost weekly (when there are funds for them) during the dry season. Basically, a group of people travel out to a remote village and set up a make shift clinic. There is a nurse practitioner as well as a pharmacy. Everyday ailments common to the area- pneumonia, malaria, worms-ya know, the type of stuff we encounter all the time in the States- are able to be treated at these clinics. For anything more severe the patient must go to a more developed clinic/ hospital.
After we arrived and I got over the stares of hundreds of people for being the only white person there, we had introductions. During the introductions (which were in Chichewa, so I had no idea what was being said) I made a point to look around and see exactly who we were treating today. There were lots of babies/ children and grandmothers/ grandfathers. Now whether the parents of the children were out in the fields working, or dead from HIV/AIDS or other illnesses, I do not know. But it broke my heart to look out at the faces of these grandmothers and grandfathers who were having trouble walking themselves, toting around three, four, five children of all ages. What broke my heart more was the older children- maybe 10 years old- caring for their younger brothers and sisters. When I was ten years old I barely knew how to tie my shoe, let alone take care of another human being.
As I was looking around I started to notice their feet. Many did not have shoes, and those who were fortunate enough to have them, had shoes on that were nowhere near their size. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to wear a pair of shoes day in and day out that is two or three sizes too small or big. And to consider yourself lucky for having the blessing of something to put on your feet. As I was looking around, my eyes fell on this one old man. His feet were so tough they looked like stone and they were caked white with dirt and grime from walking for years and years without anything to protect them. I kept looking at his feet and reminding myself how very blessed I am.
Later, when I had the privilege of visiting the long drop, (a version of a toilet that makes an outhouse look luxurious) I was reminded of this old man again. As I entered the tiny room and saw that the floor was covered in excrement, my first thought was 'my poor shoes'. I didn't want to get them dirty and covered in human waste. Oh the audacity I have. I was worried about getting my SHOES dirty, while there were hundreds of people right outside that didn't have the privilege to get their shoes dirty. They had to step in they filth and grime barefoot. How dare me. If that poor old man had to use the long drop, he wouldn't have a choice but to step in everyone else's waste. He may have never had that choice.
How different our worlds are. Me, being American, has to get used to using a long drop. I have to get used to not having the luxuries of running water and toilet paper. There are people all around me that have no idea what that kind of luxury is like. The people I was around today were more concerned with the luxuries of basic medicine, of not having worms and parasites ravishing their bodies. The people I was around today knew that having shoes was a blessing. Oh how much I take for granted. Oh how much I have to learn when it comes to living without. When it comes to living simply. When it comes to understanding the blessings that I have.
Take a second and look around. Thank God for all that you have. Thank God for your electricity, for your running water, for the medicine you have in your bathroom, for the availability of healthcare (even if it is expensive at times-its available), for more than one torn and tattered outfit, for shoes. Thank God for all of this and more, because we are so blessed.
After we arrived and I got over the stares of hundreds of people for being the only white person there, we had introductions. During the introductions (which were in Chichewa, so I had no idea what was being said) I made a point to look around and see exactly who we were treating today. There were lots of babies/ children and grandmothers/ grandfathers. Now whether the parents of the children were out in the fields working, or dead from HIV/AIDS or other illnesses, I do not know. But it broke my heart to look out at the faces of these grandmothers and grandfathers who were having trouble walking themselves, toting around three, four, five children of all ages. What broke my heart more was the older children- maybe 10 years old- caring for their younger brothers and sisters. When I was ten years old I barely knew how to tie my shoe, let alone take care of another human being.
As I was looking around I started to notice their feet. Many did not have shoes, and those who were fortunate enough to have them, had shoes on that were nowhere near their size. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to wear a pair of shoes day in and day out that is two or three sizes too small or big. And to consider yourself lucky for having the blessing of something to put on your feet. As I was looking around, my eyes fell on this one old man. His feet were so tough they looked like stone and they were caked white with dirt and grime from walking for years and years without anything to protect them. I kept looking at his feet and reminding myself how very blessed I am.
Later, when I had the privilege of visiting the long drop, (a version of a toilet that makes an outhouse look luxurious) I was reminded of this old man again. As I entered the tiny room and saw that the floor was covered in excrement, my first thought was 'my poor shoes'. I didn't want to get them dirty and covered in human waste. Oh the audacity I have. I was worried about getting my SHOES dirty, while there were hundreds of people right outside that didn't have the privilege to get their shoes dirty. They had to step in they filth and grime barefoot. How dare me. If that poor old man had to use the long drop, he wouldn't have a choice but to step in everyone else's waste. He may have never had that choice.
