As Seen on TV

I have been trying to show in my blogs what the real Malawi is like, not what you see in movies like the Lion King. The truth is however, sometimes Malawi can feel like a scene from the movies. Since Lauren has never been to Africa before, we took the couple days we had free before we start school to go do the touristy aspects of Malawi.

Our first stop was a trip to Kutchire Lodge, which is located in the Liwonde Game Reserve. Kutchire is owned and run by a good friend of the Merry Family, Sam Ncozana. Sam has been working on building the lodge for the past two years, and let me just say it is incredible. There are rustic chalets, tree houses, a viewing deck and a beautiful outdoor dining area under a magnificent old tree. While staying at the lodge it is not uncommon for herds of elephants to pass through at night and munch on the trees surrounding the area. While we were there we were fortunate enough to see so many elephants! 

We also spent one morning driving around the game reserve trying to see other animals such as warthogs, a variety of different kind of deer-like animals, rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, and lions. We were able to see warthogs, deer, and elephants but were unsuccessful finding some of the other animals. It was such a fun experience getting to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, but also very fun to see Lauren so excited (and sometimes very afraid) to see these beautiful African animals up close!

During our time at the lodge we also had the opportunity to sit and talk with other missionaries that had stepped away from their daily lives for a moment. This was such a blessing. We talked with one family that has been in Malawi for 10 years starting an orphanage in a neighboring village. The family lives in the village and often go days or weeks without running water or electricity. Hearing them talk about their mission, and their love for the people of Malawi reminded me how lucky I am to be able to be doing what I am doing. Please pray for the missionaries all over the world that do as God instructed … they leave everything to become fishers of humankind.

Our last stop on our touristy trip was a visit to Lake Malawi. Malawi used to be called Nyasa Land, which literally meant “lake” land because of its beautiful lake. We got to the lake right as the sun was setting and the view honestly took my breath away. The colors from the sunset reflecting on the lake were something only God could create. The next morning we took a boat to an island on the lake and were able to go snorkeling and see some of the beautiful fish of Lake Malawi. We also spent some time jumping into the crystal clear water from nearby rocks. It was so refreshing to be able to enjoy God’s beauty for the day.

We had an amazing time sightseeing for a few days, but it again made me realize just how fortunate I am. Most Malawians have never seen the wild animals that live within the borders of their own country. Some have never seen the blue waters, or beautiful sunsets at the lake. I am grateful for the opportunity to travel and see as much of this country as possible, but I will continue to count my blessings and be thankful for all of the opportunities I have, because I know not everyone has the same.

Getting Around Town

Our new home is about an hour away from the “big city” of Blantyre and about a 5 hour drive to the capital of Malawi, Lilongwe. Although the views near our home certainly make up for the remoteness of the town, it does present a little added challenge when it comes to getting around and gathering supplies we need on a daily basis. In Malawi there are several ways to get around.

The first and probably the most common way many people move from place to place here is by walking. This is the most common for the obvious reasons, it’s free. Walking does not require any extra equipment and for some Malawians it does not even require wearing shoes. Everyday people from all over Malawi walk to church, school, work, the market, or where ever else they need to go. They walk along the main roads or on dirt roads that come from more remote villages. They walk alone, they walk in groups. They walk with huge loads on their heads and sometimes babies on their backs. They walk everywhere.

A sign that you are doing well in your village is being able to afford owning a bicycle. Bicycles are not used the same way they are used in the United States. Bikes are often used here as family cars, as pickup trucks, and taxis. Unlike in the USA when bikes are used more for recreation and exercise. A bike can significantly improve the life of a Malawian family and open up a lot of opportunities that they may have not had before. 

There is no public transportation system in Malawi, but there are mini buses that drive all around that are relatively inexpensive. The problem with mini buses is they are often very crowded, sometimes unreliable, they stop often, and I see them broken down on the side of the road quite a bit. I’m also convinced that mini bus drivers, much like some taxi or bus drivers in the USA, think the rules of the road do not apply to them. Even with all of their flaws, mini buses are a great option for traveling longer distances here.

The final way people get around Malawi is by driving individual cars (the Chichewa word for car is Galimoto). I am again fortunate enough to be among this lucky group of people. I will have access to a car during my time here and have spent the last week learning how to drive. Since Malawi was once under British rule, they drive on the right hand side of the road. This change in itself would not take too long to get used to. It’s all the other things that I am learning to get used to when driving in Malawi that make learning to drive here a challenge. There are not many paved roads in Malawi, so the roads that are paved are often very crowded. Along with sharing the road with other cars, trucks and mini buses (that again stop often and unexpectedly, and don’t think the rules apply to them) I am also sharing the roads with bikes carrying massive loads, groups of people walking side by side, goats, chickens, and sometimes even cows. I have used my horn more in the past week then I have in my entire life so far! 

