All I can say is, "WOW!" The trip is definitely more than I hoped for... ALREADY!
Let me just start by telling you that our first hotel is great. We have a real room, with a toilet, a shower, and a sink, there is a little restaurant where we get real food (i.e., eggs in the morning & chicken at night), and it is quite comfy here. Something funny though is that the power has gone out almost every night (usually at shower-time), and the water has gone off as well (also at shower time). But we are in Africa, so I wasn't expecting perfection!
Our time with Feed the Children has been amazing! What a great organization they have! The center currently houses children who have severe disabilities, usually caused by malaria. We have been helping with physical therapy, and other things where we can. We have even been doing crafts with the moms. It is amazing to see them paint with water colors and how their eyes light up at getting to create something beautiful! We have also been busy stripping and painting rod iron on the windows of the buildings of the center, painting the little playground, doing some weeding, and other basic clean-up. Pretty tiring days!
Yesterday was probably the most incredible day of my life. We went to an orphanage that Feed the Children provides food to. As we were coming up the walkway, we heard this beautiful African singing! It was all the teachers and helpers who greeted us with song and dance! As we got closer to the classroom, the kids were sitting on the concrete floor and singing very loudly as well! We walked in that room and I was blown away and completely lost it. What a joy. We got the tour of their small and sparse facility, but I was so glad to see that they support such a great place.
Tomorrow, we are already on our way to Lilongwe. Our time in Blantyre is already over and I can't believe how quickly it has gone. Before I close, let me tell you the three things that stick out the most for me about Africa so far:
1. People walk everywhere -- and very far! It has been so surprising for me to see the number of people that walk on the roads here. Often barefoot, they carry things on their backs or, yes, on their heads, to get things where they need to go. Mostly, the roads are very good for getting from city to city, unless you are going to the smaller villages, where the roads are dirt.
2. Malawi is BEAUTIFUL! I thought Africa would be flat and dry, but that is not the case here. It is actually almost tropical in places and there are rivers and lots of trees and bushes. The land is immaculate and the people take good care of it.
3. I don't think poverty in America can compete with Africa. Those lean-tos, dirt floors, death rate, pit toilets, no electricity, no running water, etc. There are rivers in Malawi, and there are always people doing their laundry or cleaning other things in them. The evidence is everywhere, and I almost feel guilty for sleeping in a bed each night.
Okay, I better run - Internet access is expensive here too! But you all will be very glad to know that I am doing great, can't wait to tell you all the stories, and am looking forward to my next week in Lilongwe with Monica and Children of the Nations! Thanks for all your prayers - they are helping immensely!
Lots of love to all,
~ Pam
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