How different our worlds are. Me, being American, has to get used to using a long drop. I have to get used to not having the luxuries of running water and toilet paper. There are people all around me that have no idea what that kind of luxury is like. The people I was around today were more concerned with the luxuries of basic medicine, of not having worms and parasites ravishing their bodies. The people I was around today knew that having shoes was a blessing. Oh how much I take for granted. Oh how much I have to learn when it comes to living without. When it comes to living simply. When it comes to understanding the blessings that I have.
Take a second and look around. Thank God for all that you have. Thank God for your electricity, for your running water, for the medicine you have in your bathroom, for the availability of healthcare (even if it is expensive at times-its available), for more than one torn and tattered outfit, for shoes. Thank God for all of this and more, because we are so blessed.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Melting Hearts
First day in Malawi.
So I didn't quite bound off the plane as I had been anticipating. It was more of a sluggish walk, dead tired from not sleeping much (or well) on the plane and my body aching from sitting in the same position for two days straight. I was, however, totally and completely thrilled to be back in Malawi. As soon as the plane landed in the beautiful Warm Heart of Africa a foolish grin crossed my face. I couldn't shake it for the rest of the day. I felt oddly at home.
As soon as I stepped off the plane onto the tarmac of the runway I inhaled, taking a long, deep breath. What I smelled made my heart melt. I don't know how a land can have a smell, but Malawi has a smell. It's hard to describe. It's an earthly, rustic smell.. one that makes me think of open air and camp fires. It is the best smell in the world.
I made it to Lilongwe in one piece. Although I was anticipating a bit of trouble from the airlines, I had incredibly smooth travels. I was even lucky enough to have all of my bags arrive on time, and with nothing stolen from them.
I have unpacked in my adorable new apartment. I live in a studio like apartment this year and love it. I have pretty much recovered from my jet-lag and travels. I am now just gearing up to start work on Monday. Being back in Malawi and this culture has filled my heart to the brim with joy. I am so excited that I have one more year here. I can't wait to see what adventures await me.
So I didn't quite bound off the plane as I had been anticipating. It was more of a sluggish walk, dead tired from not sleeping much (or well) on the plane and my body aching from sitting in the same position for two days straight. I was, however, totally and completely thrilled to be back in Malawi. As soon as the plane landed in the beautiful Warm Heart of Africa a foolish grin crossed my face. I couldn't shake it for the rest of the day. I felt oddly at home.
As soon as I stepped off the plane onto the tarmac of the runway I inhaled, taking a long, deep breath. What I smelled made my heart melt. I don't know how a land can have a smell, but Malawi has a smell. It's hard to describe. It's an earthly, rustic smell.. one that makes me think of open air and camp fires. It is the best smell in the world.
I made it to Lilongwe in one piece. Although I was anticipating a bit of trouble from the airlines, I had incredibly smooth travels. I was even lucky enough to have all of my bags arrive on time, and with nothing stolen from them.
I have unpacked in my adorable new apartment. I live in a studio like apartment this year and love it. I have pretty much recovered from my jet-lag and travels. I am now just gearing up to start work on Monday. Being back in Malawi and this culture has filled my heart to the brim with joy. I am so excited that I have one more year here. I can't wait to see what adventures await me.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Back to Malawi
On the plane back to Malawi.
Last year, right about this time, I was completely and totally freaked out. I was terrified of what was to come. I was terrified of what I was leaving behind, and how it would change. I was terrified of all the unknowns and questions I still had unanswered. Last year, right about this time, the absolute last thing that I wanted to do was be on a plane headed to the far away, unknown land of Malawi. This year, there is no terror. This year there are no longer unknowns. Well, that's not completely true, I still don't know what I am leaving behind and how it will change when I am gone. But, this year I know that I am completely trusting God... with everything.
Last year I sluggishly sulked off the plane in Malawi. With my eyes wide with tears I was trying to take in my new surroundings and home while holding myself together. It took everything in me to not completely and totally fall apart. All I wanted to do was turn around and head back to the comforts of America.
This year things are a little different. I plan on bounding off the plane, exhilarated by this new opportunity to help the amazing people of Malawi. (Well as much bounding as my jet-lagged, over tired body will be able to do.) I am full to the brim with excitement of the things I can do- the opportunities that I am positive God is going to bring into my life. I can't wait to see what this next year brings. I can't wait to continue to have my eyes opened and my heart broken. I can't wait to grow closer to God. I can't wait to love and serve others.
I am so blessed to be able to call this my life. I had the chance to live in a foreign country for 10 months. Now I get to go back to the land I have fallen in love with, and live there for longer. How amazing is my life.
