International Day

Here are some pictures I've been trying to upload for a while and they haven't worked. We had International Day the day after Thanksgiving to give thanks for us all being from different countries and being able to worship the same God. We tied it into how the pilgrims and Indians were very different but could come together and help each other. Although we are all from different countries, most of them have grown up in Malawi for most of their lives (they are only 6). Everyone

My little Zimbabweans. They live in a Zimbabwean village together and are best buds!

Lebanon. She is still learning English.

Canadian. Her parents are missionaries from Canada, but she was adopted from the crisis nursery in Malawi.


Americans. Their parents are ABC missionaries. Carey was actually adopted from Malawi as well.

Johanna my little German. She has a cute accent and the sweetest personality!:-)

Korean. He is so smart! He can read although he doesn't know yet what he is reading.

Austrailia. Another awesome accent.

Italy. He has a brittish accent so I'm a little confused with him.

Malawians. I love their dresses!

South Africans. Beautiful accents! They are best friends!

Rejoice!

Funny story of the week:
I am taking doxycyline everyday to prevent Malaria. I'm greatful to it because I haven't gotten Malaria yet. But, one of the side effects makes my skin ultra sensitive to the sun causing sunburn. Well, I have been hiking and outside quite a few times and I haven't had anything happen to my skin so I figured I had nothing to worry about. Not so. I got just about the worst burn on my face I've ever had even after growing up in Florida. When I showed up to my class of Africans on Monday, they were shocked and slightly embarrassed at the sight of my face. They didn't understand why Miss Macks face is so red! "Wipe it off Miss Mack!" I couldn't. The next day it was very itchy and they asked if I had mosquito bites. No, its something that happens to white people when they're in the sun for too long. The third day my face was speckled from the peeling. I looked like I had a skin disease. This brought the biggest reaction from everyone I passed in the halls. I heard many comments and questions concerning the texture and color of my face, but my favorite was from a couple Malawian girls who stood outside my door looking at me through the open door unaware that I knew they were there. "What is it?" A girl asked. "It's what white people get when they go in the sun." "Man, I'm so lucky I'm black!" And off they ran. I'm happy I can help people feel better about themselves.

Other News:
I got petrol! WOOHOO! That means I'll be able to go to the village this week and get my students Christmas presents (thanks to the women at Hammock Street Church)! Thank you all for your prayers and support! Only 6 more school days until Christmas break! I can't believe I've been here almost a whole semester! Time flies when you're having fun.
It's funny how I tend to worry about things that don't seem to be going my way. They usually aren't even things that should matter that much in the grand scheme of life. And even if they are, all the more reason to give them to the God that supplies all of our needs right? I was reminded of this at staff Bible study last night when we sang

"O Love That Will Not Let Me Go."
O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life i owe, That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer fuller be.

What's there to worry about? When I lay my petty little worries and fears down, I am amazed how much lighter I feel. Rejoice!

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crops fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18

Pray for our Christmas program this Wednesday night! Two of my classes are dancing and my first graders are "stinky shepherds."
Pray that I get a plane ticket home at the end of the year. They are all booked June-July due to the World Cup.

Trust in the Lord

There are so many things about Africa that I have gotten used to already. So many things I used to think were gross or weird are now pretty normal. But, I am now learning to be patient with something I never have thought about in the states. There is a major gas crisis in Malawi right now. We haven't had gas for about 3 weeks. That means that I haven't been out of the campus walls, except for church, in almost a month. I have food that doesn't spoil, and I walk across the street to buy bananas from someone selling them on the road so I'm not going hungry. In my big empty house it doesn't feel like Christmas yet because I haven't decorated. My December plans were to buy a Christmas tree and some other things to make it feel more like home, but that hasn't been able to happen with the gas crisis. There are so many stories about why we are in a crisis but nobody seems to know the real reason. One story is that the gas from Mozambique wasn't purified correctly so they sent it back and now that it's rainy season so the roads are too flooded to get across with a big truck. My favorite reason is that the president of Malawi bought a fancy new jet and it took so much money that Malawi can't pay for the petrol.
As much as i want Christmas decorations, I am more frustrated with not being able to go to the village. It would take us way too long to walk there and back so we haven't been for 2 weeks. I hope they don't think we have abandoned them. Please continue to pray for the kids in the village!
The gas shortage is also effecting my classroom. Some of the kids can't come to school because they have no way of getting there. We took one day off hoping that it would help but it didn't seem to make a difference.
Please pray for patience for me. My American side kicks in sometimes and can't believe how it is possible to go this long without gas. I guess I still have a lot to learn about Africa haha.

