Christmas is coming.....

Hello everyone, 

Much has happened since my last blog post so I will just give a brief update.  In October we worked with a local Community Based Organisation providing training for 4 of their Early Childhood centres - it was a fun time and I hope things are working well for them now!

Some of the parents and children

Ernest - one of our Trainers!

October is beautiful in Mzuzu - its when the Jacaranda trees come into blossom....

Near the end of October I went on a short break to Northern Ireland to see my friend Margaret who was terminally ill.  It was a difficult time but I thank God that I was able to spend some time with her before she passed away.  I miss her very much - we had been through a lot together especially during her time in Malawi.

While I was in Ireland it was great catching up with family, even at an 8 year old's birthday party which made me feel really old!!

Back to Malawi and on the road to Karonga and then Misuku to do some training with the Ministers and session clerks in the Presbytery!  On the way this guy wanted to share his bananas with me.....

The first view of lake Malawi.....

The road to Misuku is difficult - it is extremely hilly terrain and while it was dry, it was sandy in places and really slippery - such a beautiful place to have the privilege to visit and have the excuse that it is work!!

Children in Misuku don't see many vehicles and they were fascinated by what Nicolas was bringing out of the car!!

This little girl was very worried that I would not be back from Ireland in time to make her birthday cake - its Bongiwe and as you can see she is very happy!!

At the beginning of November, we received a new member of staff from Holland.  Her name is Gerrie and she will start properly with us in January.  However, we took her out to a couple of ECD centres in Mzuzu Presbytery to give her some orientation into her new job!  

Its the time of year for the rains to come.  So far we have only had a few days of heavy rain, one when I was in Ireland and the lightning struck my house so I was glad I was not there!  It burnt the telephone and the internet both the router inside the house and the external device outside so I had to buy a whole new system!!  With the rains of course come snakes and bugs like this bongololo (a large millipede) - they are harmless but when you stand on them in your bare feet they are a bit squishy!!

As I write this I am in Lilongwe - I travelled down yesterday as I had a meeting at UNICEF this morning.  Before I left yesterday I had to go and get the Wildlife people to come and see if they could take away the swarm of bees who had made their home in a tree in my house  - of course when I went they said it was no problem to remove the bees but they had no transport as I was going to Lilongwe I had to leave them money for transport - the joys of Africa!!

So was we are now in the Christmas season, it is probably around 35 degrees here today and the sun is shining, so its does not feel at all like Christmas.  I have seen one Christmas tree today in a shop but apart from that there is no sign of all the materialism that we find in the West and for that I am grateful.  In Malawi, many people see Christmas as a time of celebrating the birth of Christ and a time when they eat rice on Christmas day instead of Nsima, a time when they may have chicken instead of beans.  This is a difficult time here, what we call the hungry season, as many people's harvest from last year is about to finish and the next one is just about to be planted.  Prices are going up daily as the kwacha continues to devalue against the dollar.  It is a time when people struggle to survive and yet.....somehow on Christmas day people celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, giving thanks for the little that they have.

As we reflect on the real meaning of Christmas, consider what is important- is it time spent with family celebrating the birth of Christ or is it the latest gadget that Santa is going to bring!

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas season,

With love,

Diane

Synod meetings to farewells.....and visitors in between!!

Hello everyone,

I cannot believe it is so long since I last posted.  I have thought about it but have either had no energy or no time!!  Lots of things have been going one which is great but days fly past and it will soon be October!!

We had our Synod meeting at the end of August in Ekwendeni where the outgoing moderator, Dr TPK Nyasulu gave an address on being an alien in a foreign land.  He was talking about the difference between a good foreigner and a bad foreigner and how we as Christians should portray ourselves in the world.  Afterwards I asked him if he thought I was a good or a bad foreigner in Malawi and he said at least I tried!!

The incoming moderator is Rev D F Chipofya and he will be in the office for the next two years.

Sunday morning worship was delayed as we had the previous head of state, Dr Joyce Banda worshipping with us.  She also addressed the congregation.

Traditionally, when there is a church gathering in Malawi, the hosting village welcome the visitors and bring lots of foodstuffs for the occasion.  We had a large procession of village people with many local chiefs included.  They brought gifts of bananas, sugar and even goats!

the Girls Brigade were part of the welcoming procession

For me it is always a pleasure to go to such a large gathering as I meet many people who I knew from Zomba Theological College.  All of these ministers were students while I was at Zomba - its amazing to see where God has taken them over the years.