My prayer for this next year is that I am able to affect others as much as others effected me last year. My prayer is that each and every day my eyes are opened by the amazing-ness of God's grace and love. My prayer is that I have the strength and the courage to love those around me more than I love myself. That I can show everyone what God's love really is. My prayer is that everywhere I turn I can impact the lives around me. My prayer for this next year is that I have the courage and the strength to completely and totally follow God with every step that I take.
Malawi year two. Here we go. :-)
Last year, right about this time, I was completely and totally freaked out. I was terrified of what was to come. I was terrified of what I was leaving behind, and how it would change. I was terrified of all the unknowns and questions I still had unanswered. Last year, right about this time, the absolute last thing that I wanted to do was be on a plane headed to the far away, unknown land of Malawi. This year, there is no terror. This year there are no longer unknowns. Well, that's not completely true, I still don't know what I am leaving behind and how it will change when I am gone. But, this year I know that I am completely trusting God... with everything.
Last year I sluggishly sulked off the plane in Malawi. With my eyes wide with tears I was trying to take in my new surroundings and home while holding myself together. It took everything in me to not completely and totally fall apart. All I wanted to do was turn around and head back to the comforts of America.
This year things are a little different. I plan on bounding off the plane, exhilarated by this new opportunity to help the amazing people of Malawi. (Well as much bounding as my jet-lagged, over tired body will be able to do.) I am full to the brim with excitement of the things I can do- the opportunities that I am positive God is going to bring into my life. I can't wait to see what this next year brings. I can't wait to continue to have my eyes opened and my heart broken. I can't wait to grow closer to God. I can't wait to love and serve others.
I am so blessed to be able to call this my life. I had the chance to live in a foreign country for 10 months. Now I get to go back to the land I have fallen in love with, and live there for longer. How amazing is my life.
My prayer for this next year is that I am able to affect others as much as others effected me last year. My prayer is that each and every day my eyes are opened by the amazing-ness of God's grace and love. My prayer is that I have the strength and the courage to love those around me more than I love myself. That I can show everyone what God's love really is. My prayer is that everywhere I turn I can impact the lives around me. My prayer for this next year is that I have the courage and the strength to completely and totally follow God with every step that I take.
Malawi year two. Here we go. :-)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
One Day Without Shoes
A day without shoes. That's the challenge. Stepping out of your comfort zone for one day to bring awareness to the millions around the world that aren't able to afford wearing shoes on a daily basis. I see it all the time here. Driving down the road I see countless people walking with nothing on their feet. I was walking home from work a couple weeks ago and I saw a man working construction with no shoes on. His coworkers had flip flops on. A construction worker with no shoes? This should not be; but it is. It is a reality to so many people around the world. A reality I witness daily. When you go out of the city a little into the villages most people aren't wearing shoes. If they are they are tattered and torn and normally a form of sandals. This, however, is better than nothing. Its better than all the children who swarm around you in frayed clothing with nothing on their feet.
Although in poorer communities shoes can be considered a luxury, they are and should be essential. Shoes not only protect you from having sore feet, but they protect you from countless diseases. In the villages here there is a worm that can burrow into the skin on the bottom of you feet, crawl up your leg, and give you elephantiasis. It is disturbing to think about, but it is a reality that so many have to live with on a consistent basis.
Think about how much we take this "luxury" for granted. I know I am the biggest culprit of all. I came to Africa with a box full of shoes. A box- full. Why do I need that many shoes? Why did I need to spend that much money on shoes that I wear maybe once a month. And the sad thing- I have at least as many shoes at home. There are people going to work construction with no shoes, and I have more pairs than I know what to do with. And the worst part about it? I took it all for granted. Until I came here I always heard about the little kids who could not afford shoes, but I never saw it first hand. I never really thought about it. I am not saying by any means that if you have a lot of shoes you are a bad person, I am just saying don't take that for granted. Think about all the little luxuries that you and I have that so many others don't. Shoes. Food. Clean water. Running water. Electricity. A flushing toilet. Being here has taught me that so many things that I thought of as commonplace are a luxury to so many people in this world. And I took all of it for granted.
So yesterday was 'one day without shoes' day. I tried my best to go without shoes, but I do work in a health care facility, so due to sanitation reasons I couldn't go to work without shoes. A good friend and I did however paint our feet in support of the day. In honor of the day, I didn't wear shoes on our daily run. Let me tell you, running four miles barefoot through the African rains is an amazing experience. I woke up this morning with blisters on my toes, and I thought to myself- this is nothing, people do this daily. They have to deal with this day in and day out. Every time I took a step I thought about those that don't get to wear shoes, those that feel like this all the time. But the more and more that I thought about this, the more I realized I was wrong. Those that walk barefoot every day don't feel the pain I am feeling. This, too, is a privilege that I have. My feet don't have callouses a centimeter thick from walking around on them day in and day out. My feet are able to feel pain. My feet are able to feel the contours of a rock and the different feels of the tarmac that cuts through campus. My feet are able to get blisters from running barefoot. I have not walked around without shoes on since birth. My feet are soft. Even the pain of blisters on your feet is a privilege that not everyone gets to face. Realizing this was yet another amazingly humbling experience that I have had in Malawi. I am so privileged to have the life that I had, and the awful thing is that I didn't even realize it.
