Slow.

I think that "slow" is the theme of Africa.

Everything is slow here. The internet, getting things accomplished, trying to learn the language, the speed limit...all slow.

My biggest frustration so far is probably the internet. I was such an internet-aholic in the states. Its how I keep in touch with friends and family! But here, it makes it really difficult to do that. I'm getting over it though. Another fact of life I just have to accept.

This week, Kym and I are going out into the villages where others have worked before to check and see how the church is doing. Monday, we went out to your typical "mud hut" village, but with no translator. We sat on the ground with some of the women, helped them with their corn, peeling pumpkin leaves, and just smiled and laughed through our language barrier. It was probably some of the most fun I've had since I've been here.

I also got to go out and visit a orphanage compound/school/dormitory. Kym's friend, Annie, is the headmaster for all the children and schools. She is from Colorado and took a year off teaching in the states to come and do this.

She took us out into the village and we played with kids and just talked with people.
I'm going to describe what I saw:

Rolling green hills far as the eye could see.
Mud huts with thatch roofs scattered throughout the landscape.
I was holding a the sweetest little girl in my arms as I looked out over the view.
Two women were carrying buckets of water on their heads as they made their way to their homes.
In the distance, you could hear a group of people singing in perfect harmony an African song.
And to top it all off, the sun was setting beautifully behind it all.

Yeah...tears came to my eyes...

I live in Africa.
sigh.

I am here!

I arrived in Malawi on Friday afternoon. Looking out the plane window and seeing this gorgeous green, rolling hills, land was so breathtaking.  I know I keep saying this, but it is so beautiful here. As I got off the plane, there were probably about 10 missionaries there to greet me. Hugs and smiles, and "We've been praying for you for a long time..." was so exciting to hear.

I am staying with another single missionary girl here. She has another friend staying with her for a just a week or so, so we have plenty of company in the house. It was instant connection with all of us. It seems everyone "white" that I meet here used to be a teacher in the states, or they are a teacher here at a school! Everyday has been exploring the city: grocery store options, clinic options, how to go to the ATM, where are the restaurants, etc. It has really been a lot of fun. We just hang out with different missionaries at their house for dinner each night, so I am meeting a lot of amazing people.

The weather here is pretty much like Charleston weather. Humid and a little on the hot side in the early mornings and day...then rainstorms in the afternoon...then back to sunny. Obviously, there is no air conditioning, so the house stays around 78 degrees. It feels normal though. :)

The cost of living here is so high! No wonder that people here are so poor. It cost almost 2 days wage to buy a bunch of bananas! It is even very high for a white missionaries salary. I am learning that I will have to be a better "budgeter" than I was in the states.

I think I will be in Lilongwe (the capital city) for a couple of weeks. I am still waiting on my family to get here. Which also means I have not been to the city I will acutally live in yet...nor my house. I just keep hearing from everyone though "It is even more beautiful up in Mzuzu! The people just get nicer! Your house is the biggest!" The only "bad" thing I've heard is that it rains all day, every day during the rainy season, so my things will grow mildew - no stopping it.

I can only say that I am very thankful to the Lord for the people he has placed me with and the country he has placed me in. I am just so grateful. I can not tell you how amazing it is to finally live here. I can not WAIT until family and friends from back home can come visit!

I'll leave you with some Switchfoot lyrics that really say what I want to say...

"I've got these memories always inside of me,
But I can't go back, back to how it was.
I believe you now, I've come too far, no I can't go back,
Back to how it was.

Created for a place I've never known....

This is home,
Now I'm finally where I belong.
Yeah, this is home,
I've been searching for a place of my own,
Now I've found it..
Yeah...this is home..."

p.s. I'm goign to try to figure out how to upload pictures...right now..it won't even upload one...

Hold on a little longer...

Well, my original fly-out date was Jan. 10th...however, I found out yesterday morning that due to some mixups I never had tickets to begin with!

So, after all is said and done, I finally am flying out January 13th! This gives me a great time to go back and say goodbye to some people I didn't think I was going to be able to.

Please keep me in your prayers as I pack and say goodbye to friends and family. Thanks friends!