Gules

Tuesday, June 26, 2012, was a super great day!  It was so incredible that I can't begin to tell you all about it in just one post.  So, this will be the start of a series of maybe three or five or.....

Right after breakfast we headed out to do home visits with Sarah.  We walked up to the bus stop in Ntcheu, with people constantly calling to her and waving.  She talked with us about her life, her ministries and living in Malawi.  It was obvious that she is impacting Ntcheu for the glory of God.  Spending this day with Sarah was encouraging and inspiring.
    We found a minibus, climbed aboard and waited.  The plan was to get off in Mulengeni and walk to Isaac Village.  Although I did not have a clue where either of the places were, I was still surprised when the minibus stopped in the middle of nowhere - literally - and Sarah told us we were to get off.  We exited the minibus, it drove away and we were left standing on the side of the rode.  We blindly followed her as she began walking on a path that seemed to appear out of nowhere.  Sarah told us we had crossed over into Mozambique and would be meeting up with Mtinga (more about him later :)).  The village was pretty much deserted.  But then all of a sudden people and noise came around a far corner heading on the main road through the village.  Gules.  Two men dressed all in black, with black stuff rubbed all over their faces and any exposed skin and with large scary masks over their mouths danced with machetes several yards ahead of the rest.  They looked mad, angry, evil and the machetes looked very dangerous.  One of the men came to within a few feet of Rob and shook his machetes at him.  Ok, yes, that was a tad freaky.  Behind the two machete dancers came three men decked out in feathers - ceremonial feather headdresses, loincloths, wrist bands and shin coverings.  They were dancing and beating drums.  And behind them came hundreds of children - all chanting.  That sight was overwhelmingly sad.   Ok, now if you don't know, gules are what we would call witch doctors.  It seems as though we wandered into the village at the precise time that the gules began the ceremonial walk to a funeral that was being held at the other end of the village - thus explaining why it was almost deserted. 
    Needless to say, it was quite an experience - the gules, costumes, dancing, chanting children, machete threat, etc..  But the reality has stayed with us.  This was a typical day in the rural village in Mozambique - and in rural Malawi.  Several of the nights we stayed in Ntcheu we could hear the not so distant drums and we were told that the gules regularly march past the home of the Burns family. 
     As the parade was passing we met up with Mtinga and ..... 

Balaka

 

 

Rob and I spent one day exploring Balaka District - the district south of Ntcheu - with Chet.  This is one of the districts asking for people to come train and encourage the Church and to help them evangelize.  We first walked up to the bus stop in Ntcheu, found a minibus going to Balaka, climbed on and waited.  And waited.  And waited.  That, to me, was the hardest part of minibus riding.  Not the crowdedness (there are at least 15 people crammed in), not having people sit on my lap nor the lack of any personal space.  Not the smell, not the dirt, nor the clucking chickens whose feathers fly around and around.  But the whole lack of time thing.  There is no set time of departure or arrival.  And once you get on a minibus you do not get off until your stop.  So, needless to say, we waited on the bus for quite awhile, until it got filled up, and then headed about an hour or hour and a half south. 

  The city center in Balaka District is much bigger than Ntcheu.  It is also much, much hotter!  Noticeably so.  The district has a strong Catholic influence, as well as a large, growing Islamic presence.  The bells ringing for the Muslim call to prayer were heard throughout Balaka.  We explored a few grocery/clothing stores, watched woodworkers cutting logs and making furniture, talked with policemen, bought a Bible and hymnal written in Chichewa, had lunch, walked the streets and had fun in the market.  Again, the market in Balaka is much bigger than the one in Ntcheu.  You can find almost anything there - clothes, food, parts for water heaters, fan belts and, of course, chitenges.  At one of the chitenge shops the woman selling them kept looking at me and smiling, big.  She looked so pleased and I hadn't bought anything... yet.  Chet visited with her and found out she was so happy that I was wearing a chitenge over my skirt.  Even though I was a foreigner and it was not my custom, I had embraced her culture and worn one.  And she was simply thrilled - and because of her, so was I!  It was great - we thanked each other and, yes, I did buy a chitenge... or two... or....

UAF

That's right! Hayley is in Alaska!

