Someone once said, “A picture is worth a thousand words…” so here is my lengthy blog in pictures.
Please feel free to comment in the words that I could not come up with…
My Bike Taxi Man
Have some thoughts, share away!
What do the pictures evoke inside you? How do you connect or not?
Does it intrigue you?
This was the address on the letter I received from my favorite family in Madisi.
Carrot, his Mother and his brother Stephen, and their younger siblings have played a significant role in my experiences and life in Madisi.
The are my neighbors, they live on less than $1.25/day. They are practically raised by a single mother, since daddy is practicing polygamy and is usually out of the house.
Mom is a provider, trying as she sells groundnuts, and offers herself to do piece work within the community, resiliently, she smiles.
The Ibrahim family, and their smiles, oh my goodness, they are contagious. Carrot and I initially met back in 2010, when his smile captured me from across the room, and commanded my smile back. Now, I have memories of sitting inside on the simple bamboo mat in one of the two rooms of their mud/brick house, by candle light — telling stories. My Malawian momma, as I call Carrots’ mom, illuminates this small room, and humbles me with her words, as she calls me family, banja (in chichewa), O’hana (in Hawaiian, one of my favorite ways to say it). We sat, and she shared how she was scared to see me leave June 2012, and how she was worried, she would never see me again.. She faithfully prayed and thanked God for bringing me into her and her families’ life. She told us this, and I felt her love. My heart felt.
She then let me introduce Ally and Holly, and with Stephen and Carrot helpfully able to translate, they were interpreting the girls’ stories into Chichewa. I was sharing how Holly re inspired the faith I had, in order to trust God, that coming back was in His plan. I shared how Holly had never been on a plane, yet had met friends in the U.S. that were from Malawi, and how she wanted to see the impact they are making in their own communities around Malawi. As for Ally, she has always dreamed of coming to Malawi; she has been praying for this country since she was a child. Her family was connected to a couple who served as missionaries in Malawi, hence, all the prayers. All this was shared, and translated and love was lit up in the eyes of mom, Carrot, Stephen, Ally, Holly and I. Pure joy was abound, and I am constantly thanking God for that night, and the unplanned moments in our trip, that made it more worthwhile.
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Leaving Madisi, after 8 days was particularly difficult for my team, since they were absolutely in love, and impressed by the RiseMalawi Ministry and the impacts they are making on the young people. We said goodbye at camp, but could not leave without visiting our family, one last time.
Me and my Brothers..
Carrot in Red, Stephen next, Holly, Ally and Shebo the younger brother.
“You get a new pair of shoes, you get a new pair of shoes, you get a new pair of shoes!!”
Knowing how Oprah spoils grown adults with new things, this will be an even better way to give to people in need. I am not Oprah, however I do feel lucky knowing how great of a feeling a good surprise feels! Today is a bittersweet day, my last day with my kids at RiseMalawi Ministries, but also a day for a sweet surprise.
On Meghan and I’s 26th Birthday, this last March, our parents gifted us with a new pair of shoes for the youth here. Thanks to the work of Za, Mavuto, and Tinashe our staff here at Rise, the youth will receive a pair of new shoes. Although, bittersweet, I know God is shaping me for the next part of my life.
Id say thank you to Rise Malawi, Staff/friends, youth, My parents, Meghan and to all those friends and family supporting me in prayer.
With 20 days remaining with no particular order, my top highlights from my journey here in Malawi:
Upon arriving back to Madisi, my lovely little village community, I’ve noted what is going on. People are greeting me, and amazed by the new confidence I have in speaking Chichewa, but there are so many more things to note.
It’s no longer the rainy season which is very evident due to the high grass and maize fields that have been burned down and observing creative african reuse the cobs from the maize for firewood.
