Adam Kelsall reflects on his time in Malawi…

Sometimes I went for a run up the beach of Lake Malawi and the locals would laugh and point. After all, I wasn’t chasing a ball, so what was the point of running? I’ve questioned the point of many things since I’ve been back in Australia, and spent a lot of time doing pointless things to stop the questioning.
Africa rattles you. Sure a lot of people are hungry. A lot of people are sick. I think mentally you step off the plane prepared for that. What you are not prepared for is the beautifully simple gift of friendship.
The chief is a big man with a hand shake that speaks of toil and a smile and laugh that makes you a local. Bruno and Renae teach you how to eat the staple diet; sema, a dough made of maze, rolled into balls and used to scoop fish or pumpkin leaves into your mouth. Jonathon will walk with you and show you the way through a maze of tracks, no matter how far away or how hot/humid/rainy the weather. As soon as you stop the car the kids will come running to help you carry your gear to the house. Sixty+ year old Pastor Peter will walk an hour up the beach in searing heat to invite you to a dinner where they will serve you a week’s worth of food. Alice and Juliet will offer to carry 50kg bags of porridge..…on their heads. Blessings will give you a guided tour of the island in his dug out canoe. Ssiou and Uledi will take you to watch their favorite Nigerian movies in a malaria infested shack, then guide you back through darkness so thick you can’t see your own nose, guiding you with their laughter and enthusiastic chat. Amongst this is a woman who I am in awe of. When the sun opens for business, Robyn’s back door opens and it’s on. A maelstrom of visitors, knock after knock. There’s the community garden that needs work, this child has malaria, that student needs school fees. Then it’s off to nursery school. By now the humidity is pressing in and Robyn walks probably between 15–20 km each day - into town to check the mail (empty again, c’mon Aussies), talking to this person and that person each with pressing needs. Somehow she squeezes in a cup of tea, then another, then another. Early arvo and Maudi, Alice and Tawonga come over for a chat on their way to washing in the lake, Robyn finds out a baby is not heavy enough and heads out, walking again to give the child some formula. Robyn gives and gives. Not because of pity, I learnt that we should never feel pity for these people. Our pity would only demean their strength and resilience. Robyn gives because God has put a love for Malawi and its people in her heart. It is a love that tests, frustrates, stretches and demands and yet Robyn is faithful because she wants to see a harvest in Malawi. She wants to see the people know the freedom and joy that comes with having Jesus as Lord!