After spending the day in Washington DC, I finally boarded my flight to South Africa and wiggled my way into the middle row where I’d spend the next 16 hours. I introduced myself to the man sitting next to me. I figured we’ll be spending a lot of time together, might as well know each other’s names, right? He asked where I was from/going and I told him, “TN is my home, but I’m moving to Malawi.” He sat there quietly (as he did most of the flight). And then he said, “Well, I guess you can call that, home.” I had one of those internal gasps that happen when you have a moment of abrupt realization. Ha.
Yeah. He was totally right. I had been so excited about this move and had been preparing for this step for so much of my life, that I hadn’t totally considered the gravity of it all. I think I started understanding why people kept looking at me so funny when I would tell them how I’ll be spending the next two years. It hit me and my mind started racing with all kinds of “what-ifs,” “hows,” and maybe even a “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!”
I'm beginning my second week here in Malawi, this new home of mine. In all honesty, most of my days, thus far, have been spent simply learning how to live life here. I left TN on Friday the 16th, traveled for nearly 40 hours (all together) and finally landed in Lilongwe on Sunday afternoon. My team has been amazing and so gracious. One couple has welcomed me into their home while I adjust to my new city. I’ve been spending some time in our office and a few days in the refugee camp getting to know my team, our work, and the community we’re serving with, as much as I can. The rest of my time is spent learning: the ways of public transportation; how to shop at the stores and markets; how to quickly (eventually) convert dollars into kwacha in my head; how finding a home or car or anything really, works here; the super tasty foods; or even how to greet my new friends on the street… And though it may be awkward to learn things that have, for the most part, always been natural all over again, I have been so so blessed by the kindness Malawi has welcomed me with. I have much to learn, but am excited to do so!
P.S. The picture above is only a glimpse, one shot per se, of the beauty around me.