Malawi Journal – Day 6 – Visiting Wells and Dedicating a Well

Visting Wells

Malawi Journal Day 6. Today we are visiting wells. I am very excited that we will be dedicating a well in honor of my mother-in-law, Jo Redding. We had planned to leave early because we will be making a long journey today. We were a bit slow this morning and did not leave until 7:30 am.

The roads are muddy from the heavy rain last night. The earth looks so green after the rain. The houses surrounded with cornfields are a beautiful sight to see. I see corn planted almost to the doors.

This is our first time to travel this far north in Malawi. It is more mountainous and very green this time of year. There are signs of forestry management. I have heard this is a logging area but I have not seen any logging trucks.

Monkeys

Esther saw a monkey! I started looking and only saw one in a tree. She saw two today! We passed a mountain called Elephant Mountain. It does look like an elephant. I am sure my children would love to climb these mountains.

We are on our way to dedicate the well for my mother-in-law but there are a lot of delays along the way. Most of the delays are caused by the heavy rains. There was a big traffic jam going over a bridge. I am not sure what is causing the delay but cars and trucks are backed up on both sides of the bridge. It looks like they are building a bridge beside this one. Erosion of the banks nearby seems a concern to me though I cannot really tell what is going on.

Rumphi

We are soon on our way and enter an new district for us, Rumphi. At Rumphi we pick up Brighton who will be our guide. The rivers and streams have overflowed in several places as a result of the heavy rains last night. This slows our travel once again. We make it across this road and soon cross a larger river with lots of rushing water. I believe this river is called the Mbirizi River.

Buwira Village

Our first village is Buwira Village. We drive down a road which is much like a cow path. Soon we get stuck in the mud caused by last night’s rains. We decide to continue on foot while Lawrence stays with the van and some village young men who help to rescue the car. This village has a well that has already been dedicated in memory of Natalie Ennis Church. We are here to place the plaque. The village leaders come out and express how much this well means to them. They want us to walk down to the stream where there water used to come from. They sing songs of gratitude.

Chikwawa Village

We walk back to the car and I am very happy to see that it is out of the mud and on dry land. We all climb in and head to our next stop, the dedication! The car is running rough but we make it to the village of Chikwawa. Drums are playing and people are dancing and singing to welcome us.

We greet one another and gather under a tobacco shelter with the village leaders. There are always speeches and welcomes. Lawrence speaks about his mother and her long life of love and dedication to God. And because her life lived for God we honor her this day with this well. The people rejoice. We know that Jo Redding will be very happy these people have received clean water.

We walk to the well to cut the ribbons to open it for use for the very first time. Lawrence pumps some water and puts some on his head to cool off! Everyone laughs. Esther and I also pump some water and then the women. The women put buckets on their heads and sing songs of celebration. Esther is given a bucket with a small  amount of water to try to carry on her head. Everyone cheers and laughs and sings as the drums continue to play. This is truly a wonderful day that life has come to this village. This well will supply water to 450 households! Average household is 5 members.

Betere Village

We get back in the car and proceed to our third stop, Betere. This well is in memory of Sarah Elizabeth Hart and has already been dedicated. The village leaders and some members come to welcome us and express their appreciation for this well. We place the third plaque and head for home. Two preachers accompany us. Well after dark we reach home and eat and fall asleep quickly.