Hello everyone! Sorry I've been off the grid for a few days - there has not been much time as I've (we've) been prepping for teaching in and out of power outages....that's just the way things roll in beautiful Malawi :)
Even though today is the last official teaching day at the academy, I suppose I should take the story back a few days so we can catch up together!
Tuesday morning our team enjoyed breakfast again together - I am reminded daily by the staff here what hospitality looks like - although I may forget their names, I hope I will never forget their sweet, smiling faces.
I had the privilege of meeting the famous Chicco on Tuesday - he graciously invited the three of us to his home during one of our breaks - and, I was able to see what life was like for many Malawians. As we were invited into their home, we were greeted by his wife, two of their children, and another child (a nephew?) staying with them for the day. John asked about their family and schools...and about the effects of the famine....it's not good. The price of maize (a staple in Malawi) has tripled in price and is being rationed equally to all households, no matter the size of your family......not great news-- in fact it broke my heart wide open. People here are having to make very difficult choices and unfortunately important things like education must be sacrificed to afford food. 
We explored the surrounding area, and were invited to see the mill where maize is usually ground into flour...usually....the mill is completely empty...nothing....and John mentioned that in all the visits he's ever had here, this is the first time it has been empty. And there are still four more months until they can try to plant for the next growing season....if it rains.... 
But you wouldn't know there is scarcity here when you meet the people...smiles, gratitude, and hospitality come LONG before fear. Some families in the area are growing crops during the winter season - it's onions for Chicco - some have gardens with tomatoes, and others small gardens with corn....the trouble is trying to get water to them when it's not the rainy season - bucket after bucket from the creek to the garden....it takes nearly 3 hours a day to water the growing plants in that area! I was honored to meet Chicco's family, and will remember their soft smiles, and their genuine kindness - they will be in my prayers for many months to come. 
Wednesday and Thursday was mostly spent prepping and teaching, interspersed with lots of conversations about church, Holy Spirit, geography, families, companion congregations, exchanging email addresses, and tea breaks. What a delightful gathering of pastors! Thursday, I snuck away from John's afternoon session (shh!) to take some pictures of the ELCM compound. The grounds are meticulously maintained and there is a lot more to see than I realized! Of course, perfect strangers on the road stopped by to say hello and see how my day was going :) I also had the chance to witness a field of children playing a game of soccer. It made me think of my own kids...I miss them.....
Teaching this week has been amazing - what an honor to be among these pastors from Malawi, Zambia, and Germany, too. It didn't take long to notice that there were pastors who have had a great deal of theological education here - hopefully more and more can be encouraged and supported each year! It was great to see such lively interaction during class times - we teachers often posed discussion topics and invited conversation among the pastors - good choice, as they were ON FIRE with thoughts and questions. Sometimes the conversation got loud and rambunctious - there were several friendly disputes about theology. And, holy cow, these pastors know how to use their Bibles - quoting, or at least knowing exactly where to find scripture verses as the foundation for their answer/interpretation. They were incredible.
Friday came too soon and I realized this was the last time I would see these pastors for a long time. As I looked at their faces today, I prayed that I could keep myself together!....After some good, final, theological conversations, Abusa Kathy lead a short healing service. All the pastors lined up and received anointing oil on their foreheads- a first for them. It was awesome to see them so eager and excited - many even asked me to take their pictures as they were being blessed. To top it off, they were singing the entire time! Not just everyday "nice"singing- rather, is was, I'm-gonna-sing-at-the-top-of-my-lungs-in-harmony-while-dancing-around-the-room-and-clapping-and-holding-a-chair-above-my-head singing! It. was. AWESOME. We thanked the group for their hospitality and for the opportunity to be with them this week. And, during the official closing of the academy by Bishop Bvumbwe, the three of us were gifted with a beautiful piece of Malawian fabric -a thoughtful gesture of thanks that I will certainly cherish. Afterward, we said goodbye to many pastors between Luther Hall and our car - I'm sure gonna miss these guys...and this place. 
After we all packed into the truck, we headed back to the lodge to change into casual clothing - Derrick then drove us to Four Seasons to meet Mphatso and his wife Chipi, for dinner. DELICIOUS! It was fun to wind down after the week of teaching. Now I'm comfortably back in my room at the lodge. I'm playing with my new, beautifully, hand-carved Noah's ark as I sit on my bed...I know each time I look at it, I will remember these incredible people......yep, there are some tears....although it's difficult to explain exactly what I am feeling, I can say this - my life has changed. My perspectives have changed. My expectations have changed. And my heart has changed. Before I left for this trip a good friend told me that I would never be the same after visiting Malawi - I'm so glad she was right.
Tomorrow, our good friend Mabel Madinga's son will be married at the ELCM cathedral and we have been invited to the wedding. It will be fun to go, see friends, and celebrate this JOYFUL event with their family. I promise to share the next chapter of this story tomorrow night after the festivities are done!
Zikomo for listening, my friends.
~Laura
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