Today marks one week that we have been in Lilongwe! For the most part our week has consisted of unpacking, being taken around town by various missionaries here on campus, grocery shopping, and getting to know the people we will be working with in the year to come. The first four days we were here we had dinner at a different missionary home each night, now we have our own groceries and are learning how to prepare our own meals with the food here. Our official orientation doesn't start until next Monday, so til then we are getting to know our surroundings on our own. Also, Carrie taught a Zumba class to some of the women here on campus this afternoon and they all had a blast!

                            Learning to drive on the other side of the road, not the wrong side:

The fresh produce here is absolutely divine. At the local market Carrie and I picked up things like avocadoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, zucchini...Lilongwe size! Check out the size of this avocado and sweet potato (if you can't tell from the photo, just believe me..they are massive!):

                                        Here is a snapshot from a day of shopping in town:

                                        

One aspect of living here that is going to take us spoiled Americans some serious getting used to is the random power, Internet, and water outages. Sometimes the power is out for only a few hours, other times it can be out for an entire day. No power also means no Internet or hot water. Sometimes we have full on water, other times (usually right when you're about to take a shower) there is no water...only a small drip, drip from the spout. As I was journaling down my worries and what-ifs, I realized that I can either whine about it or be more teachable for the Lord. This is a little lesson about not relying on those things to be constant. In the States outrage and distress would have ensued these circumstances, but here it is a part of everyday life. The children here play outside all day long, no video games, silly cartoons, or iPads. Just their imgination and lots of dirt. Living with the knowledge that the power and Internet are not constantly at my fingertips I'm slowly letting myself be pulled away from my temporal comforts and things I hide behind. This lesson is forcing me to spend my time wisely with the Lord. My pride doesn't like the fact that I used the word "forced" but it's the truth. In these new situations Jesus is teaching me, in a completely new way, that HE is my source, my power plug, my living water, my connection. And whether the power is on or off, Jesus is always near.

Wisdom from "You've Got Mail":

Frank: Technology! Name one good thing we've gained from technology?"

Kathleen: "Electricity."

Frank: "That's one. You think this machine is your friend, but it's not."

Prayer points:

* For continued financial provision for Carrie and I.

* Wisdom on whether to purchase a car here or not.

*For us to be more teachable :)

*My computer to be fixed. (A few days ago my computer basically crashed on me, but I found a man on campus who is good with computers and am praying that, with his help, my computer will come back to life..and life abundant!)

*The Muslim community here in Malalwi. There is a mosque located somewhere behind our compound and five times a day we hear their call to prayer (yes, sometimes even the 4:00am). Pray that eyes be opened to the one, true God!

There you have it....week 1: complete! All because of Jesus.

Sending bear hugs and butterfly kisses,

Becca