New Taste Treat

Living in a foreign country and culture often offers real surprises, especially in the culinary department. While shopping in the local store today I ran across these small packages of peas. Yes, peas! I couldn’t resist so I purchased one package of each kind offered. Of course I can’t read what is written on them, but I do pretty good with pictures. Anything with a picture of a chili pepper perks this Texans interest.
The peas inside were either freeze-dried, or slow cooked in an oven like beef jerky. The flavor was actually good. The hot ones were better than the garlic flavored ones. Now I wish I had purchased several of these tiny taste treats, because I feel sure the stock will be gone when I return to the store.
Next time you are in the local yuppie grocery store you should ask for, oh my…, I have no idea what the name is.  Just take this picture with you!

When Little Is Much!

I must admit that when Fredna and I first came to Africa in January of 2005, I was probably a bit idealistic.  I thought I would be coming with many, if not all the answers.  I thought that surely I had much to offer.  Boy, was I wrong!  It seems that I have done nothing but learn since sitting foot on this continent.  I think that one day I should make a list of the these things I have learned.

Probably one of the most important things I have learned is this:  Small offerings can be much if you know the heart that is giving it.  Let me explain.  Most churches in Malawi consider it a great honor and responsibility to give an offering to the minister on Sunday.  No matter what size, location, or social status – they give an offering.  It is a Biblical principle.

In Africa we have received many different offerings.  Money, vegetables, fruit, cloth material, live chickens, and even a live goat.  Today, as usual, the Pastor received a special offering for us at the end of the service.  As the church was singing, some people began to bring baskets full of potatoes, and a few people brought money.  Just before the time of giving was finished, a small-framed woman, who looked to be in her late 50’s or early 60’s, made her way to the front.  She carried with her a small package which she laid in the offering.  It was a package of biscuits (cookies to Americans).  That is all, a small package of cookies.

Tonight I am sitting in my living room reflecting on the days events, and the lessons I was subjected to.  I have a hot cup of coffee on the table beside me, and I am enjoying a really tasty Custard Cream cookie.

This morning I saw the heart that gave it!

Malawi Matters Newsletter

To My Former Malawi Missionary Colleagues

In 1964 Columbia Records released Bob Dylan’s third studio album titled, The Times They Are a-Changin’.  Well, the times are certainly changing in Lilongwe, Malawi.  You would not recognize the former “village” of Lilongwe if you lived here 20 or even 15 years ago, for it is growing by leaps and bounds! 

Thursday of last week brought the grand opening of the newest Game Store, a South African chain store much like Wal-Mart, but on a smaller scale of course.  People turned out en masse to welcome the new store.  The queue stretched hundreds of meters just to enter the store.  Once inside, well, you can imagine.

You can’t imagine what it feels like to know that when you need something as simple as a bolt or washer you no longer have to go to small shops all over the city in your quest!  The times are changing!

Today we had lunch at another new establishment here in Lilongwe – the Chili Pepper Restaurant.  That’s right, a Mexican restaurant here in Malawi! 

Before you get too excited, it sure is not the same thing as Pappasito’s in Texas!  There were no chips, no hot sauce, they didn’t even have iced tea.  But, just the thought of Tex-Mex in Malawi is pretty exciting.  I ordered one of their specialties, a Burrito with chicken.  When I gave the waiter my order he politely repeated it to me: “One Bu-lee-tow”.  I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Yes, one Bu-lee-tow.”  You see, many Malawians exchange an r for an l, and vise versa.  Too funny, but it was a pretty good buleetow.

I know that my missionary colleagues faced many challenges in times past here in Malawi.  Many modern conveniences were simply not available (many still are not!).  But, The Times They Are a-Changin’.  And we are glad!

Sunday Reflections

A few thoughts about a great day at Jerusalem Temple Assembly of God in Mzuzu, Malawi…

• Fredna taught School of the Bible (Sunday School), and did a fantastic job!  The pastor announced during the main service that she will come back for a Ladies Seminar.
• Today I talked about not giving up, because God always has an answer to our problems.
• I used examples of people in the Old & New Testaments of people that seemed to be down and out, BUT God had a different ending to their story.
• If things are difficult in your life at this moment in time, don’t forget – God might just have another ending to your problem!
• At least one hundred or more came to the altar – that never gets old!
• Enjoyed the 4 hour drive to and from Mzuzu.
• Especially enjoyed the fact that Fredna was with me this weekend.  For the past two weeks she has been in Nairobi, Kenya helping to develop ESOL curriculum with missionary Loretta Wideman.