A letter from Sue Makin in Malawi

December 13, 2006

It was a rainy afternoon in Malawi, 12 days before Christmas. I needed to go to the People’s Trading Center, our local grocery store in Mulanje, to buy some small, dried fish for my three cats. True Malawian cats don’t eat cat food from cans or bags, but chow down on nsima, which is maize porridge, and lucky cats get small fish as well. Edith, Edda, and Wild Thing are lucky cats.

Inside the store I went to the usual shelf where the fish are kept in small plastic bags. Something was different about the bags. Several of them had small holes in them, all about the same size. I was puzzled. Then I heard a little “meouw, meouw.” Turning around and looking down I saw a scrawny, black kitten looking at me. Aha! The maker of small holes in plastic bags of fish.

Gazing at this small kitten, and realizing she was struggling just to get a bite to eat, I began thinking about the one million orphans in Malawi also struggling to get a bite to eat. Of course, young David Banda has plenty to eat in the home of Madonna. But many others are probably hungry most of the time. Since it is Christmas time, and my thoughts turn to home and family, I’m reminded of the hectic shopping and crowded stores of the holiday season in America. Although I miss my family, in many ways I’m happy not to be home now, in the midst of the shopping madness.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more value than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6: 25-27

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Mathew 6: 33

Greetings from Malawi and a blessed Christmas to each and every one of you.

Sue Makin