We have visitors from other Synods joining us and it was so nice to see the Deputy General Secretary of Blantyre Synod who was also a student at Zomba.  He is Rev Moyenda Kanjerwa and we had a great time catching up!

These two men have been good friends of mine since I came to Malawi - again they were students at Zomba and Rev J J Gondwe on the right is the new Moderator Elect of our Synod and he was also my Board Chairman for Early Childhood Development!  The other is Rev S Ng'anjo!

A very good friend of mine and Church of Scotland missionary, Helen Scott left Malawi a couple of weeks ago after 15 years in Ekwendeni.  We decided to have a day at the lake before she left!

Waiting for the morning catch...

Usipa fish in the boat which was out all night with the two paraffin lamps on the end!

with her share of the fish............

I also accompanied Helen (as her photographer) to one of the prayer houses which she had been involved in.  We had a wonderful day and she was given various gifts including eggs, groundnuts (peanuts).....

and a wonderful chitenje with Merry Christmas and a Happy New year on it!!

We were invited to one of the elders homes for Tobwa (a local drink made from millet) before the service!  We had breakfast in another home, and then lunch afterwards!!

Back to work and I met with some of the trainers in Lilongwe Zone of our synod.  We were continuing our exercise of looking at what makes a good ECD centre!

Mloyiso and Miness doing an activity

We had our meeting in Nkhamenya and it was interesting to find lots of these Black Headed Herons nesting high up in the trees!  The locals thought I was crazy taking photos!

the sign at the lodge we stayed at!!! The mind boggles.........

Nicolas enjoying sugar cane!

Of course while we were there we went to see two Early Childhood Centres - one owner was proud to tell us UNICEF and other donors have visited his centre.  I was horrified to see how he was 'teaching' the children!  But as it is no one of our centres, I can only advise.....

Another centre with no play materials and rote learning going on...

Its always a blessing to receive visitors and this past month I have been truly blessed.  I had Dibbie and Ann with me for some days, a visit from a team from Magherafelt on their way to Livingstonia, and then Sheena and Harry from Cregagh PC.  I collected Dibbie and Ann from Kasungu and on the way up the road we stopped to take a picture of the mice being sold by the roadside.  They were not tempted to try any...

We went out to see one of our centres within the city of Mzuzu - lots of children and lots of activity..........

 

At the weekend we went to the lake and had a wonderful relaxing time........

Green twinspot...

Nyasa seedcracker...

Mending the nets

on the lakeshore...

peeking lizard..

the yellow weaver building his nest......

frog on the beach...

Back to work again and this time to Karonga to meet the Livingstonia Zonal team.  Again we went out to two centres and not only found rote learning but caregivers using a stick - in the first picture here you can see the hand with the stick on the left hand side!

primary school children learning under a tree - there were about 6 classes like this!

me addressing the team!

Lucy and Foster

Grace, Prescott and Eliza

 On the way home from Karonga we spotted this sign.....Karonga district is trying to ensure each home has access to a pit latrine.

On a different note, I had the Malawi olympics in my garden one weekend - the boys decided to have high jump which they constructed themselves, long jump, javelin, basket ball and other sports - it was a fun time and the winners got pencils for going back to school!

I went with Sheena and Harry to Nkhotakota which is such a lovely spot.  

Little Egret...

doing the washing...

 The fishermen spent all afternoon taking a large net out in the boat and then pulling it in by hand.........

only to be rewarded with almost a full bucket of fish between them!

A few other things have been happening.....I took some pencils out to one of the more rural primary schools just before it opened (thanks to people who donate them!)

I was invited to the closing of one of the ECD trainings held here in Mzuzu......

I was shocked to find the local medicine man selling his wares outside our CCAP International Pre-school........... I didn't buy any but he told me what wonderful things would happen if I used them!

and lastly for today........

its not often I waken up at 4am to the sound of hymn singing - I woke to hear this amazing four part harmony outside my window! During our Synod meeting some of our ministers were transferred and this particular church were not happy that their minister was being taken away and they decided to protest........ by singing hymns until their voice was heard!  Not sure of the outcome!!

Wishing you all a good week,

Blessings,

Diane