Some of you are having a hard time understanding the whole one paved road concept. But it is true. And the road is actually very well maintained, too. And it is easy to understand why - while we were there the president's caravan of vehicles went passed the Burns' home several times. Notice I didn't say drove past - they more like flew past with sirens blaring. We were told it wasn't actually the president but more likely cabinet members because the road was not closed.There is one road that connects the two main citites is Malawi - Lilongwe in the north and Blantyre in the south. We are told it is about a six hour journey from city to city. Ntcheu is pretty much smack in the middle. The road goes right through Ntcheu District Center and is the one we walked on, the one going in front of the Burns' home.
Disclaimer: I am very new to taking videos and so I apologize in advance if you get dizzy while watching this little clip!
Rob and I were able to spend time in Ntcheu almost everyday - at least for a bit. And it was one of the highlights. The Burns' family lives about a fifteen or twenty minute walk from town so we went whenever we could - morning, afternoon or evening. We got to see and experience life in Ntcheu and, yes, we felt safe. We were the only westerners in the combined three districts and we could only greet in Chichewa but we bought a drink at the little store (no, I didn't buy a soda), watched young boys herd livestock, spoke with Malawians, and enjoyed every minute. 
Even though we slept under nets I woke up the second morning with 14 bites. They started at the side of my pinkie and formed a straight line to my wrist. No one is sure what they were from - although the guess was a spider... or lizard... or bug of some sort... or.... I am not sure how it happened or how/why the bites are right in a row and then suddenly stop -but I am glad they stopped! This photo was taken over a week after I was bit - and I still had some spots several weeks after returning home. 
While at the AMT meeting we learned of one of the victories this ministry is having in Ntcheu District and I just have to share it with you! Denominationalism is very big in Malawi - even among evangelical churches. It is such a problem that pastors from different denominations do not associate with or help those from other denominations. Action has been putting on classes, seminars, retreats, etc. and has been inviting all evangelical churches in the area of the program to attend. And with time, much prayer and work the walls of denomination are slowly falling. There are still a few denominations that will not attend if others are there - and it is sad to see them not helping each other. But God is moving among the people in Malawi in such a mighty way. The AMT board of directors is made up of national pastors from different denominations - what an amazing group of men they are! And get this - one of the pastors recently got married and he had a fellow board member - from a different denomination - officiate the ceremony!! That is unheard of in Malawi. It was an incredible story to hear and the faces of the men were simply beaming with joy!
On Saturday, June 23,2012, we had the great privilege of being invited to join the quarterly AMT (Action Malawi Trust) meetings. We met the board of directors, had a Malawian meal, met a woman ministering in Lilongwe and caught up with Action's international director we met in Seattle - as he was visiting. We worshipped together, heard evidence of the work being done, listened to the passion of each pastor and heard their needs. In the evening we also met with just the Action missionaries. We were so welcomed into the groups and encouraged to participate in the meetings and not just be a fly on the wall, so to speak. In these meetings we got a better feel for the team dynamic, ministry opportunities, struggles and victories and life in the villages. 
On Friday, June 22, 2012, we got up with the sun, had breakfast and spent the first half of the day talking with Chet and LeAnne Burns. We talked about the work they are doing in Ntcheu, their ministry philosophy, vision, struggles and blessings. We also talked of family, finances and food. We then had a large group lunch and prepared to go to Ntcheu with Sarah. (Sarah is a single, twenty-something Canadian who divides her time between serving Malawian women and substitute teaching in Canada - to pay for the time she is serving in Malawi. She loves the people in Malawi, has adapted to the culture and we were so blessed to have her spend time showing us the town.) We walked to Ntcheu, saw the community well, hospital, bus station, store, etc. and headed to the market to buy a chitenge. The large market was a ways away and so we rode bike taxis. Now, bike taxis in Malawi are not carts pulled by bicycles. They are simply small seats located directly behind the bicycle seat, over the back tire. What an experience!! The bike I was on was leading the way and so, not following anyone, I didn't know if the driver was taking me to the right place or not. But I simply couldn't stop smiling! The wind was whipping through my hair, people were pointing and laughing, I was flying through town on the back of a bicycle and when the ride was over I couldn't wait to do it again. When we arrived at the market everyone was smiling - except Rob who was laughing, out loud. You see, the young man who was pedalling him was more my size and there was a small hill and, well, you get the picture. (He said he so much wanted to trade places with the driver!) The people I had seen pointing and laughing along the side of the road might not have actually been pointing at me. The taxi guys were going to wait for us to shop and then pedal us back to the house. So we walked around the market checking everything out. We found a woman selling chitenges but then I lost Rob. I turned around and he was gone - but the woman at the vendor spot behind me was smiling at something and was trying very hard not to giggle. I followed her gaze and there was Rob, in the middle of a side aisle, drinking a soda. He had simply been thirsty and went to get a drink. However, we didn't know that people who sell the drinks want the bottles back - and since no one knew us he had to drink the whole thing right there, right then, and give the bottle back. The vendors had a good laugh and Rob was a great sport. He actually got very good at downing a soda - I, on the other hand, can't do it. 