Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Market Places

Hey, I just want to share about our market-place experiences in Malawi. The first time we went to a market place was the same evening we had flew into Malawi. We were exhausted from jet lag but very excited as well to experience a little bit of Africa - so off we went to an art market. It was located literally in a parking lot of what looked like it could be a small strip mall. The vendors all had their ware laying out on the grass along the edges of the lot. The second we got out of our vehicle, we were mobbed by the marketeers. (Is that even a word?) Oh please madam, please sir, please boy, buy from me, my family hasn't eaten today. It became very quickly overwhelming as they all fought for us to visit their space and buy something from them. The items were beautiful!! We could buy anything from awesome paintings, to carved bowls, candle holders, toys, animals etc. The workmanship was excellent. Jaako was very overwhelmed. He felt very badly for those we didn't buy from. It was difficult for me as well to choose who we'd buy from and from whom we didn't. We made a huge error in judgement as we promised people we'd come back and look at their stuff. The next time we went, we were again mobbed and everybody remembered exactly what we had looked at and reminded us of our promises. Some true and some not. I couldn't remember who I'd promise to buy a painting from, so I think I bought from the wrong person. But we learned very quickly how to say no and how to barter with them, as well as know who wasn't telling the truth. It became a fun and exciting adventure as we grew comfortable in standing our ground. Once we stood our ground, the vendors also began to respect us more and treat us less aggressively. All in all it was a great time and it felt wonderful to help people out as well as bring many beautiful souvenirs home. Even Jaako became a pro at bartering and purchased many items for himself. It is such a different process from walking into Wal-mart and looking for the best price on the shelf and just putting it into your cart. Even in the few stores they had, sales people competed for your sales as well as bringing your bags to your car. You always tipped the boys that helped you out! I'm really beginning to miss Malawi a lot. It claimed a part of my heart. I miss the excitement, the people the commotion. Even though we've been home for many, many weeks, it's hard to blend back into such a laid back life style. It was great for the first few weeks, especially as we battled sickness. But now Jaako and I find ourselves at the point of boredom at times!! We strive to keep busy and involved. It is great to be back home but I am also looking forward to going back to Malawi again.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Baby and Blanket

I remembered a cute story today as we were doing a presentation to the kids at St. Bernards. I was reminded that at one of the villages, a group of ladies sang a few songs for us. Oh how beautiful it sounded. The harmony and just plain volume of it mesmerized me. When I finally came back to reality, I noticed that most women had a baby strapped to their backs, a few didn't. In the middle of the second song, a little girl about a year old, toddled up to her mom dragging a blanket behind her on the dirt floor. It reminded me of our kids with their favourite blankies and such. This little girl walked right up to her mom, tugged on her moms skirt and gave her the blanket. Her mom grabbed her by the arm like a monkey and slung her on her back and then she bent over and wrapped the blanket around her daughter and herself, all the while not missing one note of the song! It was just amazing to watch. These blankets are like soothers, teddy bears, receiving blankets etc. It brings comfort to the child as they are strapped to their mothers back. When they were strapped on their mothers back, I rarely saw a baby crying or making a fuss. Only when they were hungry and the mothers remedied that quickly. I have never in my life seen such content infants. The closeness to their mother or sister, brought comfort, contentment and quitness to the babies. I think their culture has something on our North American Culture. If I was younger and just starting to have my kids, I think I would try it. It just seemed to create a bond that was so strong and unique. I loved watching them.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Children

Good Evening,

Jaako and I had another presentation tonight and it always hits home how in need these children are. Just looking again at the clothes, the food and just their lives, it hits home again and again. I never tire watching the presentation or looking at the pictures. Jaako said yesterday to some-one, I realized how lucky I am to live in Thunder Bay. What a good way to say it. We whine and complain about this and that, without ever even really realizing what the other half of the world lives like. I do it too. I've done it since I've been home even. It's winter, my husband is laid off, no money coming in, we have to eat the same foods, whine, whine, whine. It's amazing that I still have the capacity to whine. I'm eating much better than most in Malawi, it may be not be up to standard here, but in their standards, we live like Kings!! I have to shake my head and say: Knock it off Sue! Yes - I admit, I talk to myself. But anyhow, every day is a new day, a new day in which I can be very grateful for the things that I have and even for the things that I don't have and not forget those that have less than me.

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Flood

Hey every-one. Thanks to every-one that came out last night to our info night. I was so happy that so many came out to see what Malawi was like. I'd like to share about the flood in Zambia now that I have had some time to process it. We went into Zambia for a few days and the night before we left Zambia, we had torrential downpours again which caused many of the major rivers to overflow their banks. What a mess! We were barely able to make it out of our camp, in fact we were the last vehicle to make it. God had His hand on our Land Rover - we went through water that was going over our hood and flowing into the truck. We had some tense moments. We also had to walk through waters up to our knees (Jaako's thighs) that had crocodiles and snakes in it. God kept us safe. Once we were out and driving down the main road to Malawi, we were devastated to see all of the water around us in the lower lying areas. Huts were up to the roof in water and people were moving their few belongings up to the road in order to save it. I was only able to think, what were these people going to do now? Their crops were ruined, their homes and villages were ruined, what little they had was now lost. Dry season is coming soon, so another crop won't be possible for a while. This isn't a situation that is uncommon. Although it was the worst than it has been in decades, but every year people in those areas suffer from flooding. Malawi had a huge flood just prior to us getting there. The devastation in these countries is so huge and it seems that so few actually care - or they just don't know about the crisis as it's not in every papers headlines when it happens there. I don't know what the answers are. I won't stop praying though until I have some. This flood was where Jaako and I contracted Belharzia. When left untreated it could be life threatening. Jaako and I were desperately sick from it, but we had the $6.00 (combined total for both of us) medication that would make us well again. Most people there won't get the medication. It's almost a weeks salary to just get treated. I keep asking myself why we are so priveleged. This bothers me night and day. Why do I live the life that I do? What makes me special? I don't have the answers. I can only help.