Don't take what God has so graciously given you for granted. Even the "little things" in life are so often big things to so many people. Regardless of how awful our life may seem at the moment, we all have things to be thankful for. We all have been given more than we even realize. Let's open our eyes and thank God for what we see. I know I will be. Will you?
Wealth and honor come from You;
You are the ruler of all things.
In Your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give You thanks,
and praise Your glorious name.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12-13
Although in poorer communities shoes can be considered a luxury, they are and should be essential. Shoes not only protect you from having sore feet, but they protect you from countless diseases. In the villages here there is a worm that can burrow into the skin on the bottom of you feet, crawl up your leg, and give you elephantiasis. It is disturbing to think about, but it is a reality that so many have to live with on a consistent basis.
Think about how much we take this "luxury" for granted. I know I am the biggest culprit of all. I came to Africa with a box full of shoes. A box- full. Why do I need that many shoes? Why did I need to spend that much money on shoes that I wear maybe once a month. And the sad thing- I have at least as many shoes at home. There are people going to work construction with no shoes, and I have more pairs than I know what to do with. And the worst part about it? I took it all for granted. Until I came here I always heard about the little kids who could not afford shoes, but I never saw it first hand. I never really thought about it. I am not saying by any means that if you have a lot of shoes you are a bad person, I am just saying don't take that for granted. Think about all the little luxuries that you and I have that so many others don't. Shoes. Food. Clean water. Running water. Electricity. A flushing toilet. Being here has taught me that so many things that I thought of as commonplace are a luxury to so many people in this world. And I took all of it for granted.
So yesterday was 'one day without shoes' day. I tried my best to go without shoes, but I do work in a health care facility, so due to sanitation reasons I couldn't go to work without shoes. A good friend and I did however paint our feet in support of the day. In honor of the day, I didn't wear shoes on our daily run. Let me tell you, running four miles barefoot through the African rains is an amazing experience. I woke up this morning with blisters on my toes, and I thought to myself- this is nothing, people do this daily. They have to deal with this day in and day out. Every time I took a step I thought about those that don't get to wear shoes, those that feel like this all the time. But the more and more that I thought about this, the more I realized I was wrong. Those that walk barefoot every day don't feel the pain I am feeling. This, too, is a privilege that I have. My feet don't have callouses a centimeter thick from walking around on them day in and day out. My feet are able to feel pain. My feet are able to feel the contours of a rock and the different feels of the tarmac that cuts through campus. My feet are able to get blisters from running barefoot. I have not walked around without shoes on since birth. My feet are soft. Even the pain of blisters on your feet is a privilege that not everyone gets to face. Realizing this was yet another amazingly humbling experience that I have had in Malawi. I am so privileged to have the life that I had, and the awful thing is that I didn't even realize it.
Don't take what God has so graciously given you for granted. Even the "little things" in life are so often big things to so many people. Regardless of how awful our life may seem at the moment, we all have things to be thankful for. We all have been given more than we even realize. Let's open our eyes and thank God for what we see. I know I will be. Will you?
Wealth and honor come from You;
You are the ruler of all things.
In Your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give You thanks,
and praise Your glorious name.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12-13
Monday, March 21, 2011
A couple of crazy weeks in Malawi
AH! So the last few weeks have been very crazy.
Last weekend I traveled to Lusaka, the capitol of Zambia with my
swimmers for a competition. This was the first time traveling into a
different country in Africa since I have been in Malawi. Zambia is a
beautiful country! The 12 hour drive was almost worth it because of
the scenery. There were trees EVERYWHERE (and I LOVE trees!). Lusaka
itself is a much bigger city than anything that we have here in
Malawi. It made me feel like I was at home a little bit. I didn't
realize how much I missed the hustle and bustle of a city until I went
to Lusaka. I miss the sounds of cars zooming past and the smells of
a city. Some of us stayed at a farm, which turned out to be really
cool because there were zebra and impala walking around the property.
There were three zebra that walked around the camp like they owned the
place. It was a great experience to see them up close... I finally got
to see some "African" animals!
