Chimwangombe is the feeding center/village the 2007 team worked at for the entire 2 weeks they were there. One of their main projects was to construct a goat house, and our 2008 team was able to see how God was using that goat house to bless the village. First, the villagers ended up using the building as a chicken house.... but from selling the eggs, the village had raised enough money to send 2 kids to secondary school (which is high-school over here, and is not free over there), they bought a plot of land which they had cultivated and were growing vegetables on, and they were able to purchase the necessary medicine for a couple of kids who had HIV/AIDS! Wow! What an incredible blessing. This chicken house was named 'House of Many Hands'. The chicken house our team constructed was at a different village- Katondo-, which will be the next post I will publish.
Immediately upon arrival, the village kids ran up to our taxi bus. They all seemed so happy and excited about something 'new' going on in their village. We gave the kids here a VBS story and craft, sang songs, played games, gave out toothbushes and toothpaste, and YES, I had the privilege of showing them how to brush their teeth!! They all had seen toothbrushes before, but brushing teeth was not a daily hygienic routine like it is here- there is not a nearby store to walk to that sells it, and even if there were, they would most likely not have the money to buy those items. Money goes toward food.
We also had time to just hang out with them, talk with them, and encourage them. Most know some English, and many could speak English well enough to have a conversation. We did have 4 translators from the African Bible College (ABC) with us, and they were able to communicate for us to the ones who knew little or no English, and this was extremely helpful with the medical mission at the 3 other centers we worked at.
It was humbling to see their living situations, their lack of comfort and lack of food, kids orphaned because of HIV/AIDS, dirty clothes with holes, no shoes, obvious health problems... but through it all, every one of those kids we saw (and adults too) were smiling. They had such a peace about the life God has given them. Why can't we Americans be like that? Why can't I be like that? With all that we have over here, we still want more. We complain about the things we have; they didn't complain about the things they didn't have. Well, the Malawians ended up teaching me a few things. Maybe that is one reason God sent me.
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life" Philippians 2:14-16
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Chimwangombe,
Malawi 2008,
Ministry of Hope
The countryside of Malawi is breathtaking! The dirt is red and the wind was constantly blowing there, so by the end of the day, our skin and clothes were tinted red. It stained our socks and shoes, and yes, we blew it out of our noses too! The sky was a brilliant blue most of the time, though early mornings and late afternoons gave rise to a smoggy look. At the village of Katondo, where most of our work was done, it seemed that we could reach up with our hands and touch the sky, it seemed so close to us. Even at night, the stars shone close, bright and brilliantly. Since we were in the southern hemisphere, we saw constellations that we cannot see here, such as the Southern Cross.
Once we were off the paved roads, everything was dirt, and since we went before the rainy season hit, the roads were mostly maneuverable. There were deep ruts here and there, which our driver Amos got around easily, but it was a very bumpy ride to those villages! The terrain was mostly flat in and around the city, but once we were an hour outside the city, it got hilly and we saw some mountains (or either very large hills) in the distance. Men, women and children alike were all walking down these dirt roads, which connected the villages. Most had bundles of goods or laundry on their heads. We saw some wagons being pulled by mules. People had stacks of sugarcane for sale, which we all tasted and was delicious. To eat raw sugarcane, you simply cut off a small piece and chew out the sugary liquid, then spit out the pulp. Very, very good!!
There were many fields being cultivated and tended to along the dirt roads. Houses and small villages were everywhere, and mostly consisted of bricks they make themselves, dirt and thatched roofs. There were a few buildings as well and were made of bricks as well- the only difference was that they usually had some colored paint on them, and no thatched roofs.
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African countryside,
Malawi 2008
The city life of Lilongwe is bustling. People are everywhere; most of them walking or riding a bike, some of them taking taxi's (which are in the form of micro buses!) Bikes seemed to be the main mode of transportation in the city, and it was truly amazing at what they could strap to their bikes. We saw live chickens, piles of firewood 6 ft. tall, and even a goat strapped on! The women wear the most beautiful fabrics, bold and bright and will mismatch patterns and colors which give them a look all their own. They carry their babies and small children on their backs, securely wrapped around them with a bolt of fabric. People will build fires on the side of the roads to cook for themselves or to cook to sell. On our way back from Lake Malawi one weekend, there were fires covering the countryside- fires everywhere. It also was not uncommon to see chickens and goats for sell, both live and skinned, clothing, hand-made items- anything really. Many of the people in this country speak English so many of the signs we saw were in English too, which was nice. The third image down has a sign that reads Mississippip- of course I had to get that shot! All of these images were taken in and just outside the city of Lilongwe.
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African city scape,
Lilongwe,
Malawi 2008
Just an update of what's been going on in the Ledbetter household: Luken is in his 6th week and things are going well with him! He is sleeping about 8 hours at night already!!! woo hoo! And I am starting to feel somewhat rested. We are definitely enjoying our summer. We have been watching a new series on the History channel called Expedition: Africa. It is about a team that is retracing the route that a journalist named Stanley set out to find the missing missionary Livingstone back in the 1800's. I am going to have to do more research on it and read Stanley's accounts, but the show is awesome. Most of the trek is through Tanzania, which is directly above Malawi (where we were), and the landscape is just breathtaking. So far, they have hiked through swamps and mountains. Next week they venture into the plains and see some of the 'traditional' African animals- lions, zebras, etc. Sierra and Fulton are hooked on it just as much as Ryan and I... I think they are ready for Africa! Everyone should check this show out. It shows so many of the different terrains of Africa. One day soon, we are praying that the Lord will graciously send us back. I am gathering images for my next few posts, so they will be coming soon!
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