Ironic that I have been working with my class to learn Proverbs 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.

The Power of the Gospel

I wish I were a good writer because that is what it would take for me to explain last Saturday to you. My words are simply not enough to explain what I have seen in the villages here. A car full of academy teachers and 2 Malawian ABC college students have started a little ministry in a local village only 30 minutes away from our campus. Even though they are just outside of the city of Lilongwe, my roommate and I were the first azungu (white people) many of the children have ever seen. Just recently the chief became a Christian and kicked out the gule wamkulu's from the village. A gule wamkulu is a designated man from the village to practice the Chewa religion. They dress in animals skins, paint, and wear masks. Everyone who I have asked has given me a confused and different answer, but I believe their job is to practice the demonic religion and scare the villagers into giving them food, money, clothes...etc. So after the cheif built the church at the place where the gule wamkulu danced and practiced his religion. This church is only 6 months old.
When we stepped out of the car on Saturday, we were met by about 50 children who were awaiting our arrival. This was only our second time there but we were welcomed with an excitement instead of fear this time. I taught about creation and sin the first week, and Noah and the flood this past week. After, we sang many songs in Chichewa led by our Malawian friends and then played a form of duck duck goose. By this time, I counted about 85-100 kids, women, and teens. After, they made an open circle and taught us how to do their tribal dances. I was shocked by their movements because they weren't far from what you'd see in an American club.
These people are hungry for the gospel. The first week I was very frustrated after I taught the lesson because it seemed boring and choppy with the translator. I thought that surely the kids would not want to come back. What I learned is that these kids are not like American kids. They don't have TV's or video games and don't hear Bible stories everyday at home or even at church. They are facinated by the name of Jesus and someone who came to save THEM! Them? Them in this small little village with no power or plumbing of any kind. Them with lice in their hair and a cloth wrapped around their waiste for clothing? It is a reminder to me what we look like in the sight of God. We are dirty, unhealthy, and poor. God picked us up, cleaned us up, and gave us a new heart. How amazing He is! The hope this village has to become new creations is refreshing reminder to me how amazing it is that we can have the hope of a savior.
The village has much to learn now about the way of Christ but our little team is planning some ways to help them learn. Most do not know how to read so my friend Cooswayo (SP?) will be biking there once or twice a week to give reading lessons in Chichewa. We are also looking into getting them Chichewa Bibles because they only have 4 that rotate throughout the church. Once that is established, we will try to build a church building for them that will be suitable for rainy season which is starting this month. Right now they meet in a straw wall box with now roof. Please pray for our new brothers and sisters in Christ.
Even though we don't speak the same language, there is a lot to say for being related in Christ. I feel like we have connected at a different level with no words being spoken directly.
Again, my words don't do this experience justice, I guess you'll just have to come see it for yourself!

Mother's Day Break

Happy Mother's Day!

October 15th was the Malawi Mother's Day. We got off of school Thursday and Friday and got to play! On Friday I went to Lake Malawi with a big group of missionaries from ABC.

It was nice to get off campus and see another side of malawi. I never knew a lake could be so pretty! I thought they were always infested with alligators and snakes but this one is like a freshwater ocean. There are hippo's in other parts of the lake but not where we were... I really wanted to see one but they're dangerous. I did see wild monkeys though!

They were running around the place we were staying! When we first arrived at the lake we sat under a hut on the beach before we swam. 4 little Malawian girls came and sat with us. Their ages ranged from 11-3. They were really cute and friendly and only the oldest one spoke some English. We soon realized they weren't there to hang out, just to get our money. I find it so sad that they are taught at such a young age that white people mean money, and they need to use their childish charm to get it from us. In return for money they will let you take a picture of them, sing a song, or play a hand game with you. It's so hard because I want to minister to those kids but cannot speak their language and I feel helpless.

Anyway, I just wanted to share another fun part of Malawi. I am happy for the break but ready to get back to work tomorrow. I miss my kids;-)

My Class

I have been promising pictures of my class so here they are! We had reading day on Friday so we all dressed up as our favorite book character! This is Bess and me.

