RIP.
A country Resolved to Its’ Predicament
A nation slowly Resigning In Poverty
Fate Relegated Its’ President
Reviving hope In Prosperity
A nation Realising It’s Possible
To Ressurect Its’ Prophecy
A Renewed hope for Its’ People: Malawi!
I got my name from Another
I exist a junior, a second,
To One I’d be akin to
In life, they reckoned.
Existing in Her absence
To give said name adulation
As memories transfix
In my mind with adoration.
A beautiful Woman
With eyes of deepest emerald
And an air of eloquence
That none could resemble.
A mind of breviloquent thought
Yet arms full of nurture
A Woman who loved Her own
With every ounce She could muster.
A catalyst for inspiration
What is in a name after all?
My heart radiates with honour
When it’s Your name they call.
I dare to care, when life is unfair, when the mare does ostare and causes despair.
I aspire to enquire, as the problem transpires, when the mind is afire, the situation dire.
I don’t aim to dictate, but assist to contemplate, that the trials we mediate are part of our fate.
All the while, I beguile, all becoming worthwhile, when through all that is vile, you fashion a smile.
Listening to the sound of children playing in the lake
As village ladies gather to scrub pots and pans.
I want to sit in the heat of the African day
As boys cycle sacks of charcoal through the streets
And men gather on street corners to watch the world go by.
I want to sit in the still of the African night
As the continent’s beauty is plunged into serene darkness
And the sounds of the township linger in the air.
I want to wake with the African sun
As farmers busy with their lands of sustenance
And I enter a city that has been awake for hours.
I want to be among the African people
Where society is not “me”, nor “I” but “we” and “ours”.
While feeding the children during breakfast, Kelvin called to tell me that he was on his way. One of the other volunteers had shown me around the previous day, so I agreed to meet him at a local landmark. It was a year ago that I had last seen Kelvin while he completed his studies in the UK and headed back to Malawi. It was great to see him! We drove down to a village called Mbame, where I would be attending my own church’s twinned church here. I was excited to see the faces of the many names I’d been hearing over the past few years. We were greeted outside by the session clerk, whom invited us in to join the service. It is tradition here that you should always go through the session clerk, I was sure to toe the line! The service was all in Chichewa so it was largely lost in translation but thankfully, a gentleman named Maxwell took pity on me and patiently translated word for word! It is also customry to give a speech and introduce yourself, I guess they say the most unprepared speeches turn out best. I was an exception to that rule..
After the service, I was given a tour of the church and then we sat and drank some juice and ate some biscuits in the tiny vestry. It was a little daunting to have about 12 pairs of eyes staring back at you. Two young boys from the village had heard I was coming and were eager to introduce themselves. The young people in Malawi are a pleasure to speak with and are always eager to practice their English.
The person whom I was most excited about meeting at Mbame was my penpal for the past few years, Stevie. Stevie is a substance farmer whom farms enough to feed his family. I was worried whether I would recognise him or not but I knew as soon as he greeted me with “za boo!” (it’s all good) that it was him. It was so great to finally meet him and somewhat surreal too!
The rest of the day was spent feeding and playing with the children. I hope to learn more Chichewa so that I can interact more with the local people!
As I made my way through Johannesburg airport, I couldn’t help but bubble. One case lighter (still no idea where it is!) and completely lost, I had had enough. Luckily, with the help of my check in lady whom said “don’t stress, you make stress from inside, just relax!” I found where I was going. She was right, now to find my gate!
Aboard my flight, I sat beside a lovely Malawian girl whom spoke the whole way. We exchanged stories about our cultures and customs and she prepared me for what I may see in Malawi. As we landed in Chileka airport, she pointed to the terminal. “but where’s the airport?” I said.. That is the airport! We exchanged numbers and we will meet once I am settled this week. It’s great to have a new friend already! Looking at the airport, it was no bigger than an over zealous holiday villa. I followed the hoards through customs and passport control before being greeted by one of my new colleagues. Not much was said in the car as I took everything in and enjoyed the non recycled, germ free air. I joked about driver’s (Kondwani) choice of England short in coming to pick up a Scot, which broke the ice a little.
Arriving at the volunteer house, my first stop was to the bathroom. I picked up the toilet roll and jumped several feet high in the air as a lizard jumped out and crawled up my arm.
Welcome to Africa!
So, as evening falls, I find myself aboard my second flight of the day. Having left London, I am on my way to Johannesburg. I can’t believe that, with flying as my biggest fear, I am embarking on such a mammoth journey. Did I think this through?! One of the best things about flying is the organic view of the sun and what better time to be up here than at sunset. A prayer, a photo and now I’m ready for kip!
Basketball, football, bubbles and water fights. Having a dog is fun! Today, I spent the day with my canine friend, enjoying this beautiful weather. I had fun and I’m sure she did too.
“We are all hot coals. Occasionally, one coal may fall away from the rest and become cold. What it then requires are for the hot coals to go out and support this piece of lost, cold coal, heating it and bringing it back to the pile. Soon enough, the coal, with the help of those around it, will become warm and glowing again!”.
What a beautiful analogy, what a wonderful barbecue.
Wondering, wondering, pondering
Had I diminished my propensity to flight in fright
And danced to beat that we created in unison
Time on our side, standing still as we dance on opposite sides
It was never meant to be, I choose to resolve
Fate, in creating that moment, had other ideas.
Do you ever wonder what you would look like if your face was fully symmetrical? So do I. The answer is, like Shrek.
Easter? What’s it about? Chocolate or Jesus?
I love these spring/summer evenings when the air is calm and mild (well, Scottish mild!), the sky glows a beautiful turquoise colour and the trees are filled with birdsong. Walking the dog suddenly isn’t a chore anymore and it’s hard not to smile. If only Scotland had more evenings like this in it’s unstable climate.
As I sort my essentials for the children’s home into neat little piles, ready to be packed, the reality of the moment sets in. From what seemed like no time at all, I will be making my way to Malawi this time next week. Nerves are setting in a little but more over, I am so looking forward to serving the Malawian nation and getting to know it’s people and their culture. Let the count down begin!
You walk up to a door and it says “push”. You know fine well that this door is actually opened with a pull. What do you do? Do you follow the sign or do you use your own better judgement? More than likely, as instructed, you will push your weight upon the door with a mighty thud. Although we often know the answer to an equation, we begin to doubt ourselves when we are faced with the opinions of others. Afraid of standing out from the crowd, we choose to follow their requirements and instructions. What if we end up going nowhere, throwing our bodies against a closed door? Sure, it makes for hilarious viewing from my view at the other end of the office but our judgement is our judgement for a reason, it was never meant to blend in with the crowd. Don’t let other people’s views cloud your vision, be you and be confident in all that you believe.
