Warm Heart of Africa

As I write this, it’s around 10AM on a Saturday morning and I’m bundled up in a hoodie and contemplating grabbing some socks. You’d think it was fall or something. Actually, it kind of is. Malawi has entered it’s cold season and although it’s 21°C, there’s a cold breeze that blows through my living room. The sun is shines every day and it hasn’t rained since sometime in mid April. The weather is absolutely gorgeous, and this cooler weather is great for sleeping since you can burrow under a mountain of blankets and get cozy.

However, rather than write exclusively about cold, I’d like to highlight some of my experiences that show that Malawi really is the warm heart of Africa even though the weather in June is cold.

1. On the Stephanos compound, I can knock on the door of any house and be welcomed no matter what time of day. If they are eating, they serve me food. If they are cooking, they want me to cook with them. If they are singing, they want me to teach them something in English. If they are chatting, they welcome me into their conversations. If it’s time for catechism, they invite me to join them. If it’s time for choir practice, they welcome my faltering attempts to sing their unfamiliar psalms/hymns. If it’s time for family devotions, they welcome me into their circle. You get the idea. And this is not exclusive to the Stephanos compound. Last week Monday, I joined Mrs Thea Mawaya on a trip to Khoko village (about a 2 hour drive from Stephanos). The people in this village were not expecting me to accompany her, yet despite of their surprise, they presented me with a chitenje (a length of cloth that women traditionally wear wrapped around their waist as a skirt). It was meant for someone else who wasn’t there. Despite their surprise, they presented it with joyful smiles and open hearts.

2. If you come to Malawi, you will also quickly learn the phrase “Karibu”. If you meet anyone who is eating, they invite you to “Karibu”. It basically means “Share our food” or something like “Come and join us”. If they children have recently roasted maize kernels, they share them. If they are eating nsima, they invite me to join them. It’s everywhere. And with everyone. They will joyfully share what they have.

3. Now that children have gotten to know me a bit, they regularly show up on my front porch. Sometimes they just tell me they came to chat. Sometimes they want to play UNO. Sometimes they want to see pictures on my phone. Sometimes they come to wash my car. The other day, some boys surprised me, not by coming, but by starting to clean up my flowerbeds simply because they wanted to. Heartwarming. Good thing I had baked chocolate chip cookies that day! They earned them! Other times they come to my house just to bring over their report cards, or to tell me they are playing soccer and I should come to watch.

4. Even students who don’t live on the compound, but have come here for some reason or other, come just to my door to greet me before moving on again. I have multiple children in secondary and even tertiary programs who call me “Mama”. This is incredibly special to me.

5. A number of weeks ago, we packed 100+ people into 3 buses and drove to Liwonde National Park for a game drive. On our way back, we stopped at a lodge of sorts for a meal before heading back home. It was a lovely day, very relaxing. A day where we could appreciate the beauty of God’s creation and enjoy time with those we love.

Despite the “cold” weather, my heart is warm and full. Though I would lie if I told you every moment was easy, yet God has provided in so many ways that this has become my home. Truly, what I’ve written above, is only a small list of blessings.

Thank-you SO much to everyone who makes it possible for me to live here.Like I’ve said before, it takes a village and I’m not on this journey alone. Your support – whatever that might look like – all contributes. Thank-you. <3