Upon leaving Peoples, the local “grocery” store, where I have the employees as friends, and often buy my bottled water; I stopped to notice what was happening on a neighbors porch. Id say it was 10 women or so, practically drowning in maize kernels that were removed by hand to prepare for their families for maize flour, for the upcoming months. Not only the sight, but the sound; boy these women were having a blast! I mean, I was literally 20 steps to my house, but could not resist; I stopped, dropped my bag, and joined in. I wanted to laugh too(and help). Despite not knowing much chichewa beyond my 4 months of knowledge, I tried to communicate, and allowed the community to happen. Love & laughter were in the air, as we worked on burying ourselves deeper into the maize.
***The Maize here is the staple food, made for making nsima.
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So to me it seems as if there is maize for days, yet I know many people will still suffer. In addition to these findings, I knew something else was different…
Tinashe’s kitchen is quaint and tidy, however, very different that what I am used to. There are at least 3 large drums of water, stored in the kitchen. Yes, we have a sink with a tap in the kitchen, but as of lately, its run dry. Now, if you do not already know, water usually comes 2-3 times a week to the tap. It is not always just “turn the knob and get water” type of kitchen sink I am used to. When the water comes, its pressure is very low, and Tinashe is generally up for 2-3 hours refilling the drums.
Now, you are aware of this typical day-to-day water crisis, but now, 7 days in counting we have not had any water. In fact, I have not seen the drums replenished with a drop of water since I returned on Wednesday. Not only here at our house, but all the taps in this trading center, and our only other alternatives are wells.
Picture with me…
a house with a toilet,
dirty dishes, dirty clothes,
dirty bodies/hands,
and thirsty bodies.
Without water coming from the tap, we are in need. We are in crisis.
With the alternative of fetching water from wells, well, that in itself is another blog post. (time to walk there, or money to hire someone on a bike/foot)
Its costly,
time-consuming &
quite unfair.
Not to mention, when the power gets shut off, and stores close early, buying water is no longer an option either.
It might sound silly, but we need prayer. We need water. I think of the less educated who are only use dirty water to feed the children, wash their bodies or clothes in polluted streams, or lastly, the toilets that cannot be flushed in the homes, because there is no water to fill the tank.
Last night Tinashe and I both had dreams about water coming out of the tap, and still nothing.
Please be praying…. this is injustice. With 80% of the country like this, access to clean water, can change lives
*Also, a favorite organization helping to change the lives of communities without clean water is Charitywater.org
Today, I get to see Dr. Bruce Main, the founder of UrbanPromise Ministries, headquartered in Camden, NJ, USA…here in Madisi, Malawi! My journey to Malawi would not have happened if I never ended up in Camden, nor if I did not meet Bruce! Yes, I think after 4 years of being affiliated with him, I will call him Bruce; not because I think I have some sort of in or something, but because, if you have ever met him, you know that’s what he’d recommend.
If you do not know about Urban Promise Ministries, google it, and check us out. Out of Urban Promise, came Urban Promise International: Malawi… Rise Malawi, and Rays of Hope, where I am currently serving!
The Warm Heart of Africa is where I have really done quite a lot of soul-searching, self-discovery, relationship building with friends and with God, lots of reading, teaching and learning! It might have been months after I returned from my first trip to Malawi, that Bruce encouraged me to go back. Not only did he encourage me, but he prayed for me and answered tons of questions during my days journeying in Camden, away from family and the things I thought I knew about life….
Bruce, I am so thankful and happy I took the leap of faith you always encouraged me to take… without these 5 months in my life, I would be a different Molly.
Thanks & today, let us have a good time with the kids, community and Rise Malawi!
Sometimes I have to ask myself, “Is this my life?” I am blessed beyond words, loved beyond boundaries and humbled by the Lord’s everlasting provision. The kids at RISEMALAWI are all getting new shoes. ♥ That makes my heart smile. It will forever make my feet dance. Zikomo.
–This was my facebook status after my birthday party(last night) in Malawi, and after hearing about the surprise for my bday! My parents were compelled to give after hearing the distress Iv shared about my kids not having shoes. I am thankful to all my donors for contributing.
None of this would be possible without your generous gifts.