Driving in Africa is NOTHING like driving in the states. The distance
between Lilongwe and Lusaka is only abut 450 miles or so, but it took
us 12 hours. While driving you constantly have to be on the look out
for the people that constantly line the roads walking to and from
villages. Women with big buckets of water on their head and a baby on
their backs. Men on bicycles carrying a five foot pile of sticks on
the back of the bike. There are so many potholes in the road that you
feel like you are on some sort of amusement park ride more than you
are in a car. You are constantly swerving all over the road to avoid
blowing out a tire and getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. If
that weren't enough, you constantly have to be on the lookout for the
herds of goats and cattle that graze on the sides of (and sometimes in
the middle) of the road, and the lone pigs and dogs that always seem
to be scurrying about. Needless to say, it is quite the experience!
Thank goodness I wasn't the one driving!
I have officially been Malawi-ed. On the journey home, I felt awful.
I knew that I was getting pretty sick. When I got home I took a
malaria test, and it turned out that I did in fact have malaria. I
only had one plus, which is the lowest case that you can get of it, so
thankfully it was not serious. Malaria, however, is not something
that you want to get. You feel awful- fever, headache, body aches,
dizziness, bits of nausea... They say that if you have malaria you
know it, and on the drive back from Zambia I was 99% sure that I had
malaria... it was not fun. I do have to say though... being an
athlete for so many years made my experience with malaria much more
tolerable. The body aches that you get with it don't feel much
different than how you feel everyday of the season when you practice
at least three hours daily. At least those hard hours of training paid
off in a way that I can apply to life after diving. :-).
As soon as I was better from the malaria we were off again to Blantyre
for swimming nationals. I have to say, it is very different being on
the coaching side of things than it is being on the competing side of
things. I have yet to decide which one I like better...
Anyway, hopefully life will slow down a little and get back to normal.
I only have a few more months here, and I would love to be able to
take some time and enjoy them!
Last weekend I traveled to Lusaka, the capitol of Zambia with my
swimmers for a competition. This was the first time traveling into a
different country in Africa since I have been in Malawi. Zambia is a
beautiful country! The 12 hour drive was almost worth it because of
the scenery. There were trees EVERYWHERE (and I LOVE trees!). Lusaka
itself is a much bigger city than anything that we have here in
Malawi. It made me feel like I was at home a little bit. I didn't
realize how much I missed the hustle and bustle of a city until I went
to Lusaka. I miss the sounds of cars zooming past and the smells of
a city. Some of us stayed at a farm, which turned out to be really
cool because there were zebra and impala walking around the property.
There were three zebra that walked around the camp like they owned the
place. It was a great experience to see them up close... I finally got
to see some "African" animals!
Driving in Africa is NOTHING like driving in the states. The distance
between Lilongwe and Lusaka is only abut 450 miles or so, but it took
us 12 hours. While driving you constantly have to be on the look out
for the people that constantly line the roads walking to and from
villages. Women with big buckets of water on their head and a baby on
their backs. Men on bicycles carrying a five foot pile of sticks on
the back of the bike. There are so many potholes in the road that you
feel like you are on some sort of amusement park ride more than you
are in a car. You are constantly swerving all over the road to avoid
blowing out a tire and getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. If
that weren't enough, you constantly have to be on the lookout for the
herds of goats and cattle that graze on the sides of (and sometimes in
the middle) of the road, and the lone pigs and dogs that always seem
to be scurrying about. Needless to say, it is quite the experience!
Thank goodness I wasn't the one driving!
I have officially been Malawi-ed. On the journey home, I felt awful.
I knew that I was getting pretty sick. When I got home I took a
malaria test, and it turned out that I did in fact have malaria. I
only had one plus, which is the lowest case that you can get of it, so
thankfully it was not serious. Malaria, however, is not something
that you want to get. You feel awful- fever, headache, body aches,
dizziness, bits of nausea... They say that if you have malaria you
know it, and on the drive back from Zambia I was 99% sure that I had
malaria... it was not fun. I do have to say though... being an
athlete for so many years made my experience with malaria much more
tolerable. The body aches that you get with it don't feel much
different than how you feel everyday of the season when you practice
at least three hours daily. At least those hard hours of training paid
off in a way that I can apply to life after diving. :-).
As soon as I was better from the malaria we were off again to Blantyre
for swimming nationals. I have to say, it is very different being on
the coaching side of things than it is being on the competing side of
things. I have yet to decide which one I like better...
Anyway, hopefully life will slow down a little and get back to normal.
I only have a few more months here, and I would love to be able to
take some time and enjoy them!
Friday, February 25, 2011
What do you live for??
