Christmas

As Christmas was approaching, I was amazed at the number of people who extended an invitation for me to join them on Christmas day.  It’s hard to be this far away from family over the holidays and I was so thankful to have so many who thought of me and who would have warmly welcomed me in.  I was surprised however; when I received two invitations from two of my closest Malawian friends.  I had figured I would end up staying on campus and going to another missionary’s house, but when I was invited, I knew this is where I wanted to spend my Christmas.  I feel so blessed whenever I get the privilege to experience the culture here and I counted it a real honor to be invited to join these two families. 

Grace has become a dear friend and she is one of the college students.  She is about my age and I have found that we have a lot in common and agree on many things.  She is easy to talk to and I have really enjoyed getting to know her.  She goes to the crisis nursery with me every Thursday as her outreach program and she’s wonderful with the babies there.  It was one Thursday when we were there that she invited me to join her family for their Christmas celebration.  She told me I could go to church with them and then come back to their house to eat.  She asked if there was anything specific I’d want to eat on Christmas and I told her I would eat whatever it was that they would be having. 

On Christmas morning, I met up with Grace and we headed to her church.  The church service started at 7 AM and it was all in Chichewa.  I was the only American in the room and when visitors were asked to stand up, I was addressed specifically and then the pastor said everyone should clap in order to make me feel welcome.  I loved listening to the choirs sing and being together made me think of all the Christmases I’ve attended church with my family.  In all, the service lasted about two and a half hours.  Although I could not understand most of the service, Grace translated for me when she could without being a distraction to those sitting nearby. 

When we arrived at Grace’s house, her family went right to work in the kitchen.  Christmas here in Malawi is spent cooking and eating with loved ones.  I was told that they had purchased two chickens.  One was a local chicken and the other was not.  The first thought that came to my mind was whether or not I would be expected to help in the killing of the chickens.  I asked Grace and she said Deborah, one of her family members, had already killed them that morning.  While Grace’s family spent most of the morning in the kitchen, Grace and I sat and talked in the living room.  We then sat down to eat breakfast together.  This meal started with hot oatmeal and was followed up with a salad, fried eggs, and chips (these are much like French fries in the U.S.).  After that we ate grilled bologna sandwiches and drank coffee. 

Everyone then went back in the kitchen and continued cooking.  I asked if I could help, but being the guest, they wanted to cook for me.  I was amazed by the hospitality I was shown.  I was expecting to be welcomed in to join a family as they celebrated Christmas and instead, I found myself honored as a guest and shown such hospitality that it completely amazed and humbled me.  During our second meal together, we started off with a soup that was then followed up with chicken prepared two different ways:  one was fried and one was roasted in a broth.  We also had nsima and rice as well as cooked cabbage and greens.  Everything was delicious and I loved the way we sat around and talked while we ate.  We discussed cultural differences and shared memories of growing up.  We sat around the table for a long time and I loved that so much time was devoted to being together. It also made me so happy to see that Grace’s brother, Adziwa enjoyed cooking and spent so much time in the kitchen because that is how my brother is as well.   

After eating, we moved over to the couches and talked some more.  Then we had a snack of popcorn before having tea and coffee around 5.  At this time, we had homemade chocolate cake as well as biscuits.  I was feeling so incredibly full by this point and was ready for either a nap or a walk.  I knew I had to be leaving soon in order to make it over to the Square’s house for dinner at 7, so Grace and I went for a walk before I said my goodbyes.  As everyone walked me out to my car, they thanked me for making their Christmas so special.  I told them that I had done nothing and that instead, they were the ones that had made my Christmas one I will never forget.  I was shown so much love and I could feel a bond that had been made with Grace’s family.  As I was leaving, they invited me to join them for a cookout the following day.  I gladly accepted their invitation, as I knew it would give me more time to spend with them.  As we were saying our goodbyes, they each gave me a hug, even though this is not part of Malawian culture.  This gesture meant so much to me as it was a reflection of how they made me feel the entire day.  They truly made me feel at home and they honored me greatly by showing me such love and hospitality.  Their company was better than any gift I could’ve ever wished for. 

Here we all are after eating and spending the day together.  

The girls-taken by Adziwa, which is why it isn't crooked!  

