week 2

Started with a meeting in town…long day for a short meeting—but about some of my work here. I’ll meet with the women’s group (at some point) to see what they are doing and how we can integrate into that because they are a strong group, I’m supposed to come into the office at least once a week to get questions answered and find out what is going on. I’ve typed up some bible verses in Chichewa…harder than one would suppose as the words are repetitive and long and look quite wrong on the computer screen. But I am able to recognize most of the books of the Bible.
I went to say hello at Ebenezer. They were on midterm break last week so this was my first chance. I stuck my head in the first door but didn’t know that teacher…then I hear from across the playground “teacher jess, how are YOU?” and then “teacher jess, teacher jess” from all the kids. Very cute. I met two of the new teachers and said hello to the ones that I know. We’re all very excited that I’m back for the year—even if I’m not teaching I got a big hug from a student who wasn’t ever in my class but was the first one to hug me. Then I played on the playground with them for their break time…exhausting when they all want your attention! But fun of course.
Went to one of the youth dept meeting/follow-ups in Ntchisi…into town with the school bus (leaves at 6) to be at the office at 8 where we didn’t leave until 10 to run errands along the way and finally arrive at 1230…I imagine the people there had been waiting for quite a while. It was a followup from a previous meeting on how to meet with youth and teach them and to get feedback on the challenges they have faced and hopefully get some suggestions on how to overcome and do the programs better. Again, mostly in Chichewa but I gave a few words of encouragement before leaving because it is great to see their enthusiasm (even when I don’t understand what’s going on). It was a long day as I got home about 7 that night.
Went to the lake for the weekend—the water was beautiful and relaxing. Talked with the owner of the hostel about the local culture—much more traditional there it sounds like but possibly some things I’m going to have to deal with too. The rites of girls to women—how they learn to be good wives (often taught by an elder how to please their husband), the fact that when something new happens and the ancestors need to be told that someone is “sent” to tell them. (ex—new fishing nets, so the ancestors will fill them). The role of the traditional dancers…it was a very short explanation that went quickly and there is so much more behind it that I’m probably going to have to get more in depth on. We’ll see.

crash and contact

Well as it turns out…I’m even more behind because my computer crashed last week. I had week 2 all written up and ready to go…working on week 3 when I tried to turn it on and nothing happened…well the lights came on but the screen was blank. I took it into the hospital IT dept and they worked on it…when I went to pick it up I was very excited because it turned on and booted up. That was the problem they told me—it couldn’t boot anymore) then I got it home and started it…everything was gone…so I’m back at square one…no pictures, documents, etc…so now we’ll start again.


phone number--011 (to get out of the country) 265 (to get in the country) 991105720

so 011.265.991105720

address--

Jessi Stitt
C/O Veitch
POBox 50
Nkhoma
Malawi
Africa

week 1

sorry this is so late. i'm not getting online often or for very long when i get there. i'll see if i can't do better!

I arrived back in Malawi on a Sunday—so maybe a weekly thing will be possible…though I can’t promise timely uploadings so we’ll see. Jet lag is a 7 hour change and I think I did pretty well though it seems to get harder each time I travel—or maybe I just block out the memory of the last bout…met a woman on the plane who works for USAID and lives in Lilongwe who offered to wait and make sure I had a ride from the airport but I knew that I would because my friends here had been counting down the days…the 3 planes that come into Lilongwe all arrived at the same time so the baggage carousel was a nightmare but both of my bags arrived safely though it took at least 3 trip on the belt before I could get to them. Isabelle had come through security to find me and get the first hug. It is good to be back.

I moved back into the cottage where isabelle, rhona and I lived and isa’s been since we left. She is only here for this week and her plane ticket expires next Monday and she should be home before that. Not a pleasant thought of her leaving…dreading it all week.

Monday was easy…Tuesday I couldn’t get out of bed—to dizzy each time I tried so I slept until noon…then of course I couldn’t sleep that night. Wednesday was better—definitely back in Africa with power cuts (ours lasted from Tuesday evening to Wednesday night but then ESCOM fixed it).

Jumped in Thursday and went to a training on Sunday School teaching. There were about 80 people there interested in learning. It was mostly in Chichewa but was all about different things you could do to keep kids attention and how important children’s ministry is—when you grow maize you start with seeds not mostly grown plants… and interspersed with games and songs and lunch…ah nsima again (maize porridge that you eat with your hands with no taste of its own).

Friday was back in town to see the youth department offices and remeet all the people there. It is rainy season here—all is green and lush and everyday the heavens open and everything becomes muddy and flowing. So far I haven’t gotten caught out in it but I did realize that I didn’t bring anything to combat the water (rain coat or umbrella) and every time I go to the market it is sunny and I forget to buy an umbrella…one of these days

fundraising up and running

href="http://www.fundraiserinsight.org/thermometer/">Free
thermometers
to track your href="http://www.fundraiserinsight.org/directory/greenfundraising.html">green
fundraisers

Dear Friends,
I just spent eleven and a half months in Nkhoma, Malawi, Africa at the Ebenezer Institute of Learning teaching kindergarten and second grade. During my time there (through no action of my own) the school completed a new addition, started the third building, added a second grade class and hired Malawian staff to teach all the classes. Now I’m home and realize I really can’t get Africa out of my blood. While in Malawi, I met so many people who have been involved in mission work who have been a real inspiration to me, and I would like to return and try my hand at something different. I’ve been offered another volunteer post -- this time as a Youth Worker for the Presbyterian Synod with an emphasis on reaching out to teenage girls and young adult women.
The official languages are Chichewa (which I still don't know) and English (which I do). The plan for the year is to start with a 3 month intensive (probably immersive) Chichewa course. After that I will meet with the 16 different Presbyteries that the Synod covers and then get to know some of the congregations. I will help with Trainings which teach many different courses emphasizing AIDS/HIV (how not to contract and spread it), making good decisions, growing up in a Christian way, being effective communicators, etc. I will also help plan camps and retreats.
I'm writing again to ask for your support. The Synod is able to provide me with housing so I once again have to raise money for my travel, food, incidentals, and work funds to run the Trainings that I will be doing next year. My estimated costs are:
Flight $2000
Food $100/month = $1200
Utilities/Incidentals $100/month = $1200
Programming for Synod $300/month = $3600
Malaria pills $300
Total $8600
This averages out to about $24 per day, $165 a week, or $715 a month. Support for even one day would be a great help. I will be posting to a blog (travelcontinued.blogspot.com) to keep everyone updated when I can get the internet to connect—which I discovered last year was never a sure thing. When I return I would be glad to share pictures and stories, and answer questions.
I greatly appreciate your support—financial or spiritual. Last year I donated my “extra” funds to the school for scholarships and building costs. Any funds that I raise above my needs this year will be donated to the Synod Youth Program for its ministry. Checks can be made out to Black Mountain Presbyterian Church (and are tax deductible) with "Jessi Stitt-Malawi" in memo line and sent to either:

Jessi Stitt
203 Tomahawk Ave
Black Mountain, NC 28711

or

Black Mountain Presbyterian Church
117 Montreat Rd
Black Mountain, NC 28711

Thank you in advance for your time and prayerful consideration of this request. Please call or email me at 828-669-9492 or jessi.stitt@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Peace and grace,
Jessi Stitt