Nathan-Malawian, Carey-Adopted from malawi by American missionary parents, Brandon-Malawian, and Finn-Australian

I had them all bring in blankets and pillows to relax around the classroom in as they listened to stories and read.

Obe One Kenobi, Pinocchio(My favorite), Pocahontas, Belle, Little Red Riding Hood, Little Bo Peep, Little Mermaid

Cinderella, Little Bear, Wizzard from Where's Waldo, Peter Pan, A Nook (from Dr. Seuss)

Fairy, Pink Little Ballerina, Barney, Monkey, Little Red Riding Hood

Alisa-Malawian but Adopted by Canadian parents, Nour- Lebonese

All of the classes had to do a fun picture for the year book. My class took one on a fire truck. The firemen were so nice and let us climb all over it and even ride in it with the sirens on!

Carey-Malawian, Eungi- Korean, Riccardo-Italian, Nathan- Malawian, Finn- Australian

I'm the Captain! I thought the firetruck picture would be appropriate because we have had to learn about fire safety and firemen for social studies this year. We've also had 3 fire drills so far.


I really enjoy my students! It is so much fun to get to know each one of their personalities! Almost everyday at recess now one of them will stay behind to talk to me. I love that time to talk even if it is just talking about their puppies or something. 2 of my little girls talk about living in a village and give me the details on that. They don't have electricity or running water. There's so much to learn from them! When I tell them to get their books from their cubbies, they will usually put them on their heads and walk back to their desks. They don't think anything of it but I always watch in amazement.

On Thursday for Bible I presented the wordless book and explained why we need Christ in our hearts. Not all of them come from Christian homes so I have to remind myself not to act like they should already know the simple things that are taught in Sunday School. Churches around here don't always teach very much of the Bible either. Many of them were very eager to pray to receive Jesus in their hearts so that was exciting!!! I am going to help in Sunday School tomorrow with some missionaries to see what that is like. It will last about 3 hours! I've never been to a 3 hour Sunday school class before but I'm sure it will be interesting!

Please pray that my kids will do well in their school work, they'll be open to Gods word, that I'll be a good teacher, and that I will be able to show Christ to them everyday even when i'm tired and cranky!

<3

P.S. We found a dead rat under the bathroom sink! So gross! But hopefully it is the only one. I'll let you know if we find anymore...

BABIES!

I went to the crisis nursery again this weekend and finally took some pictures! There about 20 babies there ranging from new born-2. There are about 5 workers there at once so needless to say, they need help. We walked into a room with the oldest babies and they were all standing up in their cribs holding their arms out for us to pick them up. SO SWEET! I can't even imagine what it would be like to not have at least one parent that you want to go to. These kids see different faces all the time and don't care who picks them up, as long as it is someone!

This little guy is named Chisomo Joseph. He was the biggest one there and wanted all of the attention! Most of the kids were fine playing by themselves because they were used to it. But he cried everytime we put him down.

This is Theresa. She is about 2 months old but very very small. I think her eyes are
bigger then her little body.













If you stay here for 2 years you can adopt........ That'd be awesome! When we went to the nursery, the workers prepared their dinners and changed diapers. They're so busy and need a break! We took some of them out of their cribs and they had fun just bouncing around.

They each eat porrage in the morning, then porrage again for dinner. These little guys can eat a huge bowl of it! It doesn't have much neutritian in it so they need a lot to be full.

We sang songs with them and they all clapped their hands. I wish I lived here.

Show me your ways, O Lord, Teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4

