AirBnB, Squiffy Tummies and Rest - Week One in Malawi

Mulibwanji from Malawi!

After a year of preparations, selling belongings, and counting down the days, we are finally here. This first week has been a mixed bag; some days I (Bekah) feel like I've totally lucked out to be in such a beautiful country, like this year will be all bliss and sunshine, and other days it's felt like this might be the longest and hardest year of my life.

Let's start at the beginning; the morning of the flight. Enter a Bekah riddled with all her classic physical symptoms of anxiety (pounding heart, fuzzy head, and an awful lot of toilet trips) and an ever-so-faithful God. On toilet trip four of the hour (soz!) I sent a message to some friends and family asking that they pray for me, and within the hour, all the anxiety symptoms were gone, and I spent the rest of the day, and the entirety of the flights feeling the best I have ever felt whilst travelling. I could even stomach the plane food! It was a wonderful way to begin the trip, knowing God hears and answers prayers, and that He cares for me.

Nyambadwe, Blantyre - our new neighbourhood

We arrived in Blantyre as the sun was beginning to set, and our friends and church leaders, Scrivin and Annie, along with a new friend, Stephen, greeted us at the airport with many a "Takulandirani" (Welcome). We drove with them to our new home (found on AirBnB of all places, thanks mumma!) and were greeted by more friendly welcomes from our hosts, Alan & Corrie, some basic supplies and treats in the fridge, and a lasagne made for us so we could have a good meal inside us before hitting the hay. This place felt like home immediately, and we are ever so grateful for it.

Bekah meeting Quirky -
who loves sitting
on laps and having snuggles.

Ben meeting Gia -
who likes leaping up behind
 people and startling them.

This week has been exceptionally relaxed compared with the pace of life we were used to in the UK. Scrivin & Annie have been amazing at encouraging us to take time to rest and settle in. Initially this was a bit confusing and we didn't know what to do with the time, but as the reality of packing up home has begun to hit our hearts (and my stomach) we've been glad to have some quiet time to process this change. So we've unpacked, explored our new neighbourhood, ridden the minibus, seen some weird bugs, drunk some Pineapple Fanta (if you know, you know), played games by candlelight when the power went out (a daily occurrence!), made friends with Alan's pets, been to an intercessory prayer service, and yesterday was our first Sunday church service.

Playing South African Monopoly by candlelight in the midst of a power-cut.

It was wonderful! On previous trips I have memories of feeling very hot, very awkward about all the dancing, and very much like a visitor, but it felt, straight away, like we were members of the church. The worship was just as vibrant and dance-y as ever, but I could embrace a new way of worshipping without any inhibitions, and it was also really moving, reflective, and tender. By the end of worship I was weeping because I met with God in a personal way, just as I would've back home in the UK. He really is the God of the Nations! The preach was great, there was an adorable song by the kids, and we were welcomed into the church family formally, bringing our greetings from our churches back in the UK.

So there is a lot we are thankful for! Looking forward to this week we have meetings with Scrivin and Annie about our role/hopes/expectations/dreams for the year, and with the Orphan Care Centre that we will be volunteering with. So hopefully a productive week to come.

As for the harder things you can be praying for, if you pray. My tummy is all over the place! I've been sick once, but the other side is pretty squiffy at least 4 times a day. I've been able to eat regular meals, but it's beginning to wear me down a bit, particularly in the mornings (as this is when it's worst) and I've started having half asleep melodramatic worries about whether I'll be pooping all year, or poop so much I die (only half joking). So please pray for strength in my stomach, and peace in my mind!! Please also pray that we make good headway in learning Chichewa (the local language), and for courage to attempt conversations anyway, even if we look really daft and say something stupid by accident. Also pray for wisdom this week as we begin to plan out what our weeks will look like.

Thanks for reading,
Love, B&B x