As if this wasn’t enough, I quickly came home to grab another crate of drinks, a bag of rice, a gallon of oil, and a frozen chicken to take to the Squares house.  This is the traditional gift to give at Christmas time if you are invited to join a family to celebrate and I had given one to Grace’s family and had also bought one to take to the Square’s house for Christmas dinner.  This family has quickly become very close to my heart as Lifton Square is a college student and he is also our gardener.  I have spent many afternoons talking with him outside as he is majoring in education and so we have a lot in common.  His family lives on campus with him in married housing and his wife Nellie has had me over to cook with her.  They have three beautiful children and they are starting to warm up to me. 

When I arrived at their home, the power was out.  They had dinner prepared and we ate by candlelight.  We had rice with a wonderful broth served over it that had vegetables in it.  We also ate chicken and chimanga, which is a lot like corn on the cob, but it is maize that it cooked over coals. At the end of dinner, we talked and then I colored in a coloring book with the kids.  They had dessert, but I was just too full to eat it!  I feel very at home when I am with their family and they asked me if I was missing my family and what they would be doing on this day.  It was so nice to talk about my family and our Christmas traditions. As we talked, I could see the kids were getting tired.  I said goodnight and thanked them for welcoming me in as part of their family.  I left their home feeling as though I had spent the entire day with loved ones.  I didn’t feel at all like I spent Christmas in a different culture, worlds away from the familiar.  That saying, home is where the heart is, felt true in a different kind of way.  I could see the hearts of those who welcomed me in.  They were kind and sincere and so loving.  I felt so at home with my friends and I was so incredibly thankful for such a wonderful Christmas in Malawi.  

Lifton and Nellie Square.  They just celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary as well.  

Nalisa, Joshua, and Leah Square.  Doesn't get much cuter than that!  

Christmas Eve

I feel extremely honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to travel out to Bright Vision on Christmas Eve.  The Hirotos, who are missionaries here at ABC, have been helping with this organization since 2006.  Located about an hour outside of Lilongwe, this ministry aims at providing daycare year round as well as a feeding program six months out of the year for orphans who live nearby. There are as many as 200 children who benefit from this organization.  On Christmas Eve, the Hiroto’s home church sponsored a meal for everyone.  There were goats purchased as well as rice.  I was told that for many in attendance, this was their first time to eat rice since last Christmas Eve.  

We arrived around 10:30 AM and were greeted by many excited children as well as women who were singing, clapping, and dancing.  I was amazed at the warm welcome and the way everyone there seemed to flock around the car to shake our hand and welcome us.  It was overwhelming in the best way possible.  We were then called into the main office where we sat with those who volunteer with Bright Vision.  Each person was introduced and then they each gave a speech saying how happy they were to have us there and how much it meant to them.  The man who started this organization shared how it has grown and developed over the years, as well as some of the visions for the future.  I was amazed to see a room with sewing machines and to hear there’s a tailoring vocational training program in place for older orphans.  After this, we each had a chance to introduce ourselves and give a “speech” if we so wished.  I found it hard to keep my emotions under control as I sat in a room with teachers who are teaching orphans and volunteering their time.  As a fellow educator and someone who has a passion for seeing children learn and grow, I thanked these wonderful people for their service and their heart and the amazing way they are providing an education to those who by no other means would have this opportunity. 

We then went back outside where everyone was sitting on the grass.  It was extremely hot and there were dark clouds rolling in, so we were expecting that the rains would possibly come.  There were two rows of chairs up front.  The back row was for the chiefs and the elders.  The front row was where us, as the guests sat.  Two choirs were there to perform songs.  One was a children’s choir and there was also a women’s choir.  They sang songs in Chichewa and then there was a message given in Chichewa by one of the college students at ABC who had come with us.  The rains then interrupted the schedule.  Everyone got up and ran under cover.  The women kept on cooking and fortunately, the rain didn’t last for long.  

