Malawi Musings – Muzungu observations of a beautiful country
by Trace Thurlby from Malawi
Last night, a roided-up rooster took great pleasure in being my personal alarm clock. This morning I found out where he sleeps. If we can’t come to some kind of agreement today, one of us might not make it through tonight.
Salima, Malawi now has five banks within a one-mile radius. Yesterday, Peter’s bank had only one teller working, while several people in management sat at desks in back offices. Customers waited 90 minutes in line for basic transactions. As progress and tradition continue to perform their African dance, similar scenes are often repeated with minor details changed.
One can pay their phone bill from an ATM here; in Uganda, it’s common for people to send and receive money via cell phone. It’s also common for people not to have running water.
Driving on the left side of the road is easy compared to shifting gears with your left. More awkward than you think.
The mountains surrounding Lake Malawi have me planning a second honeymoon here for my wife. Beautiful. Also, the roadside shopping is quite fun; one hut after another with the best ebony hippos and such that you’ve ever seen…a tourist dream.
The Masekos have chained their cat to a brick for a couple of days; disciplining him for walking on the dining room table during meals. Why didn’t we think of that?
Plenty of ministries here. Fewer jobs. Yesterday, we met with George who has a great ministry – training physically-challenged people to become tailors. Nine people graduate tomorrow. They will have skills and their own sewing machine, but few will have jobs. Are you thinking what we’re thinking?
Finally, to borrow a line from Mike Fox, before I leave Malawi in a matter of hours, I will ask the Lord for the gift of getting to come back again to celebrate the growth of all He is doing here.
Thank you for being a part of it! If you want to learn more about opportunities to become involved, like GO’s Africa Vision Trip this fall, please contact Adrien Lewis.