I just finished reading the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller. This book has rocked my world a little bit. It has made me re-evaluate the way I approach life. I encourage all of you to read it, if you haven’t already. The section of the book that stood out most to me was a section on belief. It says:
Dying for something is easy because it is associated with glory. Living for something is the hard thing. Living for something extends beyond fashion, glory, or recognition. We live for what we believe.
-Donald Miller
This quote made me really look at my life. What do I believe? I know I believe in God. I know I believe in loving others more than myself. I know that I believe that you should help others at every opportunity that you get. This is what I believe, but is it how I live? If you were to look at my day-to-day life, I don’t think this is what you would see. You would see that I believe in myself. I believe in working out. I believe in most of the time doing what I want to do first, before doing things for others. How different would my every day life be if I were to live for what I believed? How different would the world be if we all lived for what we believe? It is a lot harder, a lot less accepted to live for the things that I believe. The world understands living for yourself, living for working out, living for putting food on the table and a roof over your head, living for your future and your dreams. It is much less accepted to live for God, to live for others before yourself, to live for loving others- truly, genuinely loving others- even those that harm you. From here on out I need to start living for what I believe. I need to make a conscious effort to each and every day live my life not for myself, but for God, and for others. I have less than four months left in Malawi. Now would be the perfect time to make a change and show the world what I believe. To show God what I believe. To show you what I believe.
What do you believe? Is it the same as what you live for?
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Dying for something is easy because it is associated with glory. Living for something is the hard thing. Living for something extends beyond fashion, glory, or recognition. We live for what we believe.
-Donald Miller
This quote made me really look at my life. What do I believe? I know I believe in God. I know I believe in loving others more than myself. I know that I believe that you should help others at every opportunity that you get. This is what I believe, but is it how I live? If you were to look at my day-to-day life, I don’t think this is what you would see. You would see that I believe in myself. I believe in working out. I believe in most of the time doing what I want to do first, before doing things for others. How different would my every day life be if I were to live for what I believed? How different would the world be if we all lived for what we believe? It is a lot harder, a lot less accepted to live for the things that I believe. The world understands living for yourself, living for working out, living for putting food on the table and a roof over your head, living for your future and your dreams. It is much less accepted to live for God, to live for others before yourself, to live for loving others- truly, genuinely loving others- even those that harm you. From here on out I need to start living for what I believe. I need to make a conscious effort to each and every day live my life not for myself, but for God, and for others. I have less than four months left in Malawi. Now would be the perfect time to make a change and show the world what I believe. To show God what I believe. To show you what I believe.
What do you believe? Is it the same as what you live for?
“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Talk about being humbled...
So I just got back from visiting an orphanage that a coworkers family runs. It was an absolutely amazing and humbling experience. I think about the trials that I have gone through so far in my 23 years of life, and they are nothing compared to what any of the amazing people I met this weekend have gone through. I am thoroughly blown away by the amazing grace and love for God that these people have.
To start with, the orphanage has 44 orphans living in it, and another 20 that are living in the surrounding community. The orphanage cares for children of all ages. There are children there that have just been born and are fighting for their life, and there are children there that are in high school. It has become a home of life and love, and it is an incredible place. People from around the community help out during the day, but the majority of the time there are only two people running it. Florence and Boisen are the couple that manage the orphanage. They must be in their 70s, and they are the only two people that get up with the babies and all the children in the middle of the night. Talk about living a life for God and His children. I watched one baby last weekend, for two nights... I can't imagine being in charge of 44 all the time, 365 days of the year.
The couple (Frank and Eunice) that started the orphanage are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They have gone through so many trials and tribulations in their life. I would not blame them if they just gave up being positive and loving life. They have been dealt some serious losses, but have come out strong none the less. Frank seems to have a passion for helping people which surpasses any that I have ever seen. He is a man who loves God and His people... He not only had the dream to start up the orphanage, but he built up the area around it. He started a clinic, he helped put in schools, he built a nutritional rehabilitation unit, he built a church. He has done so much, and he just keeps on giving and doing. They are currently trying to build a new church, but the building of it has stalled because they don't have the funds to finish it. They are constantly looking for ways to improve the area and make it more accessible to help others.
This family has the biggest heart. They welcome you with open arms. The power was out last night when we arrived. They spent hours cooking for all six of us on a small grill so we would have a warm dinner. They have already given so much to this world, and they keep giving every day. They live a life of love. They live a life I strive to live. I wish I could open my heart to those around me as easily as this family does. They love everyone, no matter what.
