Malawi again.

As usual, we had our Christmas holidays in the neighboring country of Malawi.

Many of the missionaries here drive down to South Africa for bi-annual holidays, but we just can’t afford the $1200 it costs for gas to go there and back!  And to be honest, who wants to drive for 4 days to get to your vacation?  I know that sounds crazy, but that’s how far it is!  Of course, South Africa is a totally different world that Moz; it is practically like visiting America down there, with big malls, movies, restaurants and shops, good mechanics and I could go on and on.  However, we were introduced to Malawi by some dear friends back in 2007 and have gone back every year since.  It is only 12 hours drive (which we always spread over 2 days) over mostly good roads.  They finished one part of the road this year, which left only 4 hours of very bumpy dirt track to cover.

Blantyre is a city which isn’t much bigger than Nampula, but is definitely more developed, with more internet cafes, businesses (and local industry) and an amazing number of Western Union offices (which I discovered when we needed cash to pay for car repairs).  Of particular interest to us is always the grocery store (same size as a smaller US one) with treats that we can’t get in Nampula, or at more reasonable prices, and the store where you can buy toys, electronics, housewares, sporting goods, etc.  Kind of like an upscale Kmart, but smaller.  It was funny this year to watch Toby in the toy department.  When we first started going, 6 years ago, he tried so hard to find something affordable in that department, and each year departed with SOMETHING in hand.  Now he just stands in front of the action figures and complains loudly how ridiculous the prices are (he can look on amazon now and find American-style prices). Ah, my little bargain hunter.  He and Ben boycotted the store this year because “these prices are crazy!”  The name-brand action figures were $40 apiece this year, and were not a big draw for my boys.  Sheesh.

Combined within our trip are always doctor’s appointments, and this year three of us got to have our needs attended to.  Toby saw the ear, nose and throat doctor again, who pronounced him fluid-free.  Wow, we were happy that we don’t have to make arrangements to go to South Africa for tubes.  I saw the orthopedic surgeon, as usual, who gave me the bad news that my deformed tailbone will always be thus and I’ll have to sit on a special cushion the rest of my life.  A cortisone injection in the spot has helped a lot, though.  Kevin saw the same orthopedic surgeon and got the good news that his knee was operable, and he had arthroscopic surgery on December 31st.  He walked out of the hospital and spent the next 2 weeks with his knee propped up most of the time, with ice on it.  I don’t know how I managed to get the car all packed, drove us all back to Mozambique, and get the car unpacked, but I did it!  God must have helped me and I had some little helpers too, who unpacked in Nampula quickly when told that Christmas presents could only be opened once the car was unpacked!  Kevin should be running by March, which is great news.  I was grateful for new glasses too, from the Lion’s Hospital at a great price.

One of our favorite things about going to Malawi is eating out in the big city.  We don’t bother to eat out, outside the city because the food is no better and not much cheaper than in Mozambique.  But in Blantyre, there are cheap fast food restaurants!  I know that doesn’t sound great to most first-world people, but since we rarely eat out at home in Nampula, eating out every day at a fast-food is a major treat and the boys LOVE it.  Fried chicken and french fries or pizza are their favorites, and Kevin and I like the hamburgers, chicken burgers, and pizza.  We always gain a little weight in Malawi, which is quickly sweated off when we return to 95 degrees plus in Nampula with 100% humidity.

But mostly we like to go for the week we spend relaxing at the lake.  It is quiet and there is a cook and dishwasher (same person) who makes things easy for all of us.  We are blessed to often go with friends and have time for talks and encouragement, and play in the water and enjoy the sunshine.  It is basic accommodation, but we are thankful that we have a place the kids can remember when they grow up as our “Christmas place” where we can make the holiday special. We sure enjoy a break from the heat too.  Now, back to work! – C