Culture Shock…

My total travel time tops up over 30 hours! Yesterday, I was in three African countries in one day….whew! Lots of airport hoping and exhaustion.

Taking my first steps out of JFK Airport in NYC today, I was greeted by the warm early morning sun. My body felt confused on what time it was and what season we are in. I left Malawi during ‘winter,’ and entered NYC during a heat wave. I got more sleep on the plane than expected, and was more rested when I reunited with my sister, Meghan today.

17 Floors in one building…. to see that while entering an elevator, or to notice the steering wheel on the left side instead of the right, were just little ways my eyes have readjusted to the cultural norms in the U.S, and specifically, NYC.
I rested a lot today, and tonight, put on a dress, shorter than anything I had worn in Malawi, and went out to get ICECREAM. sister bonding of course. Colliding with trendy people, and loud streets, I am encountering a bit of culture shock…
I think when I wake up tomorrow I will be awoken by the sounds of sirens, construction, loud residents, and the zipping of cars…
I will miss the morning sounds of a rooster, the sun beaming through my net and the sounds of morning chores. (sweeping and mopping)
….
I guess I will still sip some Chombe Tea. ❤

HiGhLiGhTs!!

With 20 days remaining with no particular order, my top highlights from my journey here in Malawi: 

• Hearing P-square(look them up) from my bed, in my net, down the hall from Tinashe Saka’s room
• Laughing everyday!! Seriously, I think I’m a happier person, since I laugh everyday, thanks to friends, like Tinashe, Za, Movuti, Willie, John, Arthur, Isaac, Mwai, Malason, Mike, Maclean, Michael, Sarah, Rike, Clara and my kids
• Walking or riding a bike to get around! Also, the custom of using Minibuses!
• Speaking confidently in another language and getting respect for it.
• Eating amazingly tasting dinners especially when the power has gone out
• The Sunsets here in the Warm Heart Of Africa
• Teaching English, at the same time as discovering a HUGE passion of mine!
• Visiting families and villages to our youth. Today, we came with openness, and left with sugarcane, sweet potatoes, and groundnuts.
• Learning the fruits of the spirit, through the lives of the humble hearted people here.
• Being bolder than ever before! Making new friends with fellow volunteers!
• Dancing with “Uncle Bruce” and the Rise Malawi staff!! (video to share)
• Spontaneously meeting the German Ambassadors Family, and spending time at the house with his family, all on his birthday! Bonus, meeting Emma, the coolest 7 year old; daughter to the American Ambassador.
• Lake Malawi, what a sight!
• Interacting with monkeys without a cage!
• With slower paced life, I have been able to really rediscover myself,
• A birthday party in the dark, with all my favorite foods cooked with love over charcoal stove inside, due to the intense rain; not to mention the bike taxi’s that got us to the destination without us falling in puddles and a birthday surprise that can not just change my life, but almost 100!
• Growing deeper with God as well as friends
• Experiencing a major political change, due to the death of a president. Now the 1st woman president; my first experience with such kind of event.
• Learning to appreciate the finer things in life

Art Explosion!!!

My first abstract piece.
Turn it side to side, & it can be whatever you see!

Minibus, BigBus, Minibus

The day has come. Tomorrow I will leave Madisi, and start my new adventure in the southern region of Malawi. I am still learning new lessons each and every day. New things about cultural practices, more words in Chichewa and patience. I am more ready for the transition, than I was when I posted my update; however I’v enjoyed being where I am, and not sure my heart is ready for something new.
Pray I make it safely, part of the day I’ll be with a friend and partly by my self. I know I can do it, but that darn suitcase….
I am headed to Sullivan’s ministry, Project TEACH for a few days, while my friends in Blantyre are gone for the Easter Holiday.
Updates to come from Luchenza/Blantrye coming soon! Stay posted, and keep praying for all of God’s plans to come to fruition.

Zikomo Kwambrirl

Ndi Osangalala (I am happy)

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.

Night Owl, or Morning Person

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:

• My Mom or Dad
• Meghan, my twin sister
• Tinashe, my current roommate
• Janelle, my fellow morning snoozer/roommate
• My old ALARM clock (Snooze button)
• And any former roommates…

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. 

Hope for a Generation

Malawi is full of beauty, kind people and inquisitive children. Despite all the good things, our children face many challenges and lack basic needs. Underwear, clean water, clothes without holes, two shoes, shoes that fit, money for a haircut (keeping hair short is urged in school to prevent lice), school uniforms, desks, and the list goes on.
Please pray for justice, pray for equality and pray for our children to succeed despite these setbacks.

Rise Malawi children arrive at our office everyday after school, looking over school notes, or reviewing what we covered in tutoring at the program the previous day. In school they learn English, Science and Technology, Bible(Malawi teaches Bible in schools), Agriculture, LifeSkills, Mathematics and Health. They sit on the floor, next to 150 of their classmates. They are required to be in uniform, or they are kicked out of class. Same with the haircuts. Daily kids walk from distances we would not dare to walk, through terrain and weather we cannot bear. Barefoot. And on empty stomachs.
Consider sponsoring a child through RiseMalawi.

Sponsoring a child guarantees them a chance to eat a meal. We serve every child a heaping plate of rice, greens, and one more side dish.

Often times, this is their only meal, all day.

If you cannot sponsor a child, pray for them. Do a fundraiser for Rise Malawi, ask how can you help make a difference?

All of our kids have a unique stories. They are beautiful children. They are so honest, so loving and noticeably respectful.  Even with setbacks, they exude laughter and honest smiles. These children are the best teachers of joy.
Please help
Please take action
Help the children get some of the basic needs
Support them for a chance to stay in school

Please consider changing a life

Interested, please Contact
Kelly Malefyt, ChildSponsorship Officer,
Urban Promise International
856-382-1858
kmalefyt@urbanpromiseusa.org
Zikomo.

The key question to keep …

The key question to keep asking is, “Are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have.” —Randy Pausch