Meanderings and Ministry in Central Malawi

Oops. It's been a few days since I've posted. Let me bring you up to speed.

Sunday was a fine day of rest and worship. I went to church with Larry and Linda McAuley, to the Lilongwe Central Baptist Church. It is an English language congregation attended by many ex-patriots living in the capital, although there are also many locals who are members as well. I was invited to a luncheon at the pastors house afterward, one for the elders and a large group of serve project workers visiting from a partner church in Tennessee. After a relaxing walk, I was invited to dinner at the McAuleys home.

Monday was a day for urban safari. I walked several miles all over the capital city. I stopped by at the city's central market. It is divided by the Lilongwe River, which is spanned by several homemade bridges.

That's not to say that all is so 'rustic' in the city. Here's a picture of the Ministry of Finance, designed to look like a woven basket.

I also passed by McDauds, a fast food restaurant that appears to be seeking to emulate an American chain you may have heard of.

Tuesday was the first day I spent tagging along with CRWRC staff and regional partners as they travelled around and did their work. I sat in on a meeting with staff of the Nkhoma Synod of the Presbyterian Church, here at their head office.

Today I joined along again with Bethany Zylstra and Wellington Chiula as they visited different communities around Chipoka. Each of them was working on a food bank project, to store maize from their community gardens until the 'hunger months' during the rainy season. Here Bethany addresses a community while Wellington translates.

I had taken 4 soccer balls along with me from home, to give away. I gave the last one away today, to a preschool a village had established for orphans in the surrounding area. The ball was immediately rushed outside and put to the test.

It's been a full and fulfilling day, and trip. Tomorrow I look forward to boarding the first of three airplanes that will take me home. Please pray for safe travels, and that I won't get too much hassle for the artwork I'm bringing back, especially the piece I bought for the church that is so large I have to take as a third piece of check-in baggage.