My eyes have been completely opened this weekend. My heart broke for all the children that I saw, orphans or otherwise. When we were visiting the nutritional rehabilitation unit and I saw the babies that looked like they were six months and were really almost two years, I had to hold back tears. There is so much pain and suffering in Malawi, but the people never cease to amaze me. As we were walking through the wards of the hospital, the guardians of the patients were there called out to us and asked us to come join them in eating nsima (their dinner). They were at the hospital watching over their sick family members, and still they opened their hearts to us. How many of us would do that in the States? I would think not too many.
I challenge you in this- take a lesson from these people. Open your hearts to others. Love a stranger like you would your brother. Do something for others before you do something for yourself. Look past all the difficulties you have encountered in life, and see how you can use them to help others. Give to others. Give love, give time, give money. Use the gifts that God has given you to better those around you. Most of us have never experience half of the sadness and troubles that so many of the people in Malawi have experienced. Take a lesson from the people that have experienced so much and still have a heart to give all they have and more. Love those around you. If everyone gave half as much to those around them as the family I met this weekend, the world would be such a better place.
Feel called to help out this orphanage or hospital or church that they are trying to build?? Email me. danielle.niculescu@gmail.com
"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you" John 15-12
Danie
To start with, the orphanage has 44 orphans living in it, and another 20 that are living in the surrounding community. The orphanage cares for children of all ages. There are children there that have just been born and are fighting for their life, and there are children there that are in high school. It has become a home of life and love, and it is an incredible place. People from around the community help out during the day, but the majority of the time there are only two people running it. Florence and Boisen are the couple that manage the orphanage. They must be in their 70s, and they are the only two people that get up with the babies and all the children in the middle of the night. Talk about living a life for God and His children. I watched one baby last weekend, for two nights... I can't imagine being in charge of 44 all the time, 365 days of the year.
The couple (Frank and Eunice) that started the orphanage are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. They have gone through so many trials and tribulations in their life. I would not blame them if they just gave up being positive and loving life. They have been dealt some serious losses, but have come out strong none the less. Frank seems to have a passion for helping people which surpasses any that I have ever seen. He is a man who loves God and His people... He not only had the dream to start up the orphanage, but he built up the area around it. He started a clinic, he helped put in schools, he built a nutritional rehabilitation unit, he built a church. He has done so much, and he just keeps on giving and doing. They are currently trying to build a new church, but the building of it has stalled because they don't have the funds to finish it. They are constantly looking for ways to improve the area and make it more accessible to help others.
This family has the biggest heart. They welcome you with open arms. The power was out last night when we arrived. They spent hours cooking for all six of us on a small grill so we would have a warm dinner. They have already given so much to this world, and they keep giving every day. They live a life of love. They live a life I strive to live. I wish I could open my heart to those around me as easily as this family does. They love everyone, no matter what.
My eyes have been completely opened this weekend. My heart broke for all the children that I saw, orphans or otherwise. When we were visiting the nutritional rehabilitation unit and I saw the babies that looked like they were six months and were really almost two years, I had to hold back tears. There is so much pain and suffering in Malawi, but the people never cease to amaze me. As we were walking through the wards of the hospital, the guardians of the patients were there called out to us and asked us to come join them in eating nsima (their dinner). They were at the hospital watching over their sick family members, and still they opened their hearts to us. How many of us would do that in the States? I would think not too many.
I challenge you in this- take a lesson from these people. Open your hearts to others. Love a stranger like you would your brother. Do something for others before you do something for yourself. Look past all the difficulties you have encountered in life, and see how you can use them to help others. Give to others. Give love, give time, give money. Use the gifts that God has given you to better those around you. Most of us have never experience half of the sadness and troubles that so many of the people in Malawi have experienced. Take a lesson from the people that have experienced so much and still have a heart to give all they have and more. Love those around you. If everyone gave half as much to those around them as the family I met this weekend, the world would be such a better place.
Feel called to help out this orphanage or hospital or church that they are trying to build?? Email me. danielle.niculescu@gmail.com
"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you" John 15-12
Danie
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Maria
Hey all,
So I decided that it is 10 times easier to write a blog than it is to update 100 different people at once about what is going on in Malawi. Sooo, I finally gave in. Anyway, I decided to write my first post about a beautiful little girl named Maria.
Maria is a baby, a little over a year, who lives at the Crisis Nursery. For those of you that don't know what the Crisis Nursery (Crisis) is, it's a nursery that caters to malnourished children. Most of the babies in the nursery have lost at least one, if not both, parents. In Malawi formula to feed a baby is really expensive, so if something happens to the mother during child birth (which seems to happen in way to many cases), the father simply can't afford to buy formula to feed the child.
