things I have learned (or relearned) so far...

The internet may or may not work. There may or may not be power. There may or may not be water. The refigerator freezes everything, including apples. Frozen apples look weird, but taste fine once they have thawed.

English words that mean something different when a Malawian says them:

Thank you- means anything from okay to nice to meet you to you're welcome
*Example: "Hello. What is your name?" "I'm Megan." "Thank you."

Tomorrow- perhaps it means tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day, or maybe the day after that.
*Example: "Your desks will be in your room tomorrow [Tuesday]." It is Thursday. I have no desks.

:-)

Praise: I feel good about the way my classroom is looking. I am starting to feel comfortable here.

Prayer: That planning and organizing lessons and classroom stuff will go well next week before the students come.

my classroom!

My classroom: bright colors and very bare! I'm working on it though! Do you notice anything missing? Perhaps, the place where the children will sit??

These are the before pictures. I'll put up after pictures in a couple of weeks when school starts and there are things up on the walls. Hopefully you'll barely recognize the place. I've met three of my students so far. They are adorable. I am excited to get to teach them.

I'm HERE!

My new friends Amber and Molly. I am holding the hedgehog they found.

My house:

Muli Bwanje! (How are you?)

I have arrived safely in Malawi. Praise God. Thank you to all of you who were praying for my travels. God really took care of me. Everything went really smoothly and I had complete peace and security the whole time I was traveling. JFK airport is not my favorite place in the world though. Here's an example of how God took care of me: I was really worried about finding the shuttle in Jo'burg. Once I found it there was a couple there from Texas and we started talking. They took me under their wing and ended up buying my dinner for me at the hotel. They were both Christians and it was so encouraging to have someone to talk with and fellowship with over a good meal. Another example: I have been sleeping so well! Even in Jo'burgh. And sleep is definitely what I need to get ready for school!

So far things at African Bible College (ABC) have been wonderful. There are so many sweet people who have taken me in and loved on me the last few days. I am so grateful for their love and friendship!

Please pray for me as I start getting my classroom in order and preparing my lessons. I miss you all and love you all!

Praises

The last month has been incredible! God has been so faithful to provide for my needs.

First, my tickets were stuck in Malawi. My teaching partner contacted someone who was able to pick them up and get them to someone who was returning to the US. I got them in the mail today and I feel a huge amount of stress lifted. I also don't have to stay the night in two hotels anymore either. Just one in Jo'burg. I looked it up on the internet and it looks really nice and it's only 5 minutes from the airport. Now I just have to make sure to get on the right shuttle!

Second, my support has been pouring in. I am pretty sure that I have all of my support raised, and maybe even a little bit extra. I can't even believe how wonderful my friends, family, and church family have been. "All the money in the world belongs to God. He will release some of it so that I can do the work he has called me to do." That's what Jenny (my teaching partner) told me a few weeks ago. She was right.

20 more days until I leave!

Praise: 1. my tickets are here! 2. my support is mostly here!

Prayer: 1. peace and comfort during travel 2. that I can make the most out of the next three weeks with friends and family (and still find time to pack)

Thanks for being awesome. Be blessed.

Time marches on

Less than two months before I depart for Malawi. My excitment is growing daily. I can't wait to meet my students and start our learning adventure together. I'm also really excited to meet the other missionaries that I've been talking to. We are going to have so much fun together.

Yesterday we sang "Here I am Lord." I've always liked that song, but being in the process of being "sent" makes it even more powerful. Knowing that God is sharing his radical love through me and in me is such an amazing thought.

Another thought that has been frequenting my mind: I need to learn to be radically trusting and radically obedient for this whole thing to work out. I am a long way from trusting and obidient, and even farther from radically so.

Prayer requests: 1. that funding would continue to come in 2. that i would learn trust and obedience

praises: 1. some funding has come in 2. my excitement is growing everyday

support letters

My support letters went out with my graduation announcements last week. I have already been so blessed by the people in my life who want to support me. Sometimes I don't even have to ask, people just volunteer to support me. When I was deciding if I should go to Africa I talked to Andrea (she led my trip two years ago) and she said that she was excited for me to go through the support raising process. Now I see why. :-)

Praises: 1. support is starting to come in 2. I can see God's hand in this preparation process.

Concerns: 1. I am really nervous to travel alone to Malawi. I will be staying the night in two different airports (Minneapolis and Johannesburg). Pray for peace and comfort.

In the beginning...

In December I began thinking and praying about returning to Malawi. I sent my application a few weeks ago, and within a week I had accepted a position teaching first grade at African Bible College Christian Academy (ABCCA). I am confident that this is the direction that the Lord is leading me, and I am excited to see what he has in store for me in Malawi.

The position is a volunteer/mission one, therfore I will be raising support. About $800/month that I am there, plus airfare. So that makes about $10,000 total. I have been asked to pray about staying for a second year, but I think I will put off making that decision until later down the road.

I decided to create this blog as a way to keep all of my friends and family updated on this process. I will continue to update when I reach Malawi. Thank you for your prayers and support during this process!