Today (Friday) was simply a travel day. Friday became Saturday 6-7 hours too early and no one knows how much sleep, if any, they got. We left Spring Hill Suites at 7:30am after having a large continental breakfast. We got to Ethiopian Airlines and everything was going so smoothly – until we had to treat our first patient. While going through security, Kip decided to get his finger cut on his razor while he was reaching into his bag. Luckily Dr. Reid and Nurse Harriet (and Wife Mary Beth) were on top of it and treated his wound with style and ease.
Rob, Harriet, and Mary-Beth tending to Kip’s wound after going through security.
We took off for Addis Ababa at 11am on a much larger airplane than last time. We quickly learned that the temperature varied greatly throughout the cabin leaving half of us hot and restless and the other half cold… and restless. We got through the next 13 hours by watching movies, reading, walking around the plane, and trying to sleep on our inflatable beach balls. We arrived in Ethiopia at 12am central, 7am local time. After a very long wait for the shuttle, we got on the final plane to our destination.
The next four hours felt the longest but by 12:30pm we finally made it to Lilongwe, Malawi. We were so warmly welcomed by enthusiastic members of the church and the Zoe Project! We were all greeted by big hugs because here, we were already considered family. Chifundo had gotten us a large van and trailer to haul all of our luggage. We met someone in front of the grocery in order to exchange our dollars into Kwacha where $1 is equal to about 450-475 Kwacha. The Lilongwe grocery store had many familiar and unfamiliar products. Harriet & Kristen found their chocolate while Shandi got to enjoy a Dr. Pepper, which had been scarce after departing Kansas City. Eric bought a chutney corn snack, yet he has not actually tried them yet so we will have to report later on the verdict. Chifundo drove us another hour or so and it was 5pm by the time we arrived at the church parsonage in Madisi. Pastor Peter and his wife, Prisca, were there to welcome us into their home.
Members of ZOE and the UMC of Madisi greeting us and packing the van in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The parsonage has a main room, kitchen, a men’s bunk room and a women’s bunk room, 2 toilet rooms, a bathroom, and the living area for Pastor Peter & Prisca. We had a wonderful dinner with the elders and leaders of the community – beans, chicken, beef, slaw, rice, veggies, pasta, and nsima (the corn-based staple served at every meal). Then we were surprised with cake and ice cream, yum! Everyone in the community respects the serving order: men & guests are served first, followed by the women, and then the children. After dinner, we finally got to snuggle into our bunk beds, cover ourselves with the hanging mosquito nets and get a full night’s sleep! We are looking forward to worshiping in church with everyone tomorrow.
The women’s bunk at the parsonage.
Hallway to the bedrooms and bathrooms in the parsonage.
Bath & shower at the parsonage.
Bathroom at the parsonage.
Love and Blessings,
Team Malawi