Day's Diary

January 9, 2007 ~ Welcome to Zomba

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After all the waiting and slow moving of the first few days, things have picked up greatly. On Thursday, Silas and Margaret Ncozana came to go with me to Zomba. After some shopping for supplies more available in Blantyre, like household goods and good baked goods, and food in bulk and at a reduced price, we headed to Zomba, where I realized what a Big deal my coming was.

Our first stop was the Principals office to let him know that I had arrived. He went with us to the house and helped to unload the truck. Four 3rd year students came by and helped, as well. They stood at the gate and watched until invited in to meet the new lecturer. They carried the suitcases, then we all sat down in the living room for prayer. When they left, I got the first tour of the house. There is a large "sitting room" as they call it, with a small fire place for cold evenings and plenty of seating - a sofa, 2 arm chairs that have red slipcovers, a love seat and 2 chairs of bamboo, that have teal cushions. Margaret picked these. The curtains, which cover the levered windows at night, are faded orange and green. This is great Malawian design - what you like and don't worry about color. The dining room is straight ahead as you walk in. It has a table and 4 upholstered red chairs, with the same faded orange and green curtains as the living room.

The great attraction is the kitchen. It is larger than the dining room and is wonderfully equipped. Silas oversaw the renovations. It sports a top fridge and bottom freezer - very spacious - a microwave/grill, a 4 slice toaster and a 4 burner cooker (electric stove and oven). All brand new. He had the area under the sink enclosed and shelved and a storage cabinet built between the sink and the stove. It is perfect for pots and pans. There are open shelves along the one wall for dishes and a large walk in pantry. The center of the room offers a tall table to act as an island. This is a fantastic kitchen in Malawi. Margaret wants to come and cook there.

Off of the dining room in the other direction are three bedrooms and a Malawian split bath (sink and tub in one room and sink and toilet in another). Right now two of the bed rooms are storage for the things of the lady who lived there before and who is moving to northern Malawi at the end of the month. This is so much more than the two rooms that were planned with the Parallel Program.

Shortly after the Principal left, the dean of studies stopped in with his young son to check on the progress. He is a delightful Irishman who made my day by telling me that I will NOT be teaching Greek, but rather, New Testament and Theology (Christology to be precise). I can do that with ease!

Then the Principal returned with the other lecturers to just say hello and welcome me. This is much more than I expected. Then I met the "house help" Ephraim and Ella, who live in the house behind mine with their two young children. Silas and Margaret stayed and helped me unpack and then took me to their home for dinner.

Since then, I have gotten settled and am beginning to feel at home. I am still missing one box of things that are important, like the power cord to my computer. Please pray for the missing box. God only knows where it is. With it, life will be completely comfortable here in Zomba. Come and visit. I have a guest room (after Feb. 1).

Yours in Christ,
Kay