malawi: lilongwe
the next morning we awoke to large clouds massing up over the lake. we hurriedly took the tent down and ate breakfast and just as we packed everything up the rain came down with a vengeance. after leaving skid marks going back up this hill (sorry makuzi beach), we set off towards lilongwe.
after about an hour of pounding rain, the sun popped out, and the sky pretended nothing untoward had happened. we had a really pleasant drive, including this cool one-way wooden bridge.
my beautiful chauffeur driving a bit too fast.
anon, we arrived at malawi bethel. as much as we love camping, it always feels like home to be at a bethel where we can clean up and have a hot shower and do our laundry. malawi was extra special and very welcoming to us.
we enjoyed the memorial day and started off with ministry in the morning. we met this gentleman who had created all kinds of fancy sculptures in his garden and was ever so pleased that we noticed. after i admired his plants and asked if i could take his picture, he wasn't too happy that i only took 1 shot, when he had a variety of angles and poses to show off.
we were impressed by the young people in this congregation. they all arrived an hour ahead of time without their parents. why?
to get some singing practice in before the meeting!
or in the case of sign language to check out the latest videos available on the website.
for the sign language they have a bit of a special arrangement for the memorial. they only have one congregation, but they split up to several locations for the memorial. this allows all the deaf to attend because its closer and then they don't have to travel so far back home in the dark.
the kingdom hall started to fill up and eventually all the seats were taken. those who came in a bit later were not panicked...they just pulled out kitenges (the ubiquitous cloth that we have in africa for clothing / head dress / picnic blanket / extra kingdom hall seating / and as uncle jim knows, a bit of optional breast-feeding cover), laid them down on the ground and sat down with their families. jehovah's people are so humble and pleasant to be around!
after feeling privileged to have shared with the sign language congregation in lilongwe, the next morning we left early for the long drive to lusaka....on a mostly dirt road....but i am running ahead, because that's the story for next post!
after about an hour of pounding rain, the sun popped out, and the sky pretended nothing untoward had happened. we had a really pleasant drive, including this cool one-way wooden bridge.
my beautiful chauffeur driving a bit too fast.
anon, we arrived at malawi bethel. as much as we love camping, it always feels like home to be at a bethel where we can clean up and have a hot shower and do our laundry. malawi was extra special and very welcoming to us.
we enjoyed the memorial day and started off with ministry in the morning. we met this gentleman who had created all kinds of fancy sculptures in his garden and was ever so pleased that we noticed. after i admired his plants and asked if i could take his picture, he wasn't too happy that i only took 1 shot, when he had a variety of angles and poses to show off.
we were impressed by the young people in this congregation. they all arrived an hour ahead of time without their parents. why?
to get some singing practice in before the meeting!
or in the case of sign language to check out the latest videos available on the website.
for the sign language they have a bit of a special arrangement for the memorial. they only have one congregation, but they split up to several locations for the memorial. this allows all the deaf to attend because its closer and then they don't have to travel so far back home in the dark.
the kingdom hall started to fill up and eventually all the seats were taken. those who came in a bit later were not panicked...they just pulled out kitenges (the ubiquitous cloth that we have in africa for clothing / head dress / picnic blanket / extra kingdom hall seating / and as uncle jim knows, a bit of optional breast-feeding cover), laid them down on the ground and sat down with their families. jehovah's people are so humble and pleasant to be around!
after feeling privileged to have shared with the sign language congregation in lilongwe, the next morning we left early for the long drive to lusaka....on a mostly dirt road....but i am running ahead, because that's the story for next post!
