Day 39
I woke up with a bad headache today and some of the same symptoms as the others with malaria. I take the meds I brought with my breakfast. Today we have buns from the Mtendere Bakery and bananas for breakfast.
We have a lot to do today so it will be hard to stay on schedule especially since the car is still not working. We have ladies’ class, baptism, and life group on the schedule today.
Ladies’ Class
I make copies for my ladies’ class and walk to the church building. When I arrive there are only two ladies there. This is puzzling as there are usually many. The ladies start their shading while we wait for everyone else to arrive. Some more ladies arrive and soon there is a room full. The ladies young and old all enjoy the scripture coloring sheets. This can last a long time so when everyone arrives, I usually have them put aside their coloring while we do our lesson and complete the coloring after class. We continue our class on Proverbs and I decide to only do part of the lesson and finish next time because of the baptism.
Samuel is Baptized
Ela Soko shows up to transport us to the baptism. She was to pick up Lawrence and Esther first and then come to the building. Unfortunately, they just looked at each other and could not communicate. So we go to the house and pick them up. She is a great driver and manages the big van and the roads remarkably. There are very few women drivers and these roads are unbelievable to travel.
We pick some others up and Samuel who wants to be baptized. Laurent from the vocational school goes with us and does the baptizing. We have our usual devotional and welcome time for the new Christian.
We drop everyone off and head home for a lunch of leftovers and a few other things thrown into the mix. Ela visits with us for a bit and shares lunch before we get ready for life group.
Life Group
Justin, one of our elders stopped by and says he will escort us to the life group meeting today. Ela is our driver and seems to know the area well. We make a couple of stops along the way and pick up a few people. She drives us down a narrow path between the maize, to the house where we will meet today. Lawrence is the teacher on Romans 6 today. We shift seats a bit and the men laugh that I choose to sit on the mat instead of on a chair as the men. ( I think the women love that I am one of them). We have a great time together and the ladies ask me to stay.
Eager Student
Kondwoni comes by when we get home with another completed lesson. Most likely he will be our first student to complete all 7 courses and beg for more. We borrow one of his lessons to duplicate. Ela agrees to drop it off at the printers in town on her way.
Harrison dropped by with a gift of cucumbers in the afternoon. The people here are so generous. I am amazed and humbled. He is one of the young men considering going to South Africa for work so he is eager to practice his English and learn how to ask for a job.
My head is still hurting so I do not help with dinner preparation tonight.
Day 40
Early this morning one of our WBS workers came by and dropped off some completed lessons. I offered him coffee. I am not sure he liked it. He did add sugar.
Our neighbor Cadamanja came by to check on Esther. He is the friend who took us to the doctor when she got malaria. She is feeling a lot better.
Every day we have a lot of kids and adults who come by to practice their English skills with Esther. After the 5th year of school, it is all in English. So being able to speak and understand is a very important skill for school and work and even helps with getting a job.
Esther, Esther
Shortly, after six a.m. I hear a tiny voice calling Estaa! Estaaa! Mutende 3-year-old little girl from next door is up early and wants to see Esther. The preschoolers are even picking up a lot of English words. They are adorable and all of the adults get excited when they learn some new word.
I printed some pictures for them to color. I discovered that some of my crayons are missing. This is the huge pack I was considering giving to the school. I hope it turns up. (They are returned by morning).
Ten Mile Bike Ride
One of our friends Washington rode his bike from Mzimba (probably ten miles one way) to bring us 96 completed WBS lessons from the Mzimba prison where we have worked before. The Chaplain is the transfer person because of Covid. Washington brings new lessons and picks up the completed ones from Peter, the Chaplain. We ask him about needs in the prison and he shows us pictures where he has given soap to the prisoners recently through the guards. A gift from David Harper of Concord Rd. Church of Christ. I know how much they appreciate this gift! They have told us that it let’s them know they are not forgotten. Washington gets on his bike and rides back to Mzimba!
Day 41
This morning I took my malaria meds on an empty stomach and this was a big mistake! I threw up and felt sick most of the morning. Esther cooked for us but I couldn’t eat much.
Several people stopped by to chat with Lawrence, neighbors, students, and elders. Esther had her usual crowd surrounding her practicing English, (and Esther her Tumbuka), playing games, coloring pictures, listening to music and hanging out.
We had heavy rain today. Today was mostly a lost day for me.
Day 42
Lead Farmer Training
Faith from Namikango will be at the Tombolombo Church of Christ today for a workshop! I am excited to meet him. I was hoping to get to visit the mission on this trip but all the car trouble has prevented it. Today should be a good day!
Certificates
The purpose of the workshop is to present certificates to those who have completed a 3-year Lead Farmer program taught by Namikango. The program consists of classroom and hands-on training. and the trainer visits each farm. They periodically have meetings with extra training. Lead farmers have traveled a great distance to participate today. Many arrived last night and slept in the building.
What Do You Have in Your Hand?
Today we discuss what do you have in your hand to invest and give back to God. A great lesson. Even though Faith is a young married man he presents a great lesson on Marriage. We take a break with cookies and soft drinks and enjoy the nice day outside. People are spread out all around the building. Someone is preparing lunch for the group. We have a nice lunch and then resume our meeting.
No Hunger
One quote I found interesting today was from one of the women who is a lead farmer. She is obviously a good leader and encourager. “No hunger is found in any of our homes since we started Farming God’s Way.” She is speaking for the whole group of lead farmers. This is impressive! After the speeches are completed Lawrence helps with the presentation of the Certificates. The farmers are excited about their accomplishments. We say our goodbyes and congratulations and Faith drops us off at home.
Something Funny
Lawrence and I work on WBS. I chat with the neighbor for a while. She knew I was sick yesterday. While we were talking she asked me why I didn’t bathe yesterday. 🙂 (No I did not stink). I’m sure they find my bathing habits humorous or at least curious. I always go to the bath house with Lawrence and I am not sure what kind of rumors we have started but I do know they are watching.
Someone delivers a live chicken to us. I think it is supposed to be for dinner. Wanangwa comes home and kills and cooks the chicken for dinner. She makes this look so easy and fast! She is so amazing! We are very close to our food source here in so many ways.