My time is soon coming to an end here in Madisi, and with RiseMalawi Ministries. Shortly after my birthday I will head down to Blantyre, which is a city in the southern region
of Malawi. Although, I have made my committments to Rays of Hope, with Willie Mpsukha, I am sad to leave this rural town. Reflecting on my time here, I did not anticipate the
amount of blessings, and love I would experience here. Nor did I expect to find myself sad to leave small town life for city life. If you know me at all, I often struggle when it comes
to transitions, however I know and I cant wait to see what Blantyre, Rays Of Hope and God will teach me there!
Pray for me as the transistion period has begun. I am no longer tutoring Margaret or Maureen; as the children are on holiday from the 2nd term in school to the Easter Holiday.
Pray as we have 3 days of “Easter Explostion!” with RiseMalawi for the youth to come and interact, to be fed(mentally, phsyically and emotionally) and for Joy to be abound,
for the Lord has Risen! (RiseMalawi will be hosting 3 days of fun/bible lesson/
learning while the youth are on break.)
Also please be praying for safe transport as my huge suitcase and I board a bus to Blantyre. Honestly, I am not looking forward to that part of the traveling
especially if I go alone, but I know God will provide traveling mercies, He has every time.
Lastly, pray that I can have an attitude of readiness and love. In Blantyre I will not be as hands on, for Willie, the Founder wants me to create an Internship Program.
Obviously, I will need lots of prayer for that, but more to come on that once I get there! I have committed two months in Blantyre and plan to keep you updated on all the happenings there.
I have quite a community here in Madisi that is unique to my adventure to Malawi. The communtiy here knows me, due to the time committment here. Its been great getting to know the
people, the pastors, my German girl friends, and most of all the kids, and their families. No longer am I this new “azungu” in town, but I am someone who lives in Madisi.
As nomadic as I am, this is a pleasant feeling to just be a part of the community. On my travels to the Lake and to Lilongwe, I would get the stares and be called “Azungu” because
those communities had not seen me. I am happy that the people in Madisi enjoy my work here, and appreciate the little Chichewa I know. As mid March appoarched, I had a strong desire to return to Madisi
before i return to the states; so for the month of June I will return to Madisi. 🙂 It makes my heart smile when I know I will be back here. Especially knowing that Tinashe wants me back, and
knowing I can see my kids, my town, my neighbors and RiseMalawi before I head back to America on the 27th of June.
Thank you family, friends and fellow travelers.
Please know your support and prayers for me have sustained me. I am safe, healthy and learning new lesson everyday.
Want to know more, or have questions: please send me an email: Molly856@gmail.com
If you want to make my birthday wish come true, help keep the Rise Malawi children eliable for coming to RiseMalawi by a child Sponsorship:
http://bit.ly/GNPmBJ
Zikomo Kwambiri
Molly McCormick
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
-St. Francis of Assisi
This is dedicated to my mom, dad, and my sister. (Meg, all those hs days) Also, my alarm clock, sorry for hitting you so many times.
The Molly McCormick you all know, by all means is a “night owl.” I love being up late, and that is where I get most of my energy. Right? Yes! Not much has changed, but since being in Malawi, I have embraced a slightly new outlook.
If you are any of the following people reading this, please know this might be a jaw dropping read for you:
I am getting up when I wake up. Alarm or not!
Yes its true. Sometime I wake up to children playing outside, mostly the rooster, other livestock or the sound of someone chopping wood. I usually set my alarm for 8am. By then Tinashe and Chikondi have been up, awake and have long started their days.
Inspired, maybe…
Commanded/Convicted, a bit…
Convinced Mom has been right all these years, basically.
24 hours in one day, and often I wish for more. Time always slips through, might as well EMBRACE what I have. (Of course while I am writing this, its middle of the night, but due to some other reasons, I am unable to sleep.)
The first noise that wakes me up in the morning is my new alarm clock. I choose to rise from slumber, and take on the day. I am trying to embrace this new action, and to take time to Thank the Good Lord Above for giving another beautiful morning to see.
Oh, Malawi… how good you are to me.
mollytomalawi 