rats and fender-benders

Hey!
I have a lot to update you all on this time. I didn't think I was too squeamish until I got to Africa. First of all, we have rats. We noticed rat droppings in our kitchen cabinets and our trash was everywhere about 3 nights ago. The night after we noticed, my housemate came into my room and screamed bloody murder. A rat ran behind my bed as I was sitting on it. Needless to say, we freaked out. Then, she went into her room and I was in the hallway that connects the rooms. She started screaming again and a rat ran out of her room into the kitchen. All three of us ended up crouching on top of the dining room table screaming. It brought my confidence in our outside house guards down because they never checked on us after we screamed for 10 minutes. So the next day, a guy came to put rat poison around the house. He climbed into the Attic and fell through the ceiling into my bedroom. The good thing is that he didn't get hurt. The bad thing is that I came home to rat poop all over my bed. It is hard to wash things here because I don't have a dryer. Anything I wash needs to have at least a day to hang dry.
Next story:
Since the ABC rotation cars don't work very well, they were so nice and bought a new car! It is an automatic so that me and my housemates can drive it! We got it this afternoon and I was so excited to drive it! Katie and I had to get gas on the way to the market so we stopped. While still in park after our gas tank had been filled, a HUGE semi flatbed truck drove right in front of me and took the corner too sharply. I honked when I noticed he was getting too close but then he ran right into the car. all three sets of tires went over the front bumper of the car. It was a frightening thing to see it coming but not have enough time to back the car up. Katie and i were fine and the car isn't in bad shape, but the irony of the situation is great. I got my first experience dealing with Malawian police, truck drivers, and gas station owners.

My class is doing well. I am becoming very attached already. The more I enjoy my kids, the more motivated I am to teaching them well. I am motivated when I see improvement. Thanks for all of your prayers for that!
My roommate Megan might have malaria so keep her in your prayers. My roommate Katie has been having a lot of health issues since she's been here so just pray for our whole house I guess. I have been healthy since I've been here and owe it to Gods grace. It is common to get sick here, especially with malaria, but I haven't had any severe problems. Thanks for your prayers!

Did you know you can put blue food coloring in mashed potatoes and then you have blue potatoes? Try it, it's awesome!

Hey guys!

So this weekend I had to get off campus. I haven't been able to drive and had cabin fever. Its not like college when you can just walk up to anyone your own age and have a conversation. There are 4 single missionaries and girls tend to get a bit petty. I am a girl so I am alowed to say that. So, we took another hiking trip on Saturday. This time we went to Ncohma Mountain. It was so hard! I am not a cross country runner and never should be. Running up rocks is fun until you can't breathe anymore. Anyway, we did that for a couple hours and finally made it to the top. There is something about being on top of a mountain looking over Africa that gives me chills. Gods knows how to make scenery. I used to think the vast nothingness in Africa was dead and boring, but now I think it is beautiful. I appreciate the way the Malawians live such a simplistic lifestyle.

I don't think I ever wrote about the Malawian wedding I attended a couple of weeks ago. It lasts all day for a week but I only went to a couple hours of the first day. It is neat because nobody is rushed. They have bridesmaids and groomsmen but they dance down the isle. Its not like that youtube wedding dance, it is a slow step. Each couple takes about 10 minutes to get down the isle. People are cheering the whole time and scream moving their tongue back and forth in their mouth. I can't do it right. Then After the bride and groom get down the isle, groups of people take turns dancing around the couple throwing money all over them. I got to participate in this but felt a little akward since I stuck out like a little sore white thumb. Here's a picture of the maid of honors dress:

Yeah, its pretty fancy. The groomsman carries the flowers, and the bridesmaids carry the groomsmans coats.

Anyway, I thought it was fun and interesting. For my wedding I'll do the money throwing thing for sure but I might pass on the dress.

One more exciting announcement then i'll end this; I drove on the main roads today!! I went to the market and the grocery store and only stalled twice! haha. I am starting to build up my confidence and will soon be able to venture out without a coach.

I really appreciate all of your prayers! I mean it when I say that I can feel them in my everyday life. I haven't gotten sick or been chosen as a carrier by putsi flies(not cool) yet so I think that is a major success! Love you all! Thanks for your encouragement! It means a lot to me!

Bunda Mountain!

Sorry its been so long since I last posted! I finally have something to write about! I'm amazed with the number of people who are reading this! No pressure!