Once the food was ready, children all sat on the ground and waited to be called up by age to wash their hands and take a bowl with nsima.  This is a staple here in Malawi and is much like rice or pasta would be in other regions.  It is made with maize flour and water.  It is “paddled” not stirred, and more flour can be added until the right texture and consistency is achieved.  It is then used with ones hand to scoop up relishes, or side dishes that are served with the nsima.  It is relatively cheap and is served with many meals.  Once the children had a bowl, they would stand in another line to receive the rice and relishes to accompany the nsima.  I watched as the kids waited in lines and sat patiently.  I also watched as they found a spot on the ground to eat.  I was amazed at how the older kids looked out for those that were younger.  Many helped to feed the younger kids.  While everyone was eating, we were called back into the office where we were served our meal.  This was the first time I’ve eaten goat that had been alive a few hours before.  I was so hungry due to the heat and the walking around and everything tasted very good. 

 After eating, we went for a hike.  It is an absolutely beautiful area and one can see so far out when up in elevation.  I loved the shades of green (they have received more rain than we have in Lilongwe, so everything is greener), the fields with maize crops, and the mountains.  It was absolutely beautiful. 

We then came down and spent some more time with those remaining before heading home.  As we said our goodbyes and got in our car to leave, I was struck that this was Christmas for those in attendance.  They enjoyed a special meal together and the company of others.  They honored us as guests and welcomed us, genuinely showing their appreciation and love.  The women worked so hard to cook, serve, and clean up the meal.  There were no gifts, there was no singing of Christmas carols, just time together and a meal for everyone there.  I loved meeting these people and seeing the great work that is being done by those who have a passion to provide an education for the orphans.  I hope to return some day to see those I have met, but for now, they had contributed to one of the most meaningful Christmas Eves I have ever and will ever experience.

'Tis the Season

This phrase is one that surprises me when I think of it.  “Tis the Season” everything around me tells me different.  All the holiday traditions I’ve grown up experiencing are nowhere to be found.  There’s been no forecast of snow, no Christmas parties and lights, no outing with the family to pick the perfect tree.  In fact, in a lot of ways, it hasn’t felt at all like Christmas is just two days away.  I know I won’t be attending a midnight service or drinking eggnog and listening to my father read scripture while we all snuggle up on the couch in our new Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve. 

However; as there’s been a lack of all that’s familiar with the holidays, there’s been an abundance of the underlying reason for the season.  As there has been no Christmas shopping and no business, I have been more aware of the joy that I see in those around me.  Many of those who I have come to call friends here at ABC have gone home to be with family.  They will spend Christmas cooking and enjoying each other’s company here in Malawi.  I received many heartfelt hugs and many blessings for Christmas.  This has reminded me of the little wooden block decorations that we have had up in our home for years now over the holidays.  There’s one that says “Joy” one that says “Peace” and one that says “Love.”  These three attributes of the holidays are certainly not lacking here in Malawi.  I have felt all three in abundance over the past few weeks.  I have been invited to go to Bright Vision tomorrow.  This is a community-based organization that strives to promote and improve the quality of life and welfare for orphans, the chronically ill, and the elderly.  It is located in a rural area outside of Lilongwe.    We will go tomorrow and spend Christmas Eve there.  I have also been invited to join two Malawian families on Christmas day.  I will leave campus at 6:30 AM to go to church and then to the home of one of the college students.  She has invited me to cook lunch with her family and spend the afternoon in their home.  I will then come back and spend the evening with another family.  I feel so honored to have been invited and I am looking forward to seeing some of the local traditions of Christmas.  Yes, I will not be with my family during Christmas, but I feel overwhelmed by the love I have been shown here.  I have been welcomed in as family in a culture that is not of my own. 

Christmas truly is upon us.  It is here in Malawi although it looks different than any Christmas I’ve experienced.  I am reminded of the Christmas story and of that night that Mary and Joseph looked for a place to stay.  There was no room in the Inn and instead, they stayed in a stable, a lowly, dirty place with the animals.  It wasn’t ideal and yet this story touches my heart every year at this time.  We find ourselves in circumstances and places that are out of our comfort zone.  They may not be ideal based on our own desires.  However; I firmly believe that in the midst of our circumstances, we are growing and learning lessons that are invaluable. I am so thankful to be here this Christmas.  I am learning so many lessons from the beautiful people around me and the circumstances in which I find myself.  Merry Christmas to you all and I pray you see many blessings this season and truly experience joy, peace, and love.