The Things I Have Come to Enjoy

It's quite amazing what 8 months on the mission field will do to a man and his standards. I'm pretty confident in saying that my standards are at an all time low and with that maybe even non existent. The things that would normally make me cringe with disgust or discomfort have just become apart of everyday life here in Malawi. And now I'm sure your wanting to here some examples, well don't you worry I have plenty. Here are just a select few….

-I've come to enjoy the imprint my body as made on the sand under my tent that allows me to have a memory foam like sleep at night.
-I've come to enjoy the uncontrollable laugh I get when frogs and camel spiders scurry underneath my tent as they rush past my body
-I've come to enjoy the cool breeze that flows into a van packed with 25 African men. Which also relieves the smell from every single one of those men who haven't heard of deodorant.
-I've come to enjoy the satisfaction I get from a stomach full of nsima (Recipe Information ) Boil 2L of water and slowly pour in whole wheat flower until it turns into a thick paste… Enjoy 🙂 
-I've come to enjoy mothers chasing me through the village with thier screaming toddlers wanting me to hold them. ( thee most terrified children I have ever seen )
-I've come to enjoy the teenage girls chasing after me yelling Mzungu!! Mzungu!! (white person) like they have just spotted the Great White Buffalo of the valley.
-I've come to enjoy the 2 mile walk to my tiny hot box of a work out gym
-I've come to enjoy the small chicken coupe where my team finds refuge from the heat. Literally the only place that gets us out of the hot sun.
-I've come to enjoy the horrific out house that has no toilet seat or toilet paper that has allowed me to build up sturdy and strong thighs from squatting.

I have tried my hardest to make these not sound sacastic. These things I have truly come to enjoy and wouldn't trade for the world. These may be crazy to some people but, these have become the simple pleasures that get me through the day. I dont know if I would beable to live in these such conditions for ever but, God has defiantly given me the strength to push through this next month. Living like this you get a real appreciation how the villagers live. Along with understanding how and why they can enjoy and continue living this way. They may not have all the fancy toys or gadgets but there are still many entertaining things to do in this easy going country.   

Oh Africa how you have wrecked evey single one of my comforts. I've continually thought of how my house is going to seem like a palace when I get back. The only place we can get Internet in Senga Bay is Sunbird Resort which I thought was an incredibly nice place. Then I realized that it was only a 2 star resort and that it was the highest rated resort in all of Malawi. Sure puts everything in to perspective. 

Anyways I guess it's another month down and only one more to go. Hard to believe that this trip will be over so soon but, for the most part I think I'm ready. I am ready to go home. So ready. This last month has really just been same old, same old. Work during the mornings and ministry in the afternoons. Been able to meet a lot of adorable kids in the nearby villages. Although this ministry is much less intentional then the previous ones which I think I have explained. Havent really had a chance to build any strong relationships which is a shame but, I do still believe our time here has been productive. Right now I'm sitting here in Lilongwe saying goodbye to my good friend and teammate Sarah. We've been staying at a hostel waiting for her to head home. She has been having some medical issues and the doctors and her think it would be best if she heads home to better medical care. Sad to see her go but this is the best option for her. Actually pretty scary the amount of sickness that has fallen on our squad. 3 people have been hit will malaria along with at least 5 others getting parasites or really bad infections. A lot of it is just because of where were stationed and how were living. Because we have no running water it's pretty limited on the amount of showers we are able to take in a week. This is the main reason for the bad staff infections and boils people have been getting. Be sure to be praying for our squad and that we can all stay healthy the rest of the time were based here.

As for the rest of the month I'm thinking it's going to be a pretty pleasant one. Sounds like will have about 2 more weeks of ministry in Senga Bay and then will head to Lilongwe for a Hostel week. Then we will return to Senga Bay for one last time to say goodbye to everyone then out of the country to Zambia because our visas will be expiring. Will most likely stay there for 5 days then come back to Malawi and finish up with debrief. And THEN my friends, I will be on a cool air conditioned plane back to CANADA. Amen.

Still hoping for a lot of incredible things to happen here in the next month. Still wanna make good friends with a family in the village closest to the highway. They have the most adorable kids and they really seem to enjoy our company. Really want to take some family photos for them and print them out. I think she has like over 8 kids which is insane but then again were in Africa. Every woman has like at least 5 kids. I find myself saying "crazy Africa" a lot. Because for most situations thats all you can say. Africa may not be my favorite country but it is defiantly the most memorable. 

Weird to think I will probably only be posting one or two more blog posts 🙁 is it really that time already?? I'll do my best to remember my experiences these next couple of weeks and share them with all of you. Hope all of you had a great Easter weekend. See you very soon!!!

Peace Out!!!!