A Good Day

Today was a great day on many different levels. First, we went to school and finished painting all of the bookshelves. The carpenter, Sesso, was there. He helped us mix the paint and showed us exactly how he wanted us to use the brushes to paint the shelves. He is such a nice man, and I enjoyed having the time to talk with him in more detail today. The shelves are now complete and Sesso will start hanging them in the classrooms tomorrow. I can’t wait to see the teachers’ and children’s faces!


Also today, Annie Fletcher, spoke with our Girls’ Group in association with our Malawi Chibale Project. Annie is a successful business woman here in Malawi (the owner of Annie’s Lodge), as well as a former member of Malawian Parliament. The girls and their mothers gathered to hear Annie give a most inspirational message. She shared about how she grew up poor, with only two dresses, one for church and one for school. She emphasized the importance of education and the importance of prayer and how a combination of the two can lift girls up in this country. She talked about how God has a plan for each one of them and how we don’t know who He will choose to do great things. She stressed the importance of studying, completing primary and secondary school, as well as college. Annie also told the girls that once they are successful, they must not forget their mothers and their families. Annie shared how much she loves her mother and cares for her now that she is older. She helps her bathe, get dressed, and go out in a loving, respectful way. She told the girls they need to remember to do the same for their mothers. She ended by telling the girls with education, they can choose their profession, who they marry, when they marry, and if/when they have children. It was an inspirational speech for ALL women in the room, not just the Malawians. Annie Fletcher is an extraordinary woman and I am blessed to call her my friend.

Following the girls’ meeting, we went to the Malawi Institute of Education (MIE) for our Chibale Project organizational meeting. Faculty and students from all three of our universities, as well as the head teacher and other classroom teachers from Malemia Primary gathered to create a mission statement and to establish short term and long term goals for the Chibale Project. At the end of the meeting, we stood in a circle, held hands, and shared our dreams and wishes for Chibale. It was a wonderful, idea-generating, productive meeting. Patti Talbot, my friend and colleague, did an outstanding job in facilitating the meeting.

Next, we went to what we refer to as “The Wall.” The Wall is in downtown Zomba, and it is where the local vendors display and sell their many wares. It is like an open-air market of wooden crafts, beaded jewelry and batik art. The vendors bargain and barter with us for “good prices”. The bartering is almost a game-like banter between vendor and customer. I thoroughly enjoy it, and I think the students do as well. We’re always on a quest to make a good deal.

Alex is the vendor I have done business with for years. He is calm, cool and collected. He isn’t aggressive, which I like. Usually, I just kick back and visit with him the whole time I’m here. I tell him the goods I wish to purchase, he makes them and then has them ready for me on the last day. We have a system, and I can avoid all of the banter. I still haggle with him a bit, but he does give me good prices.

I have been looking for Alex at The Wall since we arrived and never finding him there, assumed he had moved on. A few nights ago, a fellow came to Annie’s Lodge and Patti and I ended up having dinner with him. He told us he is the manager of all the vendors. I asked about Alex and he told me Alex indeed is still in Zomba. I must have just been missing him due to the times I am down there. Today, when we stopped in town, Alex walked to the bus. It was so good to see him. We walked to the Wall together and looked at all his wooden arts. I told him what I’m in business for, and he is going to have it all ready for me on Sunday….just like old times! We caught up on our families, and I left feeling good to have connected with an old friend.

Next, I went to Tasty Bites with a few of the students. We enjoyed yummy samoosas and chocolate cake. Life doesn’t get any better than that here in Malawi.  When we got back to Annie’s Lodge, Danielle and Stephanie taught me how to play the game of Bawo (pronounced like to take a bow). Bow is a mancala game that is played with marbles and seeds on a long wooden board with holes. It requires a lot of strategy and quick thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My first game lasted a long, long time. Danielle coached me on the rules, and I played Stephanie, who is the current champion in our group. I lost, but Danielle thinks I have great promise. Now I’m obsessed and already trying to figure out when we can play again!

Family and friends....get ready! I’m going to want to play this fun game with you when I get home!