Something fun:
I've been on the ABC campus the majority of my time in Malawi so far because I'm so busy with work that needs to be done here. This weekend, 7 of us decided to go hiking. Owen said he knew a good mountain to hike up called Bunda Mountain. We get to the mountain and Rebecca and i were a little skeptical about getting up the big rock. It was not the grassy trail I envisioned. They assured us it'd be fine so we went on. After about 10 minutes of rigorous hiking, we got to a giant rock mountain going straight up. I joked about not bringing my parachute but I was actually pretty nervous. I've never been mountain climbing and wasn't prepared for doing it with my bare hands for the first time. Luckily there were 4 guys and 3 girls so they helped us when we almost died. There were moments when I just laughed because my feet were gripping the side of a mountain with the rubber of my shoes, holding on to a little groove in the rock with my finger tips, and not knowing where to go from there. Talk about being scrrrrrrd. I sang songs to make the time a little lighter. I got more and more confident as I went and loved it! Anyway, we got up the mountain in a couple hours and there were about 50 Malawians at the top worshiping and praying to God. Many of them were in tears pleading with God. They paid no attention to us. It was an amazing experience to be looking out over Malawi listening to the Malawians sing praises to my God. My friends got pictures so i will try to post them soon. The funny part of it is that by the time I got up, I looked like I got into a fight with a rabid cat or something. My hair toolie (rubber band) broke, there was dirt all over my face, and my legs were bleeding in 8 places. Haha doesn't get much better then that. But the funniest part is that there was an easier way the whole time (The way the smart Malawians went) so we went down that way.
About 10 Malawian boys met us at the bottom and "escorted" us around the mountain to our car. They were awesome, but unfortunately, I don't speak their language:-(

I went to my first Malawian home today! We ate Nsima (the food staple of Malawi). You eat it with your fingers and use it to pick up "relish." This relish was spinach and peanut butter mixed. Nsima is made of Ufa flour and is kinda like play dough/grits.

I've been here for one month, but am already beginning to think about all of the things that can be done in Malawi. There is a need for so much and such a great opportunity to bring it to them. I love ABC, but thoughts are running through my mind for things I can do next year. I was asked by a college student if I could teach a college ballet class. I wish i had the time!!! I honestly don't have extra time right now.
Anyway, those are my unorganized thoughts spewed out. It seems so hard for one person to make a difference. Especially when I still have so much to learn from the people here. But, I know my concentration needs to be on my classroom right now so I will devote my energy towards that. Please pray that I teach my kids in a way that they will succeed. I'm scared I'll ruin them!
haha Alright, I hope everyone at home is doing well! Thanks so much for all of your prayers! I need them all the time! Especially when I'm scaling mountains and such.

Skype me sometime! Gracefuller218

Whitney

Moni!

The first week of school is OVER! I was a wreck. Everything was hard, tiring, long, stressful...

My schedule right now is

Wake up at 5, go to school at 6, teach until 12:30, stay in my classroom to work until 6pm, eat dinner, skype, then go to bed at 10. haha so people keep asking me if "Africa" is SO exciting? I laugh because right now, I am doing the dirty work. Tuesdays and Thursdays I teach dance, Friday is ABC missionary potluck, Sunday is pancake night, Wednesday is missionary Bible study, Thursday is girls bible study, and then shopping takes like 3 hours for me.

So thats my life right now. woohoo!

During my hard first week I have thought a lot about why I'm here. It was very hard for me to figure out why God would send me here if I'm not doing a good job, I don't feel like I'm helping anyone, and anyone could come here and do what I'm doing, but better.

I wonder if I am the one benefiting from being here more the the Malawians. Just last week I have been learning to trust God with everything. I am out of my comfort zone in every situation I encounter here so there is no way I can lean on my own understanding. This place has shown me my weeknesses instead of building up my pride. I feel broken. That is what God wants from me to be able to serve him. I need to know that I can't do anything without Christ's strength and guidance. My challenge now is to learn what it feels like to do my best and work overtime to serve and to glorify God, not to make myself look like a better teacher. That is the hardest thing for me to do because I want to serve God, but feel like I'm working so hard so that I don't show everyone my failures.

Anyway, I'm not ragging on myself, but I am saying that it is good for me to be here because I need the slap in the face. I need to know that I can't help to build Gods kingdom without God directing my every step. God has taught me this time and time again. Maybe one day I'll get it. Before I try to change the world I need to be changed.

I know this is random but, I said I would post pictures of my classroom so here they are.

Before:

After:

First day of school

Moni!

I had my first full day of school today! My kids are cute and I only have 18! I have one Korean student who does not speak a word of English. That will be a challenge. I have another student from Lebanon that hasn't spoken to me yet. I don't think she speaks English very well either. I found out yesterday that I don't have an assistant in my class and was a little stressed out today. I was so nervous! You have to plan way ahead here because the power goes out all the time. I had to meet all of my parents with wet hair and make up I did in the dark because the power was out from 9PM-9AM. That means you have to make copies early for when the power goes out expectantly. I also still can't drive on the scary roads so its hard to get supplies I will need for later.

