This has probably been the craziest week of my whole life! I can definitely say that about my mission. First of all, before I disclose the events that happened this past week, I AM FINE. Nothing bad has happened to me, it's just been a little exciting!
Okay, so last Monday was the relaxing p-day everyone wanted. We shopped, we played ball, and we had a marvelous dinner at the P’s. We went to bed happy that night. Then, sometime in the night, a person(s) broke into our flat and took Sister N's purse and two dvd players! We woke up the next morning to find my first aid kit shuffled through next to the kitchen window, which was missing a pane of glass and the burglar bar was bent way out of shape! I felt like I was in a Sherlock Holmes episode...
Well, we sisters got more security at our flat, and we were able to rest peacefully. We scratched our heads a bit about the break-in, especially since the thieves didn't get very much. We've got these PRO-telligent guys guarding us every night, and apparently they guard people that are really high up in the government.
Well, the rest of the week passed by pretty much without further incident (though on Thursday I got the 'welcome to Africa' stomach flu). Friday we were in the village of Makatani and had appointments lined up back to back--we were having a really productive day! Then, Pres. P calls us and says very shortly that we were to get to the street to be picked up and to stay put once we were. We didn't have to wonder very long about what happened when Pres. P came in and explained the situation to us: Elder and Sister S, who were going to replace the P’s, were being shown to the church house. When they stopped to wait for the gate to get opened, four men appeared around their car and took Sister P's and Sister S's purses, and the result was four smashed windows and a long cut on Sister S's arm from a panga knife.
The next thing we knew, all us missionaries in Lilongwe were being given hotel room keys and told to pack enough things for a few days, just so we have a safe place to sleep while they amp up the security in our flats.
So, I don't want to scare anyone, because I'm safe and not scared. The hotel is really nice, but the bed is flat and hasn't got good support. The food is okay... mostly chinese, which is weird for a breakfast buffet.
The systems of teaching (at church) are so different here! First of all, every speaker or teacher has to have a translator, so the lessons are half as long. There's no wi-fi in the building, but no one has anything to connect to it anyway... Most of the members come out of Kauma and Makatani, which are literally dirt floor villages. It's nice though, everyone is so humble here.
One of my favorite things about the people is how willing they are to learn the gospel. There's one family, the B's, who I love especially. There's four boys; J, J, B, and S, and they pay attention in our discussions really well (especially if they know i have sweets). The Abambo (father) last week went to his boss after we taught the word of wisdom, and said his boss was right for making him stop smoking because of it. Upon hearing that he was talking to missionaries though, Brother B was told to make a choice: keep his job or go to church. And guess what he chose? He told his boss that the church is better for him, and that he would rather live with God than ease. We were so proud of him! Of course, because the Lord blesses families, when we were talking with him yesterday he said his boss let him keep the job! Such a powerful man!
Considering the amount of time I focus on learning Chichewa, I actually know a lot. I know how to greet people, I know how to be polite, and I even know how to get the kids away (joka! joka!). Because I'm starting to recognize some of the words, I am starting to follow what people are saying better, which is pretty good for only being here 1 1/2 weeks!
I discovered a sadness. You know how much cheese I would put on just about everything I made for myself? Cheese here is a luxury. It is expensive! A 1-pound block of cheese is upwards of 2000 kwacha, which is pretty darn pricey! We had a bit of cheese available to us once at the Prete's when they served baked potatoes, but there was no ranch dressing... or sour cream... So I had to make do with cheese and butter and their version of ketchup (which is a lot sweeter than ours).
I love you all, and thank you so much for your letters! They really mean a lot to me! The church is true, and the scriptures are the only roadmap we'll ever really need!
Love from,
Sister Adams
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