week 1

Feb. 3 Lynne had 2 nervous houseguests, her daughter, Kristen, who started her first day of Public School teaching and her mother, Dorothy, who began a new teaching/directing adventure as she departed for Malawi, Africa. All workers at airport were friendly and helpful. On flight to Johnnesburg I met 3 different groups of people going to do mission work in South Africa.

Feb.4 Lost 6 hours going east – made for a short night. Landed in Dakar early morning on Thurs. to refill and spray cabin. Landed in Johnnesburg at 6pm. Had to exchange $5.00 just to get a coin to make a call to Emerald Guest House for shuttle.
Lodging was adequate and breakfast in the inner courtyard was good.

Feb.5 Lodging was adequate and breakfast was delicious in the inner courtyard. Shuttle
returned guests to the airport. I had over twice the amount of carry-on luggage allowed on the African Airline, with some begging they allowed me to check another piece of luggage. I landed in Lilongwe at 12 noon. Was nice to be met by smiling Willeke. All luggage arrived in good condition. We piled all luggage into van and picked up a man and 10 school children to return home to Nkhoma – a LOADED van.

Ter Haar Home - I was served tea. Then Willeke settled me into Barbara’s house. My housemates were on weekend trip visiting a missionary doctor in another village. At 6 pm Wianna, one of Willeke’s 6 children , came to walk me by path to their home for dinner. Raynier Ter Haar (he’s a doctor and director of the hospital), walked me back to my house at the end of the evening. They are a lovely family.

Feb. 6 I found home-made banana bread in frig for breakfast. Not being too steady I was very careful about what I ate and drank from Wednesday until Sunday when I began to feel more normal. Wianna came to walk me back through the jungle to her home to spend a delightful day. Neighboring mission workers came for tea (Carolyn, Scott, Jim, Sandra and husband and Ruth). Dr. Ter Haar was at home for the day. He played a lot with his children and took them and me to the village to get chips (deep fried hashbrown potatoes) and cokes for lunch – a special Saturday treat for the family.
Mid-afternoon, I walked home getting lost only once. Sorted through the supplies I brought and took a little rest. Then I walked back to the Ter Haar’s for dinner.
Carolyn and Scott had the Ter Haar’s and me for a game night, lots of fun.


Feb. 7 Got an early start, church was at 8am and lasted until 9:45. When we got out there were a lot of villagers on the grounds waiting for us to finish so they could have a service in their native tongue. A little further out was a group under the trees practicing their songs for the service. They sounded fantastic. Willeke invited Sandra and husband and 4 of the male students (short time mission workers) from the Guest House to come for coffee or tea and cake at her tea house in the back of their property, a place of natural beauty. After dinner I returned to Barbara’s for rest. 5:50pm Jessie Stitt from Black Mtn. and Rhona from UK returned. Jessie is teaching the 5 year olds and Rhona is a doctor working in the hospital for 1 year. Jessie, Rhona and I went to the Guest House
for dinner. Met a missionary doctor from Wisconsin who was with Dr. Roberchek(?) in
Charlotte during the 70-80’s.

Feb.8 Went with Willeke to take children to school in Lilongwe. We spent the school day shopping -house building materials, shoes, groceries from large stores as well as the local fresh air markets and exchanging my money into kwachas. I cooked vegestables I bought at Lilongwe and Jessie, Rhona and I had dinner here last night.

Feb. 9 spent morning with Willeke learning the history of school and visiting the classes with the students and children. Learned what paths to take to find the school. Second phase of school will be finished soon.