Although driving can be quite a challenge and the roads here are often dirt and filled with pot holes, I am constantly reminding myself that I am blessed enough to even have this challenge that many do not have the opportunity to have.  As you travel in your daily lives today, I challenge you to imagine for a moment what it would be like to have to walk all the places you need to go. Driving here is going to be a lesson in itself but also a lesson in remembering our challenges can often be a blessing. 

Not in Kansas Any More

Well, it has been about a week since I touched down in Malawi. I can now officially say as I look around, Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. As I have stated in previous blogs, one thing I’m excited about is being able to share my experiences with all of you reading this, and hopefully be able to teach you more about this country I love so much. My hope is that as you read these blogs, you learn more about my life in the United States, verses what my life will be like here in Malawi.

Home Sweet Home

Heather and I are fortunate enough to own a 3 bedroom house in Scott Township together. Our Little house has everything we need: a nice kitchen, 1 and half bathrooms, a garage, nice neighbors, a beautiful lawn (that I hope Heather is taking care of), and a nice big living room where we love to hang out with all of our friends and family. Notice when I am describing my house in Pittsburgh, I didn’t have to mention it has clean, drinkable, running water and electricity. We are so blessed in the United States that we often forget that we live in a world where those two things are not a right but a privilege we (myself included) often take for granted.

 

Here in Malawi, I am again fortunate to live in a beautiful 3 bedroom house that has electricity, running water (most of the time), and we will even be hopefully getting hot water soon. The house is located on the same grounds as the St. Andrews Church and the School I will soon be teaching at. Right next to our house is the home where the headmaster and his family live; I have been enjoying getting to know his beautiful family. I have a nice kitchen with an electric stove. Our refrigerator is in our dining room along with a nice table that meals can be eaten at. I have settled in nicely to my new bedroom which has a big closet and I have even managed to hang up some pictures. I sleep under a mosquito net every night which hangs above my bed. We have a living room with lots of seating for when we have visitors from the church or school. My favorite part of the house is our porch which is right next to huge tea fields that lead up to the base of Mt. Mulanje. I have been enjoying hanging up hammocks and reading while I marvel at the amazing view that is now right in my back yard.

I would be doing a disservice to you if I told you the way I am living in Malawi is how everyone here lives. I will be the first to admit we are living very privileged lives here. Most Malawians live in very simple houses, which are often over crowded with family members. Many people do not have the safety a mosquito net provides at night and instead have to simply lay a mat on the floor. Electricity and running water are often not part of these simple homes and women will sometimes walk for miles for the closest source of water. Most cooking in Malawi is done on small charcoal stoves as opposed to our electric stove, and meals are eaten seated on a mat on the floor instead of at a table. Around almost every home in Malawi is a small garden where the family will grow produce to help feed their families and if they have extra, sell for a small profit. 

I hope you do not read this and feel sorry for Malawi and its people; that is not why I am writing this, and that is not why I am here. I do hope that you read this and maybe say an extra prayer for injustices in this world. Maybe read this and be a little extra thankful when you flip on a light switch later today, or when you go to brush your teeth later with clean running water. Learning to be thankful for what I have been blessed with just because of where I was born is a lesson quickly learned here in Malawi. I’m starting to think I’m going to be doing more learning than I am teaching this year…

When Africa is Home

Greetings from the Warm Heart of Africa! I'm happy to say that Lauren and I (and all of our luggage) have arrived safely in Malawi and we are beyond excited to be here.

We were warmly greeted at the airport by multiple members of the school and the church we will be living and teaching at. It was a comfort to be so warmly welcomed, after such a hard few weeks of goodbyes.

After close to 20 hours in the air and traveling about 9,000 miles over 2 days with little sleep, sleeping in a bed last night was such a blessing. Quickly after we arrived I was reminded that I am certainly back in Africa. The house we will be living in (which I will talk more about later) did not have electricity when we first arrived, and this morning we woke up to no running water due to water shortages. Electricity that comes and goes, no running water and bugs bigger than I have ever seen are certainly frustrating and make this transition hard. However, one look out my new bedroom window, or off our back porch, and I am quickly reminded why I love this place so much.

We spent much of today in Blantyre gathering supplies we will need to set up our house and our lives here. One of the most important things we got today was wifi! It is amazing to me that I can type this blog from Mulanje, Malawi and it can reach you., where ever you are reading this. Such a blessing to be able to stay connected and to be able to share this journey with all of you! 