I have been going to Crisis about once a week for a while now. I have fallen in love with so many of the children there, Maria was just one of the many. Crisis does such an amazing job taking care of children who if it weren't there, probably wouldn't be around anymore. It is such an amazing organization and one that I wish I could do more to help. I wish I had all the money in the world to give to these beautiful babies. I wish I had all day every day free so I could go and play with and cuddle and love on all the little ones that live there. I am however, very blessed to be able to take care of one of the little ones this weekend. Maria is staying on ABC campus because she is sick. While she is being nursed back to health, she is staying at my house for the weekend. And I have fallen head over heels for this little girl.
In Malawi, everyone is required to carry a health passport book. Optimally this health passport is supposed to have all of your health information in it, so every doctor that you see will be well versed on what health conditions you may have or illnesses you have had in the past. (Its really actually a pretty cool idea, I think!) Health passports sometimes also have family history in them, so I was able to get to know a little bit about Maria's past. She is the first born in her family, and her mom died the day she was born. Her dad can't afford to buy formula for her, so he brought her to Crisis. This story, or ones like it, are all too common in Malawi. Maria's dad says that when she is able to eat solid food, he will come and get her. Lets hope that this is the case, and that he will be able to provide a safe, happy, and healthy home for her. There is nothing more important in someones life, especially a child's, than family and a safe home.
It breaks my heart to read about Maria's life so far. She just past a year old, and she has already had to deal with so much. She is the cutest, sweetest little girl, and she should have someone to love her all the time. Someone to look after her always. She should have a stable environment to live in. Crisis is doing a phenomenal job keeping babies alive, but there are so many of them there, that its hard for each child to get all the love and attention they need and deserve.
God loves and has a plan for each and everyone of us. I know He loves Maria, and every other child at Crisis, dearly. I just wish I could show each and every one of those children just how much He loves them.
Please pray for Maria, and every child at Crisis. Pray that they know how much they are loved. Pray that they will find a home, if they can't go back to their own. Pray for their safety and health. And pray that they will understand just how much God loves them.
Thanks for reading, I will update again soon,
Danie
So I decided that it is 10 times easier to write a blog than it is to update 100 different people at once about what is going on in Malawi. Sooo, I finally gave in. Anyway, I decided to write my first post about a beautiful little girl named Maria.
Maria is a baby, a little over a year, who lives at the Crisis Nursery. For those of you that don't know what the Crisis Nursery (Crisis) is, it's a nursery that caters to malnourished children. Most of the babies in the nursery have lost at least one, if not both, parents. In Malawi formula to feed a baby is really expensive, so if something happens to the mother during child birth (which seems to happen in way to many cases), the father simply can't afford to buy formula to feed the child.
I have been going to Crisis about once a week for a while now. I have fallen in love with so many of the children there, Maria was just one of the many. Crisis does such an amazing job taking care of children who if it weren't there, probably wouldn't be around anymore. It is such an amazing organization and one that I wish I could do more to help. I wish I had all the money in the world to give to these beautiful babies. I wish I had all day every day free so I could go and play with and cuddle and love on all the little ones that live there. I am however, very blessed to be able to take care of one of the little ones this weekend. Maria is staying on ABC campus because she is sick. While she is being nursed back to health, she is staying at my house for the weekend. And I have fallen head over heels for this little girl.
In Malawi, everyone is required to carry a health passport book. Optimally this health passport is supposed to have all of your health information in it, so every doctor that you see will be well versed on what health conditions you may have or illnesses you have had in the past. (Its really actually a pretty cool idea, I think!) Health passports sometimes also have family history in them, so I was able to get to know a little bit about Maria's past. She is the first born in her family, and her mom died the day she was born. Her dad can't afford to buy formula for her, so he brought her to Crisis. This story, or ones like it, are all too common in Malawi. Maria's dad says that when she is able to eat solid food, he will come and get her. Lets hope that this is the case, and that he will be able to provide a safe, happy, and healthy home for her. There is nothing more important in someones life, especially a child's, than family and a safe home.
It breaks my heart to read about Maria's life so far. She just past a year old, and she has already had to deal with so much. She is the cutest, sweetest little girl, and she should have someone to love her all the time. Someone to look after her always. She should have a stable environment to live in. Crisis is doing a phenomenal job keeping babies alive, but there are so many of them there, that its hard for each child to get all the love and attention they need and deserve.
God loves and has a plan for each and everyone of us. I know He loves Maria, and every other child at Crisis, dearly. I just wish I could show each and every one of those children just how much He loves them.
Please pray for Maria, and every child at Crisis. Pray that they know how much they are loved. Pray that they will find a home, if they can't go back to their own. Pray for their safety and health. And pray that they will understand just how much God loves them.
Thanks for reading, I will update again soon,
Danie
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