I wish you all could hear the Malawians worship. It is so joyful! The don't sing like Americans they SING! It is beautiful. In a village church on Sunday, the kids sang, then the teens, then the women sang lots of songs while moving and dancing. They use their entire voice and are not shy about it. Malawians are one of the shyer African countries but you can't tell when they worship! I think that's what heaven sounds like. I only wish I knew what they were saying!

My new friend Owen says he'll teach me cultural things like Zimbabwe cloth paintings. He is also going to teach me how to make Nsima. He is basically my tour guide. He drives me around because I A) can't, B) am too scared. The college students just started school this week as well and I have been meeting lots of them. I hope to make some close Malawian friends.

Sorry this is boring. Pictures to come!

Whit

Hey,

I have my mailing address now for anyone who is interested. I meant to post it earlier but kept forgetting. Be careful sending anything too valuable over here. If there is something that looks appealing to someone delivering a package they might take it for themselves. Its kinda like every man for himself around here. Anyway, here it is:

African Bible College
P.O. Box 1028,
Lilongwe, Malawi

A good way to get something to me is to send it to the home office and when someone comes over they can bring it with them. Many people come and go throughout the year so we use them as our delivery men. That address is:

African Bible Colleges
5343 Clinton Blvd.
Jackson, MS 39209

If you remember, pray for me to get all of my classroom work done. We've had orientation everyday this week and it doesn't leave me much classroom time. It is a mess right now and I haven't even begun to look at what I'll be teaching yet.
The missionaries here go to bed early and wake up early. They'll be in bed by 8PM and up by 5! I'm learning quickly that sleep is hard to get if you don't plan it well. I'm exhausted. The sun comes up around 6AM and sets before 6PM. That leaves me a very short day to get work done before its dark and unsafe to walk around outside. All of the lights in my room and bathroom have burnt out as well so I have been lighting candles;-)
Pray for my worrying tendancy to subside and remember that God commands us not to worry about anything but to pray about everything.

I went to the Crisis Nursery down the street from the school a couple of days ago. There were 4 Malawian workers and 18 babies who couldn't walk yet. The kids are all orphans and babies that parents can't/wont take care of until they get older and are off formula. They were so cute and all despirate for attention! I want to go back everyday but my schedule right now doesn't allow it! I will post pictures of these precious babies as soon as I can.

Today we went to the market to shop for groceries and a chitenje which is a wrap the Malawian woman wear as a skirt, headdress, or baby carrier for their back. Malawians don't like when white people come in and take pictures of their poverty. As I walked through the tight, crowded market I held my camera at my side and tried to snap some pictures. Most of them came out blurred or of the ground but I got a couple of good ones. I wanted to show you all what the city looks like and how people make their livings.

This is a street in Lilongwe. People walk in it until a car comes right behind them and honks. A mini bus zoomed right past me and was about an inch away and I yelled and lost my breath! My life flashed before my eyes.

There are lots of people and kids along side the roads selling fruit and veggies. This little boy was so cute I had to get a picture of him!These ladies were so nice to use when we hardly knew any Chichewa. The Malawians speak Chichewa unless you can't understand them. Then they'll try to communicate to you. I thought I could get by only knowing English but I'm definitely going to try to learn the language. It sounds cool!

This is Usipa. They dried these little fishies and eat them like a snack. The fish market smelled horrible and flies went up my nose. You lose your will to shop for food once you come in because you want to throw up.

Women selling fruits and veggies

I really want to carry stuff on my head like this!!! Women carry everything on their heads! Suitcases, boxes, fruit, fabric,...

This is a witch doctor. I was with a Malawian girl from the college and she brought us right up to him to talk. He offered medicine but we didn't want to buy any so he got mad and told us to go. Honestly, the medicine looked like something I could have dug up from the ground for free, but what do I know. I was too scared to take a closer picture.

This is a bad pictures of the narrow paths through the market vendors. I'll put up more pics later.

