hey!!! It's actually Mallory this time!! I'm sitting in an internet cafe at a place called Garden City, which is a mall that's heavily frequented by foreigners (muzungus aka white people). I had a pretty decent pizza for lunch, got a great new purse made out of gorgeous african fabric and life is good. I really appreciate all of the support I've received through your comments on the blog! Here are some thoughts about my experience so far:
-This is, by far, the craziest thing I've ever done. Deciding to spend a month on the other side of the world, in a developing country, where I don't know the local language and am separated from just about every material comfort I've known has to be the craziest decision I've ever made. That said, I'm growing in unbelievable ways as this trip has challenged me more than anything else in my life.
-The city is NUTS. There is no order to anything. I told Monica that every day is a survival of the fittest challenge. There are no road signs, no real police...just straight natural law and a few soldiers walking around omniously with machine guns. Eek. The idea that pedestrian has the right of way is absolutely foreign. If you are in the street, they will hit you. If you're not paying attention, you will be pick-pocketed. It's been tiring being brave and on alert all the time. Your prayers have certainly been helping1!
-The kids here are so joyful. Over 70% of the population here lives on less than $1 a day, and you see these kids with no shoes, no lunch, no school books and yet they are excited, joyful, and full of life. It's been a great lesson in contentment.
-For $80 you can sponsor a child for a YEAR's worth of primary school, including lunch, school fees, and school materials. Please consider making this investment. I'll have information when I get back.
There is a lifetime's worth of stuff I could write about my experience here but my time is running short (50 cents for 20 minutes of time!!) so here's a list of things I'm looking forward to upon returning to America:
-Dependable and easily accessible indoor plumbing everywhere
-Having hair that's under control
-Food that is not made from plantains, corn meal, or sweet potatoes
-Seeing your beautiful faces!!!! HUGS!!!
-CROSSWALKS
-Having a car
-Not sleeping under a mosquito (or mos-kweee-toe, as they say here!) net
Things I will miss about Africa:
-Buying a week's worth of grocerys for 15 dollars
-the kids!!
-The mystery rash I currently have going on my right arm...jk.
-Passionfruit juice
-Handmaded beaded necklaces for $1.50
-Centurio, Brian-Derek, Brenda, Isaac, and Peter
-Dancing!!
And a bunch of other things. Hopefully I can update again next weekend. Miss you all SOOOOOOO much and love you all MORE. Keep the prayers coming! Webale and welaba (thank you and goodbye)!!!
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you're fantastic. i'll be praying for you!
ReplyDeleteMallory, Here is a poem found in our Marion Local graduation program. I thought of you immediately when I read it. Penny
ReplyDeleteMy Mission
God has created my to do Him some definite service; He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next, I am a line in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work, I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place while not intending it - if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore will I trust Him. Whatever, wherever I am I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him. In perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. In sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends; He may throw me among strangers, He may make me feel desolate,make my spirits sink, hide my future from me- still He knows what He is about. Therefore, I trust Him.
written by Cardinal Newman
you are so awesome mallory! this is so exciting and i am so envious of your ability to do what you are doing. what a great opportunity. love you!
ReplyDeleteHey Mallory,
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing!! Your blog stories are great...thanks for keeping us updated. And the pictures are adorable. Glad to hear Alfred will no longer trouble you. Gross. Miss you! Janani
this is awesome!! you are doing so great and im so proud of you for doing this! i can't wait for the next update!
ReplyDelete