Africa. I’ve been in Africa one week and it has already changed my view of it completely. I realized I was kind of naïve on the subject of Africa.

I’m not afraid to admit I thought all of it was either a desert, like the sahara, or expanses of nothing with a few trees and animals. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

I’m currently in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa, and the world. I realized how big of a difference between the summit bubble I had become accustomed to again as soon as I landed in the airport. First of all the immigration is a two guys in loose-fitting suites hand-writing visas. Then the baggage claim was small and ghetto. Which didn’t work considering there were three planes that arrived around the same time. Those three planes were about 75% of the daily traffic of the airport. You walked through the open air customs line to find yourself at the entrance of the airport. The entire place is about the size of a gymnasium.

While driving to our guesthouse we noticed long lines at the gas stations. It turns out there are gas shortages, so you park in a line and wait for up to 5 days until the gas or diesel truck arrives. Or you can buy it on the black market. But you have to be careful cause sometimes the gas is cut with paraffin.  

There are also rolling black-outs. I’m currently in Zomba and every night at 5 the power goes out for about 2 hours. BUT other than that I’ve enjoyed Malawi.

After getting over my initial paranoia about mosquitoes and being mugged I learned how nice the people are. Everyone will smile and wave if you wave. People introduce themselves regardless of the situation. The culture itself is just very friendly.

While in Malawi I’ll be doing a few things. First I’ll be helping out at Likbula house, which is a retreat center in the shadow of Mount Mulanje. After that I’ll help out a the Zomba Theological College. I might do a lecture of two, which caught me totally by surprise. Then I’ll go teach at Domasi Mission School. Finally, I’ll end up in Lilongwe doing youth ministries with the surrounding villages and schools. It’s exciting to know I’ll be constantly busy.

Along the way I’ll do a few fun things like climb mount Mulanje or go on a safari. The only real hurtle is the astronomically high cost of gas. But the president of Malawi died today so maybe the new president will be able to get things back in working order!

I didn’t proof read this so sorry about the bad grammar or spelling.

-Ben