no one told me about winter in malawi

Thinking about the last time I blogged about things here, I noticed that some time has passed.  Time flies here and I don't even realize that I haven't written in a month or two.  I talk to my parents once a week, my sisters even less.  A couple of my close friends text regularly but it's not unusual to go weeks without checking in with people.  The longer that I'm here, the more I get it.  I will always care for family and friends deeply but life on a different continent takes communication to a strange place.  I am not bored but yet I never think that I have anything worth blogging.  My reality has shifted, things are normal here.  Things that I would write about months ago are no longer a big deal.  As time rolls on, I feel more attached here.  I feel more at home.  The desire to blog has completely left me.  So I sat down and wrote a few things that have been happening.  It was during that process that I realized that I have plenty to share, but it's hard to see.  It doesn't seem important or exciting.  

I'm housesitting for a doctor that went home to Scotland for holiday.  He will be away with his family for a month.  I am watching the house and making great use of his konde (porch), moka pot (stovetop expresso maker), fresh eggs from the henhouse and reliable wi-fi.  It's great to have more space than the 8x8 room at the guest house.  It's also great having more privacy and a quiet environment after work.  I loved the many people that I got to know during my stay at the CURE guesthouse, but it was time to move.  The doctor has 3 lovely kids and I got to spend some time with them before they left for Scotland.  It's cool to see a Jesus-centered family that works.  

I started driving.  I am renting a car from the hospital for transport until the end of my contract period.  The neighborhood is only a few minutes from CURE but a car is absolutely necessary when traveling at night.  I am used to driving on the left side of the road since I've been riding a bike since I arrived but the steering wheel on the right is another adjustment.  You have to be careful, people are all over the roads and you can't zone out in the car like home.  I feel a bit free now, not confined to taxi cabs and bike routes.  

Two german volunteers, Fight and Nina, are leaving soon.  I met them both just a few days after arriving.  They arrived in August of last year as well for a year long stay at CURE.  They have both become great friends and I'm not looking forward to goodbyes.  We traveled to Zomba, about 50 miles from Blantyre 2 weeks ago for a nice little getaway weekend.  We also invited Ben, an australian that is working as a physiotherapist at CURE.  Zomba has a couple peaks over a mile high and the hiking is great.  The weather is a little cooler on the Zomba plateau and we hiked up to the peaks during a full day of climbing.  I've included some pictures from the top.  

and a bunch of random things.....
--the hospital is getting a new executive director in September, the current director, Stuart, is leaving for the UK after serving for 8 years.  He is currently my housemate for a few days since his lease has ended and his family has already moved to the UK.
--we're planning a BIG children's party this saturday for the kids in the ward, CURE staff and the local public.  Music, braai, face paint, bouncy castle, games.  It should be awesome.
--I am looking at other jobs abroad next year, not sure where my path is headed but I'm open to anything.  
--I still miss live music.  But there are at least 2 bands that I'm planning on seeing when I'm home in September.  I'll be home from September 21 - September 30.
--I need a haircut - last cut, I paid $1.25
--I love fruits and vegetables.  I don't miss all of the processed rubbish that I used to eat. 
--quiet time with God continues to be a challenge but the move will help.  There are still tons of distractions in 3rd world Malawi, it's not any easier to focus here.    
--I was a judge for a bake-off between two friends here.  It was amazing as it sounds.  4 desserts each, 8 desserts total.  Brownies, cake, cookies and pudding....I ate everything, twice.
--the temperatures at night has been cold enough for a couple blankets on the bed.  The mosquitoes aren't nearly as bad right now, but I'm freezing at times.  It doesn't get below 50 but it feels like 30 at night in a house with lots of windows.  The house has a fireplace but I would rather wear layers than deal with a fire.  The days are still warm.  I only brought one hoodie, no one told me winter existed here. 


I'm still incredibly thankful to be in Malawi and continue to work on an amazing project.  I love the kids so much.  I never really knew I have a major soft spot for kids.  Until Malawi, I've always felt awkward and uncomfortable around children.  That has changed, I couldn't possibly love these kids anymore than I do.

Deep down...

Deep down, we all believe we’re God.  We secretly believe the outcome of the game depends on us, even when we’re only watching – on the way we breathe in, the way we breathe out, the t-shirt we wear.  Each of us, deep down, believes the world issues from his own precious body, like images projected from a tiny slide onto an Earth-sized screen.  And then, deeper down, each of us knows he’s wrong.

The Art of Fielding – Chad Harback

In the morning....

Reading over a passage in Psalms last night, I recognized that God's promises and faithfulness is often illustrated in scripture using days and particularly mornings.  What I mean by this is God renews and motivates our faith daily with each new morning.  It isn't yearly, monthly, or weekly...it's daily.  And for many people that walk closely with Christ, it's constant.  This all-powerful God of the universe is restoring, renewing and redeeming....every minute of every day.  It's a mind-blowing thought for me.  Why, of all things and people, does this God love me so?  I fail him, I betray him.  I don't trust him fully and yet, he's there.  For the Israelites  it wasn't by works, it wasn't by faith.  It wasn't because of a trust or love that they had for God.  HE chose them.  HE chooses US.

Quite an encouragement, this daily affirmation of his love and provision breaks down anxiety and worry.  It motivates us to focus on the daily task of loving him and living for him.  HE is enough each and every day.  When thinking too far ahead starts to consume us, he says look no further.  Worry no longer.  Wake up each day and remember his promise.  Remember that he is working all things for good for those that love him.  HE is too good to us, I think it's part of my doubt creeps in.  He has all of the answers.  He has my best interest at heart and he is in control.  He lacks nothing.  

Paul tells us that he counted everything else as loss.  Nothing came close to the importance and significance of his relationship with Christ.  His whole life was given to God.  His whole purpose was to spread the gospel and he still noted that he was not special.  A life that we admire, a life that we teach...a life that is an example to millions of christians.  Paul tells us he is equal to the worst of sinners, All comparisons to God's holiness and purity are unworthy. 

He also tells us to rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance & endurance produces character and character produces hope.  And in that hope, there is no room for shame.  It's the key to satisfying uneasiness.  The same uneasiness that I try to relieve with worldly ways.  I look to accomplish enough good to cancel out the evil that I see and the sin that I commit.  I try to make things positive.  But there is no replacing the hope in Jesus.  There is nothing outside of his promise that will quiet our heart's desire.  When I give in to that thought, a wave of peace rolls into the depths of my existence.  

Phillipians 4:4-8

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything,but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.