day 2

Better than day 1 (though I think anything would be). I kept control until after the recess time. Time is still creeping by and 4 hours feels like a life time but I now think I might be able to make it. As soon as I figure out how to pass on the concept of cleaning up the puzzles and books we play with before going home. I’m in the midst of my first power outage. It happened right before dinner. This is a good reason to keep things charged up (for the glow it gives a completely dark room). Before I got here the power would go out almost every night. My first day I was given a candle and flashlight and told to keep it close…a week later it really did come in handy. Beautiful lightening going on outside and it seems much darker out as I walked back from dinner to the house.

First day of School

I was all ready for my first day. How to remember their names would be a challenge but I could handle that. Meet the teachers see the kids as they drop their bags and run out to play before school. Ready with calendar exercises and a little Bible lesson. They come inside. And I loose all control. They sit for only a moment when chaos reigns. I ask questions and get no response. Asked to draw something they do during the day and I get numbers. Lots of yelling (on their part-I’m pretty collected at least on the outside). Time goes by so slowly. But finally it is recess time. And they are out the door. When they come back in I’ve set up stations. And they all run to the coloring/scissors station and ignore the rest. Ok. Except there are only 4 pairs of scissors…learning to share to the tune of yelled miss jessi miss jessi or teacher jessi teacher jessi. Oh lala. And finally they go home. I think I’m ready too. What was I thinking?!! I fall into bed when I get home (2pm). But after a few hours and some perspective I’m “ready” for day 2.

Happy New Year!

New Year’s party at the Ter Haar’s. Dessert and fireworks. The fireworks happen before midnight because some of the kids aren’t going to make it. Lots of sparklers, some bottle rockets and others with pretty colors. The dad’s were having a great time lighting the firecrackers. Happy New Year’s to all! May you have a wonderful 2010!

Keys--who needs 'em?

Locked out! Welcome to day 3…I got to see my classroom and meet Don who had been teaching my class and is waiting to hear where he will be working (teaching) in Lilongwe. And then back to my house to see if I could break into my own place. 3 of the house workers, 5 kids who have just watched a lot of MacGyver and screens, bars and closed windows all around… lovely. An hour later, pry off the screen framework and send a kid through the bars and I’m back in and hope I have learned my lesson to keep my keys with me always. I walked around Nkhoma with Don to see the water treatment (nice system but not working right now), path to the mountain, nearby village, other schools in town and back through the hospital. He greets so many and they greet me but I can’t get the hang of the Chichewa (or even recognize that they are talking to me). Zikoma (thank you) (pronounced—zee-coma) is used constantly, hello, good bye, thanks and over and over again. Muli bwanji (how are you), ndili bwino kaya inu (I’m fine and you?)

Jetlag

Awake at 4 again…can’t wait to break that pattern. Of course I did go to bed at 8:30…I met the workers here at the house. 2 women to do the household chores, and 3 gardeners. I can’t imagine that I need 5 workers but I’m sure they will come in handy. Took a tour of Nkhoma with two of the kids…quick tour of the hospital, market and Ebenezer school. Still not sure how to get back to any of them except the hospital (it’s in the back yard). Dinner, devotions and games with the Ter Haars (who have graciously invited me to dine with them until my house mate gets here on the Jan 6th.

Nkhoma Malawi! 12/29

Awake at 4am. I love jet lag. Got up around 5. outside the window I saw a man walk to the right and soon after a herd of deer and antelope followed. So I went out to check out the wildlife. Geese, a spotted bird species, deer, antelope, and an ostrich. A little skittish but not enough for me to interrupt their breakfast. Back to the airport and I have made to Malawi!! With 2 out of 3 bags! Met at the airport by Willeke Ter Haar and 2 of her boys (of 6 kids). Willike is the person I’ve been corresponding with about the job. A few errands and on to Nkhoma. My house (Barbara Nagy’s) where I’ll be staying is wonderful. I’ll try to put pictures up soon. (the house comes with a cat too!)

South Africa 12/28

Made it to Jo’burg, South Africa! Sat next to an anesthesia expert who is coming to South Africa to visit her brother. In the next couple of years she is planning on a trip with doctors without borders with her plastic surgeon husband. For a 18 hour flight it was very nice to sit next to someone I enjoyed talking to. When we got off the plane I was wishing we could travel together for a bit before I had to get on another plane. Met Janet Guyer who is the presbytery liaison for AIDS in Africa (not sure of the exact title). Had dinner with her and passed on some things that I had brought to her. Then she drove me to the Airport Game Lodge. A very peaceful stay, nice room and I slept pretty well being about 8 hours out of sync with my body. tho awoke way too early.