I'm happy to be home again :)

Malawi Bound!

Well, the day has finally arrived. As I write this I am sitting in Dulles International Airport waiting to board my plane! I will make this blog short and sweet.

Thank you. If you are reading this, you deserve a thank you for your thoughts, prayers, encouragement, love and support. Without each of you I would not have even made it this far.

The past couple weeks have been hard getting all packed up and saying goodbye to so many people I love. Even though they were difficult, I am comforted by the peace I feel that this is exactly where I am being called right now.

Thank you in advance for your continued prayers as Lauren and I fly over the next 2 days and begin to get settled into our new home.  Please continue to pray for our families as they adjust to having us far away.

My next post will be from the Warm Heart of Africa!

Packing Up and Saying Goodbye

The countdown is on. I takeoff in just 6 days, and I can't believe it. My final week in the States will be spent packing everything I think I will need for the year, and saying goodbye to as many of the amazing people that love and support me as possible. Both of these activities come with their own unique challenges.

What do you pack for a year? Great question. My packing list has become lengthy and very detailed to cover every scenario I can imagine. Everything from Aloe to Zip Ties has been collected and is in the process of being packed up. I am allowed to take 2 bags weighing 50 lbs. each and a carry-on weighing 15 lbs.  I have had to buy some clothes to wear while I teach- skirts and blouses mostly, and a few things for our kitchen which may be hard to find in Malawi. You certainly learn what is important when you need to pack your life away in 115 lbs.

The other thing I have been busy doing is spending time meeting up with and saying goodbye to people before I head out. Even though I know this is not the last time I will see these people, each goodbye is hard. These past few months have been an amazing reminder of how blessed I am to have so many great people loving, supporting and constantly praying for me. I will miss each and everyone of you, but will hold you all in my heart wherever God leads me on this adventure.

I ask now for your continued prayers as Lauren and I finish up our packing over the next couple of days. I also ask that you lift up our families in your prayers as they prepare to say goodbye to us for the year and send us on our way.

Almost time to fly!

It Takes a Village

They say it takes a village to raise a child. We have certainly found this to be true as we raise our rambunctious 7 year old son and twin 4 year old girls. Over the last seven years we have utilized the support of our family, church and friends to get us through.

Brooke has certainly become a part of our village as she started as a friend from church and moved on to being a part of our family. Our kids look up to her, learn from her, laugh with her and ask about her when she is not around. Since Brooke told us about her year in Malawi we have been having a lot of long conversations with our kids about Brooke’s passion and mission. 

Although part of our village is leaving us for a little while, we are thrilled for the village in Malawi that gets to inherit her for the next year. Even in her time gone, she will be continuing to teach our small village and all of the children in it about selflessness, giving your time to others, living in the moment, taking chances, and how small we are in such a big world. It certainly takes a village and we are so blessed that Brooke is a part of ours. 

We will truly miss her while she is gone, but we are so excited for how much she will teach and support those in Malawi. We are even more excited for how much she will teach us once she is back!!

- Jess and Jared Robinson

Hi! My name is Kelley. I went to college and became friends with Brooke's sister, Heather. Over the years, Brooke and I grew closer, and now I consider her one of my best friends.

I started writing this as we left on a trip to Italy. Your shirt says "I want adventure in the great wide somewhere," a quote from Beauty and the Beast. You, Brooke, are always up for an adventure. 

While I think about you leaving for a whole year, I can't help but think about all the crazy adventures (big and small) we have shared over the years. I'm going to miss having spa nights with you, watching the saddest episodes of Grey's Anatomy on Saturday nights together, building a bird house on a whim on a Friday night, reciting every line in The Parent Trap while Heather glares at us, egg battles in your kitchen with theme music playing in the background, choreographing ice skating routines, and practicing our Olympic events in your front yard.

I'm going to miss all of those things and countless others, but it is more important to focus on this amazing adventure of yours. What an incredible gift it is to feel this calling to give your service in Africa. When you first told me about this journey of yours, I'm not going to lie, I thought you were a little crazy! Now I see that this is what you were meant to do. It is clear with the passion and conviction in which you talk about this adventure. 

I know this is going to be a great adventure for you. I will have to sustain glares alone from Heather when watching The Parent Trap while you're in Africa for the year, but I am so incredibly proud of you and your strength! I hope this is your best adventure yet! Your space on your sofa will be waiting for you when you return home. 

-Lots of love, Kelley