May 8, 2004

Dear All,

Greetings once again and hopes that all are well. We miss you and appreciate your emails. Unfortunately, we haven't gotten any snail mail in weeks although several persons have written to say they've sent things. Letters that we've sent to the United States also seem not to have arrived, so the regular post is not looking too reliable.

We spent the weekend at a partners sharing conference for all the missionaries from Nkhoma Synod, which has churches and ministries in three countries, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is experiencing some of the political and social turmoil that Zaire did in the 1990s, so it was striking to hear of someone else experiencing what we did a decade ago. Each ministry told of its work, its joys and hardships, then the group laid hands on the members of each ministry and prayed. It was a powerful experience and I met many wonderful people from all over the world who have been called to serve here. There was a passle (sp?) of kids there plus two energetic and enthusiastic students to entertain them, so all the kids had a great time. On Saturday night we had homemade entertainment, meaning we all ad libbed. Our group found the words to an old Christian song called "Please Don't Send Me to Africa," which was uproariously received, especially by the Africans present. You would all enjoy hearing this song if you don't already know it.

For the hospital, our medical director shared that there is distrust between some of the staff and expatriate doctors because of perceived racism, which I haven't been aware of although I was warned this would be an issue before I arrived. When I questioned why I haven't had trouble with this yet I was told it was because I am “only a woman,” so not a threat. What an interesting perspective and possibly an opportunity for influence if I don't mind being considered as such. At this point my interactions with the staff have been very positive although I do see the areas of potential conflict. I feel I am defining myself for the hospital staff at present, and pray that I will be perceived in such a way that allows God to work and be uplifted. I am daily impressed that the people I work with most are trying to do a good job, concerned for the patients, frustrated over things that go wrong, and frequently remarking that they want to learn anything I can teach them.

I drove the children into Lilongwe to school for the first time Thursday with the new car, and we had a wonderful trip. No one got carsick, courtesy of the nice way this car takes the bumps, it was quiet enough to talk to each other, we all enjoyed a Christian music CD on the way in, and once again I didn't run into anything driving on the wrong side of the road. On the way home, 40 dollars worth of diesel didn't quite fill the tank, so I hope it will go some time before having to be filled up again.

Our new cat continues to ingest mice, although I think they are outside mice now, since we haven't seen any more in the house. The girls are well and are looking forward to an overnight hike up Nkhoma Mountain where there is a little house at which one can spend the night and see monkeys. We have decided on a menu heavily featuring chocolate as a late birthday celebration for Melia.

Happy Mother's Day to all and stay well (tsalani bwino),

Barbara

You know you're in Africa when:

• Taking toilet paper is more important than a credit card when starting a trip.
• You ask how long it will be until your phone can be hooked up and they ask you in what year you applied.
• Bats disrupt your seminar.
• Twigs stuck directly into the ground and watered usually grow.
• Your kids are disappointed if your dinner guests can't stay several days.
• Your gardener has walked several miles and waited for hours on a day he is not scheduled to work so someone will be at home to meet you when you return from a trip.