It is very interesting trying to understand the Malawian culture. Many things they do in the bush are still a secret. Sometimes the Malawians at the college will write about traditional practices in their papers they turn into their professors and we get to hear about them. Most would be unheard of in America. I can write about some of those later too.

Shifty Sticks

I just wanted to write about my experience driving a stick shift car today. We called it stick shifting. Basically when my roommate and I were finished driving it around campus it smelled gross and the Malawians who were doing construction were very confused. I felt like a rich snob when a Malawian girl asked why we couldn't drive. I told her it was because we only know how to drive an automatic. She said "oh, Americans" and walked off. The only car we have available to drive is a stick shift so we have to learn now.
I know its random and you might not think it has anything to do with Malawi and what I'm here for, but, to me it is just another thing that is different from what I'm used to. I've been taken out of my comfort zone in so many ways. I rely on comfort all the time to get me through every day. I like to eat my favorite foods, be with my family and friends, drive my car, go to my church, and just do what I know I can do. Well, all of this is changing and I am excited. I know it will stretch me. I'm hoping that since I have nothing familiar to lean on I'll lean on God. I like to depend on my own efforts to get me through but now I'm thrown into a new country, new job, new responsabilities, and new people and cannot rely on myself to get me through. Anyway, thats just my life lesson for the day.
Tomorrow I'll be visiting the Crisis Nursery located 2 minutes away from campus. Even though I'm crazy busy and not anywhere near to finishing my classroom, I want to get off campus and try to get involved in the city of Lilongwe.
God bless!
Thanks for your prayers! I appreciate them so much!!!

New beginning

I'm here!

The flight was long and hard but I finally made it! I was relieved when I got off my last plane and the Chinchen family (my host family) was shouting my name. Their daughter Bess will be in my class so that is exciting! Everyone has been really nice and welcoming and have made the whole process of coming to a third world country a somewhat comfortable one.

I have a huge house on the school campus! It has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. I have the most space to myself that I've ever had. It is all dirty and bare right now though and I don't have much time to clean it up. I spent yesterday shopping for food and all day today working on my classroom. Shopping is an experience let me tell ya. We went to 2 stores and the market to buy groceries. They have more then I thought they would but they say it is expensive. I can't really tell yet because $1500 sounds like a lot to me but apparently is pretty cheap haha. I'm hoping I will get used to it soon so I can barter like everyone else. If you don't, they will sell you something for way more then its worth.

Something that is interesting is that there are a lot of animals on the campus. I'll be walking down the sidewalk and a deer will come up to me. It is another missionaries pet. There are also lots of dogs, roosters, turkeys, pet rats, and pigs. There are also lots of kids on campus and look like that have so much fun all the time!

Anyway, as for working, I went to my classroom today and worked on it for 8 hours. I feel like I have hardly even started yet. I'm nervous for school to start and could use some prayer in that area! It is nice being down the street from the school so I can work on my classroom anytime.

Tomorrow will be exciting because I have to learn to drive a stick shift! There are 3 cars the missionaries share if they dont have one and they are all stick.

And no, sadly I have not seen a giraffe yet. I will let you know when I do.

My roommate and I are looking into other ministries in the city of Lilongwe with an orphanage. There are so many we just need to pick one.

Ok, thats a little bit of whats going on here. I'll put pictures up when I take them

Thanks Hank!

You all have done a great job overwhelming me, and let me tell you why.

I am overwhelmed by all of the generosity that has been shown to me through the support friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers have given to me toward my ministry in Malawi. I am pleased to share that I have raised enough money for my first year in Malawi through many donations, big and small! They are all big in Gods eyes. I am still trying to raise support for my second year since I will only be home for a month next summer, but it is truly amazing that I have made it this far. I cannot thank each of you enough and tell you how thankful I am for every one of my supporters, whether you send money, or are faithfully praying for me. Even with all of the money in the world, I am nothing without Christ. I am nothing without his protection and grace in my life. Your prayers help me greatly and for that I am very thankful.

The process of raising money is humbling. This is not exactly the best time to be handing out hard earned money while the economy is crashing down around us. There have been many times where I have received $10, $50, or even $100 from someone who I know does not have that much to spare. I am so happy that you all can help me serve God and the Malawian people even while you are still in the US.