Last month I had the privilege of flying to Alaska with Hayley. We spent three days standing in lines, moving into the dorm, walking around campus and exploring Fairbanks. The time literally flew by. But I must say, Fairbanks is beautiful. And we were able to spend some time with a local pastor, buy a new coat, have sourdough pancakes and, thankfully, tour the large mammal research station. The station is only open to the public for a limited time during the summer and we happened to be there the last week it would be open for tours. This was a highlight - we had a break from paperwork, lines and the busyness of college move ins, got to learn about musk ox, caribou, reindeer and the facility, and it was a sunny day. The other plus was that Hayley was beaming - she so enjoyed it! The tour touched on both of her degree programs. We got a glimpse of the possibilities, too. Oh, and we bought matching water bottles from the sale rack.

Hayley was also able to test out of one of her classes already, too. One of her professors pulled her aside and suggested she try. She did... and got a perfect score! Way to go, Hayley Ann!

We were told that come winter she might see moose and dog sleds on campus and I am hoping she will send over photos of the northern lights. Beautiful. When asked if it is cold, most people reply - yes, but so what.

All that said, however proud and excited we are - Hayley is in Alaska and we are in Washington. Do I need to go on? Please pray for us - for Hayley to meet some friends who are passionate for Christ and for me, well....

Hayley's WCC Graduation

This past summer was very busy and although we want to keep sharing our trip to Malawi with you - the best and most impactful day is still to come...- we also want to share what is happening as we do life here. And one of those things is ... in June Hayley Ann graduated with honors from Whatcom Community College. We are so proud of her! To see what she is doing now, be sure to check back in a few days....

Hospitality

After the church service we were treated to an incredible feast. The women in the choir prepared a meal for us to share with the church elders. They made sheema (yes, that is misspelled), rice, chicken, cooked greens, and beans. We were told this was a meal usually saved for a holiday or a special celebration. They also only had a few plates, not enough for everyone, and we were served first while the elders waited. We were humbled and honored by their love. And as we ate with our fingers, no one laughed at the mess we made - although, I must say, we are getting very good at eating with our fingers!

I just had to share a few photos of the kitchen - the open hut with rocks and smoldering coals. They have no counters, appliances, running water or even chairs and yet, they showed us true hospitality and we felt truly loved. You see, big, remodeled kitchens with top of the line, energy efficient, time saving gadgets are not needed. Great cooking skill and the best organic ingredients are not needed. What is needed? Love. Love for God and love for others. As the church we attend is preparing to do 'updates' and remodels I can't help but think of the rural church in Malawi where Christ was present and true love was felt. Love. Love is all you need.

Make a Joyfu Noise

We so enjoyed worshipping the Lord with our Malawian brothers and sisters!! During the worship portion of the service we were blessed to hear testimonies of how AMT has been making a difference in the lives of the people living in this remote village. We heard how AMT has given blankets, food and school scholarships - how they are loving forgotten people. (and this was just one of the 80 churches that AMT is working with) We were also blessed to have the children line up and recite scripture for us and then the youth choir sang and performed. We felt the presence of our Saviour while sitting in the beautiful, dirty, unfinished, hot, crowded, joy-filled rural church.

Victory in Jesus

Rob used Romans to teach the congregation how they can have victory over sin - through Jesus Christ Alone. He did a great job relaying this truth. The message was well received and he was invited back. Many came up after the service to tell him what the message meant to them. What a joy is was for him to be able to share Biblical truth with those so thirsty to hear it!

Before the service we were all honored to be seated in the front - the men were in front facing the congregation and the women were up front on the side. In Malawi, men and women (girls and boys) do not sit together - they usually sit on opposite sides of the church, but since we were being honored we sat in front. It was so amazing to see children sitting so quietly and still on the cement benches, too. Actually, I think we, women, were the only ones a bit wiggly as we were not used to sitting on cement benches, and ones without back support. How wimpy of us. Being in this Malawian village church was such a wonderful experience. The people love the Lord soooo much and they showed His love to us - with our wiggles and all.

A Great Day

The first Sunday we were in Malawi was a great day. A really great day. The day before, Rob found out he would be preaching in a village church and so Sunday morning was filled with much excitement. (Especially since Saturday night we were told we would be going alone as everyone else had AMT meetings but Sunday morning they changed their plans so most of us were able to go together.) After church we shared a meal with the elders of the church. And then Rob and I took time in the evening to be together - talking, walking and enjoying Malawi. A truly great day.