Team 2 is Ready to Launch: by Chuck TaylorWe are rested, organized and forming into a unified team. We arrived in Blantyre Saturday, 37 hrs. after we first met at YYZ. We brought 600 lbs. of “stuff” to give away. We hauled it and ourselves to Zomba and the drive was spectacular. People walking on both sides of the road, bicycles overloaded with huge piles of firewood, tables selling vegetables and crafts, fresh goat meat on a table being fanned to keep flies away. There were many, many children. So much colour. Everyone barefoot. Air is humid and smells different. We drove through a political rally with chanting and dancing.
After settling into Annie’s Lodge we went for a walk in the Botanical Gardens and enjoyed colours most of us haven’t seen since last summer. The people we encountered were shy but gently friendly, responding to “hello” with bright smiles. Later, Libby became our banker and collected our US dollars for conversion to Kwacha. The final results passed audit.
Today, the Team attended church at Malawi University chapel. It was an incredibly lively event with singing and dancing. Kris and Leo opted for a wander through the markets of downtown Zomba, honing their bartering skills and playing the local version of backgammon.
The team is coming together. We are pumped for our first day of work tomorrow at the local school.
After settling into Annie’s Lodge we went for a walk in the Botanical Gardens and enjoyed colours most of us haven’t seen since last summer. The people we encountered were shy but gently friendly, responding to “hello” with bright smiles. Later, Libby became our banker and collected our US dollars for conversion to Kwacha. The final results passed audit.
Today, the Team attended church at Malawi University chapel. It was an incredibly lively event with singing and dancing. Kris and Leo opted for a wander through the markets of downtown Zomba, honing their bartering skills and playing the local version of backgammon.
The team is coming together. We are pumped for our first day of work tomorrow at the local school.
6 comments:
Hi Chuck,
Wow sounds pretty neat, can't wait to read and then hear more!
Take care,
Love Michael, Cathy & Dylan.
Thirty seven hours!! That;s a long way to go just to avoid a Toronto rush hour. The fact you can wander the market and check for bargains is really neat...keep lots of notes!
Hi Team. Great to hear you're safe and ready to roll! I can already see the joy on your faces. I've decided my role from home will be to send you inspiration messages to show you how proud we all are of you. Here's today's message from Ruth Smeltzer:
"You have not lived a perfect day unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
Cheers to all of YOUR perfect days!
Gwen
Hi Marg and Bev,
it is very interesting following your activities. We are very proud of you helping to make a difference. The greatest reward will be the lovely smiles on the children's faces.
What special experience!
Take care,
Karin and Keith
Wow! You are finally, really there! Great writing Chuck, can't wait to read more.
Enjoy,
Amy, Matt & Sweet-Henry
Team 2 Marg and Bev Bowra...keep up the good work..we are following along with great interest...Keep safe!!!!!!!! Liane and Michael
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