God has done all that I could have ever asked or imagined, truly he is faithful.
I will be leaving Boca on August 9th to fly to New York. There, I will spend the night with some Many but One gals who will be there the SAME WEEK to dance! I know, amazing accidental timing! The next morning I will be flying to Johannesburg, South Africa then to Lilongwe Malawi. That process will take 2 days so please pray that I don't get too antsy and make anyone mad with my problem of not being able to sit still in a chair with my feet on the floor. I have gotten the evil eye from people who sit in front of me.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped me with supplies, funds, and prayer!
To God be the glory!
I would be lying to myself if I did not throw a "thanks hank" in this e-mail, because it is usually the only way I truly thank people!:-D

Everything that has breath PRAISE THE LORD!

Love,
Whit

Hey guys,
This is a list of things I will need to bring with me to Malawi because they do not have it there or I cannot get the same type. If you would like to donate anything on this list, please bring it to West Boca Presbyterian Church or give it to me directly. For the larger items that I will only need 1 of, please call 561-483-0566 to see if it has already been taken care of. Thank you so much for all of your support!

1. Recipes- made from scratch
2. Sunscreen
3. Ink Cartridges- HP black 21, Color 22
4. Katadyne Water Filter and extra filter cartridges- Should filter down to 2 microns or less. Popular brands are British Berkfeld (Big Berkie) and Cetadyne
5. Iodine Tablets- emergency water filter tablets.
6. Dry packets of food mixes (taco mixes, spaghetti mixes, Sloppy Joe mix, salad
dressing mixes, chocolate chips, marshmallows, etc.)
7. Ballet tights, leotards, and dance shoes
8. Dry erase markers
9. Children’s books (k, 1st, 2nd)
10. First grade books, curriculums, ideas…etc.
11. Bulletin board letters
12. Bulletin boarders
13. Pencils (fatter ones don’t break as easily)
14. Pencil Sharpener
15. Strips of Velcro
16. Strips of magnets
17. Flip video ($150)

Video

Hey guys,
Here is a video about ABC Christian Academy and Lilongwe, Malawi.
It will give you a picture of where I will be and what I will be doing.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3775214202663584994

First Post

Hey Everyone!
I will be updating you on my life in Lilongwe, Malawi through this blog as well as e-mails and facebook. Here is somemore information on what I will be doing there.

I have recently graduated from Belhaven College with a degree in Elementary Education; and I’m pleased to tell you about an opportunity that I have been given for this upcoming school year. In August, I will be traveling to Lilongwe, Malawi, located in southeastern Africa, to serve as a first grade teacher at the African Bible College Christian Academy. The academy is staffed with volunteer missionaries and is designed to provide the best Christian education possible in Lilongwe. It currently runs kindergarten through tenth grade and has children enrolled from 28 different countries. I will serve for 11 months then return again in August for a second year. My class consists of 20 students, from six different nationalities, with the majority being Malawian children. The countries represented in my classroom are Malawi, USA, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Australia, and South Africa.
My role as a teacher in Malawi will be to teach my diverse group of students from an American, Christian curriculum. I also have the privilege of opening the day with prayer, a short devotion, and have the freedom to teach the gospel to young, open hearts whenever the opportunity arises.
In addition to being a classroom teacher, I will be teaching after school ballet, jazz, and hip hop to Christian music. I would like to teach both the lower and upper grades and incorporate dance into their annual Christmas Pageant.
Because Malawi has one of the highest percentages of people with HIV/AIDS in the world, there are a large amount of children who are orphaned and living on the streets. I am excited to be able to volunteer in the villages to relieve orphanage workers, hold neglected babies, and share the love of Jesus whenever I have the time.
Before I can leave for Malawi, I must raise $1200 per month to pay for my food, apartment, and travel. If you would like to support my missions to Malawi financially, you can write a one-time check made out to African Bible College, or fill out an electronic transfer form for an automatic monthly withdraw from your checking account. All donations are tax deductible and are greatly appreciated!
Send all donations to:

African Bible College
P.O. Box 103
Clinton, MS 39060

I covet your prayers as I venture off into a new land. Please pray for safe travel, good health, creative teaching ideas, and changed hearts for the Malawian people as well as for myself.

Thank you for your time and God bless!

Whitney Mack
Whitneymack@belhaven.edu
Africanbiblecolleges.org


“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6